Delaney recovering, but status unknown for UNC game

Virginia Tech guard Malcolm Delaney on Monday started rehabilitating his sprained left ankle and was supposed to run on an anti-gravity treadmill, but his status for the Hokies’ game at No. 9 North Carolina on Sunday is still unknown.

Delaney, who sat out the Hokies’ win over Seton Hall on Saturday, was injured in a win over Longwood last Thursday; he left that game after suffering the injury while driving to the hoop in the opening minute. Delaney has worn a walking boot on the foot.

Virginia Tech Coach Seth Greenberg said Delaney has made progress, but said “it’s still too early” to speculate on when he might be able to return.

“I’m not going to risk the rest of the season so he can play against Carolina,” Greenberg said Monday in a teleconference. “It’s a long season and there are a lot of games to be played.”

Delaney, who is leading the Atlantic Coast Conference with 19.8 points per game, is Virginia Tech’s best player and most consistent scoring option.

But the Hokies’ played admirably in his absence, picking up a critical non-conference win over Seton Hall in Cancun, Mexico. Guard Dorenzo Hudson scored a career-high 41 points and forward Jeff Allen had 23 points and 13 rebounds to lead Virginia Tech.

While the win injected some confidence in the Hokies, they will face a more difficult challenge on Sunday in Chapel Hill. And Virginia Tech (12-1) will be anxiously awaiting word about whether Delaney will be available against the Tar Heels (11-3).