Virginia Tech-N.C. State game now shown on ESPN

Virginia Tech's meeting with North Carolina State on Wednesday will be televised on ESPN in the Washington area thanks to a local blackout of the Duke-North Carolina game also taking place that night.

The Hokies-Wolfpack game was initially scheduled to be shown solely on ESPNU, but now will be available on ESPN in select areas, including Washington, Richmond and Charlottesville. The Blue Devils-Tar Heels game will be shown on Raycom Sports in those and other local markets affected in the switch. Both games tip off at 9 p.m.

Virginia Tech announced the television change Tuesday in a release.

The Hokies (18-4, 5-3) head to Raleigh, N.C., looking to keep their NCAA tournament hopes intact. While Virginia Tech desperately needs wins against teams in the top 50 of the Rating Percentage Index, it cannot afford poor losses. N.C. State (14-10, 2-7) could finish outside the RPI top 100, which would make a loss an ugly splotch on the Hokies' resume.