Virginia Tech hosts Maryland

It's a big Saturday in Blacksburg. Let's get straight to the morning links.

Virginia Tech will look to "protect the Cassell," as Coach Seth Greenberg likes to say, with Maryland coming to town for an important test for the Hokies.

The Terrapins have never won here, so Coach Gary Williams and Co. are gearing up to make the unfriendly trip. "Virginia Tech has a good home court," Williams said. "And we'll have to see how well we can play."

Darryl Slater of the Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that Virginia Tech freshman Cadarian Raines is playing with an injured left shoulder, is sprained and might have torn ligaments. A tear might even require surgery, but a procedure will be saved until after the season, the report says.