Dorenzo Hudson won't play against Georgia Tech

ATLANTA -- Virginia Tech guard Dorenzo Hudson will not play in the Hokies’ meeting with Georgia Tech on Saturday afternoon in an effort to rest a stress-related foot injury.

Playing without Hudson, the team's second-leading scorer, will be a big blow to Virginia Tech as it seeks another quality win to sew up an NCAA tournament at-large berth. The Hokies are readying for a crucial meeting with the Yellow Jackets, who are 35th in the RPI.

An afterthought before the season, Hudson has blossomed into a deft scorer and a team leader this season. Either Erick Green or Manny Atkins, both freshman, will play in Hudson's place.

Hudson has been bothered most of the season with a right foot injury. Although his productivity has been unaffected, Hudson has been in pain after playing. He has been kept out of practices, worn a walking boot and been fitted with a reinforced orthotic brace in his sneaker.

Hudson, who initially injured his right foot in the Hokies' loss at Florida State on Jan. 16, was not supposed to play in Virginia Tech's win over North Carolina State on Wednesday. But he came out and scored 21 points in what Coach Seth Greenberg described as a "courageous effort."

Hudson is Virginia Tech's second-leading scorer, averaging 16.7 points in ACC games.

But now, without Hudson, the Hokies will likely have to rely on a couple of freshmen in a potentially make-or-break game. It is certainly not the situation Virginia Tech wanted to find itself in as it tries to steal a rare win on the road in a final push to make its first NCAA tournament since 2007.