ACC-SEC Challenge Top Prospects to Watch: Virginia Tech Versus Auburn

This year’s ACC-SEC challenge is headlined by Duke at Arkansas, but has a number of games that present excellent scouting opportunities, including Virginia Tech traveling to Auburn at 9:15 p.m. EST on ESPN2.

Who are some of the top prospects to watch in the Virginia Tech-Auburn matchup?

Johni Broome I Big I Auburn I Junior I 6’10 I 240 pounds

The Morehead State transfer’s first season as a Tiger was a successful one, showing little to no signs of struggling to adjust to the jump up in competition with averages of 14.2 points (first on team), 8.4 rebounds (third in the SEC) and 2.4 blocks (second in SEC, No. 11 in the country). Broome’s SEC debut season led to invitations to the NBA G League Elite Camp and NBA Draft Combine to be further evaluated by NBA decision makers before his decision to return to Auburn.

Broome thrives as a post scorer, play finisher and shot blocker, but isn't projected to be elite in either of those aspects on the NBA level. His draft stock is tied to the modernization of his game, specifically functional perimeter handling and 3-point shooting (29% mark last season on a career high 31 attempts). Expect another productive season from Broome as one of the best bigs in the SEC while he continues to expand his game.

Hunter Cattoor I Ancillary Guard I Virginia Tech I 6’3 I 200 pounds

Cattoor’s blend of elite shooting (career 41% 3-point shooter on 600 attempts) with shotmaking versatility and confidence give him NBA appeal despite lacking the ideal positional size. Coming off a year where he led the ACC in 3-point shooting at 42% (6.1 attempts per game), Cattoor should warrant Portsmouth Invitational Tournament and G League interest.

HUNTER CATTOOR.

WITH AUTHORITY.#SCTop10 🔨 pic.twitter.com/NE0SvpS7Ms
— Virginia Tech Men's Basketball (@HokiesMBB) December 4, 2022

Aden Holloway I Lead Guard I Auburn I Freshman I 6’1 I 178 pounds

Holloway is poised to be day one contributor for Auburn and a sneaky one-and-done candidate because of his lethal combination of quickness, creative handle, elite 3-point shooting, diverse shotmaking and playmaking ability.

Auburn fans will love Aden Holloway. Known as one of the best shooters in the 2023 class + there is juice off the bounce too with his combo of quickness, tricky handle and skilled shot making. This is a beautiful behind the back PnR split into an off hand floater pic.twitter.com/KPX3mWMd71
— Jam Hines (@jamontheboards) January 19, 2023

Coach Bruce Pearl has a history of allowing smaller guards of Holloway’s elk to play freely through their mistakes, grow and excel from Sharife Cooper to Wendell Green and Jared Harper. This is a tremendous sign for the opportunity Holloway could showcase his dynamic game early and often.

Aden Holloway ( @aden_holloway ) was frying at Zach Gonzales 🤯 elite counters and his jumper pure in catch and shoot… freshman at Auburn and draft prospect pic.twitter.com/IlnocH6TsM
— Swish Cultures (@swishcultures_) August 11, 2023

Sean Pedulla I Ancillary Guard I Virginia Tech I Junior I 6’1 I 195 pounds

Entering the season as Virginia Tech’s top returning scorer (15 points per game) and playmaker (3.8 assists), Pedulla will be relied upon to be an engine of the Hokies attack alongside Hunter Cattoor and Rodney Rice. His limited NBA physical tools might ultimately derail his NBA interest, but continued growth as a floor general and more established 3-point shooter after his drop from 44% to 34% on 3.6 more attempts, will keep scouts intrigued.

Rodney Rice I Ancillary Guard I Virginia Tech I Sophomore I 6’4 I 205 pounds

Rice showed glimpses of the impact player that he could be during an injury plagued eight game freshman season, putting up 7.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.1 stocks while shooting 33% from deep (39 attempts).

A healthy Rodney Rice is bound to enter the 2024 NBA draft conversation. High level shooter and tough shot maker. He’ll provide a big boost to VT this season pic.twitter.com/XhdSMfDDRn
— Jam Hines (@jamontheboards) July 23, 2023

His ability to stretch the floor and knock down tough shots on the ball on top of a projectable frame will continue to build NBA buzz throughout the season with this game potentially being a signature one. A healthy Rodney Rice is a legit NBA prospect and Virginia Tech’s X-factor.

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