The 2025-26 season is not going as expected for the Virginia Tech Hokies. The Hokies, who are 18-10 and 7-8, received some good news before taking on the 18th-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels on Saturday in Chapel Hill.
Sophomore guard Tyler Johnson is off the injury report and will play Saturday at UNC. This is big news for Virginia Tech, which has lost the 6-foot-5 guard from Orlando since a Dec. 20 win over Elon. Johnson has yet to play in an ACC game this season, but he returns at the perfect time as the Hokies look to enter the NCAA Tournament with a strong finish.
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Head coach Mike Young had been saying for weeks that Johnson was close. During Thursday’s episode of Tech Talk Live, Young confirmed via Tech Sideline’s David Cunningham that we’ll see Johnson against the Tar Heels.
Before the injury, Johnson averaged 9.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. Johnson shot 53% from the field and 42% from three-point range. He also happens to be Virginia Tech’s best defender.
The Hokies finish the season at No. 18 North Carolina, host Boston College and face No. 11 Virginia next Saturday. Johnson’s return puts the Hokies back at full strength for the first time since November, when Toby LaVar missed multiple games with a leg injury.
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North Carolina has officially ruled out superstar freshman Caleb Wilson, who fractured his non-throwing hand earlier this month. Wilson is set to return but will not play in a Hokies game. UNC played well without Wilson, though.
Here’s how you can watch Saturday’s game:
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when: Saturday, February 28, 2026
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Where: Dean Smith Center, Chapel Hill, NC
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announcer: Wes Durham and Dennis Scott
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radio: Virginia Tech Sports Network Radio. You can find a list of affiliates here.
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streaming media: ESPN.com and the ESPN app
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betting odds: The Tar Heels are the favorite with a 6.5 rating, according to FanDuel.