"Our focus was on getting a bye in the ACC tournament," Delaney said. "We came out and played well."
Delaney tied a season high with 32 points and Jeff Allen had 17 points with 10 rebounds to help Virginia Tech win its second straight game with an 88-82 victory over Georgia Tech on Saturday.
Georgia Tech (19-11, 7-9) has lost two straight and five of seven to put itself in danger of missing the NCAA tournament for the sixth time in 10 seasons under coach Paul Hewitt.
Though Hudson's injury forced him to miss his first game in three years at Virginia Tech, the Hokies (23-7, 10-6 Atlantic Coast Conference) assured themselves of a first-round bye in the league tournament next week in Greensboro, N.C.
Virginia Tech remained tied with Florida State for fourth place in the ACC regular-season standings.
Hudson, the Hokies' second-leading scorer, sat on the bench wearing street clothes and a protective boot as he missed his first game in three seasons. With Virginia Tech avoiding the ACC quarterfinals, he will have another 24 hours to heal.
Hokies coach Seth Greenberg indicated that Hudson will not practice until Wednesday.
"It's an unreal situation sitting on the bench," Hudson said. "I think I did a pretty good job of cheering them on. Everybody on the team can step up."
Delaney, the ACC's leading scorer, excited his team with a 3-pointer at the 3:51 mark of the first half to give the Hokies' their first double-digit lead.
On the previous play, Georgia Tech's Gani Lawal was setting a high screen near the Virginia Tech bench when his right forearm slammed into Delaney's side and knocked him to the floor.
The Hokies' biggest lead was 17 when Delaney hit two free throws to make it 75-58 with 8:53 remaining. Virginia Tech continued its theme for the rest of the game, scoring its final 17 points over the final 10:25 on foul shots.
Delaney is the ACC's best at drawing contact. He leads the league in free-throw attempts (170), makes (144) and percentage (85), but he also is willing to take considerable punishment.
"The constant dialogue is that you have to put good pressure on him, and when he gets the ball out of his hands, then try to deny him," Hewitt said. "He's talented. He can make plays."
Georgia Tech came within three of the lead on a layup by Derrick Favors with 36 seconds left before Delaney, Allen and Terrell Bell combined to hit five of six free throws to secure the win.
"They hit some deep 3s, but they were playing desperation basketball," Delaney said of the Jackets. "They're going to make some shots in that situation."
Lawal and Favors each scored 18 points as the Yellow Jackets finished below .500 in the ACC regular season for the sixth straight year.
"We have to get a couple of wins and see where it falls from here," Hewitt said. "Thankfully we have a chance to improve it."
Terrell Bell finished with 14 points and 13 rebounds for the Hokies, who moved within one victory of tying the 1995-96 team for most wins in school history.
Virginia Tech is seeking its first NCAA bid since 2007.
"To win 10 games in the ACC is really hard," Greenberg said. "You have to be lucky. You have to be tough. You have to have good players. You have to deal with the highs and lows, like losing tree games in a row and staying focused. To have a bye is incredible."
Georgia Tech basketball coach Paul Hewitt
http://accesswdun.com/article/2010/3/227564