The Virginia Tech men's basketball team may be getting back one of its key players for its Big East home opener against Villanova on Saturday. Brian Chase, who has been out the past three games while nursing a broken hand, is probably going to play against the Wildcats.

The 5-foot-10 guard from Washington, D.C., broke his right (shooting) hand in a practice before the Hokies' game with Tennessee-Chattanooga and missed that game along with Tech's games against High Point and St. John's. Tech won only the High Point game - in double overtime - in the sophomore's absence.

If Chase plays, he'll be fitted with a soft cast to allow him more flexibility. Chase is averaging 12.3 points and 3.1 rebounds per game and he has made 21 of his 42 3-point attempts. He is shooting a little better than 42 percent from the floor on the season.

Tech (6-6, 0-1) takes on the Wildcats at 2 p.m.