The Virginia Tech men’s basketball team is on the rise thanks to its work on the boards.

The Hokies were one of the worst rebounding teams in the ACC the past three seasons, but that is no longer the case. They are outrebounding foes by 5.2 rebounds per game, and have outrebounded their opponent the past 10 games.

Tech’s improvement on the boards could be a factor when the third-place Hokies (14-8, 5-3) visit North Carolina State (14-7, 3-4) at 7 tonight.

The Hokies have lost five straight times to State. The Wolfpack has the second-leading rebounder in the conference, freshman center J.J. Hickson (8.4 rpg).

But Tech ranks fourth in the ACC in rebounding margin, while State ranks last. In ACC games only, Tech ranks second (outrebounding foes by 6.2 rpg) and State 10th (outrebounded by 4.1 rpg).

Coach Seth Greenberg said Monday that most of the Hokies get their rebounds thanks to their quickness, not their strength.

“We’re quick to the ball, quick in the air,” he said. “We pursue balls out of our area.”

The Hokies haven’t finished a season with a better rebounding average than their foes since 2002-03, their penultimate year in the Big East.

Tech made the NCAA tournament last season despite being ranked 11th in the ACC in rebounding margin (outrebounded by 0.6 per game). Its second-leading rebounder last season was a guard, then-senior Jamon Gordon.

Last year, the Hokies got extra scoring opportunities from steals. This year, Tech is getting them from rebounds. The Hokies snared 51 rebounds in their Jan. 26 overtime win at Boston College, including 20 on the offensive glass.

“Who knows how long it will last, but we’re getting 50-50 balls and we’re pursuing balls on the backboard,” Greenberg said.

Small forward Deron Washington is averaging 6.8 rebounds, up from a team-best 5.2 last season. He picked up his fourth double-double of the season in Saturday’s overtime win over Virginia.

Off-guard A.D. Vassallo is averaging five rebounds, up from four last season. He has two double-doubles.

Washington and Vassallo have been Tech’s best rebounders in ACC games this season. In conference play, the two wing players are averaging 16.2 rebounds combined.

“That’s as big as anything,” Greenberg said.

Tech also has an impact post player this year.

Freshman power forward Jeff Allen is tied for sixth in the league with an average of 7.8 rebounds in his 20 games. He has six double-doubles this season, although none in ACC play. He is one of the few Hokies who get rebounds because of his strength, said Greenberg.

“He has extremely long arms and an extremely strong upper body,” Greenberg said.

The Hokies have won six of their last eight games, which has not gone unnoticed by the Wolfpack.

“There’s nothing more dangerous than a team that’s playing with a lot of confidence,” State coach Sidney Lowe said. “We saw that [Sunday] night in the Super Bowl.”