Notes and quotes from Virginia Tech’s 81-80 overtime victory over North Carolina Tuesday: 

*The day marked the one-year anniversary of the death of the father of Virginia Tech senior center Coleman Collins. Jackson Collins died of cancer. Coleman’s older brother, Jackson Jr., was in attendance at the Smith Center. Instead of going back with the team, Coleman said he was planning to travel with his brother. “I’m going to ride back to Blacksburg and just enjoy this win,” he said. Collins was only 3 of 12 from the floor (7 points, 6 rebounds), but he was instrumental in Tech’s interior defense and hit a crucial jumper to start the overtime period. 

*UNC coach Roy Williams took time to speak with Collins afterward. “I told him congratulations and I was awful sorry. That team went through a lot last year. [Tech coach Seth Greenberg] did a nice job with them. It doesn’t mean I wanted to lose to make them feel better, that’s not what I’m saying. But congratulate them. Roy Williams did an awful job and Virginia Tech’s players did a nice job and won the game.”

*Greenberg: “There’s such a thin line between winning and losing. Last year we couldn’t impose our will on the game. This year it seems like we’ve gotten stops when we needed to. Why? I don’t know. Maybe the basketball gods are on our side.” 

*More Greenberg, on his team’s NCAA tournament chances: “It’s such a hard job. There’s so many good teams. It’s a pretty good resume or whatever. ... Obviously a road win against the 2nd RPI team is good. There’s a lot of basketball to be played.”

* Williams, on Tech guards Zabian Dowdell and Jamon Gordon: “They are really good. ... They dominate the basketball. They make shots. They can make shots in the lane. ... They can get to the free-throw line and make shots.” Dowdell scored 33 points, including 17 of 19 from the foul line. He has made 28 of 34 free throws in two games against the Tar Heels this season. Gordon had 10 points and four assists. 

*Tech hadn’t played in Chapel Hill since 1975. It hadn’t won there since Feb. 12, 1966. ... The Hokies now have four ACC road wins. They had just two in each of their first two seasons in the league.