This much we know: Jeff Allen will not be automatically suspended for Virginia Tech’s next game, Sunday at Miami. The key word there is “automatically.”

Allen, a junior power forward and Virginia Tech’s third-leading scorer, was ejected from tonight’s 76-71 overtime win at Virginia after he threw an elbow that caught Jeff Jones in the face with 13:41 left in regulation.

As referee Karl Hess explained afterward to a pool reporter, Doug Doughty of the Roanoke Times, the original ruling on the court was for a flagrant foul and an ejection. Hess and his fellow zebras, Gary Maxwell and Roger Ayers, reviewed a video replay of the incident on a courtside monitor. The review confirmed the original ruling, though the muscled-up NFL ref Ed Hochuli did not run onto the court to make this announcement.

“I didn’t see the play,” said Tech coach Seth Greenberg. “I spoke to Jeff [Allen] and he said that he secured the ball, he chinned the ball and he turned. He didn’t even see Jeff Jones, who was a teammate of his in AAU. And that’s all I know. I’ll look at it.”

Hess also told Doughty that the incident will not warrant an automatic suspension from the ACC, because the conference only doles out such punishment when players fight. Again, the important word is “automatic.”

The conference office will surely review the play. Even though Allen won’t get an automatic suspension, the league can still choose to sit him. The big question is: Will The Powers That Be take into account Allen’s previous on-court behavior issues when they decide what to do?

As a freshman, he bumped a zebra, Zelton Steed, at Georgia Tech and was suspended for a game. Last season, he gave the middle finger to fans at Maryland and was again docked a game, which the Hokies ended up losing 75-61 at Virginia—their last trip to Charlottesville before tonight and a loss that hurt their NCAA tournament hopes/chances/aspirations (pick your favorite sportswriter buzz word).

Tech also lost when Allen was suspended as a freshman, 81-64 at home to Duke. But the Hokies might not have won that game with him, because the Diablos were 13-3 in the league that year, compared to Virginia’s 4-12 conference record last season.

Also, Tech’s athletics director, Jim Weaver, could step in and suspend Allen. Not saying that is going to happen, but there very well could be some conversations tomorrow between the league office and Weaver about Allen’s elbow. Greenberg declined to comment on the possibility of Allen being suspended by the ACC or Weaver.

The Hokies showed grit tonight in winning without Allen, thanks largely to the contributions of his backup, junior J.T. Thompson, who shot 6 of 9, scored 17 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Another big stat: Thompson made 5 of 6 free throws, including all four of his attempts in overtime, which helped seal the win. Tonight’s showing from the charity stripe boosted his season free-throw percentage to a whopping 53.1 percent.

“Sometimes, we’ve got to win those type of games without Jeff,” said junior point guard Malcolm Delaney.

Will they have to do it again Sunday? What say you, fine readers?

I’m looking forward to checking out the replay of the incident on DVR back home.

In the meantime, here is a video of the terrific song that played at John Paul Jones Arena while Hess and Co. were looking at the monitor ...

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Virginia Tech’s junior power forward was ejected from tonight’s 76-71 overtime win at Virginia for throwing an elbow.