Virginia Tech Basketball: Can Hokies survive without injured Ty Outlaw?

Virginia Tech’s Ty Outlaw will miss the 2017-2018 season due to an offseason injury. How well equipped are the Hokies to replace their three-point ace?

Early Monday, David Teel of the Daily Press reported that Virginia Tech forward Ty Outlaw would miss the 2017-2018 season, following surgery to repair a torn ACL.

Outlaw, a key piece for Head Coach Buzz Williams’ Hokies, broke out at the end of last season, after replacing an injured Chris Clarke in the starting lineup. During the last eight games of the season, Outlaw averaged 13.9 points and 4.6 rebounds.

Because Outlaw is a redshirt senior, this injury could very well end his college career. He will need to petition the NCAA for a medical hardship waiver, which would grant him a sixth year of eligibility.

Without Outlaw, Virginia Tech will need other players to step up if they wish to remain a top team in the ACC. The loss of Outlaw will test Virginia Tech’s depth, but Coach Williams will have plenty of options moving forward.

One major benefit for the Hokies is the return of Clarke and Kerry Blackshear, who both sustained injuries last season. Blackshear missed the entire season due to a stress fracture, while Clark was injured in February and missed the remainder of the season.

The Hokies also add freshman Nickeil Alexander-Walker, one of the more highly recruited players in the 2017 class. Alexander-Walker is a solid shooter, which should allow him to adequately replace Outlaw, who shot over 48% from deep in 2017.

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The loss of Ty Outlaw is a major blow to the Virginia Tech Hokies, a team that looked to be toward the top of the ACC. His incredible three point shooting will be tough to replace, but Virginia Tech possesses the depth to succeed despite the setback.