NCAA Basketball: Pros and cons of Kerry Blackshear's final group of teams

NCAA Basketball: Pros and cons of Kerry Blackshear’s final group of teams

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 22: Kerry Blackshear Jr. #24 of the Virginia Tech Hokies drives with the ball against Hasahn French #11 of the Saint Louis Billikens during their game in the First Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament at SAP Center on March 22, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images) /

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JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – MARCH 23: Head coach Mike Young of the Wofford Terriers watches play as they take on the Kentucky Wildcats during the first half of the game in the second round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Vystar Memorial Arena on March 23, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /

Virginia Tech Hokies

Pros

After Buzz left for Texas A&M, the Hokies went for Mike Young of Wofford, coming off of a 30-win season and a Round of 32 appearance in the Big Dance. He came to a depleted roster, with the top six scorers leaving the program. But credit to the new coaching staff for picking up the pieces early and creating a legit roster to compete in the ACC. Top-100 guard from a year ago Landers Nolley has been retained, along with Wabissa Bede.

Virginia Tech also brings in four-star point guard Jalen Cone along with graduate transfer Branden Johnson for next season. Assuming Blackshear has fond feelings of the school he’s spent the past few years at, the Hokies can’t be completely dismissed from the conversation.

Cons

Of all six teams heavily involved, Virginia Tech is the best spot for Blackshear individually, potentially allowing him to score over 20 ppg. But that’s because the roster overall isn’t as good, and likely at best finishing in the bottom four of the ACC. It’s hard to see a player with legitimate interest of going elsewhere to settle for a star role on a team with little hopes of making the NCAA Tournament. Coach Young recently said not to count them out and that may be true. But if Blackshear does return to the Hokies, it’ll be a massive upset.

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