Virginia Tech made the Sweet 16 for just the second time in school history last year, but the drop off is going to be steep.
Buzz Williams left for Texas A&M and has been replaced by former Wofford head coach Mike Young, yet virtually all VT’s important players left, too. Justin Robinson graduated, Nickeil Alexander-Walker will be coming off the bench for the New Orleans Pelicans, and All-ACC big man Kerry Blackshear is finishing his college career at Florida.
Wabissa Bede is the only returning starter, and Isaiah Wilkins and PJ Horne are the only other players returning from the rotation. They’re hoping to receive a boost from Landers Nolley, who was academically ineligible last season, but the Hokies are going to have to rely on their freshmen class to contribute in a big way.
Young managed to piece together a solid class considering the late start he got, headlined by Jalen Cone, a four-star prospect that figures to be the team’s starting point guard and one of their better players.
Still, this program is set to embark on yet another rebuild. It will probably take a year or two before they become anything close to competitive in the ACC.