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NCAA Basketball: 10 teams that will exceed expectations in 2019-20

By Donovan Darlington

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - MARCH 30: Mamadi Diakite #25 of the Virginia Cavaliers reacts against the Purdue Boilermakers during overtime of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament South Regional at KFC YUM! Center on March 30, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - MARCH 30: Mamadi Diakite #25 of the Virginia Cavaliers reacts against the Purdue Boilermakers during overtime of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament South Regional at KFC YUM! Center on March 30, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/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)
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

2018-19 Record: 26-9

The reasons so much doubt surrounds Virginia Tech are almost endless. I mean, all five of their leading scorers from last season are no longer there, nor do they have a very strong recruiting class. Not to mention, Head Coach Buzz Williams has moved on to go coach at Texas A&M.

Guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker was definitely the best player for the Hokies last year, averaging 16.2 ppg last year and establishing himself as one of the best guards in the ACC. He is now in the NBA with the Pelicans. Kerry Blackshear Jr. is definitely the most notable player from last year’s squad due to the fact that he transferred to Florida.

The fact that Virginia Tech is now extremely shorthanded will hurt on both sides of the ball and this will be pretty clear when watching them play. There is a lot to try and make up for this year, but I feel like the damages that were dealt to the Hokies will not be as bad as predicted.

Virginia Tech now has Mike Young as their Head Coach. Mike Young was at Wofford a season ago and everyone was made aware of how great of a coach he is. People seem to truly be doubting him this year now that he is at Virginia Tech, though.

Let me tell you this: Mike Young has already assessed his situation and he knows exactly how to employ his great offensive style with any Virginia Tech squad he puts on the floor. He and his players know there are plenty of doubters, but he will be what keeps Virginia Tech from falling to the bottom of the ACC as many thinks will happen.

Next. Top 25 programs of all time. dark

It is hard to say if Virginia Tech can be an NCAA Tournament squad, but I feel like they will be competitive in games and be in a good position in the ACC by the end of the season.

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