NCAA Basketball: Biggest takeaways from 2019 Maui Invitational
BYU – Cougars survived the Yoeli Childs suspension
Coming into the season, BYU was in a difficult situation, not having either of their starting forwards to start out. Gavin Baxter is out for the entire season with a shoulder injury, while Yoeli Childs was out for the first nine via the NCAA for faulty paperwork when entering the NBA Draft last offseason. Without either, the Cougars had to navigate a tough schedule with an undersized lineup having to make a ton of three-pointers.
And it looks like they’ve done it. Assuming they beat D-II Montana Tech up next, BYU will have gone 6-3 without Childs, beating Houston, UCLA, and Virginia Tech along the way. There’s no telling how good those wins will end up but at least the team didn’t play itself out of NCAA Tournament contention. And with a 20-10 player set to return alongside a bunch of guards able to shoot the longball at a high percentage, the WCC has to deal with a dangerous squad out of Provo.
Virginia Tech – Hokies will be far more competitive than expected
While Duke’s upset from the hands of Stephen F. Austin has taken the national coverage as of late, Virginia Tech shocking Michigan State should not be overlooked. The Hokies were viewed as possibly the worst team in the ACC coming into the season and are already 6-2 to start out 2019-20. Freshman Landers Nolley looks more like an All-ACC player each game, and the freshmen class has surpassed expectations.
The offense looks legit for Virginia Tech and will a young roster that’ll only get better, head coach Mike Young is in prime position for National Coach of the Year consideration. And if the Hokies can will their next four winnable games, they’ll actually have a better NCAA Tournament resume than many others who were projected to be in the mix. If there is an ACC bottom feeder this season, it certainly doesn’t look like Virginia Tech will be that team.