NCAA Basketball: Ok State, Va Tech, and Minnesota among Sean Pedulla’s top 8
By Ian Mumm
Virginia Tech Hokies
In a transitional season, head coach Mike Young managed to show some strong signs of life in his first season at the helm of the Hokies. Despite their youth, his deep stable of guards managed to carry the team to several wins, including Michigan State at the Maui Invitational, evoking the team’s potential in the near future. Virginia Tech has let loose from the perimeter and will likely look to carry over their high-rate of perimeter production again in 2020.
This is an area where Pedulla fits well with the team, but he does bring in several aspects that could help to boost the team’s low efficiency across the floor. Among a large group of shooters, there will be a good opportunity for him to make his mark as a high offensive creator in downhill situations and through the pick-and-roll. His change of pace and ability to win his 1-on-1 battles add physicality and inside scoring to a preferential perimeter team.
However, the outlook for playing time under Mike Young does not look great. The team boasted six guards with at least 5.0 points per game. Landers Nolley has transferred to Memphis and Wabissa Bede is entering his final year of eligibility, but that is not even considering the Hokies 2020 recruiting class.
Joe Bamisilie and Darius Maddox, as well as Kansas State transfer Cartier Diarra, have joined the program this offseason further complicating the rotation and slowing the potential for an opening once Pedulla arrives on campus.