NCAA Basketball: Way-too-early top-25 power rankings for 2021-22 season

The Hokies were one of the biggest surprises this past season, going from the bottom third to the top third of the ACC. A huge part of that was the emergence of forward Keve Aluma, who averaged 15.2 ppg and 7.9 rpg. He and Justyn Mutts went from mid-major role players to dynamic power conference starters in the ACC.

That’s not to say that the guards didn’t do their part too. Nahiem Alleyne was a double-digit scorer, as was Tyrece Radford when he wasn’t suspended for a few games. Hunter Catoor shot over 43% from three-point range, while Wabissa Bede led the team in assists.

Virginia Tech lost both Jalen Cone and Joe Bamisile to the transfer portal but will have Darius Maddox and Sean Pedulla as part of the rotation next season. And to replace Bede at the point guard position will be Storm Murphy, a fifth-year grad transfer from Wofford, who will be joining his previous head coach Mike Young. He averaged 17.8 ppg and 4.3 apg and will certainly be an offensive upgrade. But he may also be a defensive downgrade compared to Bede.

The Hokies could likely use another big man to have plenty of depth in the frontcourt but Aluma will be an ACC Player of the Year candidate. If Alleyne and Radford can take another jump into their junior campaigns, Virginia Tech will be a top-5 team in the league again.