NCAA Basketball: Updated early top-25 rankings for 2021-22 after NBA Draft deadline

The Hokies had one big NBA Draft decision to deal with this offseason. And that was Keve Aluma, one of the national breakout stars of NCAA Basketball, leading the team with 15.2 ppg and 7.9 rpg this past season and guiding Virginia Tech to the Big Dance. There was a shot that he would leave during the process but in the end, Aluma opted to come back for his senior campaign.

https://twitter.com/AlumaKeve/status/1408168150366048259

His return, along with forward Justyn Mutts, gives them a good starting frontcourt once again. They had some depth with South Florida transfer big Michael Durr but he moved again to the Indiana Hoosiers. David N’Guessan and Clemson transfer Lynn Kidd will provide backup inside but they’ll all have to do well on the boards to make up for the sudden departure of Tyrece Radford.

The 6’2 guard was arguably the best pound-for-pound rebounders in the country, averaging 6.1 rpg in two years, along with 10.9 ppg in scoring. The starting wing’s absence will be felt in multiple ways but the good news is that the Hokies did bring in another Wofford transfer in point guard Storm Murphy, who’s a massive offensive upgrade from Wadissa Bebe.

If guards Nahiem Alleyne and Hunter Catoor takes a step up next season along with Murphy in the backcourt, Virginia Tech will have the balance and firepower to make up for Radford’s departure. This team was top-15 good before the covid issues and as long as Aluma is back, should be top-25 good next season.