ACC Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2021-22 season

Year 3 for Mike Young and Virginia Tech basketball brings some interesting changes to the roster for 2021-22. Jalen Cone (Northern Arizona), Devin Radford (Texas A&M), and Wabissa Bede are all gone but the addition of some new blood should give the Hokies new energy this upcoming year.

The losses don’t hurt the Hokies starting front too much, as three of their five full-time starters from a season ago return to the lineup this year. Versatile big man Keve Aluma (15.2 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 2.2 apg, and 1.3 bpg in 2020-21) leads the way with sharpshooter Nahiem Alleyne (11.1 ppg on 40.8 percent shooting from 3-point range in 2020-21) and upstart wingman Justyn Mutts (9.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg and 2.2 apg in 2020-21) alongside him.

Graduate transfer Storm Murphy is yet another name to re-join Young after playing for him from 2017-19 while a member of the Wofford Terriers’ squad. Murphy finished up his career in 2020-21 with 17.8 ppg, 4.3 apg, 3.3 rpg, and 1.0 spg while knocking down 40 percent of his 3-pointers. His playmaking and shooting prowess will bring a new dynamic to the Hokies backcourt.

David N’Guessan and Darius Maddox are two eyes to keep an eye on at “Break Out Watch” with the door wide open in the frontcourt for N’Guessan and in the backcourt for Maddox. N’Guessan produced 2.6 ppg and 2.3 rpg across 21 appearances this past season. Maddox made 11 appearances this past year and with experience under his belt, could emerge as quite the two-way presence on the perimeter.