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Virginia Tech Basketball: Projected starting lineup and depth chart for 2023-24 season

By Jerran Anderson

Nov 20, 2022; Charleston, South Carolina, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies head coach Mike Young is bathed in orange as a team video plays on a big screen prior to a game against the Charleston Cougars at TD Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2022; Charleston, South Carolina, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies head coach Mike Young is bathed in orange as a team video plays on a big screen prior to a game against the Charleston Cougars at TD Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /

Power Forward

Starter – Mekhi Long (25 mpg)

Mekhi Long joins the Virginia Tech rotation out of the transfer portal from Old Dominion out of the Sun Belt Conference. He’s got the potential to start at the 3 or 4 spot for the Hokies with what he can do on the floor. Given his length and ability to rebound the ball, it wouldn’t be a stretch to see the Hokies start Long at the power forward spot.

Long averaged 10.7 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 1.5 spg, and 1.3 spg in the Sun Belt this past season for Old Dominion. He finished fifth in rebounds (261), fifth in defensive rebounds (188), and 12th in offensive rebounds (73) after averaging 2.4 offensive rebounds per contest in 2022-23. He recorded a career-high 11 double-doubles in his final season with the Monarchs. It’s not entirely out of the equation that he can operate in the paint and give the Hokies a versatile dynamic in the frontcourt.

Bench – Mylyjeal Poteat (8 mpg), Tyler Nickel (7 mpg)

Mylyjeal Poteat was a consistent piece off the bench for the Hokies this past season and should be another consistent face in the frontcourt this season. He averaged 3.4 ppg and 2.0 rpg across 34 appearances in 2022-23. He’ll bring a veteran presence for them off the bench as he heads into his fourth season of college basketball.

Nickel is another prospect who should be able to get some playing time at the power-forward spot. He’s a strong-framed prospect at 220 pounds who should be able to hold his own in Mike Young’s fast-paced perimeter-focused offense.

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