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Newcomer Khadim Sy Shining Bright This Season

By Colin Moran

Dec 7, 2016; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech forward Khadim Sy (2) passes the ball while being defended by Maryland-Eastern Shore Hawks forward Bakari Copeland (21) and guard Derrico Peck (24) in the second half at Cassell Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2016; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech forward Khadim Sy (2) passes the ball while being defended by Maryland-Eastern Shore Hawks forward Bakari Copeland (21) and guard Derrico Peck (24) in the second half at Cassell Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Hokies of Virginia Tech, along with Coach Buzz Williams, have started the 2016-17 basketball campaign off to a blazing 8-1 record, with their only loss by three points to Texas A&M.

The Hokies entered the season picked to finish 10th in the conference, but after the way they have exploded out of the gate to the 8-1 start, the sky is the limit for this team.

Atlantic Coast Conference regular season play begins for the Hokies on Saturday December 31st vs Duke which will be a home game at Cassell Coliseum.

Right now in the ACC standings Virginia Tech sits in 7th place with their 8-1 record. The other 6 teams ahead of them also all have 1 loss this season.

Before conference play begins the Hokies have 3 more non-conference match-ups left to play. Those games are against The Citadel, Charleston Southern, and University of Maryland-Baltimore County. The Hokies are favored to win in all 3 of those games.

Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports
Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports /

One of the major reasons for the early season success for the Hokies has been the play of the 6’10” freshman forward from the Senegal, Khadim Sy.

In nine games this season, Khadim Sy has 36 rebounds, 8 blocks and has scored 53 points. He is averaging 5.9 points a game along with 4 rebounds a game. He is also shooting 64% from the floor going 25 of 39.

In the game against Michigan two weeks ago, which is the Hokies’ best win of the season so far, Sy scored 8 points and had 4 rebounds, proving to be a pivotal part of the major non-conference victory.

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As ACC play approaches, Virginia Tech will be leaning heavily on the freshman forward and will need huge production from him, especially now that Kerry Blackshear may not be available for the rest of the season.

The play of Sy could determine how some of the conference games will play out this season. In order for the Hokies to finish near the top of the ACC standings and make the NCAA tournament of the first time since 2007, they will need Khadim Sy to continue to step up and have a huge freshman season.

Stick with Fighting Gobbler for the latest Hokies basketball news and coverage such as this, as well as information as the season continues and conference play approaches.