It's hard to believe, but the 2026-27 Virginia Tech men's basketball season is here, and the Hokies opened the season on Tuesday night at Cassell Coliseum against Coppin State. After an offseason with some rather big roster turnover, there were questions as to what the Hokies would look like after three scrimmages.
Virginia Tech bolted out to a 45-27 lead on the Eagles before pulling away in the second half for an 88-54 win, marking an 11th straight win at home to open a season. Here are four buckets (winners) and two bricks (losers) from the 34-point season-opening rout.
Bucket: Ben Hammond
Guard Ben Hammond is back for another season in Blacksburg, and he appears ready to take an even bigger leap after the one he took last season. In 33 minutes, he scored a game-high 20 points, grabbed three rebounds, dished out eight assists, and had seven steals. He hit four 3-pointers and did a nice job handling the ball in transition. A very good first game for the Virginia native.
Brick: Virginia Tech turnovers
If there were one thing that head coach Mike Young and his staff might not have liked as 14 Hokies turnovers and Coppin State scored 16 points off those turnovers. Some of the turnovers were avoidable, as they got too cute sometimes in terms of alley-oop attempts in transition, but there were also some turnovers due to a lack of communication. Something that needs to be cleaned up going forward.
Bucket: Jaylen Curry
Oklahoma State transfer Jaylen Curry started in the backcourt with Hammond, and it was an impressive opening game as a Hokie. He finished with 19 points, which included three first-half 3-pointers, and was 6-for-9 from the field overall and 4-for-5 from the free-throw line. He is quick and will cause problems for opponents, but six turnovers could be concerning.
Brick: Coppin State's 3-point shooting
Turning the ball over 24 times on the road as a big underdog is not a recipe for success for a team like Coppin State, but factor in going just 2-for-12 from behind the arc, and it makes it more of an uphill climb for the Eagles. For the game, Coppin State was just 17for-52 from the field.
Bucket: Amani Hansberry
As good as Hammond's opening game was, Amani Hansberry had a solid opening game as well. Another key returner, the former West Virginia transfer, had 16 points, nine rebounds, and four assists. He also had a pair of steals. He hit two of his three attempts from behind the arc and looked confident shooting the ball. He is going to be someone the Hokies need to stay healthy all season long.
Bucket: 3-point shooting
I know, it's just one game, but last season the Hokies averaged just under nine 3-pointers a game and against Coppin State, they went 13-for-28, which was 46%. Not too bad. Six different players connected on a 3-pointer: Hammond, Florida Atlantic transfer Isaiah Elohim, Curry, and Hansberry hit multiple threes. That shot is going to be key this season for Young and his club.
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