The Virginia Tech men's basketball team knew what was at stake in the first round of the ACC Tournament on Tuesday night at the Spectrum Center against Wake Forest. The 12th-seeded Hokies needed a win over the 13th-seeded Demon Deacons if they had any thought of getting into the 68-team field on Sunday night.
Missing Amani Hansberry, who was injured in the second half of Saturday's 76-72 loss at Virginia. That was a major blow for the Hokies, who needed a win. It was another sluggish start for Virginia Tech, which dug itself another early hole, and they were able to dig out of it to force overtime. At the end of the regulation, Ben Hammond missed a driving layup, but Bedford's offensive rebound at the buzzer rimmed out. That was the Hokies' chance as they were outscored 20-14 in overtime in another gut-wrenching loss in 2025-26.
The loss ends any NCAA Tournament hopes the Hokies had, who are destined for the NIT. Here are three observations after a loss that dropped Tech to 19-13 on the season.
Ten first-half turnovers did Virginia Tech in
Virginia Tech trailed, 38-34, at the half, and a lot of that had to do with 10 turnovers that led to 11 Wake Forest points. The frustrating part was that a lot of them were unforced. That can't happen in any game and still expect a win. Not even the NIT.
The Hokies cleaned that up in the second half, but after they built a five-point lead, they allowed the Demon Deacons back into the game and couldn't get stops on defense. This has been an issue for Tech all season long, and it reared its ugly head with the season on the line, again.
Wake Forest made more shots around the basket in the second half
You might not think this means much, but it did. Virginia Tech got to the basket in the second half, but between their guards and forwards, they missed a lot of bunnies. Down the other end, Wake Forest made those shots, and it allowed them to pull away. They scored on offensive rebounds and a nice alley-oop. Again, the Hokies just couldn't get shots to fall, and it cost them, especially in overtime.
What also didn't help was their inability to shoot the ball consistently. Jaden Schutt made some big shots in the second half, finishing with 15 points, but nobody else made enough shots they needed at key times.
Ben Hammond again did everything he could for Virginia Tech
One player that Young must retain for next season is Ben Hammond. He once again showed that this breakout season was no fluke. He had 23 points, got to the basket, and continues to be a problem for other teams. His breakout season was much-needed, given the struggles that freshman Neoklis Avdalas went through once ACC games began. Again, he needs to be back next season at all costs. Literally.
Up next for the Hokies
One would assume that Young would accept an NIT bid as he did two years ago, and that would begin next week. The NCAA Tournament hopes are dashed, and truth be told, they would have needed to beat Clemson on Wednesday night for a second time this season, but that wasn't happening without Hansberry. He's listed as day-to-day, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him again this year. This game needed to be won at the buzzer, and it wasn't. Another frustrating loss for the Hokies.