Going into Saturday afternoon's non-conference home game against George Mason, the Virginia Tech men's basketball team was facing another early-season résumé-building matchup. The Patriots were 9-0 entering the game, one of 13 remaining unbeatens across college basketball.
Behind the hot hand of Jaden Schutt off the bench with a team-high 18 points, the Hokies improved to 8-2 with a massive win at Cassell Coliseum. George Mason suffered their first setback, but they won't face many as they are going to be a team that should be in the NCAA Tournament in March. Here are some observations the the Hokies' eighth win of the 2025-26 season.
Virginia Tech observations from win over George Mason
- What a game from Schutt. All six of his field goals were 3-pointers, where he took 13 attempts. He hit three late in the first half that helped aid a 14-2 Hokies' run to close the half. That is where Virginia Tech began to separate.
- Amani Hansberry continues to play big for Mike Young in the absence of Tobi Lawal. He had 15 points, going 7-for-10 from the field, seven rebounds, six assists, and three steals. The West Virginia transfer has been massive with his ability to stretch the floor offensively and open things up.
- It was another good game from sophomore Tyler Johnson. He made five of his seven field goal attempts, grabbed five rebounds, with two assists and a block. His two easiest baskets were in the second half on a pair of breakaway dunks.
- Ben Hammond is really coming around as a sophomore as well. He finished with 10 points, four rebounds, and two steals. His shot from the outside has improved since last season.
- Freshman Neoklis Avdalas only scored six points on two 3-pointers, but he did a good job of running the offense with six assists.
- Virginia Tech's biggest lead peaked at 23 points in the second half behind the Hokies' hot shooting from beyond the arc.
- The Hokies forced 16 Patriots' turnovers and scored 21 points off them. Virginia Tech only turned the ball over nine times.
- It may go unnoticed, but Antonio Dorn and Christian Gurdak were big on the inside for the Hokies.
Virginia Tech returns to the court at home on Thursday night, hosting Western Carolina in a non-conference game.