We are still three months away from the 2025-26 college basketball season getting underway. On Friday, Virginia Tech dropped their official men's basketball non-conference schedule, with the ACC portion to be released at a later date.
Following a disappointing 13-19 season last winter, head coach Mike Young vowed that when the Hokies take the floor for the upcoming season that the roster would be better than the one that was eliminated in the first round of the ACC Tournament by California. With what was a reported bigger NIL package, which is needed to compete in this day and age in college basketball, to add to his roster.
The Hokies have undergone a good amount of roster turnover, as expected, and they have one freshman coming in who has gotten a lot of hype already. Neoklis Avdalas verbally committed to Young before the NBA Draft combine, but after he withdrew, he kept that commitment by signing.
Virginia Tech incoming freshman Neoklis Avdalas tabbed as a breakout candidate for the 2025-26 season
Avdalas is fresh off a very good FIBA Eurobasket U20 as he recorded a triple-double at the end of the tournament, joining a select group of names of players who achieved that feat. Issac Trotter of CBS Sports listed him as a breakout candidate for the upcoming season.
"The smooth 6-foot-7 wing figures to be one of Virginia Tech's go-to options. Don't be surprised if the Hokies are much-improved this year, and Avdalas firmly positions himself as a NBA Draft pick in 2026."
Avdalas will play multiple positions for the Hokies this season and Young has even mentioned having him handle the ball and run the point. It wouldn't be a bad idea having the ball in your best players hands whenever you can. A lineup that includes Avdalas and Tobi Lawal, who also withdrew from the NBA Draft process, could be a fun one to watch.