After the Virginia Tech men’s basketball team struggled through their non-conference schedule, how many people thought they would win more than two or three ACC games? I don’t think many, but after beating Notre Dame, 65-63, on Saturday afternoon in South Bend, the Hokies improved to 6-7 in ACC games and they enter this week in eighth place in the standings.
Finishing in the Top 9 to avoid playing on the first day of the ACC Tournament next month in Charlotte would be a huge feat for this team. It speaks volumes to the job that Mike Young is doing with this team, regardless of whether it’s a product of the conference being down or not.
There are still seven games remaining in the regular-season and the Hokies are currently on course to make the ACC Tournament. With some winnable games remaining on the schedule, let’s take a look at the floor, ceiling, and prediction for the rest of the season.
Worst Case Scenario: 6-14 ACC, 11-20 overall
Even if this were to happen, it would be hard to keep the Hokies out of the ACC Tournament. That would mean either North Carolina State, Boston College, or Miami going to a heater down the stretch in the win column. The Hokies still have BC and Miami remaining on their schedule, both away. They already have a win over the Hurricanes last month.
It would be surprising if Virginia Tech didn’t win another game out of their final seven, but anything is possible this season. Who envisioned them winning four conference road games this season already? A win over Virginia on Saturday would be a season sweep for the Hokies.
Best Case Scenario: 10-10 ACC, 15-16 overall
Winning 10 games would be a major feat for this team and it would likely get them a bye and avoid playing on the first day in Charlotte. Believe it or not, if the Hokies take care of business with the teams currently behind them in the standings and remaining on their schedule, this is very doable.
They have games with BC, Miami, Syracuse, and Virginia remaining, and all four of those teams are currently behind them. Games with Louisville, North Carolina, and Clemson remain with teams ahead of them currently in the standings. You know that their loss at home to Jacksonville back in November will come into play when it comes to an NIT berth next month. It’s a given.
Prediction: 9-11 ACC, 14-17 overall
Given what happened last season with all the transfers leaving gutting the roster, nine ACC wins this season would be something. They have a legitimate shot at that given their success this season already on the road with games coming up against Boston College and Miami.
Finishing with 14 wins in the regular season would be a rather big second half of the season for this team in the ACC. Of course, there are already results that they would like to have back, but not many people had them winning double-digit games, never mind potentially 14.