In three weeks, we will have our first Virginia Tech men's basketball game of the 2025-26 season. The Hokies will kick things off on Nov. 3 when they host Charleston Southern at Cassell Coliseum.
Expectations are high early in the season with the job that head coach Mike Young did in the offseason by making additions to his roster. The additions were not only from the Transfer Portal, but also with some incoming freshmen, including NBA prospect Neoklis Avdalas.
The first KenPom rankings were released ahead of the upcoming season. If you need a refresher as to what they are, here you go,
KenPom rankings are calculated using a proprietary algorithm that determines a team's Adjusted Efficiency Margin (AdjEM), which is the difference between its Adjusted Offensive Efficiency (AdjO) and Adjusted Defensive Efficiency (AdjD). These metrics represent a team's points scored or allowed per 100 possessions against an average Division I opponent, adjusting for game tempo and opponent quality. Factors like recent game performance, home-court advantage, and strength of schedule are also integrated into the calculation.
First KenPom rankings keep Virginia Tech as an under-the-radar team
The first rankings are not only not good news for the Hokies, but also for the rest of the ACC. Duke is the highest ranked team at No. 7. Louisville is next at No. 14, followed by Clemson (32), North Carolina (33), North Carolina State (38), SMU (43), Wake Forest (49), Virginia (59), Pittsburgh (63), Syracuse (68), Georgia Tech (70), and Virginia Tech (71). The Hokies' second opponent this season, Providence, is at No. 48.
It will be important for Virginia Tech to get off to a strong start this year in its non-conference schedule before ACC play begins. It might take time for everyone to jell, but if they stay healthy, it could be a fun winter in Blacksburg.