Going into the 2026-27 season, Virginia Tech men's basketball coach Mike Young knew that he had a new-look roster with eight transfers. A lot of roster turnover happened; however, there was some key retention with forwards Amani Hansberry and Tyler Johnson, along with guard Ben Hammond.
Those were the three biggest retention pieces for Young to retain, and he did. All three played a role in Tuesday night's season-opening 88-54 win, and after the game, Young explained what he thinks is going to happen more often this season, and even more than we saw against the Eagles at Cassell Coliseum.
Virginia Tech men's basketball coach Mike Young explains on goal for the 2026-27 season with Amani Hansberry
Hammond led the way for the Hokies with 20 points, eight assists, and seven steals in an all-around strong game. Oklahoma State transfer Jaylen Curry had 19 points, which included three threes. Johnson had 13 points and seven rebounds off the bench, but Hansberry had 16 points, and Young wasn't happy with the lack of touches he feels the West Virginia transfer got in his first game of his second season in Blacksburg.
"We're going to do a better job of getting Hansberry the ball," Young said, per the Virginia Tech athletics YouTube page. "He's got to have more touches. He made the most of his touches."
Truth be told, they didn't do a bad job of getting Hansberry the ball. He finished 6-for-11 from the field, 2-for-3 from behind the arc, and 2-for-4 from the free-throw line. Hansberry finished shooting 55% from the field and 67% from behind the arc, which, truth be told, for a season opener isn't too bad.
If Hansberry can start knocking down the 3-point shot consistently, then he will add another aspect of his game that teams are going to have to pay attention to. Young mentioned that he can put Hansberry at the foul line on the offensive end, and that would make it tough for teams to double him. It would, but if Hansberry could ever get a mid-range shot from the foul line in his arsenal, then that would make him more of a weapon.
Take the opener of a college basketball season against a team like Coppin State as you will, but the ball was moving well on the offensive end, and the Hokies' defensive pressure created a lot of turnovers and easy baskets. That won't always be the case against tougher opponents and ACC foes.
When things slow down and Virginia Tech needs to set up in their half-court offense, that's when Hansberry will get more touches. When that happens, if teams look to double him, that'll open things up for teammates and will force teams to second-guess doubling him. It starts on Thursday night when the Hokies welcome Mercer to Cassell Coliseum for a second straight non-conference game.
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