Down double figures in the second half, the Virginia Tech men's basketball team rallied past Syracuse in overtime, 101-95, to improve to 8-10 in the ACC. It was another gut-check win for the Hokies this season and what did veteran coach Mike Young say after? Here are some of his best quotes and we'll break them down with an opinion.
Mike Young on his teams resiliency again in 2024-25
“They’ve done it all year,” said Young. "We cut it four and they get it back to 11. They had a chance to drop your head and pout and feel sorry for (themselves). They don’t do that. They hang in there. They’re going to do some things that drive me up a tree, but they’re great kids and they’re great teammates, they enjoy playing with one another and they continue to fight. Right back they come, it wasn't smooth sailing.''
No, it wasn't smooth sailing, but in the end, the Hokies found a way to get a win. What was even more impressive is they did it without Tobi Lawal, their leading scorer and rebounder. Big win.
Mike Young on Ben Hammond and Jaden Schutt who were not in the starting lineup
Mike Young didn't start freshman point guard Ben Hammond or sophomore Jaden Schutt, but both young players came off the bench to play a huge role in the win.
“It’s the proper response,” said Young. “They can get mad at me, but again, they’re great people and great teammates.''
Hammond finished with 21 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, while Schutt had 20 points. Both players missed a key free throw in regulation that allowed Syracuse to tie the game with a 3-pointer with a second left, but they made up for it in overtime.
Mike Young on Syracuse's game-tying basket at the end of regulation
Speaking of that last-second shot in regulation by the Orange, the Hokies lead by three points with four seconds left before Syracuse's Jaquan Carlos hit a 3-pointer with 0.6 seconds left. Instead of fouling, the Hokies played it out and paid for it.
“Without getting too technical, it’s my fault,” said Young. “We’re supposed to be connected. Not very well executed. That’s on me.''
I mean, he went on to say it wasn't communicated, but in this day and age of college basketball, more teams should foul in that situation. The other team has to have so many things go perfectly to beat you. Virginia Tech survived a California 3-pointer at the buzzer in January, but you can say they survived Syracuse because they won in overtime.
Mike Young on Ben Hammond's performance against J.J. Starling
"Putting a lot on his plate,” Young said. “J.J. Starling is his size and J.J.’s fast with the ball and he gets it going in that right hand and he’s good at it. We’re guarding Ben on Chucky Hepburn, we’re guarding Ben on Markus Burton. Those are some tough matches, but he continues to play good ball.''
I have said it before and I'll say it again, Ben Hammond is going to be a player and Virginia Tech needs to do everything they can to keep him in Blacksburg.