When the season started, the Virginia Tech men's basketball team had visions of making the NCAA Tournament. After adding some key pieces through the Transfer Portal and with incoming freshmen, it was easy to see on paper why veteran coach Mike Young thought that way. Of course, games are not won on paper.
After losing three close games early in ACC play against Wake Forest, SMU, and Stanford, the Hokies' NCAA Tournament hopes were squarely on the bubble. Then, they collected their biggest statement win of the season on Wednesday night, 76-66, at No. 20 Clemson. That vaulted them closer to the cut line and put them in a good position to make the 68-team field without any major hiccups. Three days later, they had their hiccup.
Leading Florida State, 42-39, at halftime, the Hokies needed another strong 20 minutes in the second half as they got at Clemson to secure a win. That did not end up happening, and the second half against the Seminoles may have completely popped their bubble.
Virginia Tech coach Mike Young doesn't beat around the bush after FSU loss
Virginia Tech was completely outplayed and outworked in the second half. FSU exploded for 53 points and outscored the Hokies by 26 points on its way to a 92-69 win. That's right, they were outscored to the tune of 53-27 over the final 20 minutes. Florida State shot 78% from the field in the second half. They got whatever they wanted whenever they wanted. It was ugly. Very ugly.
"(Florida State coach) Luke (Loucks) and the Seminoles, they outplayed us. They outcoached us. Maybe the understatement of the year,'' said Young. "....Bad start to the second half.''
Yeah, I'd say so. It wasn't only a bad start to the second half, but it was a bad final 20 minutes. You had to see it to believe it. And yes, they were outplayed and outcoached by a team that is under .500. Not great.
There is nowhere to go but up; however, up is a trip to Miami on Tuesday night to play a Hurricanes team that beat North Carolina State on the road, 77-76, on Saturday. Miami is also fighting for its NCAA Tournament life and should be ready for the Hokies.