Through their first three games of the season, the Virginia Tech men's basketball team won two blowouts over Charleston Southern and Saint Joseph's, with an overtime win against Providence in the middle. On Sunday afternoon at Cassell Coliseum, the Hokies hosted Charlotte in a non-conference game and got a tougher test than some thought.
After jumping out to a 16-point lead early in the second half, Virginia Tech went cold from the floor, and the 49ers got hot, shooting the ball, and it added up to Charlotte cutting the deficit to 60-59. After a timeout, the Hokies dodged a huge bullet when the 49ers missed two free throws, but Tech knocked the ball out of bounds. They were able to get a rebound off a missed shot.
From that point until the end of the game, the Hokies were able to knock down some key shots, free throws, and got some stops defensively to pull out an 84-76 win to improve to 4-0. After the game, Hokies' head coach Mike Young had a take that may sound like coach speak, but is the truth.
Virginia Tech men's basketball coach Mike Young speaks the truth after beating Charlotte
It was concerning at times in the second half, but the Hokies, who are practically a new team this year with Transfer Portal additions and incoming freshmen, were able to rebound, right the ship, and pick a gutsy win. Young didn't beat around the bush about the win over the 49ers, as ugly as it was at times.
"That game will serve us well as we look ahead her going forward,'' said Young.
It certainly will. After hosting Bryant on Wednesday night, things are going to get much more difficult for Virginia Tech, beginning in the Bahamas during Thanksgiving. Then, before you know it, it'll be time for ACC play after a tough December that includes South Carolina away and George Mason at home. Truth be told, the Hokies needed another game like that early in the season.