Fighting Gobbler
Fansided

3 questions that must keep Virginia Tech men's basketball coach Mike Young awake at night

Three questions that must keep Hokies men's basketball coach Mike Young awake at night.

By Scott Roche

Mar 13, 2024; Washington, D.C., USA; Virginia Tech Hokies head coach Mike Young reacts on the bench in the final minute against the Florida State Seminoles at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2024; Washington, D.C., USA; Virginia Tech Hokies head coach Mike Young reacts on the bench in the final minute against the Florida State Seminoles at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports / Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
facebooktwitterreddit

To say that the Virginia Tech men's basketball team has undergone a massive makeover since being eliminated from the NIT at Ohio State over two months ago would be a major understatement. Head coach Mike Young and his staff saw a mass exodus from Blacksburg in the transfer portal, which forced them to rebuild their roster through the transfer portal.

There is a lot of reason to be optomistic looking ahead to the 2024-25 season, but there still are a lot of questions surrounding the Hokies. Here are three questions that might keep Young awake at night.

1. Can Virginia Tech secure early-season non-conference wins?

Mar 21, 2024; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Lamont Paris calls to his players during the first half of the game against the Oregon Ducks in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2024; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Lamont Paris calls to his players during the first half of the game against the Oregon Ducks in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports / Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

It's going to take some time for the roster jell, but how long could very well determine how well the Hokies fare early in the season in the non-conference schedule. They are playing Penn State in Baltimore in November, and then later that month, they will take part in the Fort Myers Tip-Off for three days before Thanksgiving. Michigan, Xavier, and South Carolina are also part of the field and there are opportunities there for Virginia Tech to pick up potential big wins early in the season.

2. Does Virginia Tech have enough height?

Mylyjael Poteat
Richmond v Virginia Tech / Ryan Hunt/GettyImages

Virginia Tech lost Lynn Kidd in the portal to Miami and Mylyjael Poteat entered the portal as well, but withdrew three days later and announced he was returning to the Hokies for the 2024-25 season. Last season both players controlled the middle for Young and this season, Patrick Wessler is going to have to step up and make an impact as the Hokies have plenty of guards and wings, but it's going to be big that everyone helps out the bigs every night.

3. Will the new-look roster be good enough to make the NCAA Tournament?

Mar 16, 2024; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Temple Owls guard Hysier Miller (3) drives to the basket against Florida Atlantic Owls guard Alijah Martin (15) during the second half at Dickies Arena. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2024; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Temple Owls guard Hysier Miller (3) drives to the basket against Florida Atlantic Owls guard Alijah Martin (15) during the second half at Dickies Arena. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports / Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports

Early returns are promising with the new-look roster with ball handlers, shooters, and very athletic players that should make for a fun season in 2024-25. The big question will be, can they fare better in the new-look ACC next season with Stanford, SMU, and California joining the conference? The Hokies should be in a better position to compete on the road in the ACC with that being their downfall last season.

feed

Home/Virginia Tech Basketball