Virginia Tech Hokies News: Family ties, silly expansion, more

A key commitment on Friday headlines this edition of Virginia Tech Hokies News.
Sep 10, 2022; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA;  A Virginia Tech Hokies helmet sits near the team bench during the first quarter against the Boston College Eagles at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
Sep 10, 2022; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; A Virginia Tech Hokies helmet sits near the team bench during the first quarter against the Boston College Eagles at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images | Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images

After starting slow in recruiting in the Class of 2026, things picked up for a couple of weeks before the last couple of commitments went the other way, to Virginia of all schools. Now, Virginia Tech coach Brent Pry has another announcement and a rather big one coming up on Friday.

Three-star cornerback Nick Reddish, younger brother of current Hokies Quentin and Joseph, will make his announcement on Friday. His four finalists, along with Virginia Tech, are Notre Dame, Wisconsin, and Indiana. All signs are pointing toward a commitment with Notre Dame, as a lot of Crystal Ball predictions have said, but you just never know how things end up shaking out.

NCAA basketball tournament expansion still up in the air

There has been talk about expanding the NCAA Basketball Tournament, which would be a bad idea, and this week, the men's and women's committee met and didn't come to a decision, according to Pete Thamel of ESPN.

Currently, 68 teams make the field, and if we're being honest, there is no need to add more. If they go to 76 or whatever number, it would be too much. I remember when there were just 64 teams. Yes, the Virginia Tech women would have made the tournament this past season if the field expanded, but they had nobody to blame but themselves after stumbling multiple times down the stretch, or they would have made the 68-team field.

Virginia Tech baseball sets new high under John Szefc

The Virginia Tech baseball team struggled down the stretch and missed the NCAA Tournament, but off the field, the Hokies reached an impressive feat. They had 17 players named to the All-ACC Academic Team, the most under head coach John Szefc, with the previous high being 15 in 2023.

The players who were recognized for their academics were Josh Berzonski, Jackson Cherry, Henry Cooke, Luke Craytor, Preston Crowl, Mathieu Curtis, Jared Davis, Clay Grady, Luke Jackman, Marcel Kulik, Hudson Lutterman, Grant Manning, Jake Marciano, David McCann, Brett Renfrow, Sam Tackett, and Ben Watson.