It wasn’t pretty, but the Virginia Tech men’s basketball team will take it. In their season-opener at Cassell Coliseum on Monday night, the Hokies jumped out to an early lead on Delaware State only to let the Hornets hang around. In the end, Tech turned up the defensive pressure, leading to an 83-60 victory.
If there is one thing we’ll find out this season about Mike Young’s squad, it’s that nothing is going to be easy, and the ups and downs will have fans on a rollercoaster each game. A massive roster turnover from last season with players leaving and coming in through the transfer portal has the Hokies a huge question mark this season.
Young and his team will play their second game of the season on Friday night at home. They are in the middle of a season-opening three-game homestand against USC Upstate. Here is a preview of the non-conference battle.
How to watch Virginia Tech vs. USC Upstate
Unlike the opener when Megan Duffy and Virginia Tech women opened their season with a win over UNC Wilmington, the men will be the only show in town and it will begin at 7 p.m. and be broadcast on the ACC Network Extra.
VCU transfer Toibu Lawal had an impressive first game as a Hokie against Delaware State setting a career-high for points. Mylyjael Poteat, who is going to have to be a factor in the middle this season on both ends of the floor, had a good night as well. Tech turned the ball over 16 times, which is too much, but part of a new team coming together.
USC Upstate opened their season on Monday night with a loss at North Carolina State., 97-66, and the Big South Conference Spartans will look to give the Hokies a better game.