After finishing 11-2 with their non-conference schedule, the Virginia Tech men's basketball team kicked off ACC play on Wednesday afternoon at home against Virginia. After being off 11 days, it's tough to come back and open conference play against your in-state rival. However, both teams were in the same boat.
Little did anyone know what everyone was in for. Virginia entered the game minus North Dakota State transfer Jacarmi White, while the Hokies were even more shorthanded, missing Tobi Lawal, Antonio Dorn, and Tyler Johnson, who was a late addition to the walking wounded the day before the game.
Virginia Tech is a bubble team when it comes to the 2026 NCAA Tournament, and despite being down three bodies, they needed to find a way to secure a much-needed victory. In the end, it took three overtimes, but the Hokies were able to overcome some frustrating scenarios where they thought they had the game won to pull out a 95-85 win. It was the fourth overtime win this season for Mike Young's team. The win was big in terms of the NET Rankings.
Virginia Tech's NET ranking soars after win over Virginia
After the win over the Cavaliers, Virginia Tech's NET ranking climbed from 67th to 53rd. That's a promising jump after a huge résumé win. However, more opportunities are coming in the ACC for some big wins, and the Hokies are going to have to take advantage of that.
Eight teams are currently inside the Top 50 NET rankings, including Virginia, and the chances are there for Young's team to collect more big wins. Currently, they are a bubble team and will likely remain that way. They can't afford to go to Wake Forest on Saturday and drop that game. It'll be a tough game if they are unable to get any reinforcements back who are injured.