Virginia Tech to face former teammate in the first round of the Battle 4 Atlantis

In November, the Virginia Tech men's basketball team will head to Paradise Island in the Bahamas to take part in the annual Battle 4 Atlantis with an interesting field, to say the least.

In years past, the field would be loaded with power conference teams, but that isn't the case this year. Joining Virginia Tech from power conferences is Vanderbilt out of the SEC, with the rest of the field being some good programs from mid-major conferences.

Virginia Tech to face former teammate Brandon Rechsteiner and Colorado State in the Bahamas

On Nov. 26, the Hokies will open against former teammate Brandon Rechsteiner and Colorado State at 5 p.m. Rechsteiner averaged seven points a game in 2024-25 for Mike Young and the Hokies with 2.8 assists a night while shooting 37% from the field, 30% from behind the arc, and 82% from the free throw line.

He lost his starting spot to freshman Ben Hammond, who really came along once ACC play began. Hammond is returning to Virginia Tech for the upcoming season, and seeing Rechsteiner hit the Transfer Portal was not a surprise.

Colorado State is a team that has turned into a very dangerous one and one that could end up being a big win for the Hokies coming NCAA Tournament selection time if they can pull off a win. The Hokies will face either Wichita State or Saint Mary's in the second round, while rounding out the tournament field with Vanderbilt is South Florida, Western Kentucky, and VCU.

There is no doubt that despite the field not having as many teams from the power conferences that it usually has, this is still a field where if the Hokies do some damage, they can certainly hang their hat on some résumé-building wins in the eye of the committee.