Virginia Tech (19-13, 8-10 ACC)
The Hokies are chasing their first March Madness bid since winning the program’s lone Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament title in 2022. Last year’s team had a chance before losing seven of its last 10 games. Eighth-year coach Mike Young’s Hokies return three starters and have added through the transfer portal to build a team picked to finish ninth in the ACC race.
Players to watch
Amani Hansberry (senior, F, 6-8, 240). Hansberry led the team in scoring (14.3) and was second in rebounding (7.4) last year, giving the Hokies an experienced player to build around. Hansberry started his career with a year at Illinois then a year at West Virginia as a starter before last year’s run in Blacksburg.
Ben Hammond (junior, G, 5-11, 170). Hammond was the team’s No. 2 scorer last year (13.2) while also averaging 3.2 assists to offer playmaking potential. Hammond shot 43.1% and hit at least three 3s in seven games against league opponents last year.
Tyler Johnson (junior, G, 6-5, 208). Johnson averaged 8.0 points and 4.5 rebounds while starting 13 of the 17 games he played in a year interrupted by a lower-body injury that cost him 15 ACC games.
Departures and arrivals
The Hokies lost a pair of valuable forwards from last year. Tobi Lawal (12.3 points, 8.5 rebounds) is now part of the Dallas Mavericks’ organization in the NBA, while the versatile Neoklis Avdalas (12.1 points, 4.6 assists) transferred to North Carolina…