Virginia Tech
Last season: 22-11, lost to Wisconsin in first round of NCAA Tournament.
Nickname: Hokies.
Coach: Buzz Williams.
Conference: Atlantic Coast.
Who’s gone: F Zach LeDay, G Seth Allen, G Ty Outlaw, Khadim Sy
Who’s back: G/F Chris Clarke, eventually. The Hokies’ most athletic player sustained a torn ACL last season and, depending on who you talk to, could be ready for the start of the season, or not at all. He averaged 11.4 points and 7.3 rebounds and provides boundless energy. G Ahmed Hill. He also averaged 11.4 points and was second on the team with 59 3-pointers, which have always been a big part of the offense for what always seems to be a undersized team, and is again.
Who’s new: True freshmen Wabissa Bede, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and P.J. Horne and redshirt freshman Tyrie Jackson are all being counted on to boost the Hokies’ outside shooting and provide depth to a team that has only six returnees with experience in the rigors of ACC play.
The Skinny: Virginia Tech basically outscored people last season, but is less likely to be able to do that this year. Williams has pledged an increased emphasis on defense, and while his players seem on board, the absence of experienced depth or proven defensive stoppers will make last year’s success hard to replicate.
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