No. 24 Virginia Tech Hokies

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Last Season: 25-9, 10-6 (t-3rd ACC), lost to Rhode Island in the Elite 8 of the NIT

Head Coach: Seth Greenburg

Key Losses: JT Thompson, Allan Chaney*

Newcomers: Erik Sorensen, Tyrone Garland, Jarell Eddie, Allan Chaney*

Projected Lineup:

• G: Malcolm Delaney, Sr.
  
• G: Dorenzo Hudson, Sr.
  
• F: Terrell Bell, Sr.
  
• F: Jeff Allen, Sr.
  
• F: Victor Davila, Jr.
  
• Bench: Erick Green, So.; Tyrone Garland, Fr.; Manny Adkins, So.; Jarell Eddie, Fr.
  

*(Ed. Note: Both Thompson and Chaney are still with the program, but Thompson will miss this season with a knee injury, and it seems unlikely Chaney will suit up as he continues to deal with a viral inflammation of his heart.)


Outlook: Virginia Tech, once again, was snubbed by the NCAA Tournament committee last season. Despite winning 23 games in the regular season, 10 games in ACC play, and finishing tied for third in the conference, a lack of impressive victories combined with a non-conference schedule littered with cupcakes forced the committee to look elsewhere for an at-large bid. This season, Greenberg has, at least, rectified the non-conference problem, as the Hokies will play Purdue, Kansas State, Mississippi State, and take part in the 76 Classic.

That said, with the talent that Greenberg has returning this season, the non-conference schedule shouldn't be the Hokie's NCAA Tournament determining factor. Depth will. The good news is that Tech will bring back their entire starting five.

It starts in the back court. Even with all the talent on Tobacco Road this season, there is a legitimate argument to be made that Malcolm Delaney is the best player in the conference. Delaney is a big-time scorer at the point, averaging over 20 ppg last season. He isn't the most explosive athlete, but he's able to get by his man and crafty when finishing in the paint and around the rim. He's adept at drawing fouls and getting to the line -- he averaged more than 8 FTA's and hit 84% from the stripe -- but he is also unselfish enough that he will give the ball up to the open man. Delaney is talented enough that he will carry Tech to a number of wins this season.

Delaney isn't alone, however. Dorenzo Hudson, Delaney's back court mate, is a big time scorer himself. He averaged 15.2 ppg playing off the ball last season, and while he is not the same kind of creator as Delaney, Hudson is capable of taking a game over -- he had 41 points in Tech's win over Seton Hall last season without Delaney in the lineup. Both Delaney and Hudson are going to need to improve their shooting from the perimeter (both hit right around 30% from beyond the arc last season). Terrell Bell is the other perimeter starter, a 6'7" junior that does all the little things -- defend, rebound, etc. Sophomore Erick Green and freshman Tyrone Garland, both natural point guards, will be Greenberg's bench in the back court.


Up front, Jeff Allen and Victor Davila are both back. Allen is a supremely talented young man, but he is still learning how to harness that talent even as a senior. A 6'8" power forward, Allen has some solid moves in and around the rim, but he has a tendency to float around the perimeter too much. He's also a questionable decision maker with the ball, committing too many turnovers, forcing a number of bad shots, and spending too much time in foul trouble. Allen is a good defender, however, leading the team in steals and blocks. Davila is your typical, ACC starting big man -- he works hard on the defensive end and can block a couple shots, but he's not much offensively and needs to really improve his work on the glass.

The problem for Tech is that injuries has obliterated their front court depth. JT Thompson is done for the season after tearing his acl. Allan Chaney, who might have been the best low-post scorer on the roster, will very likely miss the season as he deals with his heart issues. Chaney collapsed twice during workouts over the offseason. Cadarian Raines is still working his way back from a foot injury he suffered in March. Sophomore Manny Adkins and freshman Jarell Eddie, 6'7" forwards that are generally better on the perimeter, will likely be forced to see minutes inside.

Therein lies the biggest issue for Greenberg -- depth. Delaney and Hudson are no strangers to playing big minutes (both averaged over 35 mpg last season), but Allen and Davila aren't. Can those two get into shape? Can they stay out of foul trouble? More likely, Greenberg will play a smaller, almost-four guard when Eddie and Adkins are in. Regardless, the presence of Delaney and Hudson will give the Hokies a shot to win every time they take the court.