Season in Review


Virginia Tech
22-12 (9-7 ACC)


I think there are two ways you can look at Virginia Tech's season.  One is that the Hokies were predicted in the Top 25 this year, supposed to make the tournament, and didn't.  Another is that the team had to deal with several significant injuries but managed to battle back and have a pretty decent season. Regardless, the fact is that the Hokies again had a year where they played pretty well but fell just short of the Big Dance.


What happened in the first month of the season went a long way to determining the rest of the year.  The team struggled out of the gates, losing games they really needed to win, especially back-to-back home games against Purdue and UVA.  They did manage to find their rhythm in late December, with a stretch where they won 9 out of 10.  The only loss in that stretch was a game at Chapel Hill that they really should have won.


The season was highlighted by a win over then #1 Duke in Blacksburg.  Unfortunately, they followed that up with two stinkers against Boston College and Clemson, two fellow bubble teams.  The Hokies played well in the ACC Tournament, surviving a crazy game against Florida State, but that wasn't enough.  The season ended once again in the NIT.


Obviously the main problem the team had all season was the lack of depth.  They were routinely only playing 6 guys, and if anyone got into foul trouble that was a big problem.  Players like Erick Green and Victor Davila were able to step up and really help this team out, but they were doing it with absolutely no bench.  The team's two stars, Malcolm Delaney and Jeff Allen, had fine seasons, and were leaned on time and again to produce big numbers.


Biggest Win:
64-60 vs. Duke on 2/26


This was an easy choice.  Virginia Tech has had a decent history against Duke, and they really played at a very high level in this game.  They knew it was an important game, and came out with a lot of energy.  There was a lot of back and forth in this one but in the end the Hokies made plays down the stretch and Duke didn't.


Worst Loss:
57-54 vs. UVA on 12/5


I think that this is really the defining loss for the season and the biggest detriment for the NCAA hopes.  Coming off a tough loss in overtime against Purdue, the Hokies were completely flat in the first half and let UVA get out to a big lead.  They were never able to get over the hump and ended up losing by 3.  This was the first of two losses to UVA this season.


Postseason Play:


The Hokies won two games in the ACC Tournament for the first time, coasting to an easy win over Georgia Tech before gutting out somewhat of a miracle against Florida State.  It looked like Tech had lost, only to see a final basket negated on review.  Playing with a limited bench, they predictably lost in the semis to Duke in a game that wasn't very close.  There were high hopes for the NIT despite the sting of the NCAA snub, but it wasn't meant to be.  The Hokies beat Bethune-Cookman easily, but lost in the second round to Wichita State in a game that was very hotly contested.


Looking Ahead:


It's hard to predict what the next step is for the Hokies.  On the one hand, they do lose a lot.  Delaney, Allen and Terrell Bell all graduate, taking with them about 39 points per game.  Manny Atkins this week decided to transfer to Georgia State, leaving them without another potential starter.  On the other hand, Dorenzo Hudson and J.T. Thompson are expected back from injury and both should be solid contributors.  The team is also bringing in a highly regarded recruiting class with some players that could start right away.  In a year when it will most likely be UNC, then Duke, then everyone else, Tech could fight for that third spot.