Virginia Tech Hokies

2023-2024 Result: 19-15 record (10-10 ACC), NIT Appearance

Projected Starting Lineup

Head Coach: Mike Young (6th season)

Guard: Brandon Rechsteiner (SO)

Guard: Jaden Schutt (JR)

Forward: Ben Burnham (SR)

Forward: Toibu Lawal (JR)

Center: Mylyjael Poteat (5th year)

Key Additions

Hysier Miller (Temple)

Jaden Schutt (Duke)

Ben Burnham (Charleston)

Toibu Lawal (VCU)

Rodney Brown Jr (California)

Ryan Jones Jr (4-star recruit)

Key Losses

Sean Pedulla

MJ Collins

Lynn Kidd

Tyler Nickel

Robbie Beran

Hunter Catoor

Hokies head coach Mike Young has had a top 54 adjusted offense in each of the last 4 years (per Torvik), but that streak of offensive success may be in jeopardy this year. Losing the trio of Sean Pedulla, Hunter Catoor, and Lynn Kidd was always going to be tough to replace, but there are a lot of questions as to how they are going to generate offense without them. Temple transfer Hysier Miller projects to take over as the lead guard, but he is clearly a downgrade from Pedulla. Miller took on a similar role at Temple last season (26.4% usage), but he displayed poor shooting efficiency due to poor shot selection. Young may be able to open up Miller’s game, as he is a brilliant offensive mind, but Young will need some help from other players on his roster to achieve this. One path to offensive success can be on the offensive glass, as Young has a more than capable frontcourt of Toibu Lawal (14.1% OREB) and Mylyjael Poteat (12.6% OREB) to generate second chance opportunities. Another path to success will come from the shooting of Jaden Schutt and Ben Burnham. Schutt, the former Duke 4-star recruit, didn’t receive much playing time last season, but the shooting talent is certainly there. The Hokies will have their work cut out for them on the offensive side of the ball and people should anticipate a significant drop off on that end this upcoming season. 

The defense doesn’t seem to have any glaring issues, but there also aren’t any traits that make them an elite unit. The starting frontcourt of Burnham, Lawal and Poteat should be able to hold its own on the interior and especially on the glass. Frontcourt depth may become an issue if there are any injuries or foul trouble, but Mike Young led teams are typically solid on the defensive glass regardless of that. Overall, I am not particularly high on this defensive unit of Virginia Tech, but I also don’t see this side of the floor being their downfall.

The Hokies are lacking the scoring talent they’ve had the last few seasons, but I am still a believer that Mike Young will keep this offense competent enough to be competitive in the ACC on most nights. I can see Virginia Tech possibly finishing in the top 8 of this league, but closer to the middle or bottom of the pack is more likely.