Virginia Tech Hokies (22-12, 9-7)
Projected starting five:
Jr. G Erick Green
Sr. G Dorenzo Hudson
So. F Jarell Eddie
Sr. F Victor Davila
Sr. F JT Thompson
Important departures:
Malcolm Delaney: 18.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 4.0 apg
Jeff Allen: 13.4 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 1.8 apg
Allan Chaney: Not cleared to play because of heart condition.
Percent returning scoring and rebounding:
Scoring: 37.1 percent
Rebounding: 38.4 percent
Additions:
Dorian Finney-Smith, No. 31 Rivals.com and ESPNU five-star small forward from Portsmouth, Va.
Robert Brown, No. 82 Rivals.com and ESPNU four-star power forward from Chatham, Va.
C.J. Barksdale, No. 99 Rivals.com and ESPNU four-star shooting guard from Danville, Va.
Schedule highlights:
Best non-conference game: vs. Kansas State
Toughest conference stretch: Jan. 19-22 (vs. North Carolina, at Virginia)
Outlook:
Last season was supposed to be a special year for the Hokies, with Malcolm Delaney, Jeff Allen, Dorenzo Hudson and JT Thompson leading a deep, seasoned squad to a deep NCAA Tournament run. But it just didn’t work out for coach Seth Greenberg’s squad. Hudson and Thompson went down to season-ending injuries, and Florida transfer Allan Chaney never suited up because of a heart condition.
Despite last season’s tribulations, the Hokies remained competitive, narrowly missing the Big Dance. This season, Hudson and Thompson return with their sights set on taking Virginia Tech further into the NCAA Tournament. Erick Green and Jarell Eddie return along with Victor Davila to give Greenberg another veteran lineup. The question is whether the team can replace the interior dominance of Allen and the relentless desire to win that Delaney possessed.
