Virginia Tech Basketball: Hokies to make first NCAA Tourney since 2007?
Mar 5, 2016; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies head coach Buzz Williams looks on in the first half of the game against the Miami Hurricanes at Cassell Coliseum. Virginia Tech defeated Miami 77-62. Mandatory Credit: Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports
What three burning questions does Virginia Tech basketball need to answer to make their first NCAA Tournament since 2007?
Virginia Tech is finally starting to blossom in the ACC. They have been in the conference for 12 years and have reached only one NCAA Tournament (2007).
Now ESPN analyst Seth Greenberg was the one coach to lead the Hokies to March’s grand event, however, he was fired after earning four straight berths in the NIT before bottoming out with an under .500 record in 2011-12.
After two ugly years with James Johnson at the helm, the Hokies hired Buzz Williams. And Williams has been the best thing that has happened to this program in a long time. In a matter of two years (he’s now in his third season on the job), Williams has Virginia Tech in the mix for an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2016-17.
Why? Well, Virginia Tech has balance, depth, continuity and oh, of course, Williams is a fiery head coach who instills toughnesses and aggressiveness on his team.
The Hokies return four of their top five scorers, valuable role players and two key talents who sat out last season. Even though they may not have a big role in 2016-17, Virginia Tech also adds two freshman.
Forward Zach LeDay, who could average close to a double-double this year, former Maryland Terrapins guard Seth Allen, junior guard Justin Bibbs and big man Chris Clarke should once again be amongst the top players on the roster.
But the Hokies also bring back now-sophomore point guard Justin Robinson, 6’4″ guard Devin Wilson, shooter Ahmed Hill (who sat out all of last season due to a knee injury) and forward Ty Outlaw (who also sat out all of last season due to an illness).
Finally, the Hokies reeled in three-star freshman Khadim Sy and non-ranked point guard Tyrie Jackson.
Williams has a plethora of options at his disposal. He can play big or small, put a scoring lineup on the court or a defensive focused unit, and will always have fresh legs on the bench that won’t drop off the production level.
The Hokies may not have Kerry Blackshear Jr. this season because of an injury, but they could be the surprise team in the ACC regardless. That will be especially true if they can answer these three burning questions.
Mar 9, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies guard Seth Allen (4) talks to Hokies guard Justin Robinson (5) against the Florida State Seminoles in the second half during day two of the ACC conference tournament at Verizon Center. The Hokies won 96-85. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
3. Do the Hokies stick to last year’s point guard rotation?
Down the stretch of the 2015-16 season, Buzz Williams made an interesting decision that sparked change for the Virginia Tech Hokies. Point guard Seth Allen, the team’s second leading scorer, was moved to the bench, while freshman Justin Robinson (7.3 points and 2.8 assists per game) started at the point guard position.
Normally, this would be a demotion for Allen and a promotion for Robinson, but instead, both players thrived in their respective situations. Robinson played steady basketball, while Allen scored 17.6 points per game over the course of the final nine games of the season.
Because this worked out so well for the Hokies, I expect Virginia Tech to continue to implement the same rotation. Robinson is expected to have a breakout campaign in 2016-17 and Allen gives the team a unique dimension off the bench as a dominate scorer.
Virginia Tech could even opt to play Robinson and Allen together in the backcourt when they go to small lineups. This could push Allen off the ball, giving him better angles and more room to operate. Also, Robinson is terrific passer, so he would help put Allen in the proper situations to be successful.
Williams also has other guards at his disposal, including Justin Bibbs, Devin Wilson and Ahmed Hill. However, Robinson and Allen are best suited to play the point guard position.
Mar 10, 2015; Greensboro, NC, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies guard Ahmed Hill (13) dribbles as Wake Forest Demon Deacons forward Konstantinos Mitoglou (44) defends in the second half. The Hokies defeated the Demon Deacons 81-80 in the first round of the ACC Tournament at Greensboro Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
2. How important will Ahmed Hill and Ty Outlaw be?
Virginia Tech has a lot of depth and experience on their roster. One of the reasons: They are returning two talented players in redshirt sophomore Ahmed Hill and redshirt junior Ty Outlaw.
Hill, a 6’5″, 205 pound guard from Georgia, had off-season knee surgery before the 2015-16 campaign and did not play in a single game. Two years ago, Hill had a large role as an incoming four-star freshman who was ranked in the ESPN top 100 for the class of 2014.
The guard averaged 8.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 29.6 minutes per night. He shot 40 percent overall from the field, 39 percent from beyond the arc and 69 percent from the free throw line.
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The Hokies shot 35 percent from beyond the arc last season, so Hill’s presence from long range will give the team an extra threat from the perimeter.
Hill didn’t provide much in terms of stats on the defensive end of the floor (0.1 blocks and 0.5 steals per game) in year one. But with good size and added strength to his frame, maybe he can pick up his production.
The other player returning from a redshirt season, Outlaw, is a 6’6″, 220 pound forward from North Carolina. Outlaw sat out all of last season due to a medical condition.
Outlaw has not played a single second for Virginia Tech, as he spent his freshman season at UNC Greensboro and one season at Lee College (JUCO). At UNC Greensboro, Outlaw played just 14.6 minutes and averaged 5.4 points per game. He did shoot 41 percent from the field and 82 percent from the free throw line though.
The forward really broke out in junior college, where he put up 21.8 points and grabbed 5.0 rebounds per game. He was 12th in the NJCAA in scoring.
Hill and Outlaw will bring leadership, offensive production and intangibles to the table. They also provide Williams with even more bodies to use in his rotation.
Mar 5, 2016; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies guard Justin Robinson (5) celebrates with fans following the victory against the Miami Hurricanes at Cassell Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports
1. Does Virginia Tech have a go-to scorer?
If a team is going to be successful in college basketball (or really at any level of basketball), they need a player that they can count on in pressure packed situations. Whether it’s when the shot clock is winding down, or in the final two minutes of a ball-game, a coach and the team’s fan base will feel more comfortable if they have a reliable clutch player to go to.
Virginia Tech has two options, Seth Allen and Zach LeDay, but there are also question marks regarding both.
Allen, who averaged 14.7 points per game in 2015-16, is a very effective scorer and is headed into his redshirt senior season. Between his knack for putting the ball in the basket and his veteran status, I would most certainly want the ball to be in his hands down the stretch.
But on the flip side, Allen shot only 28 percent from long range last season, his assist totals dipped and he turned the ball over 2.9 times per game. Can Buzz Williams really trust Allen in clutch situations? Will he step up, and become efficient and reliable?
That’s up for debate right now.
The other option is LeDay, who was the team’s leading scorer and rebounder last season. LeDay averaged 15.5 points and 7.9 rebounds per game, while shooting 48 percent from the floor overall and 36 percent from beyond the arc.
The forward can stretch the floor and if he does get fouled, he is capable of hitting his free throws (76 percent).
However, LeDay isn’t nearly the shot creator that some other late game closers across the country are.
That puts Virginia Tech in a bit of an awkward position. They have the depth, talent and skill, but do they have enough to close out big games? Can they beat the top talents in the ACC?
Don’t get me wrong, Allen and LeDay are excellent players and will anchor a solid Hokies team that is expected to reach the Big Dance. But the whole team is certainly greater than the sum of its parts. Sometimes that can be beneficial and other times it could cost VT some games.
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