Now that we are on the Monday before the Madness, I thought a look at our potential roster for the 2026-27 season would be worth it, especially in this day-in-age of who knows how long a player has eligibility.
For the Men's Team
There are a few assumptions I am going to make when putting together this.
1. No portals in
2. No portals out
3. Neo doesn't go pro.
4. Tech uses up all 15 available scholarships
5. Tech lands the top 3 available prospects still listed as "Interested" or "Scout" on 247
So, those out of the way, here's my predictions
C: Christian Gurdack - Sophomore/Antonio Dorn - Sophomore/Solomon Davis - r-Freshman
PF: Amani Hansberry - Senior/Sin'Cere Jones - Sophomore/Lincoln Williams - Freshman
Wing: Tyler Johnson - Junior/Jaden Schutt - Senior/Quentin Coleman - Freshman
Wing: Neo Avdalas - Sophomore/Izaiah Pasha - Junior/Brett Freeman - r-Freshman
Point: Ben Hammond - Junior/Snook Peterkin - r-Freshman/Trey Beamer - Freshman
For the Women's Team
1. No portals out
2. Not all scholarships are used
Post: Aniya Trent - Sophomore/Amani Jenkins - Sophomore/Arianna Harris-Mott - Freshman (Petition to call this the Triple A Post)
Wing: Carys Baker - Senior/Kayl Petersen - Junior/Spela Brecelj - Sophomore
Wing: Mackie Nelson - Junior/Leila Wells - Junior/Kaleo Anderson - Freshman
Wing: Samyha Suffren - Senior/Sophie Swanson - Senior
Point: Carleigh Wenzel - r-Senior/Kate Sears - r-Freshman
Comments
Glad you included your assumptions.
I unfortunately think we will see heavy portal out on men's side. Worst one will likely be Ben Hammond. He is going to be in high demand. Pasha is a PG more than a SG regardless of how we used him. Not sure he will be back either with how little he played.
Women's side, Nelson is a PG and Sears is a SG. Not sure what movement to expect but still not enough size. Duffy needs another big from the portal.
The men's team passed on post-season basketball before even getting the opportunity to be invited. The entire team is checked-out. I think there is going to be a major exodus and we're going to be scrambling to put a roster together. Although honestly with the way this team performed and the routine 2nd half collapses I think some roster turnover isn't just expected, its necessary.
I had to include Nelson as a Wing and not Point, because she will be a start next year, and Carleigh is the starting Point.
I actually see Nelson more as the point than Wenzel. Nelson is the better passer and creator. Wenzel is a better catch and shoot. Sears does probably backup Wenzel to start but eventually I expect to see her, Wenzel and Nelso out there together for large portions.
Suffren and Wells will be the main bench for those three. Suffren primarily with Nelson to create a frenzied offensive pace.
Check out Arianna Harris-Motts tape. She's listed from 6-4 to 6-6.
Plays in a very good league in metro Baltimore. Very fluid and athletic, can put it on the floor from the high post, score over either shoulder, face up mid-range, and gets better lift on her shot than most any girls big you'll see with a high release. Shooting range to HS 3 and appears to have really good hands. She's an honor student to boot.
AHM
AHM2
I thought the same for our last 6'5 from Baltimore, Myah Hazelton so dont trust it to convey, especially not as a Freshman.
If it were still 2019, I would have some level of confidence about where the Men's team is....but
(1) Neo is gone, its just a case of where, my guess would be another P4 as NBA interest is going to be minimal
(2) Hammond is going to be very difficult to hang onto....he will absolutely have P2 offers with Big $$
(3) Hansberry could also be another Portal entrant, might as well make it 4 in 4.
(4) Peterkin - I would not be surprised to see Franklin tell him he needs to be 100% Football, would not expect to see him back on the Roster next year
(5) As Lt. Peter said above, Pasha is likely off to greener pastures and I would expect at least 1-2 more "surprise" Portal entrants.
Long and short, it could (and I expect will) be a heavy rebuild heading into the final year on CMYs contract. Not exactly ideal.
Now, as you said, it's very early and there are many variables: Does VT invest significantly into the Program such that we can be competitive in offering Hammond and/or Hansberry? What is Chester Frazier's status here? Can we bring in a new Assistant who has recruiting prowess? Will we actually sign anyone from the 2026 H.S. Class??
But there just isn't much enthusiasm around this Program right now and usually money follows the enthusiasm. I don't know we will see a Roster as depleted as '24-25 again, but my expectations for next year are extremely tempered.
Unfortunately, I hate to say it, but I believe everyone in the starting five above on the men's team will be gone. On the other hand, I believe Duffy will be able to keep all of the key contributors and if we can get a productive big in the portal the women will be good.
I'd say those are big assumptions to assume no portals in or out, but might as well skip more to the point. Those are completely unrealistic assumptions. For the men, depending on if Frazier sticks around, I'm expecting maybe 3 or 4 players to STAY. We miiiight keep a couple more if more cash is infused to the program (fwiw, there is a rev share bump coming, total money should be somewhere midpack ACC which is an improvement). We'll see how serious we are as a whole by seeing what our efforts are to keep Hammond. He's a good player, he will get some alluring offers, but he's also retainable if we're committed to being a tournament team like that NIT refusal statement claims we are. Now a Big10 or SEC school flush with cash (or Texas Tech) might just leroy jenkins it and triple his salary, but I'm just saying if the market for players stays within reason, VT should have a shot if they try.
Even if Neo doesn't go pro, I don't think he stays. He understands that this isn't the right system for him, and needs a program whose system allows him to shine.
If Neo stays it needs to be for a fraction of the NIL he got last year.
I dunno, I feel like he had every opportunity to shine this year...and just didn't
Which system incorporates missing wide open 3's, throwing passes out of bounds, and fouling 35 ft from the basket?
I am sure Neo will blame the system, but he needs a look in the mirror. He got more PT than he deserved due to his profile and potential.
I wouldn't expect Baker back, she's going to get paid.
My bigger worry is Nelson or Suffern getting lured away. That said Baker is the best player on the team.
I really like Nelson and Suffren. They bring great energy to the team.
I would expect a complete turnover of this roster. I can't imagine a scenario where CMY is able to keep any of the starters.
Not sure where to put this... is there a bracket this year? I can't find it. Sorry....
like we are going to bet on which players transfer and such? or and NCAA tourny bracjet?
Here is one that I guess is still existing from a previous year, looks like a handful of us have rejoined:
https://fantasy.espn.com/games/tournament-challenge-bracket-2026/group?i...
What's the password?
Most likely LOLUVA
Hokies