Virginia Tech men's basketball coach Buzz Williams fielded questions from reporters at the Hokies' media day on Monday. Full video and notes are below.
Williams discussed his redshirting philosophy and how transfers Seth Allen (Maryland) and Zach LeDay (South Florida) contributed to the team while sitting out last season.
No decision has been made on whether or not sophomore guard Ahmed Hill will play this season. Hill suffered a partial tear to the patella tendon in his left leg in August, and had surgery on August 11. Hill appeared in all 33 games as a freshman (team-high 30 starts) for the Hokies last season, and averaged 8.7 points and 3.7 rebounds per game.
Buzz believes Tech is playing a "year three schedule, with a year two roster".
Buzz thinks Justin Bibbs is a really good player, and the next step in his development is to be a leader and "can he carry more than his own water?"
The program's culture is on the right track, but not there yet.
Lee College (JUCO) transfer and wing Tyrone Outlaw will redshirt due to a medical condition.
Tech needs more leadership this season, and it can come from any spot on the bench.
Buzz is impressed by senior forward Shane Henry's commitment to transform his body in the offseason.
Receiving my vote for @VT_MBBall as the most dramatic body change in Summer 2015: @ShaneHenry_ . Not bad for 75 days! pic.twitter.com/yWZ90tGbEz— Buzz Williams (@TeamCoachBuzz) August 13, 2015
Freshman wing Chris Clarke is "wiry strong", and Tech will need him to have a distinct role on the team.
Tech needs all three freshman (Kerry Blackshear Jr., Chris Clarke and Justin Robinson) to help the program both culturally and on the floor this season.
Comments
I can't wait for this season!!!!
I got a feeling this team will surprise a few teams this year. I love the attitude.
I AM SO EXCITED FOR BUZZKETBALL
Gotta love the Buzz.
It's nice to be excited about VT basketball again.
Last year was the first year I watched every game I could. The excitement, the hustle, and the passion was something I hadn't seen in years with VT. Plus Buzz is a fashionisto, gotta check out the clothing choices (at the beginning and after half time) We were no longer the team that is the "night off" game for everyone else in the ACC. These Hokies come to compete and take your best shot.
We may still be near the bottom this year but it won't because these guys don't care or have the heart to belong in the ACC. I could definitely see the ACC's point of view of VT Basketball changing this year. (From fluke, to staying power)
BTW How refreshing is it to have a coach that is honest, straight forward, and speaks his mind. Buzz doesn't speak in Copy & Paste mode and it keeps me, as a fan, with realistic expectations for this team so I don't go full blown Diesel hype train like I do with the other men's varsity sports.
...but it won't because these guys don't care or have the heart to belong in the ACC.
I don't think it was ever that, but the talent level just wasn't there for the team. Under Greenberg it improved considerably, even if they weren't consistent enough to make the tourney.
Be patient Hokies, year 2 will be better, but still growing pains. Year 3-4, lookout ACC!
Saw this quote from JJ on ESPN today (even though the article is from this summer)
"Things happened, for me, so quickly," said James Johnson, Miami's new director of basketball operations and a former Virginia Tech head coach (2012-14). "After two years, when you finally kind of get to where you're making progress, you're out of the business."
What kind of progress did he think he was making lol
His progress was going the wrong way...
"Progress is not just change, but change for the better" - Someone (no idea who, maybe just me)
To be fair to JJ, he was having some success on the recruiting trail.
I don't think he was ever going to get there in the ACC, though.
He had lined up some decent recruiting classes. Certainly not as good as Buzz has brought in the last two years, but JJ's last couple of classes had a few very talented players (and some borderline mid-major level talent) so the potential was there for a pretty good season this year. (maybe .500 last year too)
Unfortunately for JJ the ACC is not a place for a first-time head coach who has to learn by doing. Whit recognized that and brought in a coach with the right pedigree. JJ might wind up being a great head coach in 5-10 years but he wasn't ready.
His bank account.
The other thing was JJ was learning on the fly on how to be a head coach. I'm sure after 2 seasons JJ was finally used to everything and was starting to get comfortable and then he was let go.
However the ACC is not really the place for someone to learn the ropes and I don't think he was the right person for the job. Though I don't blame him. If someone throws a big contract at me and I get to stay in the area where I've been living instead of moving to Clemson, I'm definitely taking that deal and the guaranteed money.
I'm really confused why none of the players in that picture are impressed with Buzz's ball levitation skills.
They're probably used to them.
That is Devin Wilson's excited face.
I still have a hard time believing Whit landed Buzz. I really hope he stays at Tech for the long run, but if not it's still going to be an awesome ride over the next few seasons.
I don't know if he'd like the egos involved with NBA basketball. He seems like the type to be in the college game for the long haul, lets just hope he finds both success and happiness in Blacksburg.
This really was a slam dunk hire. His values and persona seem to fit southwest Virginia pretty darn well. He has the ability to be the Frank Beamer of VT Basketball, and the tools/AD to accomplish this with.
I think he's a good fit, and likes the challenge and opportunities at VT.
He's in the ACC with the support he needs, and if he's able to find success, nobody can say that he inherited it.
No matter what the men's basketball season records may be under Buzz's tenure, there will be an immeasurably positive impact he will have had on the athletics department and the young men in his program. The life lessons he is imparting on the people he interacts with is absolutely amazing. I am constantly awe struck by his work ethic and the selflessness he has shown since coming to Blacksburg. I don't care what critique he may have received coming out of Marquette...perhaps he realized he didn't do things perfectly there and saw his entrance into the ACC's basement as a way to restart and do everything he can the right way. So far, spot on job Mr. Williams. Even if the players don't get to enjoy a whole lot of wins or post-season play, they will most certainly be well-equipped to win in life, which is a breath of fresh air in these days of money, fame, money, fame, money, fame...
Hey Buzz, I've got Malik Mueller on line 2
Van Zegeren and Adam Smith will be facing off against the Hokies this season as well.
Both have shown flashes, I'll expect their best performances against the orange and maroon.
Yeah, they will have an opportunity to really take it to the Hokies. Buzz definitely coaches with incredible passion and gets that out of his players, but, his recruiting record is still suspect. He inherited a great program at MU and left it a little light in talent. College BBall is about the skills of the players, especially in the one-&-done era. I'm not expecting much for our Hokies in the ACC until he really gets more talent on the court. Here's hoping he can get the Freshmen to play sooner than later.
MU '85, VT '87
Good point, but Buzz is on a schedule, and that's why they're paying him the big bucks.
i just googled Muller cause after hearing he was transferring, I never heard where to....did not realize he is now playing pro ball now
I am both horrified and intrigued to see that kids transformation, hopefully he is gonna be a baller. Roundball season starts soon and I am excited about it for the first time in years...
So what is a realistic expectation for this season?
Realistic possibility at the NIT with a chance to make a run if the team starts to come together
Our program's national rise will begin next year.
In contention for a NIT berth, 15-18 wins, 6-9 wins in the ACC.
My hopes are that for the first time in four years, we make it out of last place. I think we have the talent to be top-10 in the ACC, hope we get there. Looking for some progress in the results
This is the one I think is most realistic. Everyone else is talking NIT before the season begins, but really we have been last place 3 years in a row. We get off the bottom this year. Next year we have a shot to do big things.
Higher than expected finish around a 10th Place finish, Quarter Finals Round Exit on ACC Tourney with High NIT seeding. Making it to final 4 at Madison Square Garden, loss in Semi-finals (close game though)
Yay shootyhoops! :D
As a season ticket holder for the pre-Buzzketball era, and in the first year of Buzzketball, I found myself disappointed after a few losses, knowing that mot ACC games would be tough to win. That being said, I definitely think this team will wind up in the middle of the ACC this season and surprise some people out there.
I think it's great the excitement is back in the air for Virginia Tech basketball and can't wait for the season!
Well, the backcourt numbers are starting to fall in to place with potentially Hill and now Ty Outlaw out. Previously there were like 8 guys for 1,2,3 spots.
1's- Robinson, Hudson, Wilson, Allen
2's- Allen, Bibbs, Clark, Hudson
3's- Clark, Bibbs
4's- LeDay, Henry, Blackshear
5's- Pierce, Hamilton, Blackshear
Not sure if you're listing in order you expect to play or just listing names.. but here's my expected two-deep, starters listed first:
1. Allen, Wilson
2. Hudson, Allen
3. Bibbs, Clarke
4. LeDay, Blackshear
5. Pierce, Hamilton
Henry may have solidified a place in the rotation with his impressive off-season, but I'm still skeptical he has the frame to play in the paint in the ACC.