Basketball Forum

After a stellar career at Tech its great to see she will be able to continue at the next level.

There is no thread to cover all the upcoming changes to roster and coaches....Throw your info on assistant coaches, player transfers in and out, grad transfers, recruiting etc. here

Coach: Mike Young
Assistants: Christian Webster, Chester Frazier, Antwon Jackson
Director of player personnel: Ryan Nadeau

Looking at VT's transition from a Mid-Major basketball team to becoming a member of a Major conference had me wondering about how other teams handled this. Since VT jumped to the Big East in the fall of 2000, 10 other schools have made the jump. Two of those schools jumped ship for football (USF and Cincy were in the BE from 2005-2012, but now are back as mid majors). Three of the schools joined the BE in 2013 (Creighton, Butler, Xavier). I left those 5 schools because well these graphs suck to make and not great amounts of post jump data. That leaves Marquette, TCU, Utah, UofL, and Depaul.

Here are the winning percentages over those years:

There have been several references to the fact that MY is a "system" coach. We just saw a system coach win a National Championship last night, so my curiosity is piqued. Is there a basketball expert out there that has an idea of what MY's teams are going to look like?

Along with that, there are a lot of "so-n-so is in the transfer portal, let's get him" comments out there. I would imagine that the type of players MY is going after would depend on the system that he's using. If we could get an idea of his system, then we could figure out what sort of player he would be recruiting, and then our recruiting prognostications would not be so much all over the map. What kind of player is MY looking for?

Choose between the two:

Option A: Overall #1 seed UVA loses to #16 seeds UMBC in 2018, and UVA wins national championship in 2019

Option B: Neither of the above occurs, but UVA makes two consecutive Final Fours in 2018 and 2019.

Why?

Virginia Tech wing Landers Nolley has entered his name into the transfer portal, a source tells @Rivals. Sat out this past season. Former Rivals150, four star prospect— Corey Evans (@coreyevans_10) April 8, 2019

A natty under Bennett and probably this year. That opinion was met with mixed reviews of course, and I don't blame anyone since it is a hokie board after all. But, I had a feeling. Super coached team with 3 NBA players, some size, great defense, great 3 point shooting, running roughshod through everyone in the ACC except Zion, etc etc. I thought they were the best team in the country in December and I think so now. Add in the incredible horseshoe's in their arse the past 2 games and I think they win by 12-15 points tonight, and our lives suck in terms of UVA fans henceforth... You think they are arrogant and bring up the fact we have zero championships now??? lol multiply that by 1,000 in terms of annoyance.

Sorry everyone, my apologies, I had fat fingers earlier folks and in no way was comparing young to Johnson. I like the Young hire. At any rate, what I was trying to post was:

James Johnson left the following players with eligibility remaining when he was fired (not including walk on's):

Devin Wilson
Adam Smith
Van Zegeren
Meuller
CJ Barksdale
Marshall Wood
Kirby
Thompson
Rankin
Emelogu

Not terrible, at least in terms of numbers. Most went on to play for D1 schools- some like Thompson, Smith, Rankin did very well post VT. Now of course Buzz didn't want to keep any of these guys but Wilson, but that was the potential roster for him.

Dear Hokienation, I am forever indebted, you accepted a young kid from Scarborough with open arms. This is always gonna be a place that I call home. I will never forget the first feeling of stepping on Cassell floor. Again Thank You. You are Loved dearly!🧡 pic.twitter.com/ojXxHzHnYR— Nickeil Alexander (@TheReal_NAW1) April 8, 2019

Thank you Nickeil!

[Mod Edit: Replace with actual message from NAW.]

It's been a rollercoaster of reporting covering the Hokies search to replace Buzz Williams. And now Yahoo's heavy-hitter reports Wofford head coach Mike Young is to the top of the list.

Source: Wofford's Mike Young has emerged as a leading candidate to be the next coach at Virginia Tech.— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) April 7, 2019

As I sit getting my wife's vehicle state inspection, the current channel in the waiting room is showing the GLORIOUS rerun of LOLUVA's historic game against UMBC. It's currently on CBS 19 (I would think it's on all the other stations as well). Sorry I don't have the link. Regardless of their success, may they NEVER forget and always be reminded of their historic failure. On that note: #WarEagle #AnybodyButLOLUVA

#Hokies sophomore guard Wabissa Bede will enter the NCAA transfer portal, per a source. He could return to the program when the new coach is hired.Former Tech forward Chris Clarke has entered the portal as well, and will not have the option of returning to the Hokies' program.— Mike Barber (@RTD_MikeBarber) April 5, 2019

🤔

Sources: Seton Hall's Kevin Willard is expected to be a primary target to replace Buzz Williams at Virginia Tech. Hokies' AD Whit Babcock has been prepared for this departure and has had a list of potential candidates for weeks. #shbb— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) April 3, 2019

Most people close to Buzz Williams anticipate he will wrap things up with Texas A&M prior to this weekend (Thursday is the day I've been told). But with Buzz, honestly, you never know.— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) April 2, 2019

Looks like Chris Clarke is also caught up in the Ty Outlaw marijuana controversy. Clarke and Outlaw are roommates and Clarke has now also been charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession with the same offense date as Outlaw.

Roanoke Times Article

EDIT: Contrary to the RT article, the court records show Clarke's offense date as 03/20 and Outlaw's as 03/21.

For anyone tired of arguing about internet rumors regarding the future of VT's basketball coach, here's something else to consider as the NCAA tournament winds down.

Is the use of "one and done" players on route to the NBA an effective NCAA tournament strategy? The attached article article provides a fairly thorough treatment of the subject, and provides data on the teams who use that strategy, and the teams who don't.

The One and Done strategy

What are the chances it's all smoke?

Whit said he hasn't heard from Texas A&M, isn't this the same amount that was around Bud Foster being their next DC only for him to still be wake boarding on Claytor lake this summer?

As if last night's gut punch wasn't enough, it seems all but inevitable that we'll be hit a second time with the departure of Buzz to A&M.

This is a thread to discuss the future of basketball in Blacksburg, and namely focus on who will be leading our Hokies next year in Cassell.

Please feel free to suggest anyone else, especially those that are rumored to be linked to Tech.

Mick Cronin (Cincinnatti)

I'm pretty drunk and might regret this forum, but I just have to do it right now.

I watched the game at a restaurant in Morgantown, West Virginia. I'm visiting a friend this weekend.

Virginia Tech is not popular WHATSOEVER in Morgantown. Despite the fact that we have played once since 2005, the hate is still there. With that being said, that entire restaurant was rooting for VT. When Med's shot bounced off the rim, everyone was whatever level is below heartbroken.

We captured the hearts of America not only by being the team who was playing Duke but by playing a fun style of basketball. Shooting threes and throwing down.