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Iowa’s men’s basketball program has added Virginia Tech to its 2026‑27 non‑conference slate, setting up a high‑stakes game at the Tyson Events Center. The contest arrives as Virginia Tech looks to build on a strong recent season and a roster bolstered by key returnees and transfers.
Virginia Tech’s men’s basketball program entered the 2025‑26 season with a promising 11‑2 start in non‑conference play, only to see its momentum stall during ACC competition. Injuries and close defeats left the team outside the NCAA Tournament, a result that has become all too familiar for the Hokies in recent years. The NCAA announced an expansion to 76 teams beginning next March, a change that could open a new pathway for Virginia Tech. Early bracketology from CBS Sports placed the Hokies among the ‘Last Four In,’ while ESPN analyst Joe Lunardi kept them on the outside looking in, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding their at‑large prospects. Roster movement has been a focal point of the offseason. Key contributors Amani Hansberry, Tyler Johnson and Ben Hammond are slated to return, providing continuity and experience. Freshmen Neoklis Avdalas and Christian Gurdak, however, have transferred out, prompting the coaching staff to integrate new talent while preserving the core that helped the team start strong. Beyond the court, Virginia Tech’s athletics department announced it would decline any invitation to the NIT, a decision that reflects a shift in strategic priorities. The administration, led by the university’s sports administration, is now focused on aligning resources with a realistic path to NCAA qualification. Fans and analysts alike are hopeful that the combination of a larger tournament bracket, a retooled roster and a clear coaching philosophy will translate into a postseason berth. If the Hokies can translate early-season promise into consistent ACC performance, a return to March Madness may finally materialize.
After four consecutive seasons outside the NCAA Tournament, Virginia Tech’s men’s basketball program is banking on the growth of Tyler Johnson, the arrival of Isaiah Elohim and the shooting upside of Kuol Atak to spark a turnaround.
Ben Hammond's 13.2-point average, sharp shooting and leadership make him the favorite to drive Virginia Tech's offense as the team seeks to end its NCAA Tournament drought.
After a injury‑limited sophomore campaign, Tyler Johnson is poised to re‑establish himself as the Hokies’ reliable two‑way player, contributing on both ends of the floor.
The Hokies added guard talent but still seek a versatile forward to strengthen their frontcourt as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Virginia Tech is finalizing a nine‑player roster that blends returning players and transfers, yet the squad has no proven game‑changing scorer.
Virginia Tech's upcoming roster is nearly set, featuring a nine‑player rotation that includes returning guards Ben Hammond and Tyler Johnson, forwards Amani Hansberry and Sin'Cere Jones, and several transfers. While the depth is a clear strength, the team has not identified a clear‑cut player who can consistently take over games offensively, raising questions about the Hokies' scoring ceiling.
A five‑tier projection sorts the conference’s programs, with Duke in the top tier and a bottom bucket labeled “The Basement.”
A look at the Hokies' blended roster of returning stars and new additions as they prepare for their opening game against Coppin State.
Duke enters the 2026‑27 campaign on a 42‑of‑44 ACC winning streak, but Louisville, Miami, Virginia and North Carolina are pouring resources into challenging the Blue Devils. New coaches, transfers and strategic shifts promise a competitive season.
Coach Mike Young has bolstered Virginia Tech’s roster with transfers, while the NCAA Tournament expands and the ACC schedule omits a matchup with Duke.
Virginia Tech announces a staggered release of season tickets for both men's and women's basketball, offering early purchase opportunities to Hokie Club contributors and digital subscribers ahead of a June 4 public launch.
Virginia Tech’s men’s basketball team finished 19-13 in 2025-26, missing the NCAA Tournament for the fourth straight year. With key players Amani Hansberry and Ben Hammond set to return, the Hokies aim to break the streak.
Virginia Tech’s men’s basketball program welcomes Ethan Copeland, a 6‑foot‑2 guard whose shooting efficiency and transfer history position him as a key sixth‑man option for the upcoming season.
The Hokies finished a challenging season with seven close ACC losses, lost several key players, but added five transfers as coach Mike Young aims to return to the NCAA Tournament.
A deep dive into how the Atlantic Coast Conference is assembling elite rosters, highlighted by Louisville’s record‑breaking transfer class and the broader impact on the league’s competitive landscape.