11/3/2017 basketball Edit

Hokie basketball preview 2017-18: Setting the stage

Tim Sullivan • HokieHaven

Editor

Tim Sullivan is the Editor of HokieHaven.com. A University of Michigan alumnus, he is a decade-plus veteran of the recruiting industry.

Virginia Tech will take to the court this Sunday for the first time since they walked off it in the NCAA Tournament. It's just an exhibition game, but a chance to prove themselves against a Final Four team in South Carolina will go a long way toward determining just how good this Hokies team will do.

New players will have to step up for VT to replace Seth Allen and Zach LeDay. (USA Today Sports Images)

The first Tournament appearance in a decade came on the backs of several players no longer around: Zach LeDay and Seth Allen have graduated, Ty Outlaw will likely miss the entire season with a knee injury (while position-mate Chris Clarke may be limited with one of his own), and the only bigman with experience last year, Khadim Sy, opted to leave the team.

There's young blood coming in, however: freshman wing Nickeil Alexander-Walker was just a couple spots away from five-star status, while classmates Wabissa Bede and PJ Horne should be able to contribute. What's old is new again as well, with forward Kerry Blackshear returning from a year on the bench healing a broken leg.

Then, of course, there are those who will return. Junior point guard Justin Robinson will take the reins while wings Ahmed Hill and Justin Bibbs will hope to keep VT among the ranks of the nation's most lethal three-point shooting teams.

It won't be easy in the ACC: The Hokies take on preseason No. 1 Duke twice in 13 days in February, have double-plays against No. 13 Miami and No. 16 Louisville (if the Cardinals still have a basketball program come January), and play No. 9 North Carolina in Cassell Coliseum along the way. That's without even getting into the non-conference, which sees matchups with No. 6 Kentucky, and power-5 programs from Iowa and Ole Miss.

With the attrition from the roster and tough slate ahead, it may be tough for VT to make it back to the NCAA Tournament this season - it could very well end up a rebuilding year, with only Bibbs and walk-on (a former scholarship player who tried his hand at football last Fall) Devin Wilson slated to leave the program at its conclusion.

Those who know Buzz Williams, though, know that he won't view it that way. The goal is to participate in March Madness, and while Sunday's game at South Carolina won't officially help to that end, it's the first step toward it.