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Cardiac Hill ACC Preview: #15 Virginia Tech Hokies

Virginia Tech comes in last in our ACC Basketball preview

By JimHammett
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Spor

Coach - Buzz Williams (1st season at Virginia Tech, 153-86 career record, 5 NCAA Tournament appearances)

Arena - Cassell Coliseum (10,052 capacity)

2013-14 Record -  9-22 (2-16)

Game with Pitt - @ Virginia Tech Tuesday, January 27 7:00

Top Returning Players (Bold = projected starter)

-- Devin Wilson 6'4" SO PG   9.2 PPG  4.8 APG

-- Adam Smith 6'1" JR SG  11.0 PPG 2.3 APG

-- Joey van Zegeren 6'10" JR PF   6.4 PPG 5.0 RPG

-- Will Johnston 6'3" SR  SG   3.2 PPG

-- Christian Beyer 6'7" SR SF  1.1 PPG  2.3 RPG

-- Malik Mueller 6'3" SO SG  Redshirt

Impact Newcomers

-- Ahmed Hill 6'3" FR SG  #63 Overall Recruit on Rivals

-- Satchel Pierce 6'10" FR C 3-star on Rivals

-- Jalen Hudson 6'5" FR SG 3-star on Rivals

-- Justin Bubbs 6'5" FR SF  #143 Overall Recruit on Rivals

-- Shane Henry 6'8" JR PF  JuCo Transfer

The Scoop - In one of the biggest surprises of the college basketball off-season, Virginia Tech was able to hire away Buzz Williams from Marquette. Williams always fielded competitive teams, and ones that were able to contend for conference championships almost every year.

Can he do that in Blacksburg? Time will tell, but I would not be surprised if he gets them in contention in a few years. I don't see it happening this season but coming into this year they should have good enough guard to play to make them more competitive.

Pittsburgh area product, Devin Wilson returns as the point guard, and he rarely came off the floor as a freshman. He is not flashy, but plays steady like a James Robinson type of player.  Adam Smith is a good shooter from the two spot on the floor, and could be the team's leading scorer.  Ahmed Hill followed Williams from Marquette to Virginia Tech, and the four-star freshman could play a major role instantly.  The post game should be handled mostly by Joey van Zeagran and Satchel Pierce.  Pierce is another local product as he is from the Kiski Prep School.

Final Outlook - Virginia Tech has some pieces, but they lack many difference makers. Devin Wilson is probably the team's best player, but he is a pass first point guard that can't take a game over offensively. Smith is a decent scorer, but they will need major contributions from Hill and some of the other freshmen right off the bat.  Buzz Williams will get this program back to respectability soon, but I don't think he has the pieces to do it this year.
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