The non-conference slate is officially behind us and it is time to move on to the conference schedule. Unfortunately for Hokie fans, Virginia Tech (5-7, 0-1) doesn’t get to ease into the start of play in the Atlantic Coast Conference as they take on the #4 Duke Blue Devils (10-2, 2-0) on New Year’s Eve at 4:30 PM. Duke boasts three players currently projected to be selected in the lottery of the 2025 NBA Draft so it should be no surprise the Blue Devils opened as 24.5-point favorites for the ACC Network clash.
Virginia Tech has really struggled to open the year and a major aspect of that is the inability to consistently play into an identity. Most Mike Young rosters have been littered with shooters and have had a point guard that can start the attack to kick it back out and stretch out the court. This year that hasn’t quite been the case as point guard has been a position the team has struggled but the depth of shooters is not there across the board. There have been moments where the team has looked good but when you are coming up against a team like Duke it will take a near-perfect game for the Hokies to come out with the upset.
Three of the biggest issues on the roster this year have been turnovers, perimeter shooting, and scoring in the post which means an upset attempt likely must run through Ben Hammond, Jaden Schutt, and Tobi Lawal. Hammond, a true freshman point guard who recently took over in the starting lineup, is tenacious defensively and a player that brings a spark through his energy. Ben will be the main focus not turning the ball over but keeping the offense moving. Schutt, a former Duke player, is the Hokies best three point shooter and player that will understand the environment the most so you would feel most confident in his ability to overcome it. Lastly, there is power forward Lawal, a supreme athlete that can match up against two of the better players on the Duke roster. Tobi hasn’t been playing basketball very long but has already shown some explosive performances and will relish the challenge of going up against projected NBA players as he tried to figure out what comes next. Lawal can knock down perimeter shots but is better attacking the basket and getting to the line.
Mylyjael Poteat is the starting center and the player that will partner with Lawal most frequently. While Poteat might not be the best defender from a blocks perspective, Mylyjael has the strength to limit movement in the paint and keeps attackers from getting to their spots easily. Patrick Wessler is the primary post backup and the 7-footer might not be the most skilled player on the team but has been productive when he’s gotten the ball in the low post. Tyler Johnson, another true freshman starter, brings the versatility to play either forward spot and is already one of the best rebounders on the team. Johnson is best using his frame to attack the basket but has shown more of a perimeter stroke lately. Then there is Ben Burnham, another versatile forward that has started to come into his own lately and show the balanced attack that made the Hokies pursue out of the transfer portal. Three-point shooting is Burnham’s best attribute but he can put the ball on the floor and attack the hoop as well…