2022-23 Record: 19-15, 8-12 ACC (11th)
Coach: Mike Young, Fifth Season
Departures: Grant Basile, F (Graduation)
Justyn Mutts, F (Graduation)
Darius Maddox, G (Transfer)
Arrivals: Mekhi Long, W (Transfer from Old Dominion)
Robbie Beran, F (Transfer from Northwestern)
Tyler Nickel, F (Transfer from North Carolina)
Brandon Rechsteiner, G (Freshman)
Jaydon Young, G (Freshman)
Projected Starting Lineup
PG: Sean Pedulla
SG: Hunter Cattoor
SF: MJ Collins
PF: Robbie Beran
C: Lynn Kidd
Roster Breakdown
After back to back NCAA Tournament appearances, the Hokies took a step back last season, finishing in the bottom 5 in the ACC last year. They'll look to bounce back this year, and will be lead by returning guards Sean Pedulla and Hunter Cattoor. Both guards over elite floor spacing, with Cattoor shooting 41.8% from deep over his four years in college, he's actually been over 40% every year, and Pedulla at 37.3% over his first two seasons. Both guys are also crafty scorers around the rim, making them a potent offensive duo. Pedulla is a natural point guard, averaging 3.8 assists last season, his first as a full time starter, and he's a really solid ball handler as well. Cattoor has the better size and athleticism, making him a dogged defender, whereas Pedulla struggles a little more on that side of the ball, although he isn't a liabilty. Both guys faded down the stretch, with Cattoor suffering an injury and Pedulla clearly wilting while playing 35.6 minutes a game. They'll have some more depth in the backcourt thanks to freshmen Brandon Rechsteiner and Jaydon Young, so hopefully Mike Young can rest his starting backcourt a little more this season. Rechsteiner is built in the mold of Pedulla, a deadeye shooter from deep and good ball handler who will provide crucial depth at point guard. Young, meanwhile, is a strongly built guard who may not be a contributor right away, but projects well as a defender and with his ability to get to the rim. Returning wings MJ Collins and Rodney Rice could also play down, and will both be key cogs this season. Collins started 16 games as a freshman, and he put up 4.1 points and 2.4 rebounds. He was somewhat forced into action due to some injuries, like to Rice, but his game should be better going forward because of it. He didn't shoot it particuarly well, making 26.5% of his threes, but he's a good athlete who showed a willingness to defend. Rice, meanwhile, struggled with injuries as a freshman and only played in 8 games, but was the #73 ranked prospect in the 2022 class, and when he did play, he flashed his potential. He put up 7.4 points and 3.3 rebounds, and dropped 17 points on North Carolina State in the ACC Tournament. If he can put together more performances like that, he could take over the starting small forward role. He projects to be a better shooter than his 33.3% last season would indicate, and can even take over ball handling duties if necessary, although he's probably best as a secondary playmaker. John Camden also returns on the wing, although he didn't play much last season after transferring from Memphis. I'd wager on him being more depth than anying once again this season. Up front, the departures of Justyn Mutts and Grant Basile leave a big void of minutes to be filled. Look for Lynn Kidd to step into that and seize a starting role. The big man started 5 games last year, his second with the team after transferring from Clemson, and looked much improved, averaging 5 points and 3.4 rebounds in 12.6 minutes. He's a traditional big who doesn't venture outside of the paint much, but he is effective down low. He's got some good post moves on the block, and is a willing rim runner. Defensively, he has good size and some decent athleticism and fluidity, but he probably needs to add a little more bulk to make a big impact. Mylyjael Poteat is also returning, appearing in all 34 games for the Hokies after spending his first two seasons at Rice. He has a good blend of size and athleticism, but he's more tools than player at this point, which isn't ideal for a player in his fourth year. He will be a key backup for Virginia Tech. Redshirt freshman big Patrick Wessler could also be in line for some minutes at the five if he took advantage of his year of development. Mike Young went to the transfer portal to shore up the front court, bringing in forwards Robbie Beran and Tyler Nickel plus wing Mekhi Long. Beran comes over from Northwestern, where he started 99 of the 120 games he played over the course of four seasons. He's been a solid player for the Wildcats, averaging 6.2 points and 3.8 rebounds while shooting 36.1% from deep over his career thus far. He's coming off his best season yet, averaging career highs in points (7.5), rebounds (4.5), and blocks (0.7). He's a fairly traditional stretch big, he can play inside or out, and is a decent athlete for 6'9". He isn't the best defender is space, but he does most things well, and accepts his role, never really trying to play outside his means. Nickel comes over from North Carolina after one season where he struggled to see the court. He was the #84 recruit in the 2022 class, and is returning to his home state of Virginia. He only played 6 minutes per game last season, averaging 2.1 points, but he's another stretch big at 6'7". He's a great shooter who can play either the three or the four, but like Beran, he isn't the quickest athlete, so he's probably best suited as a college four man. Finally, Long comes over from Old Dominion, and unlike Beran and Nickel, he'll be looking to make his biggest impact on the defensive end. Another combo forward, Long is a very strong rebounder, averaging 8.7 a game last year, and has good length and athleticism, putting up 1.5 steals a game and often taking on tough assignments defensively. He's mostly a slasher offensively, but he did shoot a career high 35.9% from deep last year, en route to averaging 10.7 points a game. He could challenge for a starting role, or be an impact defender off the bench.
My Thoughts
The Hokies will be an interesting team to watch this year. They have the potential to score a lot of points given the shooters at their disposal. Pedulla and Cattoor can light it up from deep, and the additions of Beran and Nickel will add some long range threats in the front court as well. I expect the offense to have some great spacing and ball movement, allowing someone like MJ Collins or Rodney Rice to attack the rim, which is where they excel. That battle for the starter at the three between Collins, Rice, and maybe even Nickel and Long, will be interesting to watch all year. I think Rice has the highest ceiling of the four, but Collins has the ACC experience and Long brings the defensive prowess, which could be desperately needed. I do have some real concerns about this squad on the defensive end. Justyn Mutts, who was probably the best defender on the team last year, has graduated, and I think the Hokies could really struggle to get stops. They weren't exactly stellar defensively last year, and adding Beran and Nickel at the four adds two guys who I think can get exploited on the perimeter. Pedulla isn't a great defender and Kidd needs to add bulk to be effective as a five man. And if Mike Young plays some smaller lineups, I could see some Beran at the five and Long or Nickel at the four, I'm not sure how that will work out either., They need either Collins or Rice to prove to be a capable defender on the wing, because Cattoor can defend the lead guard, but they'll need a wing stopper. It may not matter, they could just win shootouts thanks to their ability to make threes, but I think the defensive end of the floor will hold the Hokies back from an NCAA Tournament once again this season.
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