We continue our recruit and return series with the Virginia Tech Hokies, whose season ended with an 86-83 loss to Alabama. Here's a look at what the 2018-19 season could hold:
Possible 2018-19 starting five
G: Ahmed Hill
F: Chris Clarke
Who is lost: There are only two seniors on the Hokies’ roster this season: starting guard Justin Bibbs and backup Devin Wilson. Bibbs was a consistent performer all four seasons in Blacksburg, averaging double figures in three of four seasons. He had his best campaign as a senior, putting up more than 13 points, though his 3-point shooting dropped below 40 percent for the first time in his career. Wilson saw his role decrease each season at Virginia Tech but was steady. He took the 2016-17 season off from basketball, joining the football team instead.
Who is added: Buzz Williams adds three freshmen, led by ESPN 100 small forward Landers Nolley. Nolley originally chose Georgia but decommitted the same day and pledged to Virginia Tech a week later. He boosted his stock late in his high school career, proving himself as a good perimeter shooter who uses his athleticism to finish off the dribble. He is joined by four-star point guard Jon Kabongo, a Canada native who is the younger brother of former Texas standout Myck Kabongo. Kabongo possesses good size at 6-foot-4 and will help provide depth in the backcourt. Wing Jarren McAllister rounds out the class. Williams also brings back two pieces who missed this season for differing reasons. Ty Outlaw suffered a torn ACL last July and missed the entire season. He started 14 games in 2016-17 and provided outstanding perimeter shooting, knocking down 48.7 percent of his 3-pointers. Then there’s Khadim Sy, a 6-foot-10 center who left the team in September before rejoining in December and taking a redshirt season.
What it means for next season: Four starters are back from an NCAA tournament team, with a fifth player who played 25 minutes per game also returning. It starts on the perimeter, with point guard Justin Robinson and wings Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Ahmed Hill. Robinson established himself as one of the best point guards in the ACC, leading the team in points and assists while shooting 40 percent from 3-point range. Alexander-Walker came out of high school with plenty of hype but was inconsistent after opening his career with three 20-point efforts in his first four games. He has good size and can make shots from the perimeter. Hill averaged double figures and made better than 40 percent of his 3-pointers. Former ESPN 100 point guard Wabissa Bede should be poised for a bigger role. Up front, Chris Clarke and Kerry Blackshear return. Clarke is a high-energy player who is excellent in the open court and stays active on the glass at both ends. He’s also an underrated passer. Blackshear enjoyed a breakout season after redshirting in 2016-17 due to injury, averaging better than 12 points and six boards. P.J. Horne provided good minutes late in the season.
Trending: Up. Williams has led the Hokies to back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances, and most of the key players from this season’s team will return to Blacksburg. Throw in Outlaw and Sy returning, as well as the addition of Nolley, and Virginia Tech should have the talent and depth to make it three in a row on Selection Sunday.