BLACKSBURG, Va. – Virginia Tech finished last season with its first NCAA tournament appearance in ten years. This year, despite some injuries, the Hokies look to build on that success.
Picture day in Blacksburg looks a little different this year. Virginia Tech's two leading scores, Zach LeDay and Seth Allen have graduated, and the third leading scorer, and top rebounder Chris Clarke is still recovering from tearing his ACL in February.
"We need him, we need his athleticism, I think his motor runs really hard that's what he does best. He's our best rebounder, arguably our best passer, he'll help us whenever it is he comes back," said Hokies head coach Buzz Williams.
"With Seth and Zach leaving that's a lot of leadership gone. Just having those (other) starters back and that experience back, it's helps a lot," Clarke said.
The Hokies will be without sharp shooter Ty Outlaw, who also tore his ACL in July. Outlaw played every game last season, averaged 6.3 points per game, and shot 49% from behind the arc.
"I wanted to try to come back because it's my fifth year but he wanted to sit me out the whole year, play it safe, and advocate for a sixth year because of the redshirt heart year," Outlaw said.
The Hokies open up their 2017 season hosting Detroit November 10, in Cassell Coliseum.