As the 2026-27 season approaches, Virginia Tech Hokies basketball head coach Mike Young is looking to turn the tide for his program. Young recently signed a one-year contract extension, ensuring his position through the 2027-28 season. This extension comes after a challenging few years for the Hokies, who have struggled to find success in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Young's contract extension, which increases his annual salary to $3 million, comes with specific buyout clauses. If he were to be let go before March 15, 2027, the buyout would be $2 million, decreasing to $1 million if he is dismissed before March 15, 2028. Since taking over the program in 2019, Young has led the Hokies to two NCAA Tournament appearances in his first three seasons. However, the last four years have seen the team fail to achieve a winning record in ACC play, with a disappointing 34-44 conference record during that span.
In the most recent season, Virginia Tech finished with a record of 19-13, landing in 11th place in the ACC with an 8-10 conference record. Despite having five players average double-digit scoring, the team struggled with consistency, particularly in offensive execution. Their shooting performance was average overall, but they did rank among the top third of teams nationally in three-point shooting percentage. Defensively, however, the Hokies faced challenges, finishing 194th in defensive rating and struggling with rebounding and paint defense.
Looking ahead to the 2026-27 roster, the Hokies have 14 players signed, one short of the NCAA maximum. The team lost three of their top five scorers from the previous season, including Toibu Lawal, who was selected by the Dallas Mavericks in the second round of the NBA Draft, and Neoklaidis Avdalas, who transferred to the University of North Carolina. However, the Hokies do retain key contributors, including 6-foot-8 power forward Amari Hansberry, who was a standout performer last season with averages of 14.3 points and 7.4 rebounds per game.
Ben Hammond, a 5-foot-11 point guard, is expected to take on a more prominent role as the team's full-time starter. He averaged 13.2 points, 3.2 assists, and 2.0 steals last season, showcasing his shooting ability and defensive skills. Another returning player, Tyler Johnson, is anticipated to make a significant impact after missing much of the previous season due to injury. Johnson is known for his versatility, rebounding, and shooting prowess.
The Hokies have also made significant additions to their roster, bringing in nine newcomers, including seven transfers. Notable among these is Kuol Atak, a 6-foot-9 forward who demonstrated impressive shooting ability at Oklahoma, averaging 7.0 points per game. Isaiah Elohim, a highly-rated recruit from FAU, is expected to be a primary offensive threat for the Hokies, while Ethan Copeland, an elite shooter from Stetson, adds depth to the backcourt.
As the Hokies prepare for the upcoming season, they will face a challenging non-conference schedule, featuring 14 games, nine of which will be played at home. Key matchups include a home game against Ole Miss as part of the ACC/SEC Challenge, as well as road games against West Virginia and neutral-site contests against UCF and Iowa. In ACC play, Virginia Tech will engage in home-and-away series against rivals Virginia and Boston College, while also hosting teams like Clemson and North Carolina.
With a mix of returning talent and new faces, the Virginia Tech Hokies will aim to improve upon their recent struggles and make a significant impact in both their non-conference and ACC schedules in the 2026-27 season.
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