Revamped Virginia Tech shoots for hot start vs. Delaware State

After a rough offseason of rebuilding its roster following a mass exodus through the transfer portal, Virginia Tech is ready to start a new era when the Hokies host Delaware State on Monday night in Blacksburg, Va.

The Hokies will begin the process of jelling a roster of new additions and returning players who will lean on the experience of their frontcourt -- albeit the main players haven't played yet in a Virginia Tech uniform.

A frontcourt led by College of Charleston transfer Ben Burnham, VCU transfer Tobi Lawal, incoming freshman Ryan Jones Jr. and returning senior Mylyjael Poteat highlights the group along with Eastern Michigan transfer Connor Serven.

"There were so many things you didn't have to teach, you didn't have to worry about this guy, this guy, and this guy," Virginia Tech coach Mike Young said recently. "They were so on to it, and they were teaching the younger people, and so that part has been hard, but at the same time it's been refreshing."

The Hokies, who last season reached the second round of the NIT and finished 19-15 (10-10 in the Atlantic Coast Conference), are dealing with the departure of one player they were counting on to rebuild their roster. Hysier Miller, a Temple transfer, was released from their roster due to circumstances prior to his enrollment.

Sophomore Brandon Rechsteiner and freshman Ben Hammond are expected to fill the void left behind by Miller at point guard.

Delaware State is coming off a 15-19 season that ended with a loss to Seattle in the College Basketball Invitational.

The Hornets are led by guard Martaz Robinson, who made the All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference preseason first team after averaging 15.9 points and 6.5 rebounds per game last season. Robinson led Delaware State to the MEAC tournament final last year.

The Hornets were tied for fifth in the MEAC preseason poll. Delaware State also is dealing with departures from its roster after losing the starting backcourt of Deywilk Tavarez, the 2024 MEAC Rookie of the Year who left for College of Charleston, and Jevin Muniz, who headed to Florida Gulf Coast, as well as forward Wesley Oba, who transferred to Missouri State.

--Field Level Media