Virginia Tech Has Something to Prove: The Hokies’ Returning Core Is Ready for a Fresh Start

CHARLOTTE, N.C. For Virginia Tech basketball, last season left behind a feeling that was hard to shake: What if things had gone just a little differently?

Nine losses by single digits. Injuries to key players. Another season ending without an NCAA Tournament appearance.

The Hokies finished 19-13 overall and 8-10 in ACC play, missing March Madness for the fourth straight season. For a program looking to take the next step, it was another frustrating finish.

But as head coach Mike Young and three of his returning players stepped into the spotlight at ACC Tipoff on Wednesday, there was a reason for Hokie fans to feel encouraged.

Virginia Tech has experience, a healthier roster and a returning core that believes it can turn last season’s disappointment into something bigger.

Young, entering his eighth season in Blacksburg, was joined by guards Ben Hammond and Tyler Johnson and forward Amani Hansberry in Charlotte as the Hokies turned their attention to the 2026-27 campaign.

There are new faces, new roles and plenty of questions to answer. But if Virginia Tech is going to make noise in the ACC this season, its returning players could be the ones who set the tone.

And this time, the Hokies want a different ending.

Ben Hammond Is Ready to Take the Next Step

If Virginia Tech wants to make a statement this season, Hammond could be the player who helps make it happen.

The junior guard averaged 13.2 points per game last season, increasing that production to 14.9 points per game in ACC play. He also proved he could be a serious threat from beyond the arc, shooting an impressive 47 percent from three-point range in conference games.

Those numbers give Hokie fans plenty to be excited about. But Young isn't satisfied with Hammond simply picking up where he left off.

He wants to see another level.

Head Coach Mike Young indicated that Hammond would continue to get opportunities at point guard while also playing off the ball more often. That flexibility could allow him to use his shooting ability more effectively without taking away his ability to create plays.

Virginia Tech will need players to step up offensively. Hammond has already shown that he can score against ACC competition. Now, the challenge is becoming a more consistent presence and handling an even bigger role when the Hokies need a basket.

For a team looking to get back into the postseason conversation, Hammond's development could be one of the biggest storylines to watch.

Amani Hansberry Could Be the Hokies’ Difference-Maker Inside

Every team needs someone it can count on when the offense gets stuck. For Virginia Tech, Hansberry could be that player in the paint.

The forward led the Hokies with 14.3 points per game last season, establishing himself as one of the team's most important offensive options. His ability to score inside gives Virginia Tech a different dimension, especially when opponents focus their defensive attention on the perimeter.

That inside-out combination could become a major advantage if Hammond and Hansberry continue to build on their performances from last season.

But Hansberry's next step isn't just about scoring.

Virginia Tech needs him to rebound, bring physicality and stay on the floor. Avoiding foul trouble will be especially important as the Hokies look for reliable production from a roster that has undergone significant changes.

Hansberry can't do everything himself, but if he continues to develop into a dependable presence inside, he could give the Hokies a foundation to build around.

For Virginia Tech fans, that's an exciting possibility.

Tyler Johnson’s Return Gives Virginia Tech a Major Boost

Sometimes, the biggest addition a team can get is a familiar face back in the lineup.

Johnson's 2025-26 season was disrupted by injury, costing him 15 games. His return gives the Hokies another experienced guard who knows Young's system and has already faced the challenges of ACC basketball.

That experience matters more than ever.

Virginia Tech returns just five players from last season's roster, meaning chemistry won't automatically come together overnight. Johnson's familiarity with the program could help provide some stability as the newcomers adjust.

His availability also gives Young another option in the backcourt, which should help the Hokies navigate the long and demanding ACC schedule.

Health was a major issue last season, with Johnson missing 15 games and Tobi Lawal missing nine. Reflecting on that experience,  Head Coach Mike Young described it as one of the most frustrating coaching seasons he has had.

This time, the message was more encouraging.

“We’re in good health now,” Young said.

It's a simple statement, but one that could mean a lot for a team that struggled to keep its roster intact a season ago.

Continuity Is Important. The Newcomers Will Decide the Ceiling.

For all the optimism surrounding Hammond, Hansberry and Johnson, Virginia Tech still has plenty to prove.

Returning experience can help a team find its identity, but it doesn't automatically replace the production lost through the transfer portal. With only five players returning, Young faces the challenge of bringing together a roster with plenty of new pieces.

The good news? The work is already underway.

Young said the Hokies had completed 35 practices and scrimmaged Liberty, with another closed-door scrimmage against Maryland scheduled before the Oct. 16 exhibition against Wofford.

The early preparation has given the coaching staff opportunities to identify strengths, address weaknesses and figure out which players can contribute right away.

Young acknowledged that some areas he expected to be strengths haven't been as consistent as he would have liked, while other areas have shown improvement.

That's part of building a new team.

For Hokie fans, the biggest question is how quickly all those pieces can come together. The ACC doesn't offer much time to figure things out, and Virginia Tech will need contributions beyond its returning core if it hopes to climb the conference standings.

The talent may be there. The challenge now is turning it into a team that can consistently win.

Nine Close Losses. One Big Opportunity.

Here's the number that should stick with Virginia Tech fans heading into the new season: nine.

That's how many games the Hokies lost by single digits last season, including four decided by one possession.

Those results make the 19-win campaign feel different. Virginia Tech wasn't necessarily far away from changing its record, but close games don't turn into wins simply because a team wants them to.

Execution matters. Depth matters. Staying healthy matters.

And when the pressure rises late in games, having experienced players who understand their roles can make a difference.

That's where this returning core comes into the picture.

Hammond has already demonstrated that he can score at a high level. Hansberry gives the Hokies an established offensive presence inside. Johnson brings familiarity and experience back to the backcourt.

Together, they give Young something valuable to build around while the newcomers settle in.

The question is whether Virginia Tech can turn those close losses into victories this time around.

A few more stops on defense. Better execution in the final minutes. A healthier rotation. More consistent production across the lineup.

Those improvements could go a long way toward changing the Hokies' season.

The Hokies Have a Chance to Change the Conversation

ACC Tipoff didn't erase last season's disappointment, and it didn't guarantee that Virginia Tech is headed for a breakthrough.

But it did offer a reason to believe this team has a chance to be different.

Young has a returning core with meaningful ACC experience. Hammond has an opportunity to become an even bigger offensive weapon. Hansberry is coming off a team-leading scoring season. Johnson is back in the picture after an injury-interrupted campaign.

Now, the newcomers must prove they can help turn that foundation into something more.

For Hokie fans, the hope is about more than just improving the win total. It's about seeing Virginia Tech compete consistently, finish close games and put itself in a position to matter when March arrives.

The ACC won't make that easy. But the Hokies have been through enough adversity to understand what they need to improve.

Last season showed how quickly injuries and missed opportunities can derail a team's goals. This season offers a chance to respond.

Virginia Tech doesn't need to forget last season. It needs to learn from it.

The returning core is in place. The roster is coming together. And with another season ahead, the Hokies have an opportunity to give their fans something they have been waiting for: a team that turns potential into results.

The real test begins on the court.

And if Hammond, Hansberry, Johnson and the rest of the Hokies can put the pieces together, Blacksburg could have plenty of reasons to get excited.

The Hokies have something to prove. Now it's time to see what they do with it.