Hokie Hoops Kicks Off 2025-2026 Campaign with Win Over Charleston Southern

Fueled by a 20-point outing from Tobi Lawal, Virginia Tech secured its opening night, 98-67 victory over Charleston Southern University.

“We were much better defensively in the second half; I thought we rebounded pretty well throughout,” said Virginia Tech head coach Mike Young. “We were really good offensively, certainly in that first ten minutes with that 19-0 run in the second.”

After a promising offseason for a revamped Virginia Tech Basketball program, the Hokies had a less-than-ideal start Monday night against the Buccaneers. With only a four-point lead to end the first half, Tech struggled beyond the arc after shooting just 15.4% from three in the first half.

To make up for the three-point struggles, however, the Hokies were able to take command under the rim. With frontcourt efforts led by true freshman Christian Gurdak, who used his physicality to tally eight points off the bench in the first half, the maroon & orange were able to capitalize on key free throws made off fouls within the arc.

The second half of the contest is where the Hokies broke free. Tech expanded its lead to 19 points after just five minutes coming out of halftime.

“I think we’re a little nervous, which is hard for me to believe,” Young said. “But, you gotta understand they are young people. So, it’s a little bit different, but we’ll get settled in.”

Virginia Tech’s starting five – Neoklis Avdalas, Jailen Bedford, Tyler Johnson, Tobi Lawal, and Amani Hansberry – got the squad going in the second half. Particularly, Hansberry, Bedford, and the aforementioned Lawal led Tech’s second-half surge as the Hokies outscored the Buccaneers 56-29 to close out the game.

“[My process is] having a short-term memory, especially when it comes to shooting,” Hansberry said. “Just uplifting guys verbally, and that’ll show in my play and in their play. If one of us wins, we all look good, so it’s not really trying to focus on what I’m doing bad, but focusing on the positives and what we need to do to win.”

Lawal and Hansberry were the two primary forces on offense, as they each posted a double-double outing on the night. Hansberry showed off his power and playmaking within the paint, and Lawal reminded Tech fans of his athleticism with his short-range prowess. 

Not to be overshadowed, however, was Bedford’s 13-point performance – good enough for the Hokies’ third-highest scoring performance on the night.

“I know anywhere on the court I can score,” Bedford said. “I’m really trying to find different places and different types of ways to score. It’s really easy for me to get to the paint and get to my spot, so I feel like getting to that floater, although it wasn’t falling today, it’ll fall.”

Though the Hokies had a dominant showing Monday, there is plenty of basketball to play as the team jumps into the season. Young hopes to see the revitalized team come together to thrive throughout the season.

“I just wanna see the process continue to evolve as we go along, and I know it will for this team,” Young said.

The Hokies eye a 2-0 start as they head north to take on Providence in Connecticut’s Mohegan Sun Arena at the Basketball Hall of Fame Tip Off – an early-season test that could prove what Blacksburg’s 2025-2026 squad is all about.