MLS Draft Talk and the Hokies Head to Syracuse
It was another big news week in Blacksburg starting with the MLS SuperDraft where two Hokies were selected including the top pick.
Daniel Pereira was chosen first overall by expansion club Austin FC. He becomes the first Hokie to earn that honor and is now the highest member of the program picked surpassing Patrick Nyarko who was taken seventh overall by the Chicago Fire in 2008.
Major League Soccer
@MLS
"It's an honor and a moment I'll never forget." Chatting with @AustinFC's #1 overall pick @danipereira121! #SuperDraft
His teammate Kristo Strickler was also chosen with the 30th overall selection by Houston Dynamo FC. The guys can now help start a friendly rivalry in the Lone Star state.
Ron Dickson
@CoachRonDickson
Couldn’t be happier for these 2 gentlemen. CONGRATS @danipereira121 & @KristoStrickler !!
Tech also notched another win on the hardwood with a tight 64-60 win on the road against a scrappy Wake Forest team. On a night when stars Keve Aluma and Jalen Cone couldn't find their scoring touch, Tyrece Radford once again came through to lead the effort and multiple players stepped in to help make up the point difference.
The Hokies also had a strong defensive performance which is a good sign. Tech takes on a Syracuse team Saturday that has struggled a bit early on but is rounding into form now. The Orange actually allow more points than Tech (70.1 vs. 64.7) but also score slightly more and have forced nearly nine turnovers per game.
This is a tough road test and should be a great game. If the Hokies can avoid falling prey to turnovers it would be a tremendous road win. Don't let the rankings fool you, a Hokie win still kind of feels like an upset and ESPN's match up predictor agrees.
It should be a fun start to a difficult second half of the schedule which includes two games with Florida State plus tilts against Louisville, North Carolina, and No. 13 Virginia (hopefully).
We talk about all of this on the show this week plus Jim Boeheim and of course there's more Buffalo Bills football chatter because the people demand it.
Columnist
My Dad graduated from Tech in 1981 and I’ve been attending Virginia Tech sporting events since I first moved to Blacksburg in 1988. I myself graduated in 2008 with a Communication degree.
