Are you ready for some college basketball? The season is just around the corner, and excitement is building in Blacksburg for the Virginia Tech Hokies – both the men's and women's teams. But, the ACC media's preseason predictions for the 2025-26 season might just pour a little cold water on that enthusiasm. Let's dive in!
On Tuesday, the ACC media released their picks, and the results are in. Duke unsurprisingly took the top spot. Here's a look at the ACC preseason rankings, with the number of first-place votes in parentheses:
- 1. Duke (34), 866
- 2. Louisville (15), 842
- 3. North Carolina, 741
- 4. NC State, 710
- 5. Virginia, 623
- 6. SMU, 616
- 7. Clemson, 510
- 8. Miami, 500
- 9. Syracuse, 489
- 10. Notre Dame, 477
- 11. Wake Forest, 412
- 12. Virginia Tech, 355
- 13. Georgia Tech, 315
- 14. Pitt, 301
- 15. Florida State, 221
- 16. California, 156
- 17. Stanford, 138
- 18. Boston College, 107
Virginia Tech is ranked at No. 12? That's the ACC ranking, not a national one, and it's certainly lower than what many fans might be hoping for.
So, what do you think about the ACC media's assessment? Are we, as fans, getting ahead of ourselves with our optimism? Consider the offseason changes, the increased investment in the program, the return of Chester Frazier, and the promising mix of freshmen, transfers, and international star Neoklis Avdalas from Greece.
Jon Rothstein, a respected voice in college basketball, is quite bullish on the Hokies. And, if you've heard Head Coach Mike Young recently, you might have noticed his enthusiasm for this team is particularly high. He's spoken of the team's size, depth, and the renewed defensive focus with Frazier's return. The Hokies revamped their roster last season, keeping only the players they truly wanted.
But here's where it gets controversial: it's important to remember that this is just a preseason poll. Ultimately, the games are played on the court, and that's where the real story unfolds. The ACC as a whole is expected to be stronger this season, with Virginia also looking rejuvenated.
Barring any unforeseen setbacks, it's reasonable to expect a good season for the Hokies.
The ACC media also seems to be underestimating the Lady Hokies.
After Kenny Brooks' departure, Megan Duffy's first year was a success. Duffy has a strong core of returning players, plus a solid group of transfers and incoming freshmen.
I don't know about you, but I'm backing Young and Duffy in the 2025-26 season. What are your thoughts? Do you agree with the ACC media's rankings, or are you more optimistic about the Hokies' chances? Share your opinions in the comments below! What do you think about the return of Chester Frazier? Is he the key to the season's success? Let's discuss!
