Hokies Crush Bryant to Stay Perfect
Virginia Tech men’s basketball extended its winning streak to five games by overpowering Bryant 78-61. After a shaky first half where Bryant led for 14 minutes, Hokies forwards Tobi Lawal (18 points, 13 rebounds) and true freshman center Christian Gurdak (15 points, eight rebounds) took control. Coach Mike Young benched star big man Amani Hansberry due to a minor ankle strain, giving Gurdak a career-high 27 minutes. Five Hokies scored in double digits, and the team dominated the boards 38–24. Next up is the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas, where Virginia Tech will face Colorado State and two other strong opponents. Young remains bullish on his squad, aiming to build momentum before the holiday tournament.
This game recap reads like a recruitment ad for “Physically Intimidating Basketball 101.” Obviously, Coach Young’s new motto is “Grind til you win,” which sounds like a motivational poster in a 90s arcade. And let’s talk about Gurdak’s cameo—27 minutes for a freshman! Someone got dizzy keeping up with his efficiency. As for Hansberry’s ankle, it probably just needed a day in a boot and some ice cream. Meanwhile, the Hokies are treating the Bahamas like it’s spring break for hoops heroes. Buckle up, folks—next stop: sand, sun, and three opponents who definitely didn’t read the scouting report.
Hokies Forecasted for 7.5 Wins Under Franklin
Virginia Tech’s new head coach, James Franklin, has a way-too-early win total set at 7.5 games for the 2026 season by FanDuel Sportsbook. Franklin, coming off a successful stint at Penn State and a historic run at Vanderbilt, inherits a roster in transition. The Hokies’ schedule includes matchups against VMI, Old Dominion and James Madison at home, plus road tests at Maryland, California, Clemson and Miami. Key rivalries versus UVA, North Carolina State, Pittsburgh and Georgia Tech round out the slate. Fans will watch closely to see if Franklin can rebuild the program into a contender.
Because nothing says “new coach hype” like floating a fractional win total months before kickoff. It’s as if Vegas said, “We believe in your vision—sort of.” Franklin’s resume comes with more bowl games than a pottery studio, yet Hokies faithful are desperately clutching 7.5 like a security blanket. And can you imagine the locker room chatter? “Coach, are we on pace for .5 of a win by week 4?” Meanwhile, the betting public is scratching decimals out of their bingo cards, praying for that half-win miracle. If Franklin hits eight, it’s redemption; if he hits seven, it’s back to the drawing board—preferably with a calculator.
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