WASHINGTON — Charlottesville and Blacksburg lie roughly 150 miles away from one another, but the two cities’ local men’s college basketball programs couldn’t be further apart as we enter the 2015-16 season. The programs remain on opposite sides of the coin in college hoops, a contrast that will take a while to correct.
Virginia is coming off its second consecutive ACC regular season title, while Virginia Tech is looking to end a string of four straight last place finishes (technically they were the 10th of 12 seeds in 2012, but their 4-12 mark was tied for the worst record in the league).
UVa. is ranked 6th in both major preseason polls, while VaTech is Cavaliers’ coach Tony Bennett possesses a famous name, matinee-idol looks, and a cool confidence on the sidelines that make every parent wish he was recruiting their kid. The Hokies’ coach is named Buzz (Williams), resembles Curly from the Three Stooges, and perspires a ton.
Virginia’s John Paul Jones Arena is a state of the art facility that features Roman pergolas in a nod to the school’s Greek-inspired Jeffersonian architecture. Virginia Tech’s Cassell Coliseum is over 50 years old and is notable for having the school’s four NIT banners from 2008-11 mocking its fan base.
Even the nicknames give them away: “Cavaliers” gives the air of grace and charm, while “Hokies” suggest something more hardscrabble. Two sides of the coin.
Another chance in Charlottesville
Virginia is coming off its second straight 30-win season. Last year’s team had a #1 seed in their sights … but wound up losing their regular season finale before falling in the ACC Semifinals. For the second straight year, the drive to the Final Four ended with a loss in the NCAA Tournament Michigan State.
Most of the nucleus returns and Bennett has an experienced group led by seniors Malcolm Brogdon, Anthony Gill and Mike Tobey. Will junior London Perrantes make the leap from contributor to primary performer? He averaged 5 assists a game last season directing the offense, but shot just 35 percent from the field. The early-season slate includes trips to George Washington and Ohio State, as well as nonconference showdowns with preseason #11 Villanova and 14th-ranked California.
And just for those who might be curious, the home-and-homes in the ACC are Louisville, Clemson, Miami and Virginia Tech. Two February games loom large: Feb. 13 at #5 Duke and Feb. 27 against preseason #1 North Carolina.
Hokies hoping for improvement
Virginia Tech is coming off its second straight 22-loss campaign. Last year’s squad went 2-16 in the ACC, but four of those losses were one-possession affairs (including at then-#2 Virginia), and a fifth came in overtime against eventual National Champion Duke. They didn’t rebound well (337th in Division I) and the defense left a bit to be desired (339th in steals).
But change is coming to Blacksburg, as Williams has remade the roster into one that suits his style in a little over 12 months. Just two players on the roster this winter were on the team he inherited — senior point guard Devin Wilson and walk-on Greg Donlon. Gone is the invisible hand of Adam Smith (13 points per game last winter), so the offensive emphasis will fall to sophomore guard Justin Bibbs and former Maryland guard Seth Allen (13 points per game with the Terps in 2013-14).
The Hokies’ schedule allows the group to gel — outside of a neutral site game with #7 Iowa State, their lone game outside Blacksburg until ACC play is a Dec. 9 trip to Radford. The conference slate includes home-and-homes with Miami, Pitt, Wake Forest and Virginia. Expect a better product on the floor this winter — even if coach Williams’ tradition of ditching the coat, tie and vest during nail-biting games continues. Heaven forbid they play a triple-overtime game …
