Hokies Hoops Central: Delaware St vs Virginia Tech 8pm, Nov 4th ACCNX/ESPN+

Delaware State Hornets
At Virginia Tech Hokies
8pm, Nov 4th Cassell Coliseum
ACC Extra/ESPN+

Tomorrow's the day 😎Don't miss the exciting season-opening doubleheader for @HokiesWBB & @HokiesMBB! Get your tickets NOW 🔥— HokieSports (@hokiesports) November 3, 2024

TV
Evan Hughes, PxP
Mack McCarthy, Analyst

ACCNX RADIO
Zach Mackey, PxP
Mike Burnop, Analyst

First Episode: Who are these Guys?
Mike Young, handcuffed by NIL and late preseason news carrying away his starting PG, has his work cut out to shape this into a team. There are only four of last season's roster back and only one of those was a sometimes regular starter in Poteat. It's going to be interesting to watch.

Don't forget to check out the Ladies at 5pm tomorrow also on ACCNX/ESPN+ as they take on UNC Wilmington.

You can argue that some of the transfers bring more athleticism to this squad which was surely lacking last year but the late departure of Hysier Miller puts a heavy burden on Rechsteiner and freshman Ben Hammond to deliver at the point.

The Hokies will rely on multiple transfers to play key roles. Tobi Lawal at forward has hops for days (think Deron Washington) but will be put up against some big bodies this year. Jaden Schutt, who sat out last year at Duke, will play the wing and be looked upon to score from outside. Ben Burnham will be the 6th man but likely have as many minutes as most starters.

After that playing times gets murky between the two incoming freshman Tyler Johnson and Ryan Jones along with Cal transfer Rodney Brown. Still not sure what to expect from Patrick Wessler either.

Delaware State is led by Stan Waterman, who is starting his fourth season with the Hornets. He was a highly successful high school coach in Delaware, winning multiple state championships before taking the head coach position. They are coming off a 15-19 season that ended with a loss to Seattle in the College Basketball Invitational.

The Hornets floor general is guard Martaz Robinson, who made the All-MEAC preseason first team after averaging 15.9 points and 6.5 rebounds per game last season. Joining Robinson will be the Watson twins, both 6'8 forwards transferring in from Cal State-Bakersfield. Both have had injury issues in the past so will be interesting to see if they are effective or even featured.

Alston Andrews (6'10) and Javarzia Belton (6'11), a transfer from Northeastern Oklahoma CC will provide the Hornets with additional size down low. There may be a freshman infusion at guard with John Clemmons and Ponce James.

The Hornets were voted to finish fifth in the MEAC this season. Delaware State lost starters Deywilk Tavarez, the 2024 MEAC Rookie of the Year to College of Charleston, Jevin Muniz, to Florida Gulf Coast, and forward Wesley Oba, to Missouri State.

Hokies will be outsized in the post in this one. Too many new pieces to really know what to expect from either team.

Hokies Projected Starters per Game Notes

Brandon Rechsteiner
G, #7, 6-1 190 So. Acworth, Ga.
2023 Stats 1.8 ppg 0.7 rpg

Jaydon Young
G, #3, 6-4 205 So. Goldsboro, N.C. 2023 Stats 1.8 ppg 0.8 rpg

Jaden Schutt (transfer from Duke)
G, #2, 6-5 205 r-So. Yorkville, Ill.
DNP 2022 Gatorade POY in Illinois

Tobi Lawal (transfer from VCU)
F, #1, 6-8 215 Jr. London, England
2023 Stats 7.7 ppg 6.0 rpg

Mylyjael Poteat
C, #34, 6-9 260 Gr. Reidsville, N.C.
2023 Stats 6.4 ppg 3.5 rpg

Hokies total 2023 starter stats
17.8 ppg and 11 rpg

Hornets Projected Starters
Martaz Robinson
G, #3, 6'2, GR, Baltimore, MD
2023 Stats 7.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg and 2.5 asst

John Clemmons,
G, #5, 6'6, FR, Bear, DE
DNP

Ponce James
G, #15, 5'11, Bridgeport
DNP

Alston Andrews
F, #1, 6'10, GR, Detroit, MI
5 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1 apg, .5 bpg

Javarzia Belton
C, #32, 6'11, 280 lbs, JR, Calhoun Falls
No stats from Community College

Your guess is as good as mine.