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Don't sleep on the Hokies – not yet

Chris Graham

I’m among those surprised by the sleepy 5-4 start by Virginia Tech, considering the talent that Seth Greenberg has back (Malcolm Delaney, Jeff Allen, Dorenzo Hudson, Victor Davila) and the run that this group was able to make last year, when the Hokies were jobbed out of an NCAA Tournament bid after posting a 23-7 regular-season record and winning 10 (10!) games in the ACC.

As surprised as I am, I’m also aware that Tech teams of years past in the Greenberg era have gotten off to slow starts in November and December before turning around in January and February to make runs at postseason play.

Last year’s team aside, because of the weak nonconference schedule that doomed Tech’s NCAA hopes, it just seems to take Greenberg’s Hokies a while to get going, but once they get going, they can be pretty good.

They’ll need to this year. As solid as Tech has been in the Greenberg era, they’ve only made one NCAA appearance under the coach, the same number that struggling UVa. has made in the Greenberg era, which is now into its third ‘Hoos coach.

Greenberg may well be the victim of his own (relative) success, having raised fans’ expectations just enough to put himself on the hot seat.

It’s got to be getting warm down in Blacksburg for Greenberg, who had better find out what’s ailing his 2010-2011 Hokies and fast – or he might be on his way out come the spring.

Column by Chris Graham. Chris can be reached at [email protected].

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Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, TikTok, BlueSky, or subscribe to Substack or his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected].

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