of Hokie fans are way more dailed into football than basketball. From that perspective I understand why many of those people are quick to defend Buzz. VT Basketball was in a very bad place post Greenberg with James Johnson. Those teams were destined to finish dead last in the ACC. Buzz was the right hire at the time and came in and built a strong foundation. Some will laugh at this but last years team could have won the national title. They didn’t get a single minute out of Chris Clarke, Khadim Sy or Landers Nolley, yet they were still a missed shot away from the elite 8. Last year was amazing, but will always be the ‘’what if’’ year. Buzz deserves a lot of credit for that! He was also regularly in the national media and Hokie fans like that, as they should. Again, he was the right hire and we should appreciate the run he had.

For those that criticize him, that’s fair too!! He 100% had a deal worked out with A&M months before going there. He 100% intentionally used Techs resources to recruit guys that he’d later take to A&M. He also 100% used up all of VTs official visits. Mike Young came in and had to appeal to NCAA for a couple official visits. He also had to get creative and reclassify 3 kids (Ojiako, Cone & Alleyne) to 2019. Mike should be applauded for that miracle work in short time.

(Because I know it’s coming) For the crowd that will say it’s normal to take the kids you’ve been recruiting to your next stop (like Ahmed Hill who was going to Marquette) I’ll counter with this.

Jamie McNiely was an assistant on the bball staff. He told me his nephew was reclassifying to 2019 and was a lock to come to VT. 2 years later after buzz gets the A&M job Cashius McNeily commits on the spot. 🤔 Everything regarding Cashius was silent until the A&M announcement. Furthermore, VT didn’t publically offer Jonathan Oku or Quenton Jackson but had them on campus for officials and meetings with the staff. They like Cashius all ended up at A&M with the publically committed Hokies Yuvus Giltekin, Andre Gordon & Emmanuel Miller. A lot of the fans that aren’t as into Bball don’t know that side of it. I’ve also heard that when Blackshear ruled out A&M buzz told him to go to UF. Again, I don’t have proof of that but heard that from someone that is still involved in the athletic department. For what it’s worth I think that was the best move for KJ, and I think it’s best for this young team to get guys minutes that will be around after this season. ie Okiako behind Horne. So no harm no foul on that regardless of whether it’s true or not.

Buzz also didn’t care about VT in the sense that he didn’t ever speak about VT. Only talked about himself, his players, their parents, and Buzz’s Bunch. That’s who he is and that was fine by me. I’m not knocking it. I understand why some Hokies do knock it. We’ve all grown up with Frank Beamer and Buzz was a 180 from him. Mike Young is very much like Frank in that he loves the university , he loves the area & he’s appreciative for the opportunity. Hokie fans should feel lucky to have him because he’s a GREAT basketball coach in addition to being a great man.


[Post edited by HargraveHokie at 11/12/2019 12:40PM]