Almost 1/3 of the season is over, so it is a good bench mark after Maui to take a look at where the program is vs where it was thought to be prior to the start of the season.

From a W-L perspective, I figured VT would be 5-3 with losses to Clemson and 2 Maui losses. VT is 1 game ahead of that, essentially the Clemson game being the difference.

Offensively: net positive

I think the collective understanding of the cuts, screens and reads in the offense are a little further along than I expected. Cattoor, Horne, and Nolley have especially adapted quicker than I expected. Horne has made himself into a factor where he wasnt one in the last 2 seasons. Bede gets himself into trouble dribbling into the paint and trying to make passes while jumping, which account for a significant portion of his turnovers. You can see though, how the PG position can flourish with a good playmaker in the spot. Even without the ball in his hands for as much as other offenses.

Defensively: neutral to negative

Early on they showed a willingness to deflect passes, be quick to trapping the post and sprint to their rotations. As you saw, once a proper game plan happened (Dayton in 2nd half and BYU full game) it tied up their minds and completely froze their feet. That is to be expected from young players. What isnt expected, is the long stretches in those games where they simply didn't compete because of the daunting task in front of them. Lots of time to change that, but it is a big red flag.

Roster: Net Positive

I'll admit I knew nothing of what Radford, Horne or Wilkins would bring to this offense. Wilkins and Horne I felt were bad fits, but Horne's development from the outside has changed my thinking on him. Radford has been phenomenal as a player willing to do the dirty work, who also has enough skill to make plays when called upon. He will never be an All-Conference player, but can be a key piece to a championship caliber team.

A little more about the dirty work guys, Radford and Cattoor. Every team needs a dirty work player; someone who will dive on the floor, rebound out of his area, take charges, get deflections and earn extra possessions. When you have one of them, it can be a boost for other members of the team. When you have 2 of them, it can be contagious. Those 2 dont yet have the eyes of the locker room due to their age, but it wont be long before they will be held as the example for others, and it will be the standard to follow them, rather than be the exception.

The player with the most NBA potential: John Ojiako

You dont have many people that size, with his mobility, and decent hands. He has shown a decent touch around the basket despite not having played nearly as long as others in college basketball. Big men are always the last to develop, but when they develop they are game changers. And I think Ojiako is a program changer, both from a production standpoint, but also a perception standpoint to other post players looking at VT. His development is vital for the long term health of the program. I will say this a billion times before he leaves the program. He is the only key to making a jump as a program (*whispers* until Bamisile arrives)

I predicted 11 wins prior to the season. With a couple of things headed in the Hokies direction, I'll revise that to around 15 wins, hovering right around .500 overall. I still dont see this as a tournament team, but this accelerated timeline will be seen more in years 2 and 3 than right now. Lots of good things for this staff to build on going forward.