Defense is an easier question, though on the offensive end, things may get more dicey.
The question posed in my headline introduces an added level of intrigue when viewed through the prism of Virginia Tech's season finale.Neoklis Avdalas, the 6-foot-9 guard who entered Virginia Tech's 2025-26 season as the highest-rated recruit in a decade and a half, ended the season with a cratering low point.
Avdalas was subbed out with 7:37 to play in the second half against Wake Forest in the first round of the ACC Tournament and did not return, even as the game entered overtime. Avdalas ended his year at Virginia Tech with a five-point, zero-assist, three-turnover performance against the Demon Deacons. The guard made just two of his eight shots. The Hokies lost, 95-89, and subsequently declined an NIT bid, ending their season. Replacing Avdalas' production likely comes from the aggregate, though it is unlikely that the Hokies can find a scorer who produces at the same peak that Avdalas did. Against Providence on Nov. 8, Avdalas amassed a career-high 33 points , tacking on six assists and five rebounds for good measure. Yet, in 19 games against ACC opponents, Avdalas was held to single-digit points nine times and only passed the 20-point barrier once . Though Avdalas was the Hokies' best player at his peak, he factored less into Virginia Tech's offensive attack, which slowed more as Ben Hammond became the primary focal point of the offense. Hammond became particularly effective, averaging a team-high 14.9 points in league play. Five ACC games saw the sophomore guard score 20 or more points, with the highlight being a 30-point performance against then-No. 21 Virginia on Dec. 31, 2025. Avdalas struggled particularly in a three-game stretch vs. then-No. 23 Louisville, Georgia Tech and Duke, where he averaged 5.3 points per game and logged 16.1% and 13.3% splits from the field and three-point land, respectively. Avdalas had his highs, but also incredibly low lows throughout the season. Without him in the fold for the 2026-27 season, Virginia Tech finds itself without its best player at the peak, but also without Avdalas at his lowest. Avdalas' struggles were particularly evident in ACC play, where he averaged 10.8 points per game, fifth-most on the team — sitting behind Hammond , forward Amani Hansberry , guard Jailen Bedford and forward Tobi Lawal. In league play, Avdalas shot 35.1% from the field, 28.1% from beyond the arc and 66.7% from the free-throw line. Across the totality of the season, Avdalas averaged 12.1 points, 4.5 assists and 3.1 rebounds per contest. To some extent, given Hammond's rise in the ACC portion of Virginia Tech's schedule, the Hokies have a building block if they can retain Hammond for his junior year. Tech now needs to add a stable two-guard, especially if Jailen Bedford cannot come back due to exhausting his eligibility. Virginia Tech can replace Avdalas in the aggregate, and it will have an easier time doing so if it can retain guard Jaden Schutt and receive a more consistent output from the rising redshirt senior next season. Avdalas was the second player to enter the transfer portal, joining fellow guard Izaiah Pasha, who entered on Tuesday.Hughes serves as Virginia Tech On SI's lead editor, a position he has held since July 2025. He is a sophomore at Virginia Tech, majoring in multimedia journalism with a minor in creative writing. Hughes is also the assistant editor-in-chief for 3304 Sports, as well as an on-air talent for 3304's SportsCenter-style studio show. He is also a staff writer for Steering Wheel Nation, having written pieces on several motorsport series, including Formula 1 and the NTT IndyCar Series.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Illegal migrant high school student accused of groping girls faces new charges in VirginiaA Fairfax High School student is facing additional charges after additional victims came forward to police, claiming Israel Flores Ortiz groped their private pa
Read more »
Transgender sex offender gets massive win as Virginia locker room trial is pausedAn Arlington County judge decided to dismiss the loitering charges against Richard Cox, who is a registered child sex offender.
Read more »
Buy or Sell: Virginia Tech Spring Ball EditionBreaking down takeaways through the Hokies' first week of spring practice.
Read more »
A Glance At Virginia Tech's 2026-27 Portal Chances Off Historical PrecedenceThe Hokies introduced three transfers last year.
Read more »
'Everything Happens For A Reason': Virginia Tech's Kelvin Gilliam In Midst of NFL Draft PreparationGilliam logged 34 tackles last season.
Read more »
5 Major Electric Cars Models Ranked By How Much They've Depreciated Since 2020As a tech enthusiast, Alvin started a personal tech blog in 2018 and began his professional writing career a year later, in 2019, when he worked as a contributor for Kenyan-based TechTrendsKE and Tech Arena, writing news, features, how-to guides, and reviews in the consumer tech space.
Read more »