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September 13th,
2006
By Joel
Welser
Broadcast Basketball
Virginia
Tech Hokies
Overall Rank:
#59
Conference
Rank: #8 ACC
2005-06:
14-16, 4-12, 10th (t)
2005-06
postseason: none
 Virginia
Tech lost a lot of close games last year. Instead of 14-16,
they easily could have been 20-10; however, at some point those
close losses move from the bad luck category to the bad
finishing category. With just about everybody returning, the
Hokies have reason to believe they will be better than last
year, but they will have to finish games to make the NCAA
Tournament.
Who’s Out:
Forward Wynton Witherspoon won’t return to the Hokies after
earning ten starts last season. That’s the main loss and his
6.3 points per game will not be too difficult to replace.
Seldom used Shawn Harris, Bob Ritchie and Allen Calloway have
run out of eligibility and have wrapped up their hoops careers
in Blacksburg. Terrance Vinson, who missed most of the
2005-2006 campaign with a back injury, will be sidelined this
year as well after undergoing reconstructive surgery on his
right knee.
Who’s In:
Nigel Munson
is a solid point guard and will immediately help out in the
backcourt. Munson has great vision and will develop into a good
floor leader. He has a decent outside shot, but generally looks
to find his teammates first. Seven-footer Robert Krabbendam
missed last season with a knee injury. The Dutchman is a solid
shooter and passer for his size and will compete for a starting
gig in the paint. Power forward Lewis Witcher has the potential
to become a big scoring threat. He’s quick, can hit the
mid-range jumper and can score on the blocks.
Who to Watch:
Deron
Washington and A.D. Vassallo are a dynamic duo on the wings.
Washington, who averaged 10.5 points and 5.0 rebounds as a
sophomore, is ready for a breakout season. The 6-7 slasher will
likely see minutes at the four, which should not cause too many
problems for the Hokies. Vassallo showed plenty of promise
during his freshman campaign and with a year under his belt the
6-6 wing is ready for a breakout season of his own.
Final
Projection:
Zabian Dowdell,
Jamon Gordon and Markus Sailes are an underappreciated group in
the backcourt. Dowdell is a decent outside shooter and will
provide senior leadership in the backcourt. Gordon is a solid
distributor and rebounder and averaged 11.4 points per game last
season. Sailes has the experience to be a great option off of
the bench. Up front Coleman Collins averaged 14.5 points and
6.8 rebounds last year. He’s more of a power forward than a
center, but at 6-9 and 240 pounds, Collins can be effective on
both ends of the floor at either the four or five. If Coach
Seth Greenberg can manage to win some of the close games, VT can
reach the NCAAs. If they lose too many of those, the NIT will
come calling.
Projected
Post-season Tournament:
NIT
Projected
Starting Five:
Jamon Gordon,
Senior, Guard, 11.4 points per game
Zabian Dowdell,
Senior, Guard, 15.3 points per game
A.D. Vassallo,
Sophomore, Forward, 6.9 points per game
Deron
Washington, Junior, Forward, 10.5 points per game
Coleman Collins,
Senior, Forward, 14.5 points per game
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