From the sidelines
Marty Gordon
You might grab a box of popcorn and sit back for changes coming to the men’s basketball programs at Radford University and Virginia Tech.
Radford is now getting a new coach and that means the Highlanders’ roster could see some major changes. When a coach leaves and a new one is hired, typically there is an average of five players jumping ship. There should be no exception in the current atmosphere.
Let’s look at the numbers at RU. Seven players are slated to return, and Nichols had only announced one high school signee.
Senior point guard Ashton Walker of Catholic High School in Virginia Beach, who had signed with Radford last fall, tweeted Saturday (prior to the Chu news) that he has flipped to La Salle.
Meanwhile at Virginia Tech and Coach Mike Young, seven players would return. But of course, both programs could face players jumping into the transfer portal. Nichols had gathered six major transfers that dotted this year’s roster.
Virginia Tech’s Mike Young has been scratching his head to figure out what is going on in Hokieland. He had some talent this year but seemed to be lacking some key components.
An expanded NIL budget could attract exactly what Young needs and wants. That means jumping into the deep end of the portal, plus hoping there might be some late high school commits.
Radford also needs an increase in the NIL budget. High Point has pushed itself to the top of the Big South, and now its conference brother must take a big leap.
Tech needs to find a point guard and a big man in the portal. This could come in the form of three or four newbies being added to the roster.
Both schools will be watched closely on their next step. For fans, that means winning more games and providing a team on the court, which will add some excitement.
Finished that popcorn yet? Mike Young is probably still keeping a box close as he heads into the offseason.
