The Virginia Tech men's basketball team saw a mass transfer from Blacksburg after the 2023-24 season as some of its top players entered the transfer portal and became eligible to return, along with the departure of Mike Young, a key player who helped the Hokies reach the NIT and reach the second round before losing to Ohio State.
Point guard Sean Pedula, center Lynn Kidd, guard MJ Collins and wing Tyler Nickel were among the big-name transfers, while Millijael Poteet entered the transfer portal but decided three days later to return to Virginia Tech for her final season. Two of the Hokies transfers who left Blacksburg were named “players who made the best transfer portal decisions.”
When Pedula announced he was entering the portal, he left the door open to returning to Virginia Tech, but that door was closed when he committed to Mississippi. The Oklahoma native will be playing his final season in the new SEC, but according to Isaac Trotter of 247Sports, he made the right decision. For the record, he categorizes players into 10 positions when classifying all of his players.
“Pedula is a flame-thrower shooter who can make the pass and get to the free throw line. His efficiency may be higher without the multiple late throws that litter the Virginia Tech tape. Now he steps into the Ole Miss backcourt. Playing with such talented players is good for Pedula's game, but Pedula will also be a good player for Ole Miss.”
– Isaac Trotter
There's no doubt that Pedula was an impact player for Young and Virginia Tech, and finding a replacement for him will be tough as he has become one of the team's best all-around players with a lot of ball-handling responsibilities in the second half of the season.
As for Kidd, it didn't take him long to find a new home with Miami of the ACC.
“Kidd isn't a great defender at the rim, but the 6-foot-10 big man should give Miami's defense some much-needed size on the backline. His greatest strength, though, is his dominance in the low post. Kidd was one of the leading post-up scorers in college basketball last year, and he'll be tough to double-team with Miami's sniper corps.”
– Isaac Trotter
Trotter is right. Kidd has never been impressive defensively, and he hasn't always been that way offensively. He's had some games where he's been a force around the basket offensively, but others where he's contributed very little. Surrounding him with Miami's shooting prowess should help open up the offense in 2024-25.
