NEWS TIM SANDS DELIVERS 2025 STATE OF THE UNIVERSITY ADDRESS
Emelia Delaporte | news writer
Sands delivered his ninth annual address at the Moss Arts Center.
On Feb. 5, President Timothy Sands of Virginia Tech delivered the 2025 State of the University address to an in-person and live-streamed audience. The event took place in the Moss Arts Center. This was Sands’ ninth time delivering the annual address.
The address gave recognition to many members of the Virginia Tech community, including various Virginia Tech staff, students and affiliates.
There was a video tribute to Nikki Giovanni, former Emerita Professor in the Department of English in recognition of her passing in December 2024. Sands stated that there will be a public memorial at the Moss Arts Center in June.
Sands provided updates on a number of Virginia Tech programs during the
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address, related to constructive dialogue, town and gown relationships, and multiple campus expansions. He also spoke about a number of university priorities, largely stemming from Sands’ 2015 vision, Beyond Boundaries.
“Buildings, campuses and borders can sometimes be barriers, constraining our thinking and our access to partners, resources and the people and communities who benefit most from our mission and vision,” Sands said. “As we grow, we will be challenged to build an innovation network that transcends the borders of our campuses and engages partners where they live and work.”
Multiple guest speakers shared the stage with Sands during the address, including two presidential postdoctoral fellows as
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well as researchers and the director at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institution. He also showed videos of other individuals who were not present.
Early in the address, Sands recognized ongoing confusion in the higher education landscape regarding executive orders released by the second Trump administration.
“We will follow the law, but we will do so once we fully understand the directives and applications to Virginia Tech,” Sands said. “We do not yet have many of those answers, but we are collecting information and providing guidance as we can.”
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DUCKY’S BOBA SHOP OPENS AT GRADUATE LIFE CENTER
Lindsey Kudriavetz | news writer
Virginia Tech Dining Services hosted a duck scavenger hunt in collaboration with Ducky’s opening.
Virginia Tech Dining Services has recently celebrated the grand opening of their new boba shop, Ducky’s, located at the Graduate Life Center. The grand opening was held on Friday Jan. 24 with free swag, duck-themed treats and a 10-foot inflatable duck.
“Bubble tea is a drink that originated in Taiwan made with tea, milk, sweetener, and tapioca balls,” explained Squires Food Court Assistant Director Alisha Monday. “It can also be called boba tea or milk tea.”
The boba shop serves 12 types of bubble
tea, including brown sugar, lavender and matcha, in three sizes;, 16 oz, 20 oz and 24 oz. They also offer 18 add-ins, including aloe vera and egg pudding, and three types of milk.
The shop provides a comforting environment with a variety of seating options to do schoolwork and hang out.
“There is a whole story behind Ducky and his journey to find the best ingredients for bubble tea, meeting many friends along the way,” Monday said. “You can see this ‘story’ and Ducky’s friends displayed on the artwork
inside the shop. The flow of the artwork panels mimics the right-to-left progression of traditional manga books.”
In addition to bubble tea, Ducky’s offers new snacks in their world market, including ramen, mochi and foreign candies. They also serve snacks rarely found on campus like sweet potato chips, snap pea chips, chickpea puffs and protein snacks.
To celebrate their grand opening, Virginia Tech Dining Services is hosting a scavenger hunt in dining halls across campus. 600
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ducks have been hidden, with 200 being redeemable for a free drink. This promotion ran until Feb. 7th.
“My favorite event has been the hide and seek challenge,” Monday said. “We plan on doing more of these events later on this semester.”
Ducky’s is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
VALENTINE’S DAY 2025: PRIORITIZE QUALITY TIME OVER QUANTITY SPENT
Jenna Mason | opinions editor
Valentine’s Day isn’t about buying gifts, it’s about making time for your loved ones.
The origins of Valentine’s Day began with deep third century Christian and Roman roots, using Feb. 14 to celebrate Saint Valentine. Since then, Valentine’s Day has become commercialized with the addition of buying cards, chocolates and other kinds of gifts for loved ones. However, since overconsumption has become a pervasive issue, this Valentine’s Day should prioritize focusing on enjoying quality time with your loved ones, not worrying about the amount of money you should be spending on them.
One of the biggest reasons you should consider zeroing in on being with your partners rather than spending money on them this holiday is because financial pressure is the real deal. According to a study conducted by PR Newswire, 58% of men and 45% of women tend to feel financial stress and burden around Valentine’s Day. Another 68% of women also reported emotional stress during the holiday, which may be attributed to financial expectations within relationships. Due to these factors, there is a growing movement to decommercialize Valentine’s
Day. Additionally, this day could be more focused on engaging conversation and alone time with significant others and not worrying about any monetary burdens.
According to the National Retail Foundation, “Consumers are expected to spend a record of $27.5 billion on Valentine’s Day this year.” This is estimated to be an average of $188.81 spent per shopper. Whether shoppers are investing their hard-earned money in candy, heartshaped boxes, greeting cards or flowers, most of it gets thrown away. During these outrageous shopping binges, the amount of waste and carbon emissions that are created during the holiday is equal to driving around the world almost 4,000 times. So, why not use the valuable time of Feb. 14, to make time for the person you love and not contribute to the abundance of waste humans create?
Spending quality time with your significant other is important not only for building better communication, but also for strengthening emotional bonds. Both quality time and quantity time are essential for a strong relationship, and finding
balance in them is useful for couples. Quality time is the time partners are present and engaged with one another. This involves actively listening to and connecting to what the other person is saying. On the other hand, quantity time is the overall time spent with your significant other. Having a balance of both in relationships can be significant in improving emotional and mental health. Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to catch up on all the missed time you’ve spent with your partner.
Some problems couples experience with finding time together are their differences in time management and juggling the obligations of life. An easy way to fix this is to take Valentine’s Day off and use it doing things you love to do with your partner and loved ones. A few activities to try to boost quality time with your significant other could be watching a movie, playing a board game, cooking a meal together or having a picnic. Trying new things is a good way to achieve an enjoyable and engaging experience with the person you love. This Valentine’s Day could be the reason to try
as many or as little new things with your partner to enjoy meaningful time with each other.
When it comes to Valentine’s Day, your first instinct might be figuring out what to buy for the person who means the most to you. However, this year is the chance to experiment with new ways to experience quality time with your partner, not worrying about the amount of money you should spend on them. Although gifts may be a nice way to tell someone you love them, love and romance is more than just buying a box of chocolates. Relationships have to have a balance of everything, and Valentine’s Day is a way to make sure you’re keeping that balance. Whether this is making a day full of fun activities or just having engaging conversation over a meal, Valentine’s Day 2025 should be spent prioritizing quality time with your significant other. Use Feb. 14, to make special time for your loved ones to build a stronger connection and a healthier relationship.
LIFESTYLES THE OTHER 364 DAYS: HOW TO MAKE VALENTINE’S DAY LAST YEAR-ROUND
Benjamin Gozzi | lifestyles staff writer
Lifestyles staff writer Benjamin Gozzi provides ways to stop limiting love to Feb. 14.
Valentine’s Day, with its red hearts, fancy chocolates and gift-giving traditions, can be a polarizing topic. Many individuals often cite the fact that the holiday has turned into something more commercial than wholesome, deviating far from the idea that the day should be about celebrating your loved ones. The claim, which is a rather pessimistic one, isn’t entirely inaccurate. According to the National Retail Foundation, Americans are expected to spend a record-breaking $27.5 billion on Feb. 14 this season, eclipsing the $27.4 billion record set half a decade ago. Contrastingly, over half of partnered Americans said they would participate in the holiday last February (YouGov), using the opportunity to showcase their feelings
through various means.
While it can feel as if there’s a lot of pressure to make the big day special for those in your life, it’s important to remember that making your loved ones feel valued isn’t exclusive to Valentine’s Day. Making sure that those you hold dear know that they are appreciated is key for strengthening platonic and romantic relationships over time, whether it be with a significant other, family member or friend. In this year’s Valentine’s Day issue, making sure that love goes (and stays) around is on the top of the to-do list.
Show love by filling a need Serving others in a relationship, whether it be platonic or romantic, can be gratifying for both the giver and the receiver. One of
the easiest ways to show your care for that special person in your life is to fill a need that they might need help with. It could be as easy as folding laundry, refilling the gas tank or helping with the “Sunday reset.”
Putting in the extra effort can go a long way in making your loved one feel like they are seen, heard and a valuable part of your relationship.
The best way to succeed in this department is by being as observant as possible. Are you finding that your partner struggles with getting a good meal in after a long day? Find a recipe that satisfies recommended health standards. The room is a mess? Take 10 minutes to pick up clutter and make the living space more comfortable. “In relationships, the little things are the big things,” says educator and author Stephen R. Covey.
Give the gift of time
Making a concerted effort to reserve time for your loved ones is crucial to preserving a solid relationship. Time as a gift should not just be some spare minutes in a busy day or a quick call on the phone, however. Quality time, as defined by Dr. Chris Mosunic for Calm Health, “implies that you’re emotionally and mentally engaged” throughout the time spent. Focusing on quality time is clear evidence that you not only care for the person you seek to spend time with, but also that you care deeply about what they have to say. Like filling a need, giving time as a gift can make partners feel validated and respected, both of which are key elements for a strong relationship.
While it’s easy to say that putting the phone down is the gateway to undivided attention, it’s human nature to live in a state of distraction. Mastermind Behavioral Sciences states that over 40% of teenagers use their phones or access technology for over eight hours a day. Consider what it could mean for your loved ones to receive one of those eight hours. Not only is the opportunity for profound connection more readily available, but relationship
growth is almost guaranteed. The phone will still be there even if you stash it away every so often.
Remind your person how much they mean to you
Reminding your loved one how your life is better with them is a surefire way to make it clear that you enjoy the deep connection you share. What makes the simple act of affirmation so impactful is its versatility. Depending on the relationship you may share with another individual, compliments can come from a number of different places and can mean a number of different things. As long as your words are said with positive intent and are not fabricated, compliments can make even the gloomiest of days seem better.
Compliments aren’t the only thing a loved one should regularly receive. Gift giving, another of the five official “love languages,” is oftentimes impactful as it lets the other person know they were listened to and heard by other individuals. Homemade gifts can often evoke feelings of deep emotion. If you’re scrambling to find a way to show your love, diving into your arts-and-crafts side may do the trick.
Celebrate small moments
With a standard schedule of collegelevel courses, extracurricular activities and steady amounts of homework, it’s oftentimes easy to let the small things slip through the cracks. Emphasizing the small wins your loved one gets to experience is often a great way of showing that you are always in their corner. While the celebration doesn’t always have to be grandiose, it’s important to recognize their triumphs and give them the attention they deserve. That way, impending worries may feel smaller because you’ve proven that wins are possible even in a challenging moment.
TAHREEM ALAM / COLLEGIATE TIMES
Photo illustration of two girls leaning heads, Feb. 9, 2019.
GIVE LOVE THIS YEAR WITH A HOMEMADE GIFT
Cat Pizzarello | lifestyles staff writer
Put down the teddy bear and consider these one-of-a-kind gifts for your valentine.
Valentine’s Day is approaching quickly, and with that comes the inevitable act of gift giving. Although any gift is special, homemade gifts can often be more personal and demonstrative of the passion someone has for their valentine. Before making rash, last-minute purchases, consider these inexpensive, homemade gifts for a loved one instead.
Paper flowers
Flowers are an essential part of Valentine’s Day, but they can be given in many different ways. One way is paper flowers. Following a video online is the best way to get beautiful results. Plus, these flowers don’t need watering and won’t need to be thrown away.
Sweet treats
Chocolates are a classic gift associated with Valentine’s Day, but baked goods can be even more delicious. Chocolate-covered strawberries are a super simple recipe and sweet treat that can be made in a flash.
Cookies, cupcakes and other baked goods may involve more baking knowledge, but finding recipes online is easy. Whatever recipe is used, adding personal touches with icing and decorations is great for giving a gift character. A quick browse on Pinterest is sure to spark some ideas.
Friendship bracelets
Whether it’s for a significant other or a friend, friendship bracelets are unique gifts that are easy to make in a time crunch. Every craft store offers beads and various strings; it’s just about configuring an idea for the end product.
A recent trend considers two people’s eye colors as the color of the beads in the bracelets. Beyond that, bracelets can be themed around the valentine’s favorite colors, their name or nickname, or even Morse code for a phrase.
Matching apparel
For the valentine who loves clothes, matching apparel such as t-shirts or sweatshirts can be a cute idea. Purchasing patches or searching for a quick video on how to embroider a heart are great ideas to personalize a piece of clothing. Adding an initial or a heart to the sleeve is enough to give the gift an extra sentimental value.
Scrapbook
Although a tad more time-consuming, creating a scrapbook of memories, photos and keepsakes is a sweet way to share some love with a valentine. A cheap journal and access to a printer are really
all that’s needed to accomplish this one. Adding personal notes, timelines and favorite memories are additions that will leave a lasting impression.
Music
For the concertgoer, give the gift of music. This one may take more thought but simply consists of brainstorming songs that remind a person of their valentine.
Once the list is created, these songs can be bundled into an adorable playlist that can be given a cute title. Using a music subscription such as Spotify or Apple Music is likely the easiest way to create and share a playlist, but for the overachievers, burning CDs or mixtapes is another option that’s a little more vintage.
Framed photo
This one is very simple and quick to produce. All that it takes is picking a picture and a frame.
Michaels, Joann Fabrics and Walmart all print high-quality photos at an affordable price and sell a wide selection of frames. A loved one can have something to put on their nightstand or bookshelf to remind them of that special someone.
52 things I love about you
A deck of cards, a marker and a binder ring are the essentials for this unforgettable gift. Each playing card needs to have a reason why the person loves their valentine.
Use the joker as the title of this gift and connect all the cards together with the binder ring. This creates a little booklet that will surely bring a smile to a valentine’s face.
Cards
This might be an obvious addition to a gift, but a homemade card can add a personal touch instead of the typical card purchased at a store. Writing a handwritten note or crafting a pop-up card is a great way to express love to someone. Cards could even be delivered in the form of a love letter.
Another option is to write a few letters that say, “Open this card when…” and then finish the sentence with emotions or actions. An example of this is “Open this card when you’re feeling down” or “Open this card when you have accomplished something big.” The ideas for this simple gift are endless and heartfelt.
Gift giving can be hard, but the best gifts are the ones with a story and a meaning. Don’t overthink it,get creative and give gifts with intention this holiday season.
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HOW TO HAVE A MEANINGFUL VALENTINE’S DAY
Riley Thompson | lifestyles staff writer
Rethink and revamp traditional Valentine’s Day celebrations to give others meaningful love.
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and students are gearing up for the special day among partners, friends and family. But Valentine’s Day is about more than a quick hug and some candy. Whether students have a partner or not, going above and beyond for the people they love on Valentine’s Day is a sure way to make them feel appreciated and add meaning to their day.
A lot of people like to go out and buy their loved ones food, cards or other items from the store. This is a great way to show appreciation, but if students wanted to take it a step
further, they could craft a homemade card or write a poem. If students have a hobby like crocheting or sewing, they could create a stuffed animal based on what their loved one likes. They could even make a funny poster with an inside joke written on the front and some candy. As long as time and effort areput into the creation, the recipient will be sure to love it and know how much the student cares about them.
Another way to show appreciation while spending time with loved ones is to take them out to eat. It doesn’t have to be dinner
— it could be breakfast, lunch or even a quick snack. Going out to eat at a fancy restaurant can be a great time, but going to Taco Bell is equally fun. The location doesn’t matter so much as the time spent together. Chances are, if a student likes someone — whether it be platonically or romantically — it’s going to be a fun time wherever they go together. Beyond just food, going somewhere fun can be a great way to show how much the student cares for their loved ones.Trying an escape room or going on a hike are two enjoyable activities for high energy people. If it’s a low
energy sort of day, students could watch a movie or play a board game. Regardless, having an activity date is something students can do with anyone on Valentine’s Day.
Loved ones usually appreciate gifts or dates that are thoughtful and meaningful to them. Only the one taking the other out on a date or giving the gift can decide what that might be. Someone might really appreciate a nice dinner out and someone else might prefer going to McDonald’s. One person might
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really love hiking but hate escape rooms. Another person might love chocolate and hate fruity candy. Whatever the preference, receiving something thoughtful can make Valentine’s Day truly special.
Students could also prepare for the future by creating a new Valentine’s Day tradition. A fun way to show extra care for a loved one is to make them breakfast in bed. Students could also make dinner or take their loved ones somewhere meaningful, like a park full of fond memories. Making something special for every Valentine’s Day provides loved ones
with something to look forward to every year and shows real effort and love.
While Valentine’s Day might be catered towards those with partners, showing love for everyone can make students feel good, regardless of their romantic status. It could be a simple wave or a smile when out and about or striking up a conversation with a stranger. It could also be sending a quick text to all the loved ones in a student’s life. Spreading love for friends, family and strangers can be gratifying for students and make other people’s days that much brighter, especially since
Valentine’s Day can be a little disheartening for those without partners. Valentine’s Day is all about communication. If the actual Valentine’s Day is too busy for one partner or the other, reschedule. It’s far more meaningful to have a stress-free Valentine’s Day after the actual day has occurred than have a stressed and rushed one the day of. As long as there is communication between partners or loved ones, everything will work out. For those with partners, it’s especially important to talk before Valentine’s Day to make sure expectations are similar; that way
there’s no animosity if one does less than the other. Valentine’s Day is all about love, not arguing over who did what. No matter how or who students celebrate Valentine’s Day with,it’s sure to be a day full of love. Make sure to stay safe and enjoy all that the day has to offer.
I-81 SOUTH: DATES IN PULASKI COUNTY
Emelia Delaporte | lifestyles editor
This Valentine’s Day, drive outside Blacksburg’s city limits and see what Pulaski County has to offer.
Pulaski County borders Montgomery County to the southwest. The county is ripe with history, commerce and recreation. Most of the county is within an hour of the Virginia Tech campus, creating chances for day trips or even just a quick lunch. There are two towns, Dublin and Pulaski, and a number of unincorporated communities.
For the Blacksburg couple seeking a date a bit more off the beaten path this Valentine’s Day, check out all that Pulaski County has to offer.
Shopping and dining
One of the county’s most lauded shopping and dining spots is Thee Draper Village, around 35 minutes from Blacksburg. This community has a coffee shop, an ice cream shop, a restaurant, a tearoom, a cafe, gift shops and more. Many of these businesses are clustered in the Draper Mercantile.
The town of Pulaski, which is about 40 minutes from Blacksburg, is the county seat. Like Draper, it also has a historic shopping district. Pulaski is a much larger community and consists of walkable blocks. One unique store there is Broussard’s General Store, which provides everything from keychains to omelets in the shape of a waffle.
While Dublin is smaller than Pulaski, it also has some distinct local businesses. The Mason Jar at Claytor Lake is a lakeside restaurant just outside of town that, like many restaurants in the area, offers a Valentine’s special. Rockhouse Marina, off of Claytor Lake, also has waterfront dining, as well as watersport equipment rentals.
Pycone Creamery is known to many Virginia Tech students as the ice cream sold in the freezer at Benny’s. However, the
Creamery’s true home is a small roadside shop in Fairlawn, which is just over the river from the City of Radford. The Creamery is cash only and has outdoor seating, making for a cheap and simple date.
Recreation
Pulaski County has large swathes of undeveloped land, making for a bounty of outdoor recreation opportunities.
“There’s really something for everyone,” said Erika Tolbert, Pulaski County director of tourism. “I think anyone could find something to do.”
New River Trail State Park is a 57-mile rail-trail that runs along the New River for most of its length. It extends through four counties and the city of Galax. The closest entrance to Blacksburg is about 35 minutes away, in Draper. There is a bike rental shop, The Junction, by the Draper entrance.
Claytor Lake State Park is one of the biggest tourism draws in the New River Valley. This state park allows camping, hiking, swimming, boating and more. A date here could look like a beach day, a picnic in the woods, a kayaking adventure — the list goes on. Gatewood Park is a public-access park near the town of Pulaski. It has a large reservoir, campsite and trails — many of the same amenities as Claytor Lake, but a bit more off the beaten path.
“There are so many cool things at (Claytor Lake State Park),” Tolbert said. “Almost every weekend they have really neat interactive classes.”
The Draper Valley Overlook is a less publicized recreation spot in the county, halfway between Draper and the town of Pulaski. The overlook runs on each side of US-11 where it leaves Pulaski to head south towards I-81. A series of bike trails
called the Draper Mountain Trails runs on the lower side, including both fire roads and singletracks. There are also trails on the upper side, which are currently unlabeled. On both sides there are unmarked ruins of varying ages.
The New River Valley Fairgrounds serve as a regional event center in Dublin. Calfee Park in Pulaski is the home of a Minor League baseball team called the Pulaski River Turtles and occasionally hosts other events.
“The River Turtles games are so much fun.I think that is a great family-friendly activity. Typically, on Fridays, they have fireworks after the game,” Tolbert said.
Other interesting venues include the Hoover Mountain Bike Park and the Pulaski County Motorsports Park, where Frank Beamer was the Grand Marshal of an SRX race in 2023.
Arts and culture
Pulaski is full of history, documented for at least hundreds of years. Most information available is from the 18th century and beyond. For those who want to incorporate learning into their Valentine’s date, the Wilderness Road Museum in Dublin
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EMELIA DELAPORTE / LIFESTYLES EDITOR
Photo by Emelia Delaporte
may pique some interest. History is also on display all over the county, outside of museums.
“We have some really cool Civil War history here — one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War was fought on Cloyd’s Mountain, which is on Cleburne Boulevard,” Tolbert said. “The field that that was fought in, the house that was used as a hospital even, still stands there.”
The historic Pulaski Theatre in downtown Pulaski hosts local music events and video screenings. They showed the Duke’s Mayo Bowl at the theatre over winter break, showcasing some Hokie spirit in between
movies.
Randolph Park is an 87-acre park in Dublin. DAK Lights hosts seasonally themed light shows there. The Valentine’s show started Jan. 24 and runs through Feb. 14 from 5:30-10p.m.
“When you come to Pulaski County, you’re going to have an amazing experience, whether you’re on the water or on the trail or if it’s with the encounters you have with people,” Tolbert said.
No matter what people want to do for Valentine’s this year or any year, there is a good chance that it can be done in Pulaski
County. Tolbert recommends the Pulaski County newsletter, called the Weekender, for getting updates on things to do in the county.
SPORTS RECHSTEINER NAILS SEVEN FREE THROWS IN THE FINAL MINUTE TO SECURE VICTORY FOR THE HOKIES
Nyles Stone | sports staff writer
The Hokies were down by as many as 14 points.
Virginia Tech Hokies guard Brandon Rechsteiner (7) advances the ball towards the Winthrop basket, Nov. 11, 2024.
In its third straight ACC road win, Virginia Tech came out on top against Notre Dame, 65-63, after an initial slow start on Saturday.
Tobi Lawal (15 points, 10 rebounds),
Ben Burnham (10 points) and Brandon Rechsteiner (12 points) led the Hokies.
Virginia Tech (10-13, 6-7 ACC) came out on top, even though it was down early in the first half. Going 11-of-29 –– including
2-for-15 from three-point range –– in the first half, the Hokies struggled to get something going. Notre Dame (10-13, 4-8 ACC) took advantage of Virginia Tech’s slow start, carried by performances from Markus Burton, who scored 14 of his game-high 23 points in the first half, and Tae Davis, who added nine first half points in his way to an 18-point performance.
Despite Virginia Tech’s early shooting struggles, it found its footing in the second half, with strong performances by Lawal and Rechsteiner.
Lawal pushed Virginia Tech in front. The VCU transfer nailed a two-point jumper to put the Hokies up 55-54 with 3:06 left in the game.
With minutes left on the clock, Burnham drilled a three-pointer to put Tech up by four points. From leading the entire game to being down with minutes left in the game, the Fighting Irish needed a spark to ignite its offense.
A costly foul by Virginia Tech freshman Tyler Johnson put Notre Dame’s Julian Roper Jr. at the line, making both of his free throws to leave the score at 58-56.
With 32 seconds left on the clock, sophomore guard Rechsteiner was sent to the line; going one of two in his first attempt. In a sequence that showcased Rechsteiner’s ability to ice the game, Rechsteiner went
six of six from the free throw line in the final 32 seconds of the game after getting fouled multiple times.
Amidst Notre Dame’s foul desperation to gain more time on offense, it hit a clutch three-pointer to trim the lead to two with seconds left on the clock.
However, their desperation cost them their chance at a comeback. Rechsteiner made his final two free throws of the game, going 7-of-8 for the night.
As the game tightened in the final minutes, The Hokies capitalized on Notre Dame’s desperation and made several clutch free throws to complete the comeback in South Bend, getting back in the win column after a loss at home against SMU.
The Hokies’ next game will be against Virginia in the Smithfield Commonwealth Clash, Feb. 15 in Cassell Coliseum on the CW Network at 2:00 p.m. ET.
JACK NEWELL / COLLEGIATE TIMES
VIRGINIA TECH’S CONFERENCE MIDDLING VASTLY EXCEEDS THE STANDARDS SET FOR IT
Dylan Tefft | sports editor
The Hokies’ four-game win streak has propelled them higher than most thought possible.
Some college basketball teams are equipped to aim for national championships. Most teams have no shot at anything “national,” instead gunning to champion over conferences of like-minded and (formerly) close-in-proximity schools.
Virginia Tech wasn’t expected to contend for either. And following a 5-6 non-conference run, those standards were drilled further into bedrock. What exactly was its outlook? One of the three ACC-bottoming teams that get excluded from the end-ofseason conference tournament. It’s almost difficult to be that bad.
But fans and critics alike had every reason to feel that way. The Hokies’ lack of basketball-allocated Name, Image, and Likeness funds lost them all of last season’s starters, forcing them to field a roster riddled with youth and inexperience. Only two rostered players — Brandon Rechsteiner and Mylyjael Poteat — had ever shared meaningful minutes together.
You can’t expect an untried group of players who only recently met to beat teams that have been playing both the game and together longer.
That recipe for disaster peeked throughout Tech’s first three games against vastly less notable programs. It won each but had to climb back from sizable deficits made from sloppy basketball. The six straight losses that followed are where the Hokies’ mistakes sunk their record.
Each loss was its own unique low point. The message from coach Mike Young and his players after each game went a lot like this:
“I think a lot of the time we weren’t on the same page,” said Tobi Lawal after a late-game collapse against Pitt on Nov. 11. “We were just taking longer to get into our actions, so that really messed us up. The main thing is, we weren’t on the same page for long enough. You have to be on the same page for 40 minutes on defense and on offense. I know if you don’t do that, then you’re gonna make it harder for yourself to win.”
Another message often recited: We’ll be okay. We just need more time. We just need to “click.”
“We’re going to figure it out,” Young said
three games after the loss to Pitt, an 80-64 fall to Vanderbilt. “I really like this group. They’ve worked really hard … I believe in this team. Got to do a better job.”
The faith Young and his players held in each other wasn’t delusional. The time the Hokies asked for passed, and they’ve climbed from the bottom of the conference to eighth after their best four-game run of the season.
“We’re growing,” Young said after Tech’s 75-74 win over Virginia on Feb 1. “I’m really enjoying coaching them. We’re a lot sharper and cleaner. And don’t ask me why it took us to the first of February to finally get to get to that point … we’re getting better.”
The win against the Cavaliers was preceded by the Hokies’ 76-66 win over Florida State. Tech allowed the Seminoles just 15 first half-points, providing enough of a cushion for a win despite FSU scoring 51 the next frame.
Tech looked like the better team against the Cavaliers three days later, too. After missing five free throws in the game’s final 1:51, Virginia had a shot at an all-or-nothing
possession that forward Tyler Johnson dispelled with perfect defense.
SMU was next. Sitting at fourth in the ACC, the Mustangs’ four straight wins are the most of any team in the conference, including No. 2 Duke. The Hokies couldn’t quite get past their first-ever bout against the still-unfamiliar ACC foe, but they looked like the better team for much of what was a deadlocked contest. Both teams had 35 at the half, but the Mustangs pulled away with a late pair of threes to go up nine. Tech scored seven points in 71 seconds to come within two but couldn’t get over the hump.
“It’s encouraging for sure, I would say we’re showing that we’re getting better as a team,” said guard Ben Hammond after the loss. “Just getting better is something we really focus on every single game. Coach stresses to us that we’re getting better every single game, so just having that on our mind even if we’re coming up short some games, I feel like we’ve been a lot better than we were in the beginning season.”
In their next outing, a 65-63 dogfight win against Notre Dame, the Virginia Tech
Hokies once again, got better. Down by 11 points with 12 minutes left to play, one of Tach’s most balanced attacks of the season boosted them to a 30-17 run the rest of the way.
“That toughness, that belief and resilience,” said forward Ben Burnham of the late burst in an interview with Tech Sideline. “I think winning close games is hard to do and usually the tougher team comes out on top.”
The Hokies are in the best place they’ve been all season. It’s not the year to hoist trophies. But for a young team with rockbottom expectations looking to prove itself, how can you ask for more than constant growth?
Tech will get a chance to revel in its success, a six-day break before playing the second leg of its Commonwealth Clash series with Virginia on Saturday, Feb 15., at 2:00 p.m. in Cassell Coliseum.
THOMAS BRAY / COLLEGIATE TIMES
Virginia Tech’s Ben Burnham (13), Tobi Lawal (1), Ben Hammond (11) and Tyler Johnson (10) watch Jaden Schutt (2) attempt a free throw, Jan. 31 2025