Don't claim to be a VT sports historian. I was a VT freshman in 1966. MBB team, comprising Glen Combs and Chris Ellis at guards, Ken Talley and Ron Perry at forwards, and Ted Ware at center; also had Don Brown and Dan Wetzel as reserves, opened the season against Duke in Charlotte. Duke had all American Bob Verga returning for his sr. year and was coached by Vic Bubas. They were preseason ranked in the top 10, not sure exactly where. Four of us freshmen drove to Charlotte and watched as the Hokies outplayed, out hustled, and out scored Duke to win. The next game was a home game against Purdue. The coliseum was new and did not have the individual seats installed. 11,500 fans and students attended and watched as the Hokies dominated Purdue. The cheerleaders began a cheer - "Duke fell too, Just like Purdue!" Tech finished the season 20 - 7.
The NCAA tournament field was small, I think 28. Tech won its first two games and met Dayton in the round of 8. Dayton had all American Don May and the media and the refs loved him. With no shot clock and no three pointers, the Hokies had the ball with a two point lead, but the refs called a very controversial "held ball" against Tech, saying Ellis was closely guarded and did not advance the ball. Dayton scored to tie the game and won in overtime. They went on to play UCLA - with Lew Alcinder (Abdul - Jabbar) for the national championship. UCLA won. But for a questionable call, Tech would likely have been UCLA's opponent.
I hope the cheerleaders at the DC round of 16 can begin another cheer. "Duke fell too! Just like the previous two!" Go Hokies - win one for an old alum.
[Post edited by bandk at 03/25/2019 12:11PM]