This season, 5 ACC programs returned 3 or more starters from the previous season. This led to a down year in the conference.

For perspective, next season 12 out of 15 teams will return at least 3 starters. 3 of those 12 (Pitt, Syracuse and VT) will return all 5 starters, something zero teams did from last season.

3 teams (Duke, Louisville and ND) are projected to only have 2 starters return next season. Two of those (Duke and Louisville) have top 25 recruiting classes to replace the talent lost.

VT should absolutely be better next season. And honestly, outside of Notre Dame, so should every other team in the conference.

VTs overall strength of schedule (which includes ACC games) was ranked 75th, which was the 2nd lowest total rank since VT joined the ACC 16 years ago. Their out-of-conference SOS was 351st out of 353, which is the worst ranking in the history of the program. The ACC will likely only get 4 (possibly 5) teams in the NCAA tournament, a number that could be rivaled by the Big East this season.

All that is to say that VT took advantage of its easiest schedule in 16 years, and should absolutely be better next year. But what "better" means may not lead to a drastic change in the W-L column.

VT went 9-2 in non-conference games...next year AT BEST they could go 11-0. Which this season would mean 18 wins. A tougher conference next season, even with an undefeated non-conference slate makes it tough to see a big change next season.

In order to just get to 20 wins, VT would need to go undefeated OOC, and then increase their win total in conference by 2...again, in a tougher conference slate.

Times are most definitely looking up, and VTs championship window will open AFTER next season. But year 2 should be met with some caution, as well as excitement for sure

[Post edited by GCHokie34 at 03/05/2020 12:58PM]