Nine games into the season, the Virginia Tech men’s basketball team sits at
6-3. There have been good moments and bad moments, and many people are
frustrated about the start, but the team has played better the last two games.
The Hokies still have a chance to get to the NCAA tournament, and the next five
games on the schedule will help make or break Tech’s season.

A short recap on how Tech’s season has gone thus far: After two lopsided
wins over Coppin State and West Florida, the Hokies traveled to Orlando to play
in the Old Spice Classic. Tech opened against Western Michigan, but the Hokies
were upset 71-68 by the Broncos, despite leading by nine in the first half and
leading with less than one minute left.

This loss was extremely annoying to Tech fans, who have endured the Hokies
losing to less talented teams for the better part of a decade. “Here we go
again” seemed to be the general feeling on the message boards following the
loss.

The Hokies rallied the next night, knocked off Montana 77-56, and were set to
play Southern Illinois in their third and final game. On cue, the Hokies blew
another late lead and lost 69-64. They came back to beat Iowa at home, but then
traveled to D.C. where they lost late to George Washington 63-62.

...