Mike Young and Virginia Tech invited the media to view practice and the team pictures on Friday afternoon. The Tech Sideline staff was there – Will Stewart, Chris Coleman and David Cunningham – and came away with some takeaways.

Here are three thoughts each from Chris and David after the practice session:

Chris Coleman:

1: The first thing that stood out to me was attention to detail on some minor parts of the game that most people wouldn’t even think about. For example, Virginia Tech actually practices how to save a ball going out of bounds and how to properly get it back in to a teammate. Also, when you are securing a loose ball, you aren’t supposed to dribble it; you’re supposed to grab it as quickly as possible and bring it back up strongly to your chest. I never played basketball, so I had never thought about it before. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised at that level of detail. After all, we are the reigning ACC Champions.

2: The early sessions of practice are fast and furious. I’m talking about 15 guys all going in for layups and rebounding on the same basket all at once, and there seem to be four or more basketballs getting passed around at all times. Everybody is making noise.

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