Offseason key to Hokies’ hopes

BLACKSBURG Seth Greenberg spent Monday meeting with his Virginia Tech basketball players individually in his office. By yesterday, he was on the road recruiting, beginning the transition between his 31st and 32nd seasons as a coach. This cycle -- players going and coming -- is a regular part of his life, and how he manages it now is as important as ever for Tech's program.

For the second consecutive season, the Hokies (7-9 ACC, 19-15) missed the NCAA tournament -- this time because they lost eight of their final 11 games before Selection Sunday. And for the second consecutive season, they are scheduled to lose just one starter, albeit their top scorer.

"We definitely wanted to come in and make the NCAA tournament," sophomore point guard Hank Thorns said. "That was our goal all year. And we kind of let ourselves down. We should be hungrier next year."

Questions abound this offseason for the Hokies, who lost in the National Invitation Tournament's second round and last made the NCAAs in 2007. Here are four of the most pressing heading into Greenberg's seventh season in Blacksburg.

How will Tech's scholarship situation work out?

The Hokies had 12 scholarship players this season, one fewer than the NCAA maximum. Two seniors will depart: Leading scorer A.D. Vassallo and center Cheick Diakite.

Also, forward Terrance Vinson will not return for his final season of eligibility, Greenberg said yesterday. Vinson, a fourth-year junior this season, played just 28 games during his career. He will graduate this summer and attend graduate school at another school, Greenberg said.

Tech has signed four freshmen for next season. The Hokies also have a commitment from point guard Lamont Jones, of Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson. But he hasn't signed. When Jones committed in November, Oak Hill coach Steve Smith said he planned to sign when the spring signing period begins April 15. If Jones signs, one of Tech's current players must leave the team or surrender his scholarship.

Who will replace replace Vassallo's scoring?

Vassallo, who averaged 19.1 points this season, leaves as Tech's fifth all-time leading scorer. Tech brings back its secondand third-leading scorers, sophomores Malcolm Delaney and Jeff Allen.

Greenberg is hoping for more scoring from sophomores J.T. Thompson and Dorenzo Hudson (6.5 and 4.6 points per game). He also has high expectations for freshman center Victor Davila (3.1 points per game). "I'm really counting on him to make a huge jump next year," Greenberg said.

What more does Greenberg need from Delaney and Allen?

Both struggled at the end of the season. In the last seven games, Delaney, a guard, shot 25.3 percent, and 23.9 on 3-pointers. In his first 27 games, those numbers were 42.2 and 38.8. Allen, a forward, scored in single digits in four of the final five games. That happened just six times in his first 28 games.

Greenberg wants Delaney, who averaged 18.1 points, to get his shot off quicker and work harder in the weight room to get stronger. Greenberg wants Allen, who averaged 13.7 points, to eliminate the immature acts that resulted in suspensions his first two seasons (for bumping an official as a freshman and making an obscene gesture to opposing fans as a sophomore).

"He can't do these foolish things that he did as a freshman and sophomore," Greenberg said. "He's got a team that's counting on him."

Why did Tech struggle defensively?

Opponents shot 42.1 percent against Tech, compared to 40.7 last season and 41.5 in 2007. "Really, really disappointing," Greenberg said of those stats. Moreover, Tech lost six games on an opponent's final shot.

Yes, losing Washington hurt because he was a versatile defender. "But we still had guys that could do that," Greenberg said. "I just don't think we were as tough as you need to be, game in and game out. Not that they didn't want to be tough. Not that we didn't practice it and drill it. I think there's a big difference between saying you're tough and being tough."

Why didn't the Hokies reach that point?

"I don't know," Greenberg said. "If I knew, we would have gotten there. Is it immaturity? Maybe. Is it guys' roles changing? Maybe. Is it that things came too easy to this team a year ago down the stretch [when Tech went 4-1 to end the regular season]? Maybe. Was it that we didn't have as good on-court leadership as we needed? Maybe."