Virginia Tech men's basketball stands on the doorstep of the 2026-27 season, kicking off play with Coppin State on Nov. 3.

What's locked in for the starters?

It feels like a safe bet to earmark junior guard Ben Hammond and senior forward Amani Hansberry as two of the five routine starters. Hammond averaged 13.2 points — his total rose to a team-high 14.9ppg in ACC play — in a breakout sophomore campaign, while Hansberry's season-wide 14.7 points per game paced the team. Hammond scored 30 points against then-No. 21 Virginia on Dec. 31, 2025, while Hansberry became the first Hokie since Jeff Allen in 2011 to total four straight double-doubles.

It also feels safe to place Miles Heide as one of the starters given his prior experience at San Diego State. That background gives him a leg up on Musa Sagnia and Solomon Davis, both of whom are still relatively green.…