February 21, 2026; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies guard Jailen Bedford (0) shoots a shot that is blocked by Wake Forest Demon Deacons forward Tre’von Spillers (25) in the second half at Cassell Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bishop-Imagn Images The season opens Tuesday when 12th-seeded Virginia Tech takes on 13th-seeded Wake Forest in the ACC Tournament in Charlotte, North Carolina.
According to ESPN’s latest bracket projections, Virginia Tech (19-12) is one of the first four teams eliminated from the NCAA Tournament. Patrick Stevens, formerly of the Washington Post, had Virginia Tech as the last team in the tournament field in his predictions. There’s a lot at stake for the Hokies against the Demon Deacons (16-15).
Now in his seventh season leading the Hokies, Coach Mike Young believes his team belongs in March Madness. He has won the ACC Tournament once before, earning the title in 2022.
“I have an NCAA Tournament team, folks,” he told reporters in Charlotte on Monday. “I’ve never been on that podium, but now I am.”
The Hokies have two wins against AP top 25 opponents this season. They defeated rival Virginia in triple overtime on New Year’s Eve and defeated then-20th-ranked Clemson on the road last month. Virginia Tech is ranked #56 by KenPom and #50 by Bart Torvik.
“This team did an amazing job and I’m proud of them,” Young said.
The Hokies finished the regular season with a four-point loss to Virginia despite Ben Hammond scoring 21 points and five assists. Amani Hansberry, who is sidelined with a leg injury, has been Virginia Tech’s top scorer this season, averaging 14.3 points per game.
Barring a trip to the NIT, Wake Forest’s season will likely end in the ACC Tournament unless the Demon Deacons pull off a miraculous run like rival North Carolina State did in 2024. Wake isn’t mentioned in any brackets after finishing 7-11 in ACC play.
The Deacs are armed with guard Juke Harris, who is third in scoring in the ACC this season with 21.7 points per game.
Wake coach Steve Forbes expects both teams to play with urgency.
“When you’re in that mode, you get an air of desperation,” Forbes said of Virginia Tech. “They’re going to play with it, and so are we, because if we lose, we’re done.”
–Field level media
