At the start of the season, expectations were modest for the Virginia Tech men’s basketball team. Much of that was due to the significant roster turnover veteran head coach Mike Young faced, with several players leaving through the transfer portal and others exhausting their eligibility.
But with departures came opportunities, and Young made the most of the transfer portal to bring in new talent. One of his key additions was Tobi Lawal, a transfer from VCU. Lawal quickly became one of the Hokies’ standout players, consistently showcasing his athleticism throughout the year.
He wrapped up the season averaging 12.4 points per game, with many of his baskets coming from high-flying alley-oops or aggressive drives to the rim, often finishing with emphatic dunks—just like he did on the opening possession of Tuesday’s ACC Tournament first-round matchup against Cal.
Following the game, both Young and Lawal spoke with the media. Lawal, who hails from London, England, didn’t hold back in his assessment. With a blend of humor and honesty, he offered a candid reflection on the low expectations the Hokies faced this season—and how things ultimately turned out.
Virginia Tech forward Tobi Lawal has a funny, but thruthful take on the Hokies 2024-25 season
Following Virginia Tech’s 82-73 double-overtime loss to Cal, which closed out a tough 13-19 season—one of the Hokies’ most disappointing in the past decade—Tobi Lawal offered a brutally honest, yet humorous take on the year.
“I’m proud of how far we came as a team,” Lawal said. “What did they have us ranked in the preseason? Fourteenth or fifteenth? People thought we were going to be trash. I mean, we were trash, but not that bad, you know? We exceeded expectations.”
That’s an all-time quote. And truthfully, saying they outperformed expectations might even be selling it short. What Mike Young and his staff managed to do this season deserves serious credit—arguably enough to warrant at least a Coach of the Year vote. Very few expected the Hokies to even crack the top 15 and qualify for the ACC Tournament.
Sure, they struggled. But they were also young. If Young can hold onto more players this offseason—and if the rumored increase to their NIL package materializes—things could look very different next year. They might not be “trash” at all.
