The Virginia Tech Hokies opened the 2025-26 college basketball season on Monday night with a 98-67 win over the Charleston Southern Buccaneers at Cassell Coliseum.
For about 20 minutes, it looked like the Bucs were ready to give the Hokies a fight. Virginia Tech went into halftime holding a 42-38 lead. Charleston Southern kept it close with its outside shooting. The Buccaneers drained eight of 15 from 3-point range in the first half, led by Richmond native Brycen Blaine, who scored 16 in the first half. Blaine made four of six from beyond the arc.
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While CS was hot from the 3-point line, Virginia Tech struggled, making only two of its 13 first-half attempts.
Everything changed after halftime.
The Hokies outscored the Bucs 27-3 in the first eight minutes after the half, blowing the game wide open. Charleston Southern made only 3 of 16 3-pointers after the break, whereas Virginia Tech shot much better, making seven of 15. As a team, the Hokies shot almost 47% from the field and outrebounded the Buccaneers, 54-41.
In his highly anticipated college debut, Virginia Tech freshman guard Neoklis Avdalas scored eight points and dished out nine assists. Avdalas blocked two shots, including one where he went the length of the floor to stop a fast break opportunity. Neo’s shot wasn’t falling in the opener, as he made only three of 13 from the field, but he was outstanding as a passer and floor general.
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Senior forward led the Hokies with 20 points and 12 rebounds, while junior forward Amani Hansberry finished with 19 points and 13 rebounds. Senior guard Jailen Bedford scored 13 in his Hokies’ debut. Sophomore guards Tyler Johnson and Ben Hammond each scored nine points, with Johnson also having six rebounds and five assists.
Freshman center Christian Gurdak gave the Hokies 15 solid minutes off the bench, scoring eight points and finishing with five rebounds.
The Hokies only turned the ball over seven times, while finishing with 19 assists. Virginia Tech has several players who can run the point when needed, outside of Avdalas and Hammond.
The 1-0 Hokies next face the Providence Friars on Saturday at the Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off in Uncasville, Conn.
