With a mix of excitement and anticipation, the Virginia Tech men’s basketball team prepares to embark on a significant journey as they head west to take on Stanford and California. This trip is not just an ordinary away match; it’s an opportunity for the Hokies to shine on an unusual field.
The Hokies’ adventure begins Wednesday night when they take on Stanford at 9 p.m. Eastern. Next, they’ll face California on Saturday at 6 p.m. Eastern. Although players will enjoy local sites like Alcatraz and Fisherman’s Wharf, the focus remains firmly on the field as they navigate this crucial period of their season.
Coach Mike Young highlighted the significant preparations involved in this trip, saying: “We have been in contact with many people and planned throughout the summer and fall as we prepared for this journey .” Young expressed his thoughts on the challenges facing Stanford and California in terms of traveling across the country, acknowledging the behind-the-scenes efforts to make this trip possible.
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Virginia Tech, currently 6-8 and 1-2 in the ACC, becomes the first conference team to travel west for these matchups against the Pac-12 newcomers. Their interstate rivals Virginia will also make the trip, taking on California and Stanford later in the week.
Careful planning for this trip involved collaboration with various departments within the athletic program, including strength and conditioning, nutrition and medical teams. Ballein, the men’s basketball chief of staff, played a pivotal role, which Coach Young praised as a “masterful job.” This collective effort ensured a smooth transit from Roanoke, where they boarded a charter flight that suffered a slight delay due to snow removal but ultimately took off around 2:15 p.m. Monday.
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Interestingly, the Hokies’ flight required an originally planned refueling stop in Kansas but was rerouted to Colorado due to inclement weather conditions. Fortunately, this change did not disrupt the team’s catering plans; a nutritionist arranged for Chick-fil-A sandwiches to be delivered instead of the previously scheduled Subway sandwiches.
Upon arriving in California around 9:45 p.m. Eastern Time, the Hokies settled into their quarters in Palo Alto, ready to acclimate before their matchup on Wednesday. It is worth noting that the team is not under the usual academic pressures as they are still on winter break, allowing them to focus exclusively on their basketball responsibilities.
Practices are scheduled at Stanford on Tuesday, with other sessions scheduled at other local colleges, ultimately preparing for their showdown against Cal. Back in Roanoke, the Hokies will host North Carolina State next Wednesday, so Coach Young is keeping an eye on the team’s readjustment to Eastern time after their West Coast excursion.
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The trip marks Virginia Tech’s first appearance in California since the NCAA Tournament rounds in San Jose in 2019, making it a notable occasion on the Hokies’ schedule. For their part, Stanford is hoping to turn around its recent form, having lost its last three games, including meetings against Oregon and Grand Canyon.
Stanford star Maxime Raynaud has made headlines for his impressive averages of 20.9 points and 11.4 rebounds per game. Recognized as a potential NBA talent, he represents a significant challenge for the Hokies. Coach Young has previously expressed concerns about Raynaud’s skill, particularly his shooting ability.
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As the Hokies embark on this pivotal journey, fans and supporters will keep a close eye on the results of these matchups, hoping to see Virginia Tech make a strong statement on the West Coast.
This much-anticipated clash will be broadcast live on the ACC Network, with kickoff scheduled for Wednesday evening at 9 p.m. Eastern.
