The Virginia Tech men's basketball team has been selected fifth in the 2018 ACC Operation Basketball Preseason Poll, as voted on by media members attending the league's media day in Charlotte, North Carolina on Wednesday. Justin Robinson, a senior point guard from Manassas, Virginia, was selected to the Preseason All-ACC second team by the media.
The Hokies received 1,187 points in the poll. Duke is the preseason number one team, with 1,709 points, ten points ahead of second place Virginia and 68 points ahead of third place North Carolina. Syracuse is picked fourth with 1,268 points, 81 points ahead of the Hokies. Clemson is sixth with 1,148 points and Florida State is seventh at 1,127 points. NC State, Notre Dame, Miami, Louisville, Boston College, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest and Pittsburgh round out the poll.
The Blue Devils received 52 of the 121 first place votes, while the Cavaliers garnered 47 first place votes and UNC had 20 first place votes. Syracuse and Clemson each had one first place vote.
This is the Hokies' highest selection since the team was picked second in the 2010 poll. Tech was picked seventh last season.
Robinson, a second team All-ACC selection last season, is the first Hokie player to earn a preseason mention since Malcolm Delaney was chosen to the first team of the All-ACC preseason team in 2010. Robinson led the Hokies in scoring and assists last season and is one of 20 players nationally on the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Watch List. Robinson received two votes for preseason player of the year.
Luke Maye of North Carolina was selected preseason Player of the Year and is joined on the first team by Tyus Battle of Syracuse, RJ Barrett of Duke, Kyle Guy of Virginia and Ky Bowman of Boston College. Robinson is joined on the second team by Zion Williamson of Duke, De'Andre Hunter and Ty Jerome of Virginia and Marcquise Reed of Clemson. Barrett was selected preseason Freshman of the Year.
The Hokies open the 2018-19 regular season on Friday, Nov. 9 against Gardner-Webb at Carilion Clinic Court at Cassell Coliseum at 7 p.m. Tickets for the men's basketball season are on sale now. Click here to find tickets.
Pre-Season All-ACC
First Team
Luke Maye, North Carolina (111)
Tyus Battle, Syracuse (86)
RJ Barrett, Duke (76)
Kyle Guy, Virginia (62)
Ky Bowman, Boston College (58)
Second Team
Zion Williamson, Duke (55)
De'Andre Hunter, Virginia (32)
Justin Robinson, Virginia Tech (29)
Ty Jerome, Virginia (17)
Marcquise Reed, Clemson (16)
ACC Preseason Player of the Year
Luke Maye, North Carolina (50)
ACC Preseason Freshman of the Year
RJ Barrett, Duke (66)