On Friday afternoon, Virginia Tech men's basketball announced it is declining an NIT bid, meaning its 2025-26 season is over.
"Virginia Tech men's basketball has elected to decline an opportunity to compete in the 2026 National Invitation Tournament," the program said in its statement. "Given the current health status of members of our roster and the need for a number of our student-athletes to focus on recovery and preparation for their professional careers, we believe it is in the best interest of our players and the long-term direction of our program to conclude our season at this time.
"While we respect the tradition and competitiveness of the NIT, the standard for our program remains clear. Our expectation is to compete in the NCAA Tournament. Our staff and student-athletes are already focused on the work ahead, and we are committed to doing everything necessary this offseason to return Virginia Tech to the Big Dance in 2027."
The Hokies finished the season 19-13 (8-10) after falling to Wake Forest 95-89 in overtime in the first round of the ACC Tournament on Tuesday. They were consistently on the bubble all year long but failed to get over the hump, dropping eight of their final 12 games after a 15-5 (4-3) start.
After the loss to the Demon Deacons, head coach Mike Young appeared to be looking ahead to the postseason when discussing how much he enjoyed guiding his group.
"They've got a lot to them," Young said, "and great kids to coach, and I look forward to coaching them more this season."
Tech sophomore point guard Ben Hammond told Tech Sideline after the game that he had mixed feelings about playing in the NIT, especially after coming up short on making the NCAA Tournament.
"Definitely where we don't want to be," Hammond said, "but I would say going off on a win or going off on a high note is definitely better than going out like this. So, I mean, if they give us the opportunity, I feel like Coach would take it."
Meanwhile, Hokies freshman center Christian Gurdak explained how much he wanted the season to continue, even if it was in the NIT.
"I think we'll be ready to come out and play if it's that," Gurdak said. "None of us want to stop playing, so I think we're going to want to come out and really fight for that and prove to ourselves, even though we didn't make March [Madness], unfortunately, just prove to ourselves that we can reach our full potential and be the team we know we can be."
It's an interesting change compared to two years ago. When Tech's season ended in similar fashion in Washington, D.C., with a loss in the second round of the 2024 ACC Tournament to Florida State, Young said he would "absolutely" welcome an invitation and would "never be too big for my pants" to decline an NIT bid.
Two years ago today at the ACC Tournament, #Hokies coach Mike Young said he’d never be “too big for my pants” as to decline an NIT bid.
Either he and/or his players feel differently this season. pic.twitter.com/imwfhHfsrO— David Teel (@ByDavidTeel) March 13, 2026
However, sources informed Tech Sideline that the 2025-26 team met on Friday and voted not to play in the NIT, thus ending the season.
This would've marked the program's 16th NIT appearance and the third in the last four seasons. Tech won the event twice in 1973 and 1995.
From a health-related standpoint, the Hokies were down forward Amani Hansberry after he suffered what Young described as a leg injury in the regular-season finale at Virginia. He was in sweats on the bench on Tuesday against Wake Forest after moving gingerly off to the side during Monday's practice.
Tech has also been without Sin'Cere Jones since early January. The true freshman suffered a foot injury and has been on a scooter since. Unlike Hansberry, who earned an honorable mention shout from the ACC voters and was the team's leading scorer at 14.3 points per game, Jones played in just 11 contests this season.
Tobi Lawal and Jailen Bedford are the lone Hokies graduating from the current squad. Every other player has the opportunity to return for 2026-27, including Greek freshman Neoklis Avdalas, though he's expected to depart after a disappointing year in Blacksburg.
As far as the offseason goes, the transfer portal officially opens on April 7, the day after the national championship game. In a shift from last season, the window will remain open for a 15-day period.