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Without jinxing the team, here is what i think may happen:
Wins:
Cal
GT
Wake Forest
Pitt
Losses
NC State
Notre Dame
Split
Uva - 1 win / 1 loss
Swing games:
Clemson
Stanford
Unc
I think the team can/will win at least 5 more games - pitt, wake, gt, cal, and a uva game
I think they can win 1-2 of those three swing games against clemson, stanford, and unc. They will be tough but (a) all three are beatable and (b) the hokies could show their "well-playing" version in any given game. To me, this points to Tech getting 10 wins in the ACC. Will that be enough to get into the NCAA? I can see them getting 20 wins. Syracuse doing well is helping! Beating the teams they should beat is key
Nelson - remains inconsistent from outside but leads the league in assists and assist-to-turnover ratio, can get into the lane, and plays good defense. She is the engine that drives the team and, as long as she is making great decisions and gets the ball to the right people, she will help VT win more games.
Wenzel - is playing balanced basketball right now where it appears she is recognizing when something isn't there. Her three point form has returned and she is a good defender. If she can continue to shoot better than 20-something percent, continues to add assists, and avoids turnovers, the team's ceiling is higher.
Baker - leading scorer, good for 3-4 threes a game and she has to shoot threes more than she needs to score around the basket. She cant have a game like last year’s Stanford game where she didn't shoot a single three (and not because of the defense). Her defense is coming along. When she does shoot around the basket, it can't be a throwup. She is good at jumpshots around the baseline and the free throw line. i think she needs to slow down on offense, especially her passing. There is kind of a "manic/get rid of it quickly" element to it.
Freelon - staying on the court more (avoiding foul trouble). Demon on the offensive boards. Good for a double-double in any game.
Suffren - the mid-range shot is coming along. She can get into the lane but the key is her pull up jumper which gives her more balance, which is needed when tech subs. Good for 2-4 steals a game.
Daley -might be out of the doghouse. Defensive effort is improving as is her effort on the boards. Still a catch and shoot or dribble and pull up player who likely wont pass out of a shot opportunity, but as long as she hit...
Trent - her development has been key no matter how much she scores
Wells - starter. Capable 3-pt shooter who wont try to do too much and is a good defender. She can orchestrate the offense when Wenzel or Nelson are out.
Everyone else - peterson, swanson, jenkins - will see spot time. Peterson will hopefully continue to round back into form where she can give 10 quality minutes a game on defense and hit the occasional shot. Swanson has been heating up recently from 3 but will likely remain in a limited role.
Edited by VAHokie89 at 1/19/2026, 10:54:21 AM
** Edited by VAHokie89 at 1/19/2026, 10:55:59 AM
** Edited by VAHokie89 at 1/19/2026, 11:05:34 AM
** Edited by VAHokie89 at 1/19/2026, 2:56:16 PM
24 Replies
R
Ramj4450
6mo
(In response to this post by VAHokie89)
6mo
we might even be favored in those.
So, anything less than 5 more wins will be a severe disappointment. But 7 more shouldn't surprise anyone and might get us a decent seed.
(In response to this post by VAHokie89)
6mo
(In response to this post by VAHokie89)
6mo
You seem limited to "uva sucks" or complaining about other people. Useless.
(In response to this post by Stork)
6mo
Guessing 4 Wins, 2 Losses, and 5 Pick 'ems (UVa being 2 of those). A lot will come down to which teams come ready to play.
I really like our bench play. Seems like the players who come off the bench have an energy you don't often see, which puts stress on the opponents. If everyone can stay healthy, a deeper bench can be the difference in the pick 'em games down the line.
(In response to this post by VAHokie89)
6mo
(In response to this post by VAHokie89)
R
Ramj4450
6mo
(In response to this post by IB4TECH)
6mo
(In response to this post by IB4TECH)
6mo
(In response to this post by mrknowitall)
6mo
Even though many of her shots were fine. She has a tendency to throw out a hip.
(In response to this post by mrknowitall)
6mo
shoot the same it will be a nail bitter into March, shoot worse... NIT
** Edited by VermontDDS at 1/19/2026, 10:39:57 AM
(In response to this post by VAHokie89)
6mo
to complicate it.
(In response to this post by VermontDDS)
6mo
(In response to this post by VermontDDS)
6mo
games. My only disagreement would be Clemson. After watching them a couple of times I think we take care of them fairly handily and would put that in the win column.
If we play like we did at Syracuse we will be a tough out for most all of them. Just hope that Miami meltdown does not come back to bite us.
(In response to this post by VAHokie89)
6mo
I agree in your assessment we are better and have the ability to “handily”take care of them. Lose , then we have to sweep UVa
(In response to this post by VTSweaterMan)
6mo
their 4 would be idea for Freelon to guard but I don't like any of our options at the 5 on defense
(In response to this post by VTSweaterMan)
6mo
jumper as an option. There was a time it seemed everyone felt they could only launch 3’s.
And as we’ve gone to the mid-range, the 3 point percentage has improved.
Stay well rounded.
** Edited by Stork at 1/19/2026, 9:16:09 AM
(In response to this post by VAHokie89)
J
j9hokie
6mo
drives to the basket her opponents have to back up and back fill because she is so frigging fast - space is the only way to stay in front of her. If Samyha can stop on a dime and nail the jumper (if the layup is blocked off), she will be double dangerous. Her shooting from mid range is improving (heck, teh 3 pointer is improving too). Excited to see her development.
Carys is probably out best shooter at 3. The mid range should be easy for her - especially with that quick release. She just needs to figure out a way to stay calm, focus, and not rush the shot. Another potential for her is to master a turn around jumper down low for the times when she may want to drive but can't get in there. I am really high on Baker's potential as well.
Overall I feel quite positive about our players and their potential as they develop. If they keep a "go for the jugular, we are gonna WIN this" attitude in their games, I think we will have a very nice end of season and - assuming we can keep folks - a very nice 2027.
(In response to this post by Stork)