Photo Credit: Dave Knachel/Virginia Tech Athletics
It may have taken Virginia Tech a little bit to get going but once they did, a transfer emerged as a potential star for Virginia Tech with an impressive debut that we haven't seen from a big man since Zach LeDay.
Virginia Tech beat Radford 77-62 as Wofford transfer Keve Aluma shined in his Hokie debut with 19 points, the most for a big man in his debut since Zach LeDay.
The Hokies had a slow start on the offensive end but used a strong end to the half led by Aluma to not only claim the lead but take control of this game. In the second half, Tech's three-point shooting took off as they were 7-12 from three in the second half, finishing 11-26 overall.
Tech also did a good job of moving the basketball especially in a year where rust could be greater than normal early in the season as they had 18 assists compared to 10 turnovers while Radford had 10 assists compared to 15 turnovers.
Keve Aluma was the star in his debut for the Hokies after sitting out last season following his transfer from Wofford. He led the Hokies with 19 points on 7-10 shooting including 3-5 from three-point range while also having 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks.
Aluma had received plenty of hype from those around the program and at least in this game, Aluma lived up to the hype as the next really good big man for the Hokies following guys like Zach LeDay and Kerry Blackshear.
Sophomore guards Nahiem Alleyne and Hunter Cattoor also had strong games as Alleyne had 14 points on 4-8 shooting including 2-4 from 3 and 4-4 at the free-throw line while Cattoor was 4-6 from three-point range to have 12 points. Alleyne and Cattoor showed signs that they are ready to take the next steps as sophomores and could be key components on what could be one of the conference's better shooting teams.
Tech's three offseason transfers also made their debuts today with Cartier Diarra leading the bunch with 8 points on 4-6 shooting plus 3 assists and 2 rebounds in 19 minutes of action. Meanwhile, Justyn Mutts had 2 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists in 21 minutes and Cordell Pemsl had 1 point and 1 rebound in 7 minutes.
Tyrece Radford had 9 points, a team-high 5 assists, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal today while senior point guard and leader Wabissa Bede also had 9 points plus 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, and 1 steal.
We will have more as this story develops.
