Virginia Tech Opens 26-27 Campaign With Convincing 88-54 Win Over Coppin State (11-3-26)

By: Joey Raymond 

Headline Photo Credit: Brent Butler-LMS Network

The Hokies start the season 1-0 behind a strong defensive effort, an impressive Ben Hammond performance, and a promising debut from Jaylen Curry.

BLACKSBURG, Va. — Virginia Tech men’s basketball opened its 2026-27 season convincingly Tuesday night, taking down Coppin State 88-54 at Cassell Coliseum.

The 34-point victory marked the Hokies’ 11th consecutive season-opening win under the program’s current streak, giving Mike Young’s squad an encouraging start to a season that features a considerably different-looking roster.

While the final score tells the story of a comfortable night for Virginia Tech, it was the way the Hokies created that separation that stood out most. Defensive pressure, transition opportunities, and perimeter shooting helped Tech take control early and never seriously threaten to give it back.

Coppin State opened the scoring, but Virginia Tech quickly responded with an 8-0 run, using defensive pressure to disrupt the Eagles’ offense and create opportunities on the other end. The Hokies forced five turnovers in the opening nine possessions, setting the tone for what would become a difficult night for Coppin State.

Virginia Tech continued to capitalize on those mistakes throughout the contest, finishing with 24 forced turnovers and turning them into 26 points. The defensive effort also limited the Eagles’ ability to find any consistent offensive rhythm, holding them to just four assists for the game. It was an encouraging first look at what Young’s defensive approach could become with this group.

Hammond Leads the Way as Curry Makes His Hokie Debut

If there was one player who consistently found ways to impact the game, it was junior guard Ben Hammond. Hammond led all scorers with 20 points while adding eight assists and seven steals. The seven steals marked a career high and put him just one shy of Virginia Tech’s program record.

His ability to anticipate passing lanes and create opportunities defensively was a major factor in the Hokies’ ability to pull away. Hammond’s performance also provided a glimpse of what the Hokies’ backcourt could offer this season, particularly alongside Oklahoma State transfer Jaylen Curry.

Making his Virginia Tech debut, Curry finished with 19 points, shooting 6-of-9 from the floor and 3-of-6 from beyond the arc. His scoring ability was on full display, particularly during the first half, when he helped keep the Hokies’ offense moving.

However, there is still some room for improvement. Curry finished with six turnovers and just one assist, something Young was quick to address following the game. Despite the impressive scoring performance, the Hokies will need better ball security from their guards as the competition gets tougher.

Young didn’t mince words when discussing the issue, making it clear that the standard for Virginia Tech’s point guard play has to be higher. It’s an area worth watching, especially with the kind of defensive pressure the Hokies will see from ACC opponents.

Hansberry and Johnson Provide a Strong Interior Presence

Beyond the backcourt, Virginia Tech also received important contributions from two familiar faces. Amani Hansberry finished with 16 points and nine rebounds, leading the team on the glass while shooting 6-of-11 from the field. He also knocked down two of his three attempts from beyond the arc and added four assists.

Tyler Johnson provided another productive performance off the bench, finishing with 13 points and seven rebounds in 21 minutes. Having both players back in the lineup is an important piece for Young’s roster, particularly after injuries interrupted their availability toward the end of last season.

The two forwards give Virginia Tech some valuable experience and production in the frontcourt, something that could become increasingly important as the schedule develops. Young did, however, point to one area where he wants to see more from Hansberry.

Following the game, the Hokies’ head coach said the team needs to do a better job of getting Hansberry the ball. Despite his 16-point performance, Young believes there are more opportunities to get the forward involved offensively.

Plenty to Like, But Work Remains

Offensively, the Hokies showed some encouraging signs. Virginia Tech shot 46.4% from the three-point range, connecting on 13 of its 28 attempts. The team also recorded 20 assists on 29 made field goals, showing an ability to move the basketball and find open looks.

The Hokies finished with four players in double figures and received contributions from several players throughout the rotation. Young also got an opportunity to work different combinations into the lineup, playing 11 different players during the opening 11 minutes of the contest.

There were even some firsts along the way, as Solomon Davis recorded his first collegiate points with a two-handed dunk late in the game. 

Still, the performance wasn’t without its blemishes. Virginia Tech committed 14 turnovers of its own and struggled at times to handle Coppin State’s pressure, particularly when the Eagles went to a full-court press. The Hokies also left points at the free-throw line, converting just 17 of 26 attempts.

Those are manageable issues in an opening-night victory, but they are also the types of mistakes that can become much more costly against better competition. The good news for Young is that the Hokies have plenty of positives to build on. The defensive intensity was there, the outside shooting showed promise, and several key pieces made their presence felt in the season opener.