As a result, ACC Network analyst Luke Hancock expects the Hokies to go through some growing pains this season.

“Since there are so many question marks (at Tech) this season, it will be really interesting to see how it plays out,” the Hidden Valley High School graduate said in a phone interview Friday. “I know we are in the transfer portal era, but this seems more uncharted than most other situations.”

Only four scholarship players are back from last year's team, which had to settle for the NIT for the second year in a row.

The Hokies, who open the season Monday against visiting Delaware State, were ranked No. 14 out of 18 teams in the ACC media poll last month – and that was before point guard Hysier Miller was released from coach Mike Young's squad.

“If I had to put my money where my mouth is, I would probably say they will struggle to find a way into the top half of the ACC. But I also believe in Coach Young,” said Hancock, a former Louisville star. “He’s one of those guys, just like (former UVa coach) Tony Bennett, where continuity really helps. You don't have that. That's the really difficult part.

“They have to endure a few chunks and learn and then make their run toward the end of the year and try to be successful in the ACC Tournament.”

As a Temple junior last season, Miller averaged 15.9 points and 4.0 assists. Tech announced on Oct. 23 that Miller “has been permanently dismissed from the Virginia Tech men's basketball program due to circumstances prior to his enrollment at Virginia Tech.”

“An experienced guy who can score … he would be an important part of this team,” Hancock said. “It’s a big, big win for Virginia Tech basketball.”

Tech must replace all five starters from last year's team.

“We know Mike Young will be great on offense, but he needs to step up on defense for this team to be successful,” Hancock said.

Mike Young said last week that he planned to move Brandon Rechsteiner, Jaydon Young and Duke Jaden Schutt to the guard spots.

Hancock expects Rechsteiner to be one of the team's top scorers.

“Brandon is the guy that I think is going to make a lot of progress this year and do exactly what (former Tech guards) Hunter Cattoor and Sean Pedulla did,” Hancock said. “But can a guy like Jaden Schutt come in there and really make an impact? He's athletic, he can shoot.

“Brandon and Jaden Schutt have to be really big forces for this team, especially with Miller gone.”

Mike Young said last week that he planned to start Mylyjael Poteat and VCU transfer Tobi Lawal up front.

“With Mylyjael Poteat you have a man who is at least resting and physically active,” Hancock said. “What kind of jump can he make?

“I’m really excited to see how a guy like Lawal from VCU does. … He’s a stat stuffer. He may not have 25 points, but he's a guy that can give you 12 (points) and eight rebounds and a few assists, steals and blocked shots.”

UVa, which opens the season Wednesday, was ranked fifth in the ACC poll — but that was before Bennett retired.

“I just can’t reiterate what a huge fan I am and was of Tony’s,” Hancock said. “It's great that (interim coach) Ron Sanchez is a guy with a lot of experience with the … Tony Bennett style. … I also like the fact that he’s the head coach.

“I still think Virginia is going to be really good. … The floor is high for Virginia basketball. The question is, how high is the ceiling?

“I truly believe this team would have been an NCAA Tournament team with Tony Bennett. I'm confident they'll be with Ron Sanchez. I’m just not ready to take on the mortgage like I did with Tony.”

Like Tech, UVa suffered a surprising loss at point guard this fall. After Bennett's retirement, Florida State transfer Jalen Warley left the Cavaliers.

“He would have really helped this team, especially improve their athleticism on the perimeter and be able to defend in a different way,” Hancock said. “(Bennett) mentioned at ACC Tipoff that they were going to try to play faster; I think Warley probably played a big role in that.”

Point guard Dai Dai Ames transferred from Kansas State.

“He's a little inconsistent at Kansas State, but he plays hard,” Hancock said. “He’s a guy that could definitely bring a different dynamic to this team.”

Forward TJ Power transferred from Duke.

“If he can commit to Ron Sanchez and defend well enough so that he can play significant minutes, he will be a real standout in this lineup,” Hancock said.

Forward Elijah Saunders transferred from San Diego State.

“Saunders is someone who is really underrated,” Hancock said. “Gobbles up rebounds, does a little bit of everything.”

Hancock predicts that Duke, with highly touted freshman Cooper Flagg, will win the ACC title and advance to the Final Four.

“This team has so much depth,” Hancock said. “They are athletic. You can shoot it. The star power with Cooper will definitely be fun, but…they have so many pieces to the puzzle.”