Virginia Tech basketball: Hokies recently held a scrimmage with Buzz Williams and Maryland

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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 07: Guard Ben Hammond #3 and head coach Mike Young of the Virginia Tech Hokies smile during the ACC basketball tip off at Hilton Charlotte Uptown on October 07, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Matt Kelley/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Virginia Tech Hokies men’s basketball team opens the 2026-27 season on Tuesday against Coppin State in Blacksburg. Two days later, the Hokies will welcome Mercer to Cassell Coliseum before facing their first true test on Tuesday, Nov. 10, when they face the Iowa Hawkeyes in Sioux City, Iowa.

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While the Hokies don’t officially open the season until next week, they recently played a secret scrimmage against someone Virginia Tech fans know well. Head coach Mike Young recently welcomed the man he replaced as the Hokies’ head coach, Buzz Williams, to Blacksburg. Virginia Tech and Maryland held a scrimmage, which the Hokies won.

In an interview with the Sons of Saturday, Young explained how the scrimmage came about. He said, although he is close with Williams, the two never spoke about the scrimmage. Instead, assistant coach J.D. Byers, who handles Tech’s scheduling, set it up.

Young also credited Maryland assistant Wabissa Bede—yes, that Wabissa Bede—with bringing the two sides together. Bede, who was recruited to Virginia Tech by Williams, chose to remain in Blacksburg when Young arrived, and the VT coach couldn’t say enough nice things about Bede. Bede is in his second year as a Maryland assistant under Williams, after following him over from Texas A&M.

“I love Wabissa Bede,” Young said. “I absolutely positively think the absolute world of that young man. Recently married. I think in my eight years, I’ve said this many times, I think Wabissa Bede may be the most important player I’ve had. When I came here, he was in the portal, I think, and there was some angst about whether he was coming back. But to solidify that spot with his toughness and his ball-handling, he never turned the ball over. It was great to see him. It was great to have Coach Williams back in the building.”

Young talked about how well the scrimmage went and said he looked forward to more exhibition games in the future.

As for the upcoming season, Young is excited for his team, with Ben Hammond, Amani Hansberry and Tyler Johnson leading the way.

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