Virginia Tech basketball: Hokies enter the AP Poll

For the first time in the Mike Young-era, the Virginia Tech men’s basketball team is ranked.

After a 3-0 start to the 2020-21 season, and an upset win over No. 3 Villanova, the Hokies are ranked No. 16 in the latest AP Poll.

The Hokies began the season with a win over Radford, before Saturday’s upset over Villanova. On Sunday, the Hokies blew out South Florida to move to 3-0.

More good news is on the horizon for Young’s squad as sophomore guard Jalen Cone is expected back for this week’s game against VMI. Cone was one of the top shooters in all of college basketball last season.

Gonzaga and Baylor remain atop the AP Poll with Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois rounding out the top five. Duke moves up three spots to No. 6, while Kansas, Michigan State, Creighton and Houston make up the rest of the top 10.

While the Hokies jump in at No. 16, Villanova falls nine spots to No. 12 and defending national champion Virginia drops to No. 15 after an upset loss to San Francisco.

The Hokies and VMI tip off at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, Dec. 3 in Blacksburg.