2000-01 record: 8-19; 2-14 in Big East (7th in East) Final Ranking: NR Postseason: None. RETURNING LEADERS Points: Chase 12.9 ppg | Rebounds: Carter 6.2 rpg | Assists: Dixon 2.9 apg | FG %: Dongo 55.6% | 3pt %: Chase 45.8% | FT %: Chase 81.0% 00-01 Stats: VaTech | Big East

		Monday, Oct. 29 The Hokies are an interesting team with all key players returning. It's Year 2 in the conference, and Tech is athletic, has good size, but must show growth and experience in big games. Backcourt of Brian Chase and Carlos Dixon must provide the leadership, while coach Gale Catlett must find rebounding from a bunch of talented, but young big men.

Outlook
Everybody is back from a team that went 8-19 (2-14 conference) last season. That's a good news, bad news statement if ever there was one.

The good is news some of these guys can really play, especially guards Brian Chase (12.9 ppg) and Carlos Dixon (11.0 ppg). Knowing he must try something different, though, third-year coach Ricky Stokes is looking at starting 5-foot-11 junior college transfer Eric Branham at the point, sliding the 5-10 Chase to shooting guard and playing the 6-7 Dixon at small forward. That would make the Hokies quicker, but smaller.

Every big man of note is back, though none of them did much last season. Carlton Carter, a 6-11 senior, joined the team in December and averaged 7.8 points and 6.2 rebounds. He'll need more help this season than he got last year, but he might not get enough from the group of 6-9 Mibindo Dongo (5.9 ppg, 4.8 rpg), 6-8 Jon Smith (2.2 ppg, 1.2 rpg) and 6-7 transfer Terry Taylor (16 ppg, 10 rpg last season in junior college).

The high number of returning veterans, coupled with a four-man recruiting class, ought to help Stokes turn up the heat on defense while running at every chance on offense. In other words, this team still might not win a bunch this season, but it ought to be more fun to watch.

What we like: Dixon was an unsung recruit who panned out in a big way, and his development over the next three seasons ought to be worth tracking. Chase is a shooter who led the Big East at 45.8 percent on 3-pointers last season, and taking the point guard pressure off him ought to make him an even better scorer this season.

What we don't like: The Hokies better be faster than everyone else in the Big East, because any team that catches up to Virginia Tech's tiny backcourt will be able to pummel it at both ends. Interior offense also will be an adventure.

The bottom line: The team ought to win a few more games this season, but not that many. A double-figure victory total would be progress, and about all a Hokie fan should reasonably hope for.

Key Players Returning
Player	Yr.	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Comment
Brian Chase	Jr.	G	5-10/170	PTS: 12.9 | REB: 2.9 | AST: 2.1
Carlos Dixon	So.	G	6-7/185	PTS: 11.0 | REB: 3.6 | AST: 2.9
Bryant Matthews	So.	G	6-7/200	PTS: 9.1 | REB: 5.2 | AST: 1.8
Carlton Carter	Sr.	C/F	6-11/205	PTS: 7.8 | REB: 6.2 | AST: 0.8

Virginia Tech Signings
Player	Pos.	Ht.	High School/College
Harding Nana	F	6-8	Cameroon, Africa-Notre Dame Prep (Ma.)
Terry Taylor	F	6-7	Virginia Beach-Allegany College (Md.)
Dimari Thompkins	F	6-9	Lakeland, Fla./Hargrave Military Academy (Va.)
C.J. Pigford	F	6-6	East Arcadia, N.C./Hargrave Military Academy (Va.)
Eric Branham	G	5-11	Washington D.C./Hagerstown (Md.) JC