Over the next couple weeks DWHoops will reveal our 2011 preseason ACC predictions in the form of three questions facing each team. We continue today with three questions about our pick for #11, the Virginia Tech Hokies

Virginia Tech

DWHoops 2011 ACC Prediction: #11

1. Can the freshmen make an impact?

This is coach Beth Dunkenberger's best recruiting class to date, featuring three top 100 recruits. Nia Evans and Latorri Hines-Allen are forwards who can rebound and defend. Monet Tellier is a tough, attacking guard. She also picked up a point guard in Kyani White and shotblocker in Brittni Montgomery. On a team with no returning double-digit scorers, the freshmen will have every opportunity to seize playing time.

2. Who's the outside threat?

With Lindsey Biggs graduating, the only remaining Hokie who took even a third of her three point attempts was Nikki Davis, who converted at a 38% clip. It's time for junior guard Shanel Harrison to step up alongside her, or else teams will be able to zone the Hokies into oblivion.

3. Is Beth Dunkenberger at a crossroads?

The Hokies finished 15-15 but only managed to win 4 conference games. Virginia Tech always tries hard, and there's no question that Dunkenberger gets the most out of her players. The problem is that this simply hasn't been good enough to win in the ACC. Any time the Hokies have had an injury to a key player, they've tended to go into the tank; their margin for error has been that thin. How well and how quickly these recruits develop could be the key to her future.