Virginia Tech's NCAA Tournament Hopes Fade After Blowout Loss to Florida State

The Hokies' second-half collapse against the Seminoles puts their postseason chances in jeopardy.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Virginia Tech suffered a decisive 92-69 loss to Florida State on Saturday, a result that significantly jeopardizes the Hokies' chances of reaching the NCAA Tournament. The game marked Virginia Tech's worst performance of the season, as they were outscored 53-27 in the second half after taking a 42-39 lead into halftime.

Why it matters

This loss is a major blow to Virginia Tech's NCAA Tournament hopes, as they now need to win all five of their remaining regular season games to have a realistic chance of making the tournament. The team's defensive struggles and inability to maintain their first-half momentum highlight significant issues that must be addressed if they hope to turn things around.

The details

The first half saw a closely contested matchup, with Virginia Tech taking a 42-39 lead into halftime. However, the second half proved disastrous for the Hokies, as Florida State took control and outscored them 53-27. Florida State shot an impressive 78.3% from the field in the second half, overwhelming Virginia Tech's defense. Martin Somerville led the Seminoles with 23 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists, while Chauncey Wiggins, Lajae Jones, and Robert McCray V each added 17 or more points.

  • The game was played on Saturday, February 15, 2026.
  • Virginia Tech's next game is scheduled for Tuesday, February 18, 2026 at 8 PM against Miami.
  • Florida State's next game is scheduled for Tuesday, February 18, 2026 at 6 PM against Boston College.

The players

Martin Somerville

A Florida State player who led the team with 23 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists.

Chauncey Wiggins

A Florida State player who contributed 19 points and 4 rebounds.

Lajae Jones

A Florida State player who scored 17 points.

Robert McCray V

A Florida State player who scored 17 points.

Ben Hammond

A Virginia Tech player who scored 16 points.

Tobi Lawal

A Virginia Tech player who scored 16 points.

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What’s next

Virginia Tech's NCAA Tournament hopes are now slim, but not entirely extinguished. The team would need to win all five of its remaining regular season games to have a realistic chance of making the tournament. Their next game is scheduled for Tuesday night at Miami, with an 8 PM tip-off on the ACC Network.

The takeaway

This loss is a major setback for Virginia Tech's NCAA Tournament aspirations, as their defensive struggles and inability to maintain their first-half momentum against a dominant Florida State team have put their postseason chances in serious jeopardy. The Hokies must regroup and win out the remainder of their regular season schedule to have any realistic chance of making the tournament, highlighting the urgency and importance of their upcoming games.