As I've come to learn following Hokie Basketball, player transfers during the off season aren't that uncommon. Once the season ends, you can pretty much start speculating on who it will be. We found out this week that Hank Thorns is leaving the program (also found out that Allan Chaney from Florida is transferring in).
Thorns had an interesting time at Virginia Tech, probably best to describe him as someone who had mixed support. I personally thought he added something to the team.
Its probably due to the fact that the Hokies haven't had true stability at the point guard in years that I liked Thorns. Nigel Munson, who transferred out a few years ago, was probably the last PG besides Thorns, and when he left it created a hole for coach Seth Greenberg to fill in a hurry. I remember Thorns coming in as somewhat of a last minute recruit who pretty much looked like a 'plug'. Many Hokies since have claimed he 'isn'tt ACC caliber' never really let up.
Thorns weaknesses are his size (5' 9"??), and shooting, including his free throws. In the ACC, besides all the standard duties, your point guard is going to play some top talent so he has to defend, hit the open jumper, and be a guy who can play down the stretch and hit free throws. Thorns struggled with all of the above, and I get that.
But Thorns did fill a role no one else did on the team. HE WAS A POINT GUARD. It amazing how important it is to have a guy who can handle the ball, break down a press, get it up court, distribute, and rack up assists. The whole deal with Malcolm Delaney playing point guard this year because there was nobody else to do it sucked. Delaney was much better in my opinion when Thorns was in the game to handle all those other duties. Thorns was a key contributor in some big games the last 2 years. Plus to the casual observer he seemed a hustler and good attitude guy (of course, I don't see practices).
Its just too bad Thorns didn't have 4 more inches, and could hit free throws the way Delaney can. Let's hope Greenberg is recruiting a guy like that right now.
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