Virginia Tech big man Amani Hansberry developed a quick connection with guard Ben Hammond last season.
Hansberry said he senses an even bigger bond brewing amid the team’s addition of Oklahoma State transfer Jaylen Curry to the backcourt.
All three players scored at least 14 points to steer the Hokies past Mercer 96-67 on Thursday, a final tuneup before Tuesday night’s game against Iowa in a neutral-site matchup in Sioux City, Iowa.
“It’s very exciting,” Hansberry said. “Especially when we get out in transition and I get the ball and I’m able to find those guys and set a screen for them with a full head of steam. They’re both very explosive, very quick, and on the defensive end, they can guard as well.”
Hansberry contributed a career-best 23 points against Mercer, connecting on 9 of 13 shots from the field, including a 3-pointer.
The Hokies had just four turnovers while forcing 18.
Iowa, which like Virginia Tech has started 2-0, committed 15 turnovers in Friday’s 91-47 home victory over Eastern Illinois.
Hawkeyes coach Ben McCollum remains optimistic that Tuesday could mark the debut of 7-foot-3 center Andrew McKeever, a Saint Mary’s transfer who has navigated back issues in the early season.
“One day he can feel good, and the next day, it’s awful,” said McCollum, who added that he thought McKeever would play against Eastern Illinois. “So we’re hopeful, because he’s really good. In practice, he was as dominant as we’ve had.”
Reserve forward Trey Thompson can attest to the toughness of Hawkeyes workouts, crediting the experience from a redshirt season in 2025-26 for boosting him in the early season.
“It has really been crucial for me to get better,” Thompson said after Friday’s 11-point performance. “So I’m very thankful that I did.”
Peyton McCollum (14 points), Ty’Reek Coleman (13) and Tate Sage (10) joined Thompson in double figures in the Hawkeyes’ rout.
Iowa is seeking its first victory against Virginia Tech in five tries in their series. Tuesday marks the first neutral-site game between the schools, which haven’t met since the host Hokies won by 24 points in a Big Ten/ACC Challenge game in November 2017.