BLACKSBURG, Va. -- Buzz Williams has coached Virginia Tech for two seasons with low expectations from outside as a motivational tool.He wont have that card to play this year because of what the Hokies accomplished last season.The Hokies (20-15, 10-8 Atlantic Coast Conference) were the surprise of the ACC last season. They beat two teams ranked in the top 10, and closed the regular season with six consecutive victories in ACC play, their longest in-conference winning streak since they won eight straight in the Southern Conference in the 1964-65 season.The Hokies have their top four scorers back, led by Zach LeDay (15.5 ppg, 7.9 rpg) and Seth Allen (14.4 ppg), get Ahmed Hill (8.7 ppg in 2014-15) back from knee surgery and welcome sharpshooting transfer Ty Outlaw this year.One viewpoint the Hokies dont welcome is talk that success will change their approach.I dont really think hes got to create motivation for us, LeDay said of Williams. I mean, we know what type of team we are. We dont bring in five five-star, top-20 players out of high school every year, so we know what type of team we are. We know were going to have to give it our all every night and every nights going to be a battle.The us-against-them mentality might be a harder sell for Williams this year, especially with the Hokies expected to be a preseason Top 25 consideration, but he said hes not planning to change the way he views the accolades.Once you get past the top 10, 12, 15 teams, then everybody is just kind of searching, he said. `Let me reach for this team. I like how theyre going, and I think that thats probably whats happening to us a little bit. We kind of finished semi on a good note over the last month of the season. It sounds good. It looks good.For the first time in his tenure with the Hokies, Williams and his staff will have ample talent available. He has seven returnees that played significant minutes last season, adds Hill and Outlaw and freshmen guard Tyrie Jackson (18 ppg as a high school senior) and 6-foot-10 freshman Khadim Sy, who could help immediately defensively.Some others things to loss for from Virginia Tech in the 2016-17 season:TALK IS NICE, BUT: A buzz about basketball around campus can be heady stuff to take in for 18-22 year old players, and the Hokies ability to ignore the hype of expectations and keep doing the things Williams preaches is key, particularly since, after last season, opponents are unlikely to look past Virginia Tech this season.INCORPORATION: Barring injuries, the Hokies are transitioning from having not enough players to having more than enough, and while Williams loves the idea of having certain combinations on the court together, they must first build the chemistry to make it effective. That will be a significant part of their preseason workouts.TRIPLE THREATS: The Hokies say Outlaw is likely the best shooter on the team, and he joins a roster on which Justin Bibbs made 76 3-pointers last season, Seth Allen made 44 and two others made at least 20. With a roster still lacking tall depth, their ability to make shots from long range can remain a significant equalizer this season.MR. ENERGY: Chris Clarke missed 13 games as a freshman with a broken foot, but was a huge energy source when available. Hes very athletic, can play every position except center and always provides a spark on the court.We were distinctly a different team when he played, Williams said.KINGS OF THE CASSELL: Cassell Coliseum is a difficult place to play when the fans, already right on top of the court fill it up and find reasons to be loud. Making home game must-see events for the student body and community is one of the goals for this season and will only enhance the Hokies move toward being a consistent ACC winner.---Online: The APs college basketball page: http://collegebasketball.ap.org---Follow Hank on Twitter: www.twitter.com/hankkurzjr Julian Weigl Jersey . Kozun faked to the forehand and beat Monsters starter, Calvin Pickard, pad side in the second round for the winner. Spencer Abbott also scored in the shootout for the Marlies (25-13-4). Shinji Kagawa Jersey . -- Anaheim Ducks defenceman Luca Sbisa will be out at least six weeks with a torn tendon in his right hand. http://www.footballdortmundpro.com/Kids-Sergio-Gomez-Jersey/ . -- Former San Diego Chargers safety Paul Oliver was found dead at his Atlanta-area home Tuesday night, and a medical examiner said Wednesday that the ex-player committed suicide. Jeremy Toljan Dortmund Jersey . 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New England midfielder Lee Nguyen set up both goals, creating Senes goal in the 13th minute, a 25-yard blast from atop the penalty box area, then making a pass from atop the right corner of the penalty box to create Imbongos goal, a sliding touch, in the 78th minute. San Jose is 1-8-2 on the road this season, beinng outscored 21-7.dddddddddddd The Earthquakes played with leading scorer Chris Wondolowski, who is on duty with the U.S. national team. New England goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth had to make just two saves for his eighth shutout of the season and faced just two corner kicks. San Joses best chances to score came on a shot by Alan Gordon in the 13th minute that slipped just wide of the right goalpost; a drive by Walter Martinez in the 54th minute and Sam Cronins right-footed drive in the 69th minute, the latter two forcing saves. New England, 4-2-3 at home this season, dominated the first half of play with 11 shots and four corner kicks, while San Jose did not have a shot and just one corner kick. ' ' '