Virginia Tech Basketball: Interview With Justin Bibbs

After an early exit from the 2017 NCAA Tournament, we sat down with Justin Bibbs of Virginia Tech about what lies ahead

The Virginia Tech Hokies made it to the NCAA tournament for the first time in a decade. Although they lost their first game against the Wisconsin Badgers, the Hokies finished 22-11 on the season and 10-8 in a loaded ACC conference.

The last time this basketball program had 22 wins was during the 2010-2011 season when Seth Greenberg was head coach. The post Seth Greenberg era was ugly. Under James Johnson, the Hokies won 22 games and only six ACC games over the course of two seasons. The stands at Cassell Coliseum were empty, with the Hokies at the bottom of the ACC. On March 24, 2014, a program-changing decision was made.

Buzz Williams of Marquette was hired as the new head coach for Virginia Tech basketball. The Hokies went 11-22 during his first season (2-16 in ACC play), 20-15 the next season (10-8 in ACC play), and as mentioned, 22-11 (10-8 in ACC play) for the 2016-2017 season. A Division I basketball program is not going to be rebuilt over night. It takes time. Although Coach Williams had a rough first season, he took the team to the NIT tournament in his second season, and to the NCAA tournament in his third season.

More from Sir Charles In Charge

People scratched their heads when Buzz Williams took the Virginia Tech job. Why come to Blacksburg and coach the laughing stock of the ACC when you already have an established and successful program at Marquette? Well, this season made it pretty clear that Coach Williams wanted to build a program back up from its ruins, and wanted Virginia Tech to be a school not known solely for their football.

I did a Q and A with sharpshooter Justin Bibbs, who will be a senior next season for the Hokies. Bibbs has shot over 40 percent from three-point range each of his first three seasons at Virginia Tech. He started all 33 games that he played in this year, and reached the 1,000 point club. With the departures of Zach LeDay and Seth Allen, Bibbs will step into an ever bigger leadership role for his final year.

Q: I started right off with the tournament and loss to Wisconsin. Although not where you guys wanted to finish, would you consider this season a success considering you got the program back to the NCAA tournament for the first time in 10 years?

Bibbs: “It’s a good feeling to help a program get back to the tournament, but personally I’m not satisfied. So I wouldn’t consider it all the way success.”

Although a sense of some accomplishment, Bibbs was not completely satisfied with how the season ended.

Q: What did Buzz tell you guys postgame after the Wisconsin loss?

Bibbs: “He didn’t say much about the game. He loved how we fought hard all year and we prayed over the seniors.”

Although they started only five games each this past season, Seth Allen and Zach LeDay were the two leading scorers for the Hokies. Seth Allen achieved the 6th man award for the ACC. Bibbs will become a crucial player in terms of making up for the scoring that will be lost.

I then asked Justin Bibbs about his high school days. Bibbs played at powerhouse Montverde Academy in Florida. He helped Montverde to a 28-0 record as a senior, and won back-to-back national Dick’s H.S. Invitational national championships. Montverde is at the top of the high school basketball world every single year. There has been so many great players to have been apart of their program over the years. Bibbs played with players like Ben Simmons and D’Angelo Russell, and was coached by Kevin Boyle, the former St Patrick’s (New Jersey) great.

Q: What was it like being at the top of the high school basketball world at Montverde?

Bibbs: “It felt good! It felt good that everywhere we went, people knew us and we played like no nobody could mess with us. It gave me (us) a layer of confidence. But it meant that every time we stepped on the court with another team, we had to bring it. Because everybody is trying to knock off a #1 team.”

Q: What was it like playing with names like Ben Simmons, D’Angelo Russell, Dakari Johnson, Kasey Hill, Devin Williams and Jalyn Patterson. What’s your relationship with your high school teammates today?

Bibbs: “It was a good experience playing with those guys and they taught me a lot of stuff (on and off the court) that I didn’t know back at home. I’m still in contact with them to this day. Even though we’re in different places in our lives, we are still trying to meet up in the summer in LA.”

Q: Describe the unique passing abilities that Ben and D’Angelo have

Bibbs: “They’re great passers. They always know where everybody is on the court and they can predict what the defense is going to do. They were always a play ahead. It made it easier for my teammates and I to score because they were willing to pass.”

Live Feed

Washington Wizards: Can Poole or Kuzma make the All-Star game next season? /

Wiz of Awes

Will the Charlotte Hornets be in the 2024 NBA Draft Lottery?Swarm and Sting

NBA Center Tier List: Where does Zach Collins rank?Air Alamo

Why Team USA's World Cup failure will lead to a new Dream Team in 2024Hoops Habit

Battle For Banner 18: Will Boston Celtics battle historical foe in 2024 Finals?Hardwood Houdini

The "what if" moment that changed every NBA team foreverHoops Habit

Q: Being from Dayton, Ohio, was going to prep school in Florida good preparation for college in terms of basketball and in terms of living away from home? How did you enjoy the Florida weather?

Bibbs: “Leaving home when I was 16 was pretty tough but it conditioned me for the college life style. I learned how to live on my own and be responsible. Just leaving local talent for a team with global talent is a major difference. That big leap helped propel me to a higher level of play. And I loved the weather. There was always sun and when it rained, it was only for 20 minutes and then the sun would shine again.”

Q: Coach Kevin Boyle wanted to create a culture at Montverde similar to the one at St. Patrick’s. He wanted to develop a mindset based on toughness, defense, and energy. In what ways is he similar to Buzz?

Bibbs: “They are very similar because they really focus on being tough and having energy on every defensive possession.”

Buzz Williams is known for his passion and energy and always paces back and forth during games. Always doused in sweat, he wants to get the most out of his players. His players feed off of his energetic and enthusiastic approach to coaching.

Montverde Academy plays against all the great prep schools, so Bibbs played against a lot of great high school players. I asked him about one particular player who made a lot of headlines this season, as well as the best player that he thought he played against.

Q: What was it like playing against Grayson Allen (Providence School), how was his game in high school? Who was the best high school player you played against?

Bibbs: “It’s pretty much the same as now. He’s a great driver that can shoot too. He’s very hard to guard. Players like him, we had to just focus on making it hard for him to get his buckets and and then shut their other players down too. The best player that I’ve played against was probably Isaiah Whitehead. I had to guard him the whole game and it was a tough matchup because he knows how to score and set up his teammates at the same time.”

More from Sir Charles In Charge

Now that we are near the end of the college basketball season, I asked Bibbs about the Final Four, and his thoughts on the best draft prospect heading into the Summer.

Q: Who is going to win the title this season for college basketball now that we are down to 4?

Bibbs: “I would like to see South Carolina win it, I like how they play and pride themselves on defense. And plus, I know those guys, and we scrimmage them each year before the season.”

South Carolina is the underdog left in the race and will face Gonzaga on Saturday, while Oregon will face off with North Carolina.

Q: Best NBA prospect you played against this season?

Bibbs: “Even though Dennis Smith Jr. went off against us, I’d have to say Jayson Tatum. He has all the tools. I played with him on the U19 USA team so playing with and against him, he always has my vote.”

Bibbs played on the 2015 USA Basketball U19 National Team that captured the gold medal with a perfect 7-0 record at the 2015 FIBA U19 World Championship in Heraklion, Greece. Bibbs played alongside Jawun Evans (Oklahoma State), Terrance Ferguson (Australia), Jalen Brunson (Villanova), Allonzo Trier (Arizona), Jayson Tatum (Duke), Josh Jackson (Kansas), L.J. Peak (Georgetown), Harry Giles (Duke), Caleb Swanigan (Purdue), Chinanu Onuaku (Louisville, Houston Rockets), and Thomas Welsh (UCLA). Playing on this team gave Bibbs great experience, and the opportunity to play with outstanding young talent.

Most people wonder what a regular day is like for a D1 athlete, so I asked Bibbs to take me through an ordinary day for him.

Q: Give me an idea of what a day in the life of a division one basketball player is like? How do you manage everything?

Bibbs: “Ok, during the off-season. I wake up at 6:30am, go work out, then head to study hall, then class, then lift weights, and then get some shots. During the season. Get up around the 6:30am. Watch film, then go to class, then practice afterwards, and then get shots up. My day is over around 6 or 7pm.”

Buzz Williams has played such an important part in his life on and off the court, so I asked Bibbs how impactful Williams has been for him.

Q: Seth Allen told me last year that when he met with Buzz, he didn’t need to meet with anyone else. He knew right then and there that he was coming here. How did Buzz sell you on coming to Blacksburg?

Bibbs: “He didn’t really sell me to come here. He didn’t recruit when he was at Marquette. So when he took the job here, I just decided to stay and just ride the wave.”

Q: What type of impact has Buzz had for you beyond basketball?

Bibbs: “He has done a lot for me and my teammates. He’s like a father away from home. He’s the ultimate leader. He teaches 60% about life and 40% basketball and that’s not normal in the basketball world.”

Coach Williams is so respected around the game of basketball due to his character, reverence, love for the game, but most importantly his love for his players. It is not just about basketball, it is much more than that.

I asked Bibbs a few fun questions at the end, while also asking him about his expectations and aspirations for his senior season.

Q: Favorite NBA player all-time?

Bibbs: “Kobe Bryant and Derrick Rose fan. But right now, I like what James Harden is doing.”

Q: Are you a Drake fan? If so, thoughts on More Life, favorite song on the album?

Bibbs: “I am a Drake fan. It’s a weird album, but I like it. And my favorite song is probably Ice Melts or Blem.”

Q: What are your goals for your senior season individually and collectively as a team?

Bibbs: “My personal goal is to make an All-Team Award at the end of the year. And my team goal is to make the Sweet 16 next year.”

Buzz Williams wants his players to learn from their experiences not just to become better basketball players, but to become better people. His motivation is unbelievable and contagious. He is a great teacher and a great leader, and instills values in his players. Justin Bibbs is the perfect example. He always has a smile on his face no matter the day.

Must Read: What's Next For Paul George, Should He Leave Indiana?

Always willing to answer a question, and always willing to listen to what you may have to say. Coach Williams has built quite a program here in Blacksburg in only three years. I’ve witnessed Cassell Coliseum so empty that you could hear a whisper, and I have been there when it was sold out. Three years can make quite a difference if you find the right person to lead your program. It doesn’t happen over night, but with patience, it can happen.

The Virginia Tech Hokies bring in a five-star shooting guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker and four-star point guard Wabissa Bede next season. Look for Justin Bibbs to lead Virginia Tech to a second consecutive NCAA tournament appearance next year.