Virginia Tech will be without forward J.T. Thompson for the early part of the season.

Hokies coach Seth Greenberg said Wednesday that Thompson will have surgery for a hernia on Friday, the day the Hokies open the season against Gardner-Webb.

Thompson had an ultrasound Tuesday to determine whether he had a hernia or simply a strained abdominal muscle. He will be out 4-6 weeks.

Thompson was one of the contenders for the starting small forward job and will also be used at power forward. The sophomore averaged 5.6 points and 4.1 rebounds last season.