Evil Empire? Not Really

The New York Yankees have come to be known around baseball as the evil empire. But really, the Yankees stepped up when it meant most to Virginia Tech, and helped in the healing effort after the tragedies that happened on April 16th. Today at 3, the Yankees beat the Hokies 11-0, but the game really didn't matter.

Before the game, the entire Yankee team that made the trip (including Jeter, A-Rod, Damon and Posada) toured the monument and spent time with the student body, doing their best to help Virginia Tech move on from what had happened. Immediately after the shooting event had happened, the game was scheduled, and Steinbrenner donated 1 million dollars to the Hokie Spirit Memorial fund. For the players who played in the game, it must have been a thrill, getting to play the New York Yankees, the most famous baseball team in the world.

With all of the problems that have gone on in professional sports (cheating, dogfighting, steroids, referee scandals, etc.) the Yankees are showing what is rights. The team took their only off day during spring training to go and help a university that needed it the most. I believe that I speak on behalf of all of Hokie nation in thanking Steinbrenner and the Yankees for making the trip and lending such a large helping hand to Virginia Tech.



In other baseball news, the Red Sox also did the right thing by refusing to play a spring training game and refusing to board a plane to Japan until Major League Baseball came threw and paid what they promised to the coaches and trainers who also had to make the trip. This was another case of baseball players doing what was right, as the team took a unanimous vote to stand up for the coaches and trainers who don't get noticed nearly as much as the players.

NCAA Snubs Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech was on the bubble coming into today's NCAA selection show, despite showing that they have the talent and teamwork to beat any team in the country. Yet come NCAA time for the selection commitee to select who gets in, they get left out. The RPI, which the NCAA commitee uses as part of its judgement for who gets in, shows that the ACC as the best conference, yet the number 4 team doesn't get in? Incredible. Tech posted a 9-7 conference record, which was good enough to get them a first round bye. Yes, they are lacking a good record against the top 50, but they definitely deserved to be in the tournament. They are a better team than Baylor (who lost its first game against Big 12 #12 Colorade in the tournament), Kentucky, Oregon, South Alabama and Villanova. They had the 36th best strength of scedule in the country, and once again (the same way that it happened it football, where Tech was #1 in the computers) the NCAA has decided that it is better to play bad teams and win then go down to the wire with good teams. Maybe the only reason that Virginia Tech didn't make the tournament was that Georgia won the SEC title and took away their slot, but it shouldn't have mattered. Virginia Tech was easily one of the 31 best at-large teams, yet they didn't get into the tournament. Why? Because the head of the tourney commitee came out and said something to the extent of "[We don't look at how good your conference is]." Why, because there are problems with the selection committee. 1) The ACC has no representatives, while the Big East, SEC and Pac-10 do (see Villanova, Kentucky and Oregon). 2) Although the power conferences dominate college basketball, there are 6 members who come from mid-majors (aka Garbage conferences) which easily explains why they got a generous 6 at large bids this year (including South Alabama). 3) The committee can't decide whether RPI should be used or not. 4) The RPI is flawed even if it is used. Its obvious that Virginia Tech got snubbed from the NCAA tournament just like they got snubbed from the BCS National Championship game. Now all I can do is hope that their basketball team doesn't come out dissapointed and play a not great game because they are less than excited from getting screwed by the NCAA.

Young Hokies Provide Tons of Hope

Coming into the College Baskeball season Virginia Tech was expected to regress from last year, when they gained a 5 seed in the NCAA tournament and lost in the second round. Tech did regress, but not as much as people were expecting them to. Preseason ACC predictions picked Tech anywhere from 9th to 12th in the twelve team league, with between 2 and 5 conference wins. Yet Virginia Tech has gone 16-11 overall and 7-6 in ACC play, all while starting 3 freshman most games. Could Seth Greenberg be the couach of the year? Yes.

The off-season was filled with one of the best recruiting classes in the country, as Seth Greenberg pulled in five 4 Star commits, two 3 Star commits and a two start commit. Everything didn't stay that good for the Hokies however. Projected starting PG Nigel Munson transferred out of the school (which made way for Hank Thorns). Robert Krabbendam, who wasn't very good, but gave Tech some extra height on the inside left to play in the Netherlands, his home country. Finally, 4 Star commit Gus Gilchrist backed out leaving the Hokies with a hole at center (they have filled that for next year by signing 4 Star prospect Victor Davilia), but the Hokies have played well by using 2 or 3 forwards at a time.

While there is still a lot to be seen (after going 8-8 in conference with 3 freshman starters, Dowdell, Gordon and Collins, the Hokies slipped to 4-12 in conference in 2005-06) all of the freshman should get plenty of playing time, and should have developed into a great team in the next couple years. This year the only losses will be Deron Washington (who provides more emotional support and gets the crowd fired up with his ultra athletic dunks. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXNJQFi_R50 or any other youtube clips) and backup Marcus Travis, who rarely plays. This means that Virginia Tech, a team that is still in the running for an NCAA bid this year, should only improve over the next 3 years.

Here are the players who could lead them on this run, and try and establish Virginia Tech as a good basketball school under terrific coach Seth Greenberg.

Freshman PG/SG Malcom Delaney. He has played well and has been getting more playing time as the year has progressed. He splits time between Point and Shooting Gaurd. Delaney is likely to step into AD Vassallo's role after he graduates. He can make it rain from down town, is a great FT shooter, and should be plenty expirienced for the next few years, which can only make him better.

Freshman PG Hank Thorns. He came to Tech after Nigel Munson transferred out. His biggest weakness is that he is only 5'10 making him a defensive liability. He has an OK outside game, and is a good FT shooter. He has played extremely well down the stretch, and is so quick he can beat the press by himself. The most important thing that Thorns has come with is his hustle. Almost every game that he gets playing time Thorns has come up with good hustle plays that give Virginia Tech extra possessions.

Junior SG AD Vassallo. Tech's leading scorer this year, Vassallo is an excellent marksman and should again lead the team in scoring next year. He has worked on the other areas of his game, and can score in many different ways. His defense has improved, but still needs to be worked on. If the Hokies are continue to step forward next year, Vassallo will play a key role splitting time between SG and SF.

Freshman SG Dorenzo Hudson- Hudson, who also played football in HS came to Tech in the second semester of this season due to academic reasons. His playing time has increased recently, although he still seemingly needs lots of work. In HS he had a great mid range game, and was pretty good from behind the arc. However, he has struggled from 3-point land since coming to Tech. With increased playing time, and a full year of practice and training camp, Hudson should continue to develop. Although he will still struggle to get playing time becuase he can't play point and will be competing against Delaney and Vassallo, Hudson could emerge as a good scorer two years down the road.

Freshman SF Terrell Bell- Bell, who hasn't seen much playing time this year should see a large roll next year as the heir apparent to Deron Washington's spot. Although he won't energize the crowd as much, Bell brings things that Washington didn't have. Bell should develop into a great mid range scorer, as he has a good jump shot. He doesn't have much range from behind the arc, but Tech should have other options. Bell's best aspect of his game is defense, and he should be the best defensive player at Tech now that Gordon is gone. He is very athletic, and might score more than Washington as early as next season.

Sophmore PF Lewis Witcher- Withcer has fought for playing time with Jeff Allen, JT Thompson and Cheick Diakite. A 4 Star recruit coming out of HS, Witcher has played well when getting extensive playing time. Great offensive rebounder who should get playing time. Possibly could play some SF next year, although he would be big, he has a solid mid range game.

Freshman PF JT Thompson- Got his first start against Duke when Jeff Allen was suspended, and has impressed since. Will take Deron Washington's role as player who can energize the crowd with impressive dunks. He can play SF as well, although his mid range game needs work. Solid defensive player who is capable of getting blocked shots. He is small for a PF but doesn't have the speed to play SF consistently, although he is very athletic. He should continue to score when playing, but he will have to fight for ample time.

Freshman PF Jeff Allen- The highlight of Tech's recruiting class, Allen has posted 7 double-doubles so far this season. Although he will need to continue to work on his conditioning and remaining composed in games, Allen could be a star in the ACC for the next couple of years. He has great hands and is good at accumulating steals from the PF position. Solid shot blocker whoh averages about 1 per game. Good size, although he isn't that tall. Allen should lead the Hokies in rebounding the next couple of years. The most important thing for Allen will be staying out of foul trouble.

Junior PF Cheick Diakite- A defensive specialist, he will lost playing time because his offensive game still needs polish. He is improving as a low block scorer, but shouldn't shoot any jumpers. He can also play center, and is the best shot blocker on the team. Next year he should help provide leadership, as he has always had a hard work ethic. Called a "poor man's Ben Wallace by the coaching staff, he will accumulate Blocks and Boards when he gets playing time.

New Recruits:
C/PF Victor Davilia: Should get immediate playing time as he can play center, although he is only 6'8. A great rebounder and low block scorer, he will have to fight for playing time, but should get it next year.

SG Kendall Durant: Will struggle to get playing time amidst all of Tech's gaurds next season, could be redshirted. Good range.

C Gene Swindle: Big center won't see the floor much next year. Project.

With all of the young talent that the Hokies have, this is a team that should be able to compete for NCAA bids and the ACC title. UNC and Duke will have better rated players, but the expirience that Tech will have should help them win close games for years to come.