Daily Buzz

GLOBAL GAMES
As reported a few weeks back, all four of GT's hoops recruits for the 2004 class will be on the roster for the Coca Cola Global Games. They will compete in Dallas June 27 - July 3. Here is a link to the global games website - link here. Here is the complete roster:

Ra’Sean Dickey F 6-10 Georgia Tech
Byron Eaton G 5-10 Dallas Lincoln
Zam Frederick G 6-0 Georgia Tech
Brent Hackett G 6-3 TCU
Malik Hairston F 6-6 Oregon
Jason Horton G 6-1 Missouri
Maarty Leunen F 6-9 Oregon
Jawaan McClellan G/F 6-5 Arizona
Anthony Morrow G/F 6-6 Georgia Tech
Chamberlain Oguchi G 6-4 Oregon
Tim Pierce F 6-6 Arizona State
Derrick Roberts G 6-3 SMU
Jeremis Smith F 6-7 Georgia Tech
Bryce Taylor G 6-5 Oregon
Donald Sloan (Alternate) G 6-2 Dallas Seagoville
Emanuel Willis F 6-8 USC

Looks like Dickey is the tallest guy on the team.

The schedule is on the website. Looks like they will battle Canada first, then China, Russia, Croatia, Lithuania. The games will be played at SMU's Moody Coliseum in Dallas TX.

ERIC HENDERSON RECEIVES WILMA RUDOLPH AWARD
Now THIS is something to be proud of. Story here. I love his quote:

"I am quite sure that my mom and grandmother would be more proud of the fact that I was named to the Dean's List at Georgia Tech, rather than first-team all-ACC in football," said Henderson. "The struggles that I have experienced both personally and academically have shaped the person that I am today. I am well on my way to graduating from Georgia Tech. This has not been an easy road; I firmly believe, however, that my personal experiences have prepared me for a lifetime of success beyond playing the game of football."

Folks, THAT is what college athletics is about. We like the winning and all that, but this is the way things are supposed to work. Congrats to EH on a well deserved honor!!!

WHERE ARE THEY NOW - MIKE NICKEAS
Already qualifying for the "where are they now" segment, Mike was "sparkling" in his professional debut, going 3-5 with 3 RBI's, 3 runs and an HR. Story here.

A Tug Hulett walk set the table for Nickeas’ late game heroics. Although Timpner was the first person to christen The GROTTO in last night’s game, Nickeas will go down in Indians history as the first Spokane Indians player to touch down in the GROTTO. Nickeas blasted a Sobieraj offering into the short porch 296 feet away in right field for his first professional home run. The former Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket gave the Indians the lead, and ultimately the victory in what is shaping up to be a thrilling five-game, GROTTO filled series. Nickeas, making his first appearance in and Indians uniform, was brilliant in his professional debut, going 3-for-5 with three runs batted in.

RATING THE ACC RUNNING BACKS
Ok, sorry, but this guy got it wrong. Here is how he rates the RB units:

NCST, UVA, Miami, FSU, WF, GT, MD, UNC, CU, VT, DK

Here is what he said about GT:

6. Georgia Tech – Junior P. J. Daniels burst on to the scene in 2003, rushing for 1447 yard and scoring 10 TDs. He will undoubtedly contend for the league rushing title. Given Tech’s recent ability to develop runners (Daniels and Tony Hollings), there should an adequate replacement should injuries arise.

There is no way you can have the league-leading RB and a nice core of back-ups rated as #6 in the league. As usual, GT is regularly underestimated by the media. I guess it is the popular thing to do.

No way GT's RB core is any worse than #4 in the league, and probably in the top 3. There is no doubt that PJ's best performances were aginst subpar teams (except FSU). As usual, the real answer will only be determined on the field.

MICAH OWINGS' BROTHER SIGNS WITH THE BRAVES
Clemson loses their 3rd high school recruit in a month. No doubt that hurts. In this case it is John Mark Owings, Micah's younger brother. My guess is that this means we can kiss older bro' good-bye, but who knows. Story here.

CAN YOU WIN A HOOPS TITLE WITHOUT A 1ST ROUND PICK?
A UK article talks about UK and their 59-9 record without any 1st round draftees. Of course they have won a lot, but didn't have the horses to kick it in the highest gear and take the title. Story here. GT gets mention in the article also.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW - DEAN KEENER
Nice article on Keener and his new role with JMU.

Keener, 38, has worked for several coaches in his 16 years as a Division I assistant, among them Hussey, Foster, Hewitt and Southern Cal's George Raveling.

"I'll take a little bit from all of them, but probably a little bit more from Paul because his style fits how I want to play," Keener said.

Hewitt, in a phone interview Saturday, called Keener "one of the brightest guys I've ever been around in the game, whether it's his academic background - his Davidson degree - or his basketball knowledge."

WHERE ARE THEY NOW - TONY AKINS
What if I told you Tony Akins could end up playing pro-hoops in ATL? Would you believe me? It could happen - with the ABA Gwinnett Grizzlies.

Former Georgia Tech 5"10 standout point guard Tony Akins asked Dennis Stewart a Gwizzlies staunch supporter and father of Gwizzlies ballplayer Jason Stewart, "What is a Gwinnet Gwizzlies" while he was working out at Atlanta Run N Shoot gym.

Dennis Stewart is a friend of Akins' father and he informed both about the ABA team. Akins just finished from playing overseas in FIBA. Gwizzlies officials said they love to have Akins in training camp in October at Suwanee because he probaly still have a local following of fans. Akins has an invitation to meet the team in Long Beach for a two day workout.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW - JEREMY SLAYDEN
Slayden has yet to sign with the Oakland A's. Here is the list of A's picks and who has been signed.

HOOPS RECRUITING
Jamal Boykin is a 6'7" 220 lb, mature, powerful post player who has some outside touch as well. He is #66 on the Rivals ranking, #25 Hoopsmasters, #35 prepstars, #57 Dave Telep. He is being recruited by BC, Louisville, Duke, Illinois, Pitt, Oregon, among others along with GT. Louisville has kind of dropped out of the picture with all the recent verbal commits they have received. However the key is Duke. It looks like they have not offered. If they do, they will probably get him. If they don't it's wide open. It looks like Duke might have Boykin as their 3rd choice on the board (Boetang and T.Biggs 1 and 2, although these guys are centers). Of course we are in the running for Boetang also - in his top 5.

Eric Boetang is the #13 ranked player by Rivals, #14 hoopsmasters, #16 prepstars, #13 Dave Telep. He is 6'10" 230lb. He is being recruited by a bunch of schools, including Duke, UCLA, Georgetown, Michigan, Villinova and of course GT. Word is that we are in his top 5. Word is also that Duke may have made their official offer and they could be in the driver seat - hard to tell. This kid has a rep as an incredible coachable kid who is hungry to learn the game.