Hoops: Paul Hewitt Report

Paul Hewitt was in New York City last night and took time to speak to Yellow Jacket alums. He spoke about a variety of topics and said a lot of things of interest to Jacket fans. One of our readers, "JC", was there and sent me his re-cap of the night. However he wanted you to know these thoughts are from memory and will not capture the exact wording. We will try to capture the spirit of Coach Hewitt's comments though. There are some things that obviously could not be reported on this public forum:


1. He mentioned that he had signed Buck Fredrick's release yesterday morning.


2. We are recruiting another PG, and have been because of the Jack / Fredrick situations. No names mentioned of course. (However, keep your eye on Devin Stewart, a name I posted here some time ago before all this Fredrick fiasco).


3. Hewitt has a strong feeling that Austin Jackson will in fact be playing college basketball next season. The family is very education oriented. Nice things to say about him. Also, the beesball coach confirmed - he can hit!


4. Coach talked a lot about what a character person Jarrett Jack is - how he is a real ambassador for the Georgia Tech program. Also, Jack going to the NBA is not as much of a done deal as some might think (even Coach Hewitt it turns out). Coach did sit down with Jack a couple of weeks ago and Jack was very undecided. Jack loves Georgia Tech and would like to graduate and get his jersey retired. He also is hoping to be drafted higher and is currently projected 20-30...... We should fully expect Jack to declare for the draft in early May, not hire an agent, but then decide in early June if he will withdraw his name or not. It all depends on his workouts and where he moves on the draft boards. If he stays 20-30, there's a decent chance he will be in a Jacket uni next season........


5. Theodis Tarver was really coming on before his knee injury. Since that time, he was moved to the 4-spot because of Dickey and Luke at the 5-spot and was shaky there. He was willing to change for the team in order to add depth, but was really out of position. Coach thinks that he will be better next season, as he moves back to the 5-spot.


6. Anthony Morrow is a shooter, but deferred to the upperclassman during the season. Coach was not surprised at that based on the high school he attended (Charlotte Latin), and he expects a lot more from A-Mo next season.


7. When he first committed, Alade Aminu was not expected to contribute a lot his freshman year. However, as his season progressed, every game Coach Hewitt saw him play (except one), he kept getting better and better. Coach expects that Aminu could be a major contributor this season.


8. Coach praised both Jeremis Smith and Ra'Sean Dickey. He said that without Jeremis, we don't get to the ACC tourney finals and to the NCAA's.


9. Luke Schenscher is considering working out this summer in California to help his draft stock.


10. Through all the adversity this past season, the team never lost focus and never fell apart. They stayed focused on winning and Coach had nothing but praise for everyone.


11. T-Mac wants to play pro ball (in Europe or wherever) and Coach wants him back as a graduate assistant. If not now, it is likely to happen in the future, as Hewitt really thinks highly of T-Mac.


12. Georgia Tech needs a real practice facility to help with our recruiting. It is a real disadvantage when recruiting against the Duke's, Carolina's and other majors. To consistently land these McDonald AA's that are interested in Tech, we need upgraded practice facilities.

Football: Devastating News for Jacket Fans

Could we possibly start a season with some good news please? Not this year. Daryl Richard has been lost for the season. He injured his knee in Saturday's scrimmage and MRI's confirm that 2005 will be a redshirt season for the talented DT. To say that Jacket fans are disappointed is an understatement. Richard is one of the best DT prospects to ever sign with Tech and fans were licking their chops after watching his performance in Orlando, where he recorded 2 sacks, a safety and was named to SI's all-bowl team.


The good news is that Coach Gailey reports that he is doing well and seems to be handling things well. We all send our thoughts and prayers his way.


To help you feel even worse I will post his bio from Ramblinwreck.com:

2004: Named to Sports Illustrated magazine's All-Bowl team after a strong performance in Tech's 51-14 victory over Syracuse in the Champs Sports Bowl . . . Had two sacks in the game, including one in the end zone for a safety . . . Helped Tech hold the Orange to just 51 yards rushing and 281 total yards . . . Collected seven tackles for loss on the season, including four sacks . . . Totalled 14 tackles . . . Had three tackles with two TFL and one sack in Tech's win at NC State . . . Also had a sack in win at Clemson . . . Missed much of the preseason with a knee injury.


HIGH SCHOOL: One of the nation's premier defensive line prospects . . . Named to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Super Southern 100 . . . Rated the No. 12 player in Louisiana by SuperPrep and the No. 13 player in the state by Rivals.com . . . Prep Star all-America . . . The No. 9 defensive lineman and No. 93 player in the nation by Tom Lemming and ESPN.com . . . The No. 30 player on TheInsiders.com South Hot 100 . . . Rated the No. 15 defensive tackle in the nation by TheInsiders.com and No. 34 by Rivals.com . . . Played in the U.S. Army All-American all-star game . . . Recorded 85 tackles, 12 sacks and 18 tackles for loss as a senior . . . Added 65 tackles and seven sacks as a junior . . . Coached by Steve Robichaux at Destrehan High School . . . Student body President . . . One of five national finalists for the 2004 Franklin D. Watkins Memorial Trophy, presented by the National Alliance of African American Athletes to promote academic excellence among young African American males.

TECH LOSES DEFENSIVE STARTER RICHARD


RICHARD SUSTAINS KNEE INJURY


DARYL RICHARD PHOTO GALLERY

Hoops: Official Word from RamblinWreck.com

Well, short and sweet.........

"We wish Zam all the best in the future," said Hewitt.

In addition, I have a "Point 6" to add to my post below about Zam, so go down and read that:

Hoops: More on Zam Fredrick

Well, the official stories are breaking now and Zam Fredrick Jr. is transferring. I'll post them below. However, here is my take:


1. Buck was inline to get major minutes. Now he will have to sit out a season. That is lack of patience. Buck, there are McDonalds All-Americans sitting on benches on the best teams. That's why they win. Heck, Lee Melchionni was a top 100 player and he walked on to Duke. Talk about sacrifice.


2. We are better off without Buck. Not because he couldn't contribute - because he would have. Because of the attitude. I don't know Buck's personal take on this right now, but everything from dear old dad is about the minutes. It's about PT. I'm sorry, but with Coach Hewitt's philosophy, we don't need someone that could be a cancer to the team. We lost Ed Nelson, an ACC ROY, and flourished. Why? We added Clarence Moore and we quadrupled team chemistry. You have to have people who buy into the team philosophy is you are going to have one. So we will be better off without a guy who is sulking about minutes, even if it means we have no PG at all.


3. I am curious how much of this is coming from Senior versus Junior. All comments are being spread by the senior. The appearance of things is that not only in Senior controlling the situation, but that he's using it to try and land a job as either the new head coach or an assistant at USC - his alma mater. Senior already met with Odom about Junior at the start of the season, so don't think this is a new situation.


4. Most of all I feel bad for Buck. Why? Because he might be missing out on the best opportunity of his life next season at GT - all because he lacks patience and wants to be the man. Could he succeed in the ACC? Many will take pot-shots and say no. Personally, I think he would have, but we'll never know. Unfortunately this is the minefield that exists when navigating the mixed messages being sent to the youth.


5. I do think this hurts Coach Hewitt's reputation. Don't get me wrong. I don't blame Coach Hewitt. He did what he felt was right. You earn your spot and your minutes and he felt Buck didn't earn his over the other guys in the line-up. But at the end of the day, Buck was Mr.Basketball in the state of SC. He is the state's all-time leading scorer. He does have worlds of potential, but Coach could not get through to him (or a combination of him and his father). That hurts a coaches reputation, but that is life in the bigtime.


6. Zam may have seen the writing on the wall about the future of the GT program. He knows that Coach Hewitt is recruiting a bigtime PG and he knows the talent coming in and the talent interested in GT for 2006. Maybe some of this is a confidence thing. Maybe he wonders just enough about his future in a rising program, and doesn't want to get shutout his entire career. He knows Coach plays people when they earn minutes. Maybe he has serious doubts about earning minutes with the direction the program is headed. Maybe he would rather go play in the SEC where he knows he will get the minutes he needs, even if it means sitting out a year. Tech fans are in distress about next season if Jack goes, A.Jackson never shows up and Buck transfers. But guess what - we all know one of the elite PG's will be coming on board the following year, along with the talented SG's Coach is signing up. So where will that leave Buck? Could be in the cold. Tech fans will be happy that he helped us through 2006, but then we'll be on to the "hotshot new PG", and we will push Buck aside as well. So from this perspective, I don't blame him. The only disappointing thing - if all that is true, then it means he doesn't have the confidence he could earn PT with more talented competition. But I am just speculating now.


FRESHMAN GUARD FREDRICK TO TRANSFER

Well, let's just say expectations from dad might be a little high:

Fredrick, Sr. said that sitting in the stands and watching the way his son was being used was "gut wrenching" to him as a father and his former coach.

"It was a situation where we didn't feel Zam and the coaching staff were on the same page," Fredrick, Sr. said.

FREDRICK TO TRANSFER, EYES USC

More parental pressure:

South Carolina, the school where the elder Fredrick led the nation in scoring in 1981, tops the younger Fredrick's list for his next college home.


"We feel like that’s the best place for him," Fredrick Sr., said Monday.

FREDRICK LEAVING GATECH

"I'm going to be a Yellow Jacket, and I hope that I made the right decision and I want to thank the Lord for giving me this opportunity because without him, it wouldn't be possible. Now, I'm hoping that I made the right decision so I can do good things at the next level." - Guard Zambolist "Buck" Fredrick on Oct. 3, 2003 after announcing his plans to sign with Georgia Tech.

More from dear old dad:

"It was a combination of things," he said. "Early on as a freshman, you don't expect to come in and dominate, especially on a team like (Georgia Tech) where you had so many veterans at that position. But still, it's always been, and I'm a coach myself ... I understand how it is to develop young players and the one thing you want to take in account is their confidence level and give them enough space and room on the court to grow. I think halfway through the season ... during the recruiting process, there was never any discussion about the young man not playing. And that was something that we just could not accept. So here we are."

And guess what - could the elder Fredrick be using this opportunity to land an assistant coaching or head coaching job? You betcha:

With his son's search for a new home ongoing, Fredrick did not want to address comments about his future from the April 7 edition of the T&D. At the time, Fredrick said he would be very "interested" in applying for either the USC head coaching position if Odom left to pursue a similar position at the University of Virginia or an assistant basketball coaching job at the school.


With Odom apparently deciding to stay at USC, speculation now turns toward Fredrick possibly seeking an assistant position left vacant with Ricky Stokes' departure to become the new East Carolina men's basketball coach. For now, Fredrick said he plans to put such aspirations on hold as he searches for a new school for his son.

FREDRICK LEAVING GATECH

Hoops: Jarrett Jack

I didn't catch the interview tonight on FSN, but Jarrett Jack did say that he was 50/50 as to whether he was going to declare for the draft and that a decision would be announced in the next couple of weeks.


Here's my take.....


1. I fully expect Jack to enter his name into the draft so he can workout for teams.


2. I expect him NOT to sign with an agent


3. The longer this gets stretched out, the better the chances are that he stays.


4. I think the odds he stays are much less than 50/50 and Jack is being kind. He recently told the AJC that he is in a no-lose situation, which is great. But I peg the odds at more like 25%.


5. Lastly, I want you to think about the type of person Jarrett Jack is. When Paul Hewitt asked Jack what he thought about Will Bynum becoming a Yellow Jacket, his answer was - "if you think it will help us win, then let's get him here". We are talking about a kid who could have been a threat to Jack's position. I will always respect that about Jack. He was not about playing time, or TV exposure. He was about the team and about winning. I worry about the PG position next season if Jack leaves, Buck transfers and Austin Jackson only plays beesball. However, if we keep bringing in kids like JJack, the team will be just fine.

Hoops: It's Official - Fredrick to Transfer

Well, per Zam Fredrick Sr. on an internet report from Phil Kornblut - the sports director for the South Carolina news network - Zam Jr. has asked and been granted his release from Georgia Tech:

'Buck' Fredrick leaving Ga. Tech, has eye on USC


By THOMAS GRANT, T&D Senior Sports Writer


From almost the moment Zambolist "Buck" Fredrick began showing his prowess on the hardwood, people envisioned him one day wearing a Garnet and Black jersey.


Many assumed he would follow in the footsteps of his father, former University of South Carolina scoring champion Zam Fredrick. Instead, the younger Fredrick decided to follow his own path and opted to sign with the school where he felt most comfortable, Georgia Tech.


After one unsatisfying season in which the former "Mr. South Carolina Basketball" and three-time state champion at Calhoun County saw most of the game action up close from the bench, it appears Fredrick is ready to give the Gamecocks a second look.


On Monday, the elder Fredrick confirmed an Internet report by Palmetto Recruiting's Phil Kornblut that his son had requested and received a release from Georgia Tech. The longtime Saints' boys' basketball coach also said he planned to contact current USC men's basketball coach Dave Odom to see if there is interest in "Buck" transferring to USC.


Should Fredrick become a Gamecock, he would have to sit out the 2005-06 season since he's making a direct transfer from another Division I-A school.

MORE IN TUESDAY'S T&D AND AT TheTandD.com

Here's the direct internet report:

By Phil Kornblut
6-2 freshman guard Buck Frederick has asked for and been granted a released from Georgia Tech so that he can transfer to another school according to his father, Zam Frederick. "You get to where you feel it's best to move on," Zam Frederick said. "We feel it's better now to just go elsewhere. Frederick played in 19 games this season averaging under 2 points per game. And the elder Frederick said USC will be the target school for his son. "Carolina was always among his top choices," he said. "We're going to take a look to see if something is there." Frederick said he expected to contact USC head coach Dave Odom within the next 24-48 hours to check out the interest in his son.

Here's a post on another board so you can see what Gamecock fans think...... Here's another..... Pretty mixed reviews so far. Sounds like some fans are still bitter he didn't chose SC the first time around.

Hoops Rumors

Well, the rumor-mill is alive and well again. More swirling whispers about Zam "Buck" Fredrick transferring. Past rumors had him thinking about his father's alma-mater South Carolina. In what could be viewed as one of the twists in this story, it turns out that the possibility of Dave Odom leaving could impact what happens. Turns about Zam Fredrick Sr. is actually interested in the South Carolina coaching job should Odom leave. He's even interested in an assistant coaching slot. You think Zam's dad could convince him to transfer?

USC job "interests" Fredrick


Should Odom decide to leave USC, at least one former Gamecock men's basketball player has indicated he would not mind returning to his alma mater in a coaching capacity.


Calhoun County boys' basketball coach Zam Fredrick said he "would be very interested" in applying for the position if it became available despite no previous college coaching experience.


"It would be a great opportunity, and I'm certainly capable of doing it," said Fredrick, who played with the Gamecocks from 1978-81 and led the nation in scoring as a senior.


Should Odom stay, Fredrick is also receptive to applying for an assistant coaching position. USC currently has a vacancy after Ricky Stokes was named the new head coach at East Carolina, while another assistant, Barry Sanderson, has interviewed for the Florida Atlantic job. A third assistant, Rick Duckett, is reportedly in the running for the Coastal Carolina men's basketball head coaching position.


In 16 seasons with the Saints, Fredrick has posted an impressive record of 406-54 and is one of 17 Palmetto State boys' basketball high school coaches with 400 or more victories. He's also led Calhoun County to three state titles, six state title appearances and 14 region titles, while being named All-T&D Region Coach of the Year six times.


His son, Zambolist "Buck" Fredrick, played this past season for Georgia Tech.

So if the rumor is true, why is he transferring? Did he see himself left out of the rotation in the future? Does he know something about Jarrett Jack and his NBA decision? Has he just realized that Georgia Tech is not a good fit? Stay tuned........

Hoops: Charm City Challenge

UPDATE: Lewis Clinch did not play in the Charm City Challenge. He chose to participate in the Capital City Classic instead.


The US Team lost to the locals at the Charm City Challenge, even though they were severely outmanned in the post. The good news - Alade Aminu led the US team wit 19 points and 13 rebounds.

Georgia Tech signee Alade Aminu led the U.S. with 19 points and 13 rebounds. One of the even organizers sent me the box score and details. Here's what he said about Aminu:

Alade Aminu played well. He was named to the All-Tournament team and led the U.S. with 19 points and 13 rebounds. I think he will fill in nicely in Hewitt's system. He's athletic, but has a slender build. It was also hard to tell since the U.S. team was divided into 2 squads of 5 and each played 20 minutes.

I'll post the full box score once I figure out how to format it correctly, but Aminu went 7-11 from the floor, 0-1 from 3pt range, 5-9 from the FT line, 13 boards (3 off), 4 fouls, 3 turnovers, no blocks, no steals, all in 20 minutes (everyone played 20 minutes).

Hoops: Don't forget to catch Jarrett Jack...

... on "ACC Live" tonight...... Also, here's the pre-season video on his "gym rat" habits that was done in the pre-season. This is actually the follow-up to that story.

Beesball: Jackets trounce Winthrop in finale

Jackets win 20-3 in the 3rd game of the series against Winthrop and take the series 2-1. Very strong pitching performance from Blake Wood, who pitched 7 shutout innings.


Pay attention. Big game Wednesday. Time for the Dawgs. The mutts. The puppies.... Get ready.

Hoops Recruiting - Devin Stewart - 2005

Interesting comment from Devin Stewart, a 6'1" high school guard from the class of 2005:

"...and Devin Stewart each had 10.

Stewart, a 6-1 guard, said that he might have a shot at signing with Georgia Tech this spring."

In case you were curious, Stewart was named the Tuscon Boys Hoops Player of the Year. Here's a good story on him....... He was also named Southern Arizona player of the year, averaging 24 pts, 6 assists, 5 steals..... He was also named to the 2nd team all-state team. Seems the only real knock on his game is his outside shot, although he is very strong off the dribble.


So, will Coach Hewitt sign another guard in the class of 2005? Highly unlikely. He has commented publicly about looking for one more bigman. Maybe he'll get a chance to walk-on.

Hoops: Odd Chris Bosh quote

Interesting quote from Chris Bosh after getting crushed by the Grizzlies:

Raptors forward Chris Bosh, a former Georgia Tech star, was forced to play 47 of the 48 minutes in Wednesday's 104-74 humiliation to the Grizzlies. "I think the coaches were seeing if I was going to quit or not," he said. "And, you know, I don't have any quit in me. I'd like to win, but it's hard to say if anybody's with me."

Hoops Recruiting - the Ladies

I love this comment from 16-year Tiffany Blackmon, a female hoops player who has verbally committed to the Jackets. She has averaged 6 blocks per game all three years in high school:

"It's just instinct," she said. "Sometimes I'm surprised when girls try to take the ball over me, but I guess some people just never give up."

Track/Field: Shot Put Standout

Steve Marcelle will be joining the track team next season. Nice little story on the shot-putting standout.

Beesball: The Patterson Brothers

Nice story on Eric Patterson, with mention of his brother Cory, as well as other former Yellow Jackets Richard Lewis and Nomar Garciaparra.

Golf: Duval Rubbing the Magic Belly

Hey, David Duval said it, not me:

Duval going home: David Duval, once considered the best bet to become Woods' chief rival, missed his third straight cut at the Masters, struggling home at 75-77 for an 8-over 152.


He finished second at Augusta in 1998, sixth in '99 and third in 2000, but has been a non-factor ever since.


Duval, whose career has spiraled downward over the past three seasons, took a break from golf for seven months in 2004.


So far this year, he has played in eight tournaments, counting the Masters, and has failed to finish a single one.


Speaking of his golf swing, the 33-year-old former four-time All-American at Georgia Tech said: "I have one little thing I'm trying to iron out. I feel great. I know nobody wants to hear that, but I'm doing what I want to do.''


For the time being, all he wants to do is go home to be with his wife, who is expecting the birth of their son.


"That's going home to real life, not this fantasy world we're all privileged to be in,'' Duval said. "I'm excited to go home and rub my wife's stomach.''

Football: More on Johnson / Johnson

The Macon Telegraph has picked up on what everyone else saw - that both Johnson's looked strong at WR.....

Hoops Humor

Check out the funny t-shirt being sold - a little dig by Tarheel fans at Coach K;

Beesball: Jackets lose to Winthrop

Jason Neighborgall couldn't keep Winthrop from scoring and the Jacket bats didn't wake up until too late in the game. Jackets lose 12-9, even with a valiant rally in the 9th (4 runs).


This is the kind of game that worries me. The offense cannot possibly score 10+ runs every game. How will the pitching keep us in games? Tonight, it wasn't to be.

Football: Johnson & Johnson Shine

UPDATE: NEW NOTES AT BOTTOM:

I sense a major marketing tie-in with a certain consumer products company. We are talking Calvin and James, both who had standout performances in today's scrimmage. Also worth note is that George Cooper caught 3 passes for 46 yards. Significant in my mind, because that is the outlet that has been missing from our passing game. If we can develop a solid outlet game to the TE, that should really open things up for the offense. Hey, go back and watch the replay of the bowl game.


The bad? Two INT's from Reggie Ball and a completion percentage below 50% (13 of 27). He did toss to 2 TD's. Bennett goes 13-25 with 2 TD's and 1 INT. Kyle Manley saw limited action after getting a little banged up early.


More good: Avery Roberson grabbed 2 INT's on the 2nd team defense. Reis and Houston had picks on the 1st team. Philip Wheeler continues to progress nicely at the LB position.


Absolutely no comment at all on the running game or offensive line. I'll see what I can find out.


Over at the Hive, I found some further notes on the scrimmage today, some not so good:


1. Daryl Richard was injured with some type of right leg injury. He walked off the field slowly with some help, but was carted off once he got to the sideline.


2. Reggie seemed like the best QB today, re-affirming that there is probably not a major QB controversy - at least as far as who starts game 1. In my book, it's on after that.


3. Solid performance from the RB core. Daniels had the best day.


4. Tommy Tuberville commented at the Auburn spring game about Coach Gailey and the Jackets. Evidently they are good friends. Along with wishing him a speedy recovery, he said that Coach Gailey has told him that this is the team he has been waiting for since arriving in ATL, that Gailey is excited about the team. Of course, we all know that Coach will continue to keep things modest.


5. The offensive line could not contain the defense today. The D was just too fast, the the O was not. Ten of the first eleven running plays went for 2 yards or less. Look for LaShawn Newberry to challenge for a spot.


6. Now the AJC has provided some notes from practice.

Hoops Recruiting Summer Schedule

In case you want to see a full list of the summer all-star games, make sure to head over to the 2006 Hoops recruiting board. Find out the Jacket's top prospects, position needs, scholarship situation and a lot more. I will be updating the board weekly and you can always find it linked under the "Recruiting" section of the links down on the left.

Hoops: Bobby Cremins

Coach Cremins is covering the Nike Hoops Summit and continues to say that he has not slammed the door on coaching. In fact, evidently Tulane is interested.

NCAA Sanctions on Hold

We'll have to wait a few weeks to see what our punishment is for the lame-brain academic advisors who didn't know how to interpret rules....

Football: "Little Joe" stands tall

Joe Hamilton might be shunned by the NFL, but he's a bonafide star in the Arena Football League. Here's a nice story on the former Yellow Jacket and Hiesman runner-up. Joe is still chasing the NFL dream, but has a built-in disadvantage - his height:

"I mean, you had some teams that wouldn't even talk to me at the [NFL] Combine -- they weren't interested at all. So you basically can cut the 28 teams in half when it comes to me. That was my pool. Everyone else was looking for that prototype."

Check out this quote. People don't even want him to succeed:

The Bucs brought in Brad Johnson in 2001 to be their starter and moved King to second-string. That left Hamilton fighting for the third-string slot with big-bodied, big-armed Ryan Leaf, the second pick of the 1998 NFL Draft. Hamilton won.


"We really wanted Ryan to have that spot," said Dungy. "But Joe just outperformed him."

Last quote from Little Joe:

"I'm not worried about it man," he said. "I still would like to play in the NFL, but I'm playing this Arena game and loving it.


"But still, I know I can play this game in the NFL. I still look at guys in the NFL and say, 'I can do that, too,' "

The real sad part of this is that the NFL will never know what he might have done. If he had ever gotten a legitimate shot and failed that would be one thing. But he was never even given a chance. That's disappointing, unfair and short-sighted. You just have to shake your head, especially when you see some of the 6'4" "prototype" lame-brains QB'ing in the league now. Amazing.

Beesball: Jackets Beat Winthrop

Jackets take game one 6-1 from Winthrop. Slayden goes deep, and Lee Hyde pitches masterfully, going 7 innings giving up no earned runs, striking out 7. That'll do wonders for the team ERA.... Winthrop's starting pitcher was a good one, with a 7-0 record, a 2.38 ERA, 60 Ks to 6 BBs and 3 complete games coming in. Strong outing.


HYDE PITCHES TECH PAST WINTHROP


UPDATED ACC STANDINGS


NATIONAL STAT LEADERBOARD
Note that we have a number of players on the stat-leaderboard in offensive categories. In fact, lead-off man Danny Payne leads the nation in runs and walks, just like a good leadoff man should.


BEESBALL BRACKETOLOGY
Jackets listed as a regional host and #7 overall seed.

Golf and Football

... and Tommy Tuberville, our opening day opponent this football season. Evidently Tommy, Auburn's football coach, was spotted at the Masters and was questioned about why he wasn't preparing for Georgia Tech. Seems pretty confident to me:

Now we know why Auburn completed its spring football practice last month. Head coach Tommy Tuberville wanted to go to the Masters.


When rain halted play early Friday afternoon, Tuberville ducked into the Grill Room at the Augusta National Clubhouse for lunch.


"Don't you have a football team to coach? Shouldn't you be breaking down Georgia Tech game film this week?" he was asked on the way out.


"Come on," Tuberville said. "I haven't lost a game in two years. I'm just trying to stay out of the rain."

Hoops Recruiting

Mention of Harold Edwards, a recruit interested in Tech...

Georgia Tech, LSU, Mississippi State, North Texas and Illinois State have shown interest in Edwards.


"I'll take some visits after this game," he said. "During the season I was so focused on winning a championship I didn't do much visiting."


Edwards, who averaged 22 points and 12 rebounds for a LeFlore team that was unbeaten until losing to Auburn in the Class 6A championship game, wants to have fun today.

The Boo Williams Summer League Tourney, featuring some of the top names in high school hoops, is underway. Standout performances include Kevin Durant, Tywon Lawson, Vernon Macklin, Duke Crews.

While the rankings have overlooked Crews, colleges haven't. Xavier, Connecticut, Wake Forest, Georgia Tech, Florida State, Cincinnati, Illinois, St. John's, Georgetown, Virginia Tech, Virginia, Clemson, Tennessee, Old Dominion and Maryland reportedly are all interested in the junior.

Football: Recruiting

Jeremy Maclin, a WR and one of the top athletes in the country, is being pursued by Tech, although he doesn't have an offer yet..... One WR that the Jackets did make an offer to decided he wanted to be a mutt instead, chosing the Bulldogs. That would be 6'6" Kris Durham:

"I'm relieved to have this over with," the 6-foot-6 athlete said. "Once Georgia got in the picture, the decision was made."

Golf: The Masters & Matt Kutchar

Mention of Matt Kutchar:

In 1998, a Georgia Tech amateur named Matt Kuchar lit up this place with his smile and his game before slipping into a tie for 21st.

Hoops: Impact of 20-year old age limit

Well, a 20-year old age limit might not be what you think. In fact, it looks like it is being structured to help expand the NBADL, NOT help colleges...... This guy thinks it will be a good thing.....

The age minimum is not likely to be quite as simple as it sounds. College basketball junkies who think the rule change will send the country's best young talent back to the NCAA ranks will be disappointed. The NBA is looking out for itself with the age minimum, trying to protect the quality of play in the league -- as it should.


The new proposal won't keep kids from turning pro and collecting legitimate paychecks (rather than those shady payments from college boosters and assistant coaches). That's because the league wants to tie the age minimum to an expansion of its developmental league, the NBDL, which will include 10 teams (up from six) next season. Eventually, the league would like to have 15 NBDL teams, with two NBA teams splitting each minor league roster.


The result probably would go like this: Players who want to enter the NBA from high school still can put in for the draft, but they will be required to go to the NBDL first. There they will collect their full rookie-scale salaries -- a wrinkle that has made the proposal palatable for Hunter. NBA teams that own the players' rights can let those players develop in the minor league and bring them up when they are ready.

Meanwhile, Jermaine O'Neal has some pretty strong words about the NBADL, and even gives a slam or two on Duke in the process:

O'Neal said the N.B.A. was flourishing because of high school players.


"At the All-Star Game, there were seven legitimate ones," he said. "At what point are high school players hurting the game? They're saying that, but they're still selling jerseys. So, if they don't like it, stop selling the product. That's definitely hypocritical."


"What is it that college teaches you?" O'Neal said. "College don't really teach you to be a great N.B.A. player on and off the court. College teaches you about college. What can better teach you about dealing with the N.B.A. than the N.B.A.? There are a lot of Duke products who don't do well in the N.B.A. We got to be fair."

Hoops: Alade Aminu

As already covered, Aminu will be participating in the Charm City Challenge..... It began last night.

ACC Expansion - One Year Later

ACCsports.com did a story looking at ACC expansion one year late. It is a pay site, but someone posted the story on a public board - here's the link. Interesting.

Hoops Draft Notes

High School star Gerald Green has declared for the draft, but will not sign with an agent..... Word is that Raymond Felton will declare for the draft in a press conference this coming Tuesday. Local Carolina news reports are already saying he's gone..... Already mentioned, KY's K.Azubuike has declared for the draft and signed with an agent. Interesting family story..... No word yet from Chris Paul, but hard to imagine being a top 3 pick and not leaving...... Here's more reason for Sean May to backtrack and get out of prison, er Carolina. Named SI's POY. Sounds like the world is daring May to go. Hey Sean, if you don't have Felton getting you the ball, I would really think hard about staying... Nate Robinson will announce next week, and it appears he's leaning on leaving as well........ This is no secret, but Louisville's F.Garcia is leaving early.....

Hoops Recruiting Reality

For everyone who thinks players should wait on the NBA and finish college, look at the reality. This story is about a kid in high school and it wasn't the NBA that backed off after an injury, it was the colleges, including our own:

Paul seemed to be on the fast track to big-time college hoops as a laundry list of powerhouse programs including Maryland, Pittsburgh, Georgetown, Notre Dame and Georgia Tech took hard looks at him.


But those schools began to back off when Paul went down with a serious groin injury sustained during a game in early January. The injury was so severe that Paul needed surgery, which forced him to miss four games.


But when he returned, he was not the same player, and his production dropped dramatically. Still, the senior finished the season averaging 17 points and eight rebounds per game.

I'm not saying any of these schools were wrong to back off. But face facts. The kids are being recruited to play hoops. The NBA is just as real. So don't get mad if Jarrett Jack tests the waters. He should. We don't selfishly want him to, but look at motives.

Golf: The Masters

For a brief moment, it looked like Augusta could turn into the David Duval comeback story. By the end of the day, things looked more normal, with David finishing at 75 and then blowing off the media.....

At any rate, Georgia Tech product David Duval wasn't in the mood to talk after his first-round 75.


"I'm done," Duval said as he blew past a cluster of reporters who waited for him outside the scorer's tent.


Nice round, someone said.


"Thanks," said Duval, who started his 3-over par round with a pair of birdies on the front nine. "I don't have anything to say. I just want to go home."

FOR A BRIEF MOMENT, COURSE SEES OLD DUVAL

Recruiting - Football

Minemyer wide open, and has an offer from GT.......... DB Chris Drayton likes a handful of schools including GT.......Now, remember last season when Coach Gailey put all his QB eggs in one basket with Todd Walker? Well, looks like the strategy has changed. Now if you believe this story, then Tech has offered 4 of the top 5 QB's on this list (Tim Tebow, Mitch Mustain, Matthew Stafford, Zach Frazier).......... Here's a DE (Kenny Holmes) who is very interested in GT:

And Georgia Tech? "I really do not know a lot about Georgia Tech either, but I figure I could go a long ways with a degree from Georgia Tech. If I do not make it to the league, I am going into the Navy. I would have a chance to start off pretty high in the Navy with a degree from Georgia Tech."

Hoops: Jarrett Jack on ACC Live...

... this coming Monday. It does not indicate that he will talk about his draft status, but my guess - not a bad idea to tune in:

ACC-LIVE welcomes Georgia Tech's Jarrett Jack to the studio, to get his thoughts on how his 2004-05 basketball season progressed since the show last fall spotlighted him and his "gym rat" personality.

Beesball: Players from the Past

... Mike Nickeas begins his double-A life today.

Ok, potential recruits, read this:

There are other factors in Nickeas' quick ascension. Georgia Tech is a top program in college baseball's premier conference, the ACC. Nickeas played on the USA National Team.


More and more, college players are making the jump from short-season rookie ball to Double-A. Some, such as Rangers first baseman Mark Teixeira – another Georgia Tech product – spent just one season in the minors.


"Mike is from a top college program and he played for Team USA," said John Lombardo, the Rangers' director of minor league operations. "He's been there and done it. We have confidence he can handle it."

Note that the writer made a boo-boo with his conference reference, which I glady modified for him.


By the way, he's not the only guy making his way to the bigs. There is a long list of former Jackets ascending, and here's two more.

Matt Murton (West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx-Cubs Organization):


Just three years ago, Matt Murton helped lead the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets to a trip to the Colllege World Series, a 52-16 record and a No. 5-ranking in final college baseball poll.


Soon the power-hitting outfielder could be patrolling the outfield at famous Wrigley Field in Chicago.


The former Eagle's Landing and Georgia Tech standout began his pro career in the Boston Red Sox organziation, but was traded to the Cubs as part of the Nomar Garciaparra deal.


Murton split his time last year with the Sarasotoa Red Sox and the Daytona Beach Cubs, both Class A teams. In 102 games with Sarastoa, Murton hit 301 with 11 homers. After the trade, he played in 24 games for Daytona Beach, hitting .253.


During the Florida State League All-Star game festivities last year, Murton won the home run derby.

Jason Perry (Sacramento Rivercats/Athletics organization)


Like his college teammate, Matt Murton, Jason Perry played a key role for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during his college career.


During Tech's 2002 season, Perry hit .325 with 12 home runs. Perry turned pro at the end of the 2002 season, and has been working his way through the Oakland Athletics organization ever since.


A year ago, at Modesta, the team's Class A organization, Perry, who played for Jonesboro coach Don Corr in high school, belted 24 home runs and drove in 80 RBIs.


Those offensive numbers garned Perry an invite to the Major League spring training camp with Okland. On March 15, he was optioned back to the minors and sent to the Sacramento Rivedogs camp, the team's triple-A affiliated.

Beesball: One that got away

Reference to one of the many prospects that committed to GT only to leave straight for a life of minor league baseball:

Although Elbert was drafted first last year, DeWitt is ranked by Baseball America as the eighth best prospect in the Dodgers' organization. He's not worried about the expectations brought on by that.


"You can't go about it with extra pressure," said DeWitt, who had committed to Georgia Tech before he was drafted. "I will just do what I know I can do."

Where are they now - Homer Rice

Our old friend Homer Rice has released his 7th book - "Leadership Fitness" - story here.

In 1980, Dr. Rice accepted the post of athletic director at Georgia Tech, where he restored the struggling program to its formerly accustomed place at the highest ranks of collegiate athletics.


Leadership Fitness is a course Rice teaches at Georgia Tech. He retired as director of athletics in 1997, was asked to consider teaching, and he accepted. The title of his course is Are you fit to be a positive leader?

By the way, if you want to attend a book-signing:

A book signing will be held on April 10 at both services at Wesley United Methodist Church on Barfield Avenue. The cost of the book is $20, and the monies will be donated to the church for their scholarship program.

Don't ask me where that is, but I'm sure the locals know...

Football: Gailey Talks Tech

Gailey talked at the GT Club in Rome GA.......

"I think it's great to get out and see what John Fan is thinking. That's why I don't prepare much when I speak at functions like this. I just answer questions and talk about what the fans want to talk about."

On the QB situation:

"We have to have more consistent play from the quarterback position," said Gailey. "I don't want to use the word controversy when it comes to our quarterbacks, but there is a very real and live quarterback competition going on right now."

Football: Backfield Getting Crowded

One good story about the backfield deserves another.... I guess.

Hoops: Jack's draft status

No update, but this from Sportsline, (page 2 linked), who list him as the #5 PG:

5. Jarrett Jack, 6-3, 202, Georgia Tech: Jack is still on the fence about his entry, which may have a lot to do with the presence of Nos. 1 and 3 on this list. With those two gone, he could dominate the ACC and elevate his draft position, particularly if he leads the Yellow Jackets to a successful season. With five seniors gone, he'll be counted on to lead should he return, a role it won't be easy to shy away from.

Hoops Recruiting

Coach Hewitt sat down with top prospect Wayne Ellington yesterday:

Georgia Tech head coach and former Villanova assistant Paul Hewitt reserved the 8 a.m. slot yesterday with Ellington, a 6-foot-4, 190-pound shooting guard and The Inquirer's Southeastern Pennsylvania player of the year.


When reached by phone yesterday afternoon, Ellington was still at school, next in line to talk with Villanova head coach Jay Wright, who was with Henderson at the time.


"It's all pretty exciting," said Ellington. "[The contacts] will give me a good idea of where I want to go. And after my in-school meetings, I'll line up my official visits."


Ellington has narrowed his choices to North Carolina, Villanova, Connecticut, Georgia Tech and Wake Forest, with North Carolina State and Arizona as outside shots.

Hoops: More on Portsmouth Invitational

A report on day one of the Portmouth Invitational, including reference to the list a names that pulled out, with particular attention to Will Bynum and BJ Elder:

First off, the semi-bad news is a few players have pulled out of the tournament, but maybe not as much or the ones that some of us expected. Some of these guys are players that I personally really wanted to see in such a competitive environment away from their teams, but decided to pull out for one reason or another. Some are undoubtedly making huge mistakes, but we'll have to wait until the Chicago list comes out before we can really decide. A few weren't really prospects anyway except possibly in their heads so losing them isn't such a big deal. This list of pull-outs includes players such as Daniel Ewing (Duke), Eddie Basden (Charlotte), Will Bynum (Georgia Tech), BJ Elder (Georgia Tech), Larry O'Bannon (Louisville), Ellis Myles (Louisville), Chevon Troutman (Pitt) and Rawle Marshall (Oakland).


Will Bynum is an especially surprising name to see on the pull out list. Unless he is injured (we'll find out tomorrow) there is absolutely no excuse for him not to be here. As a 5-9 SG that doesn't even start for his college team, he would not have made most top 100 lists of seniors to invite, so for him to withdraw has to be some kind of sick joke.


BJ Elder I believe is also making a huge mistake. He is a fringe prospect as it is as a 6-3 SG with limited athleticism, slashing ability, defense, and streaky shot. He should be here without a doubt.

Hoops: Tech Team Banquet

For a mere $60, you can have dinner and hear our seniors get honored.

Hoops Recruiting

Scout.com just released their updated top 100. To get you excited, I thought I would let you know that we are in the running for around:


6 of the top 10
11 of the top 20
in the range of 30% of the top 100.


We are in the mix for 5 of the top 8 PG's with more further down
We are in the mix for 2 of the top 3 SG's
We are in the mix for 6 of the top 7 PF's


This very well could be Paul Hewitt's highest ranked recruiting class before it's over, but being on a list is different from landing them. So stay tuned.....

Football: CFN's Spring Preview

I'd say they got it dead-right, but then it's not much of a secret


1. Great defense
2. QB inconsistency
3. Inexperienced O-Line
4. Great RB / #1 WR


TEAM BREAKDOWN
OFFENSE
DEFENSE
FURTHER ANALYSIS
DEPTH CHART


They nailed it with this comment:

But unlike the talented backup quarterbacks, Ball is mobile making him more valuable playing behind an infant line that needs a ton of work.

On Calvin Johnson:

The Truth about the Truth – As it was noted last year, WR Calvin Johnson is an absolute freak. What he can do with the ball in the air is unreal. Imagine having to cover a guy with a tight end body and WR speed, with hands like Velcro. Sounds like a nightmare to me.

Hoops: Lazy Tobbaco Road Journalist

Well, David Scott of the Charlotte Observor might be considered lazy, if you read this article. It looks at the ACC in hoops next year and who's staying and going. On one hand he spends much text discussing the tobacco road teams, as expected. But we get relegated to "Gilligan's Island" status, as "the rest":

The rest of the league loses its share of seniors, including Georgia Tech's B.J. Elder and Luke Schenscher; Virginia's Elton Brown; Virginia Tech's Carlos Dixon; Miami's William Frisby; and Clemson's Sharrod Ford.

To top it off, he's too lazy to even mention that along with BJ and Luke, we also lose T-Mac AND Will Bynum AND Ish, not to mention the possibility of Jack. But just proof that the Charlotte demographic must not give a hoot about teams outside their little 4-team orgy, or he really is just lazy...... But then, should I actually be surprised?

Sottball: Q&A with Coach Earleywine

Q&A with our head coach....

Beesball: Jackets top Auburn

Story on the Jacket's victory over Auburn 3-2...... Here's the Auburn version....

Football: The Role of the Fullback

Article highlighting the role of FB in the Tech offense...

Beesball: Jackets Avenge Auburn Loss...

... with a 3-2 victory tonight over the Tigers in their house. A great game, with all the runs being scored in the first three inning. Then the pitching staffs kicked in and shut things down on both sides the rest of the way. For the Jackets, Ryan Turner goes 5.1 innings, gives up 6 hits, 2 earned runs, 2 k's, 3 walks and gets the win. Tim Gustafson goes 2.2 innings giving up 1 hit, no runs, 2 k's, 1 walk for the save...


Hey folks, the pitching has stepped up lately. And of course, as Murphy's law dictates, the hitting tones things down a little. But a win is a win is a win. Congrats to the Jackets who even the season series with Auburn after losing a week or so ago in ATL.

Hoops: new arc covenant?

I smell a conspiracy........ Coaches looking to extend the 3-pt arc in hoops to bring back an era of the big man. Could this be coincidental with the potential 20-year old age limit rule? I think not. Combine the two and you know what you have - even more domination by the high majors. Think about it.

First you institute a 20-year old age limit, meaning the cream of the crop stay in college for at least 2 years. Where do they play? 95% of the time at UNC, Duke, Kansas, KY, UConn, etc...... Now, who are 90% of the high school players that have gone straight to the NBA? Big men - 6'7" and above. So if more extremely talented big-men are going to playing college ball, how do you exploit that?

You extend the 3-point arc. The game extends further out, opening things up a bit for those talented big men. Now they have room to operate. There's a double impact. Now it's harder to hit a 3-point shot. So the best of the best shooters start to stand out as well. And where do they go? The high major schools more often.

Having said all that, I could agree with extending the line anyhow. You watch Illinois chuck up 3pt shot after 3pt shot and you just start to wonder - where's the game? Then you watch the Tarholes pound it inside to May, and balance it with long-range shooting, and it works. But of course they did it with a shorter 3pt line. So it can work either way. Anything that favors team play, fundamentals and defense over 1-on-1 works for me.

Hoops Humor of the Day

Now this is a pretty funny video - click here. Nice video editing work....

Hoops Notes

Dickey V has his top 12 for the 2006 title - UConn leads the way....... Andy Katz has his out also......Luke Winn at SI.com has his list out, and the Dukies are right on top...... Kentucky's leading scorer Kelenna Azubuike is entering his name into the NBA draft....... FSU's Von Wafer is going league, and while he won't sign with an agent, don't expect on him coming back. Word is there is a riff here and Wafer wants out...... Sean May claims he's coming back, but I'll believe it when the deadline passes. Here's a guy who's stock cannot get higher than it is right now......... As a reminder, players have until May 14th to declare for the draft, and until June 17 to remove their name from consideration to keep their college eligibility......


Usually people set themselves on fire when something BAD happens....... Here's an ESPN Page 2 look at the Tarheels....

Hoops ACC Note

I know you know it, but another strong case for ACC strength. Did you realize that an ACC team has played for the National Championship game 4 of the last 5 years, and that it has been a different team each year?


2001: Duke (Champions)
2002: Maryland (Champions)
2004: Georgia Tech (Runner-Up)
2005: UNC (Champions)


That's pretty strong if you ask me. So am I enough of an ACC homer yet? If you think I've gone too far, then I'll backk of a little by giving you this link to Coach Rat defending his AMEX adverts during the recruiting dead period during the Final Four.

Football Practice Notes

Some good notes on gridiron practice:


1. There's a battle going on at the fullback position, primarily between Ace and Mike Cox, but Justin Guadagni is in the mix too. Interesting comment on the FB position by Coach Gailey:

"The fullback is a blocker first, a pass catcher second and a runner third in our offense," said Gailey.

2. Tashard Choice continues to impress at the RB position

"We'll give him more work now that it's a definite (playing in the fall)," said Gailey. "He's done a great job thus far. He's been one of the more impressive players in spring practice."

3. Andrew Gardner is making progress at left tackle and has gained 40 lbs since coming to campus. That shows the philosophy - don't go after the big tubs. Go after the big frames and beef them up the right way in college.

"He has made a great deal of improvement," said Gailey. "We looked at him in the fall and we thought he was going to help us. It just depended on how quickly he could put on the weight. He's been able to put on about 40 pounds since he's been, and it's been a good transition."

Hoops: Final Conference Records...

... for the tourney. Found this on a Duke board:

ACC 12-4* (NCAA CHAMPIONS: U.N.C.)
(Out in Sweet 16: Duke and NC State.)
(Out in 2nd round: Wake and GT)


Big Ten 12-5* (Runner Up: Illinois)
(Out in Final 4: Michigan State)
(Out in Elite 8: Wisconsin)
(Out in 1st round: Minnesota and Iowa)


Big East 7-6*
(Out in Elite 8 West Virginia)
(Out in Sweet 16: Villinova
(Out in 2nd round: Uconn and BC
(Out in 1st round: Pitt and Syracuse)


Pac-10: 5-4*
(Out in Elite 8 Arizona)
(Out in Sweet 16: Washington)
(Out in 1st round: UCLA and Stanford)


Big 12 6-6*
(Out in Sweet 16: Texas Tech and O.K. State)
(Out in 2nd round: Iowa State and Oklahoma)
(Out in 1st round: Kansas and Texas)


SEC 5-5*
(Out in Elite 8: Kentucky)
(Out in 2nd round: Miss State and Florida)
(Out in 1st round: Alabama and LSU)

Clearly the ACC is the dominant conference. Not only did the ACC win the whole thing, but the every other major conference lost two teams in the first round, while the ACC lost none. I think that speaks to top-to-bottom strength.


For more superiority, I found this on a Kansas board:

Since 1990, the ACC has had 17 Final Four teams. 4 different teams have gone at least twice. 6 times an ACC team has won the national championship.

Since 1990 - by conference


ACC: 17 Final Fours, 6 NC's
Big10: 15 Final Fours, 1 NC
SEC: 9 Final Fours, 3 NC's
BigXII: 7 Final Fours, 0 NC's
Pac 10: 5 Final Fours, 2 NC's
Big East: 4 Final Fours, 3 NC's
Mountain West: 2 Final Fours, 1 NC's
Conference USA: 3 Final Fours, 0 NC's
Atlantic 10: 1 Final Four, 0 NC's

To the haters - come strong with the tot, or don't come at all.

Hoops - Our Old Friend Tony Akins

One of the "forgotten Tech Point Guards". I say forgotten because he gets sandwiched in between all the great ones. But this kid holds a special place in my heart. He was another of those tough lefty PG's, like Travis Best....


Now, I did NOT know that Tony did not graduate from Georgia Tech and left needing only a few classes to finish. THAT is sad.


This is a look at the ups and downs for Tony since leaving Tech. They mostly appear to be "downs". Keep your head up Tony - and take those dang classes please. Finish what you started - for your sake - nobody elses!!

Hoops Thoughts on the Dance

Thoughts on the game:


1. I am genuinely happy for the Tarheels. They represented the ACC, who ends the tourney with a 12-4 record, while the Big 10 comes in 2nd at 12-5....... And of course the ACC wins the most important game of all. Do the Heels get a Big 10 championship ring as well? Let there be no doubt which conference reigns supreme. Forget the media hype. Just look at facts.....


2. As Billy Packer FINALLY noticed with 1 minute to go, about 50% of the screens set by Illinois were illegal. At least half of them. But the refs were consistent for sure. Consistently crappy....


3. Sean May was a man tonight and a man during the tourney. I gained some new respect for him and how hard he played. Father and son win national championships. Pretty impressive. He gets player of the game and NCAA Tourney MVP....... Oh, and happy birthday......


4. Rashad McWho? Where was McCants in the 2nd half? At least now he can spring out of prison......


5. Illinois is just a tough team. Can one team hit so many big long-distance shots? Deron Williams is a man. I never really watched him play until this tourney. I'll still take my guy - Jack though......


6. I checked over at the UNC message board. Their game thread had over 1500 messages. Most started with "WTF....".


7. What was with Nantz's line at the end - "there's a new Dean in college basketball". In what is the most important moment in the entire college basketball season, with a coach trying to show he belongs with the elite, and you have to pull out a Dean Smith reference. Personally, I didn't like it..... Let it go!!


8. My recommendation for an ending line - "HE'S NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE!!!".....


9. Marvin Williams - get that guy some stick-em. Of course, he'll be able to afford it with his first round draft money.......


10. Ok, UNC fans, let the mass exodus begin. My prediction - bye Raymond Felton, bye Rashad McCants, bye Marvin Williams (even though he didn't play well), and probably bye Sean May. I know May has done nothing but talk about coming back, but what motivation does he have now? I mean really.....However, the good news for Tarheel fans.......


11. Start taking your pick of the recruiting classes of 2006 and 2007. If you didn't have an advantage already, you have even that much more of one now. You can stop worrying about the Coach K ads during the game. Maybe Old Roy will get a gig pitching the Platinum AMEX.....


12. To Illinois fans, I know how you feel. I really do......


13. A monster has just been created in Dick Vitale. I take that back - he was already a monster - now he'll just be ultr-super-annoying monster. He picked the Tarheels to win it all on the night we lost to UConn last year, and he never waivered..... Drat


14. "Dear Matt Doherty, thanks for leaving the fridge full......Sincerly Roy Williams".......... While the media cannot call Roy Williams "the guy who couldn't win the big one", they can call him the "guy who hasn't won the big one with his own players". Let the carnage begin......... Honestly, does Williams deserve major credit for turning around a group of talented, self-centered underacheivers, or is this just a group of kids that matured naturally and Roy is a master of timing. For my money, I'll go with the coach. Guys have to buy into a system, and it took awhile, but Roy got them thinking team (at least mostly).


15. One last note to Tarheel fans. Don't forget who was the last team to beat you. Don't forget who knocked you out of the ACC tourney 2 years in a row. We shall return!!!! Of course the last time they won the NC game, it was also GT that had last beat them. Small world.


16. Lastly, not one GT highlight in "One Shining Moment" video (that I saw). Sadness abounds.

Football: Nice Gailey Piece in Sporting News

Nice blurb on Coach Gailey.

Look, Gailey worked for Jerry Jones in the NFL. The most demanding owner at the most difficult level of play. Don't think a heart attack is going to keep him from spring practice. Especially with Tech on the verge of a breakout season.

Beesball - Jackets Fall out of #1 Spot in Polls

Here are the updated polls:


Collegiate Baseball - 3rd (were 1st)
Baseball America - 4th (were 3rd)
Baseball Weekly - 5th (were 4th)

Hoops Humor of the Day

My faithful viewers have found a priceless gem. One of those Dukie talking heads - Jay Bilas - was once an aspiring actor. In fact, he had a nice cameo as a "good alien" in that big hit starring Dolph Lundgren "I Come in Peace". For your viewing pleasure, I have provide a screen capture of Bilas in full make-up. I don't know about you, but I really feel like he is a "good alien". I feel the peace in his heart. I wonder why on Earth he dropped the acting thing to be a hoops talking head. This was Sir Lawrence Olivier Part II in the making. Sad.......


Link to movie..... Here are his full film credits, which ironically only include "I Come in Peace"........ Movie trailer.....


Jay Bilas as "Good Alien" in "I Come in Peace".

Hoops: Galindo to transfer from Kansas

It's official - Alex Galindo will transfer from Kansas. No word on schools of interest. Georgia Tech was one of the schools recruiting him before he committed to Kansas. A key quote from Galindo:

"I feel I need a change of scenery to get closer to home," Alex Galindo added. "I need a redshirt year to get stronger and to develop my game. At this time, my mind is still open to where I will go, but hopefully it will be resolved in the next few weeks."

Galindo went to St.Benedict's Prep in Newark NJ, so I look for Georgetown, Rutgers any maybe Pitt to enter the picture. Personally, I expect him to end up somewhere in the Northeast, but what do I know?


GALINDO LEAVING

Hoops: Watch Bobby Cremins Tonight...

... if you are in Florida that is:

April 04, 2005


The Florida Sports Network
Championship preview...tonight on Sun Sports!


Tonight at 7pm...on Sports Talk Live, we'll get you ready for the NCAA Championship game as former Georgia Tech head coach Bobby Cremins and Mike Bianchi provide insight from St. Louis. Be part of tonight's show by e-mailing your question to stl@sunsportstv.com. Sports Talk Live presented by BellSouth...tonight at 7pm on Sun Sports...The Florida Sports Network.

Football Recruiting

Free article on Benji Maher, a fullback considering GT, out of Miss. Sounds like he's a big SEC guy though....... Here's another QB that Tech is showing serious interest in, Earl Alexander, although he has not been offered. If you believe Rivals.com. we have already offered 4 QB's (I know of 2 for sure). No doubt the coaching staff is getting more aggressive this year in getting in the offer game early. Normally this is a staff that shows more patience in the process. Not that either way is the best. It just is what it is....... Here's are some recruiting notes from the state of SC, with mentions of GT........

Hoops: The "Meat Market"

Interesting article on what goes on behind the scenes at a Final Four with mention of Paul Hewitt and mentor George Raveling...

Hoops: Portsmouth Invitational

Previous stories have listed BJ Elder and Will Bynum as attending the invite-only Portsmouth Invitational April 6-9. However, here is the actual roster from the website, and only Will Bynum is listed.... What's interesting is that the teams are already listed, so here are Will the Thrill's mates:


Rob Little............ Stanford
Taylor Coppenrath..... Vermont
Jeremiah Massey....... Kansas St
Brandon Gay........... San Diego
Eddie Basden.......... Charlotte
Jason McKrieth........ Rice
TJ Thompson........... George Washington


The team to look out for? "Portsmouth Sports Club" with Daniel Ewing, Chuck Hayes, Larry O'Bannon. Not bad.

Beesball: Jackets Crush the Twerps

We are talking 24-4. A thrashing. Payback for holding the Jackets to only 1 run on Saturday. And here's the thing that's getting interesting. The Jackets held MD to 4 runs today, 2 runs yesterday. Could the pitching be coming around now? Wouldn't that be great!!


Tyler Greene knocks in 8 RBI's, 4 of which came on a grand salami. I think that is Greene's 3rd grand slam of the season. He came out of the game in the 5th, or who knows what else he might have done....... Blake Wood improves to 5-0......The Jackets win their 12th consutive ACC series.


From the Terps site.........

Beesball: WATN - Ricardo Ingram

Congrat to the former 2-sport standout - Ricardo Ingram. He was named the head coach of the Fort Myers Miracle...

For the first time in five years there will be a new man at the helm for the Fort Myers Miracle. Ricardo Ingram will officially be introduced at a press conference on Wednesday, April 6 at 2 p.m. at Shoeless Joe’s Sports Café.


Ingram, a former hitting coach for the Miracle (2000-02), had his first managerial stint last season with the GCL Twins guiding them to a second place finish (31-26). Ingram played two seasons in the Major League’s with the Detroit Tigers (94) and the Minnesota Twins (95). He was a fourth round selection by the Tigers in the June 1987 draft from Georgia Tech.

Hoops: Ian O'Connor Writes Again

O'Connor's latest masterpiece from the USA Today, with mention of Paul Hewitt, when talking about the lure of the NBA for coaches:

Tim Floyd, John Calipari, Leonard Hamilton, Lon Kruger. They all had it so good in college - the cash, the control, the courtesy cars, the winning big-time programs - until they reached for more and sidetracked their careers. Now Mike Montgomery's in harm's way. Coach K was smart enough to pass on the Lakers' pot of gold, but which path will the bright young likes of Paul Hewitt and Billy Donovan take when the NBA calls?

Track/Field: Chaunte Howard Sets Mark

Chaunte sets the George C. Griffen track record at 6'3.5"..... Girl's got hops.

Football Practice Report

Great practice reports from the Hive. Highlights:


1. Defense clearly dominating the offense right now. The young, inexperienced offensive line is getting an earful as they learn their assignments. Tenuta is not holding back either, sending his usual array of blitzes.


2. Reggie Ball got beat up a little and iced his knee. Here's more on that from the AJC...


3. The "hit of the day" was when Kenny Scott upended Calvin Johnson after he leaped up to catch a pass. That was mentioned in the AJC. What wasn't mentioned was that Eric Henderson was freaking out after the hit, dancing a bit in CJ's face. Evidently CJ didn't take too kindly to that gesture, shoved Henderson and sent him backwards to his rear-end. Some people think Kenny Scott is finally developing into a high caliber DB that we all thought he could become.


4. Evidently Elris Anyabi and Matt Rhodes got into a little "disagreement" as well. Honesly, I like to see this fire in the spring.


5. The QB's all struggle with their throws, partially due to the high winds. Sounded like all three of them were figuring out how to avoid sacks rather than read coverages.... Got to get that O-Line on track..... Also, the QB's were not wearing red jerseys. They were getting the full treatment.


6. Tashard Choice is really impressing some people. Has some nice open field speed and has bonded well with his teammates. Seems to have a fire as well, as he was overheard at one point yelling "Let's run it down their throats!!"......... R.Grant is also looking good at the RB position.

Hoops: Lewis Clinch a Parade All-American

Congrats to incoming Jacket frosh Lewis Clinch, who makes 4th team Parade All-American..... Note that this a team comprised of ALL high school players, not just those in one class. So there are some underclassman we are looking at for future classes as well, including Brandon Wright and Kevin Durant. CONGRATS to Lewis!! Can't wait to see you in the uni soon.

Beesball: Jackets lose 2-1

So, Lee Hyde pitches 8 great innings, gives up only 2 earned runs and what happens? He loses the game to the Terrapins, as the Jackets fall 2-1. The good news - the pitching. Series finale Sunday........ Here are a bunch of pics from Friday night's game.

Hoops: What about Bobby Cremins' Blood?

Well, evidently there's still basketball running through those viens of his. Story here....... You know, he hasn't changed. He's still one of the nicest guys to ever coach, and he's still as thankful and humble as ever:

"I've had a great life. I continue to have a great life. But I will not close the door. If something happens that I think I should go back, then I will go back."

Here's what he said about the Virginia coaching job:

"UVA's the type of job I would be interested in," he said. "But they're going to go after the hot names. They don't want a guy who's been out of coaching for five years. They're going to go after the best and the brightest today, and I don't blame them."


Coaching is coaching," explained Cremins, who led the Yellow Jackets to their first Final Four in 1990. "The dream jobs are going to be tough to get. But if I want to go back -- Tulane called -- I could get back if I want. If I have to go mid-division, that's fine.

What about rooting for the Jackets today?

Though the Rambling Wreck program slipped in Cremins' final years, there's no bitterness. During the Yellow Jackets' run to the NCAA final last season, Cremins was their biggest fan.


"I was right there with (former GT standouts) John Salley, Mark Price, Dennis Scott -- we were all there together," Cremins said. "It was unbelievable. I couldn't believe what (coach) Paul Hewitt had accomplished. I couldn't actually believe I was sitting watching Georgia Tech play for the national championship. There were times I thought I was dreaming."

You know, none of us liked the way things ended with Coach Cremins, but all that doesn't matter. Coach Cremins holds a special place in our hearts and always will.

Hoops: WATN - Chris Bosh

WATN = Where Are They Now?

NBC had an NBA Q&A with Matt Goukas in this question about Chris Bosh:

Q: How good do you think Raptors forward Chris Bosh can be?
— Lynn, Toronto, Ontario.


A: The Raptors had many reasons for trading Vince Carter to the Nets earlier this season, but certainly one of those reasons was they wanted to start building their team around Bosh.


After playing one season at Georgia Tech, Bosh was taken by Toronto with the fourth overall pick in the 2003 NBA draft. He had a better rookie season than I anticipated, and while he wore down some, he held up well enough to play in 75 games. So to the Raptors' credit, I think they did all the right things with Bosh in his rookie year.


By dealing Carter management wanted to get Bosh more touches, more shots, and feature him more in the Raptors' offensive game. I think Bosh has responded well to all this as I didn't figure him to be as prolific a scorer as he has been this season.


Bosh has a very professional approach to the game, and I like that. His demeanor is very low key, and the Raptors would probably like to see a little more fire and fight out of him.


Bosh can shoot jumpers or go inside. He can block shots, and rebound. His body is going to only get stronger, so he is certainly a nice player for the Raptors to build around. He has a terrific future so it's just a matter of the Raptors surrounding him with enough other players where they can become a playoff-caliber team.

Hoops: Hewitt on CBS Talking Defense

On the Final Four pre-game show. For a screenshot - click here.

Separated at Birth

It hit me while channel surfing. I caught a quick peek of "Pimp My Ride" on MTV with Rapper Exzibit. Am I the only one who sees this?

Football: Tashard Choice Will Play in 2005

UPDATED:

Great news. Tashard Choice has been granted a waiver by the NCAA and will not have to skip a year due to transfer rules.

Choice, a rising redshirt sophomore from Riverdale, Ga., enrolled at Tech in January after transferring from Oklahoma. He appealed to the NCAA and was granted the waiver due to extenuating family circumstances that necessitated him to move close to his home.

In case you were wondering why we might need another running back with Daniels, Woods and Grant in the mix, realize that this means Choice will be able to play 3 years for the Jackets instead of 2 years. If he had NOT been granted this waiver, he would only be able to suit up for 2 more years, since he has already taken a red-shirt season.


Other good news is that we hear reports that the coaches like what they see in practice from Choice. So stay tuned. The RB position may get heated as well.


Here's the AJC version of the story.... Here's the Macon Telegraph version.... From his hometown paper....

Hoops: Portsmouth Invitational

As mentioned BJ Elder and Will Bynum will be playing in this tourney....

MEN'S BASKETBALL: Ronnie Price has accepted an invitation to play in the Portsmouth Invitational on April 6-9.

"Portsmouth annually attracts over 200 NBA coaches and representatives," Utah Valley State coach Dick Hunsaker said. "Ronnie was one of the first in the country to receive and accept this invitation."


Portsmouth is a NBA pre-draft camp that invites the top 64 seniors in the nation to play in front of the professional scouts. Portsmouth is the only postseason event prior to the Chicago Draft Camp.


Price will play with or against the likes of Duke's Daniel Ewing, Georgia Tech's BJ Elder, Kentucky's Chuck Hayes of Kentucky and Kansas' Aaron Miles.

This article has the rosters, but oddly enough, BJ Elder is not listed....

Football: Defensive End

Interesting note on the DE position in the ACC:

Duke linebacker Brendan Dewan and safety Brian Greene both will enter the 2005 season with 30 career starting assignments, and are two of just six players in the ACC with 30+ career starts ... Others in the league include offensive tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson (39) and defensive end Brennan Schmidt (39) of Virginia, offensive tackle Jimmy Martin (33) of Virginia Tech and defensive end Travis Parker (36) of Georgia Tech.

Hoops Recruiting

More on Jared Carter.... More on Carter here......The question often comes up about 7-footers - are they a "project". Let me tell you - if you are 7-feet tall and going to play college ball, you ARE a project.... period.


Another intruiging transfer possibility. Remember the kid who beat GT on New Year's Day with a 3-point bomb on OT? Alex Galindo, and he's considering transferring out of Kansas. Guess who recruited him before he chose Kansas? That's right - our Jackets...... However, he went to Kansas after being released from his letter-of-intent from Texas El-Paso, so there could be some warning signs here, just like with Ewing Jr.......

Hoops: Hewitt Picks the Final Four

Not one surprise here. Hewitt picks Louisville and N.Carolina to win, they goes with the ACC to win it all:

"I'm an unabashed conference homer," Hewitt said. "I'm picking North Carolina. They've proven themselves to be a great defensive team during the season. They've blown people out. If they guard, and May and Williams get going, it's going to be very difficult to beat them."

Football: Reggie Still #1

More on the unsurprising fact that Reggie is still the #1 QB. However, this story gives fans a little more insight into the performance of Taylor Bennett:

Bennett, a left-hander, has been long with many of his throws this spring and his arm slot has not been consistent.


"He's not there yet," Gailey said. "He's just got to get a rhythm for him. He's trying to rush some things right now to try and get the ball out. He needs to just make his drop and his read and throw, just like he does when we're out here one-on-one."

Beesball: GT / MD Halted...

...due to rain, but will be resumed today at 4:00 with the Jackets leading 13-4. Game 2 will start at 7:00pm.

Hoops: Siena Hires A Coach

Good news for Jacket fans and disappointing news for Cliff Warren. The Siena coaching job goes to Fran McCaffery of UNCG....


All I can say is that Siena's loss is our gain. Coach Warren, you'll get your shot, but we're selfishly glad you're staying!!

Football: WATN - Kyle Wallace

WATN = Where Are They Now

Great report on Kyle Wallace as he prepares for the draft.....

GEORGIA TECH senior offensive tackle KYLE WALLACE has been drawing a lot of additional attention since his Pro Day... his workouts were on-par with many of the top-rated tackles... he had gotten into excellent shape while training at CES with Chip Smith... and since he is also nearly a full year younger than most available lineman... teams are viewing his size and upside as making him an interesting mid-to-late round choice.

Hoops: The Chi-Town Scene

There are some serious ballers developed in the Chicago public leagues. Evidently one cop-father opened a gym and his heart (cliche of the week) to a lot of those kids to keep them off the streets.

Nobody ever got shot in the gym. So during summer months when adolescent boys had been known to find trouble on the streets of this Chicago suburb, Sgt. Chris Brown pulled some strings to get the keys to the Proviso East High School gym and turn it into a playroom for his son, Shannon, and friends such as Dee Brown.


Talent galore filled it regularly. The roster also included Charles Richardson Jr., a reserve at Nebraska who was the point guard when the two Browns played at Proviso East. Former Manley standout Luther Head, suddenly an Illini legend, occasionally showed up. As did ex-Chicago high school stars Will Bynum, a standout at Georgia Tech, and Tony Allen, a member of the Boston Celtics, among others.

April Fools Joke of the Day

Saw this and knew it was a fake - claiming I-Perfection Harris was returning to the team. The quote gave it away:

"It's really all about where you find your strength. See, Calvin (Johnson) gets his from his height and athleticism, but I'm like Samson against the Philistines, I get mine from my hair."

Hoops Final Four Notes

Did you know that 2 Big 10 teams in the Final Four marks the 7th straight year where at least one conference had two teams in the final four? Who have they been?


1999 - Big 10 (Mich St, Ohio St)
2000 - Big 10 (Mich St, Wisc)
2001 - ACC (Duke, MD)
2002 - Big 12 (Kansas, Okl)
2003 - Big 12 (Kansas, Texas)
2004 - ACC (Duke, GT)
2005 - Big 10 (Mich St, Illinois)


This is the 3rd time the Final Four has been held in St.Louis... In 1973 Bill Walton led UCLA over Memphis with a 21-22 performance..... In 1978 Kentucky beat Duke...... Here's one fan's final four....


Here's Jim Nantz on the Albequerque region:

I think most people were looking at the Georgia Tech-Louisville second-round matchup potentially as the one that would end up winning the bracket. And, sure enough, it worked out that way. Louisville beat Georgia Tech in Round Two, and here they are, feeling very much like they were slighted when it came to their seeding. They actually used that as a motivation all along, thinking people disrespected them by not having them as a better seed than a four.

Beesball Notes

Jackets "quietly" move to top of rankings........

"We probably spent an hour and half today discussing what we're doing with our pitchers and how we can make them better," (Coach) Hall said. "I think we understand that for us to get where we want to go, our pitching staff has to keep improving."


Like the 2002 team, this group began the year ranked 13th by Collegiate Baseball. And like that team, this one wants to shock the country by finishing at the College World Series.

The Tweps claim they are ready for the Jackets this weekend.....

"It's kinda fun. They're the best team in the country right now," senior outfielder Truan Mehl said. "Everybody in the nation wants a piece of them. We're gonna fight and battle and play the same game we've played all year"

In the "where are they now" segment, looks like Nomar is healthy....... for now....

The former Georgia Tech All-American, a .322 career hitter, batted .297 and hit four homers with the Cubs and sat out 15 of 58 games. Going 2-7 down the stretch, the Cubs missed the wild-card berth by three games.

Looks like he is hitting well in the spring:

Other than Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki, Garciaparra has been as hot as any hitter in Arizona or Florida this spring. The 31-year-old is hitting .444 with six homers and 16 RBIs in 18 Cactus League games.

As to talk of him heading elsewhere, Nomar addresses that:

"It's great to be healthy again," Garciaparra said. "I had chances to sign somewhere else, but this is where I wanted to be right now. That I came back here says a lot about this organization, this city, this team."

In softball news, Jessica Sallinger has 98 career wins

Moving Into The Century Club
A pair of stellar pitchers are looking to move into the 100-career victory club this weekend. Arizona's Alicia Hollowell and Georgia Tech's Jessica Sallinger each have 98 career wins. Earlier this season, Louisiana-Lafayette's Brooke Mitchell and Fresno State's Jamie Southern became the 39th and 40th players to win 100 career games. Courtney Blades (Nicholls State/Southern Mississippi) holds the all-time record with 151 career victories.

Football: O-Line Work in Progress

Probably will be a recurring theme througout the fall and hopefully not into the season, but likely....


The good news is that Tenuta is firing all his bullets to get them ready.

Defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta hasn't held anything back, unleashing his full compliment of blitzes, and providing the young line with a daily reality check.

Football Practice Notes

Some good notes on practice. It appears the 2nd WR slot opposite Calvin Johnson is still not 100% clear. D-Bo is getting every chance, but reading between the lines, is coming along slower than they would hope. James Johnson seems to be the main guy pushing him................ Also note that Philip Wheeler is really making strides. People have called him a "physical beast" and evidently he is showing it. The main learning is mental - learning the position, the plays, the decision-making.........


Also note the upcoming "Georgia Tech Sports Day"......... Looks like fun for the whole family and take your pick of sports.

Hoops: Where are they now - Chris Bosh

Bosh has had to adjust to constant personnel changes and now a new coach, up there north of the border.

Bosh on Coach Sam Mitchell:

"It's been a ride," said 21-year-old forward Chris Bosh, the former Georgia Tech star and now the Raptors' leading man. "The first year is always going to be tough. You have to go through tough times first before you can have the good times. He probably knew he wasn't going to step in and everything was going to be all good."


In some ways, the approach (hard-nosed) seems to be working. Bosh, now the team's centerpiece, is blossoming. His relationship with Mitchell, an important one in rebuilding the franchise, appears solid. Bosh respects Mitchell's unbending honesty, even if it's not what he always wants to hear.


"If I'm having a bad game and I stink that day, he will let me know. He will let me know what I need to do. Whether I like it or not, he's going to tell me the truth," said Bosh, who is averaging 16.5 points and 8.9 rebounds in his second NBA season.

Also, Slam Magazine just did a very nice story on Bosh. Just read it at the newstand. Talks about what an unselfish person his is. Jalen Rose said that when he retired, Chris Bosh is one of those guys that he would pay to see play. Just an outstanding article. Bosh showed how humble he was also. After getting patted on the back for a "great" night with like 24 pts and 12 boards, he realized that was what Kevin Garnett AVERAGED every night. So he knows he has a long way to go.


A superstar in the making - and just a nice guy also.

Golf: Where are they now - Stewart Cink

Cink is back in town for his hometown tourney:

For the past seven years, the home-course advantage has helped Stewart Cink amass six top-10 finishes in the BellSouth Classic.


Cink, who resides in the Sugarloaf community, hopes to improve on his consistently successful – but not entirely satisfying – record in the BellSouth Classic, which tees off this morning. Cink has a 12:26 p.m. starting time today off the first tee with Stuart Appleby and Kevin Sutherland. He tees off at 7:36 a.m. Friday off No. 10.


The nine-year PGA Tour veteran and former Georgia Tech standout would love to win on his home course in front of family and friends, but points out, "Sometimes winning just happens to you. I feel comfortable with the golf course. Maybe this time is it."

Beesball: "Big Tex"

Mark Teixeira is getting bigtime PR as the next big thing in baseball. Here's another story on the young Texas slugger. Interesting - every quote I hear from that guy has to do with winning.

"While we had a good year last year, we haven't accomplished anything," Teixeira said. "We're all here to win. Until we do that, we're not going to be satisfied. Guys play their whole careers for one chance [at the playoffs], but at the same time, I want to win every game I play.


"You're not satisfied until you win a World Series. I think every player will tell you that."

The usual Scott Boros reference rears its head as well:

Hart was not yet with the Rangers when they drafted Teixeira as a third baseman out of Georgia Tech with the No. 5 overall pick in 2001. He might have been picked even higher, but with Scott Boras as his agent, some teams were concerned about how much it would cost to sign him.


Teixeira probably would have been a top draft pick out of high school in 1998 if he had not made it clear that he planned to attend college. The Red Sox drafted him in the ninth round nonetheless, but Teixeira wasn't swayed and went to Georgia Tech, where he was Baseball America's College Player of the Year as a sophomore.


"It's the best move I ever made," he said.

Hear that recruits? Going to Georgia Tech was the best move Mark Teixeira says he ever made. Think about that when you consider the Jackets!!!!

Hoops Recruiting

Local Lexington TV and radio reports are claiming it's official - 7'1" Jared Carter has given his verbal committment to Tubby Smith and the Kentucky Wildcats. Just goes to once again prove - mamma is the key....


Now, you want to see what a team with 3 7-footers looks like? Check this out. Here's the amazing thing. I know Randolph Morris is listed at 6'10", but we might as well call him 7-foot for arguement sake. Check out Morris and then look how he physically pales in comparison to those other two dudes. Now throw in a 4th 7-footer. Wow. Then look at their age. Morris is a frosh, the other two are sophs, and of course Carter will be a frosh.

Football Notes

The O-Line is still getting schooled by our top 10 defense..... but making progress....... Still no word about Tashard Choice. The NCAA asked for more paperwork. A decision should be coming in the next two weeks....