From: Ann Cassell
Date: Sat, Dec 11, 2010 at 8:32 PM
Subject: Reminder: Roundball Club Social tomorrow!
To: roundballclub@gmail.com
December 5 Virginia
December 12 Penn State
January 2 Mount St. Mary’s
January 8 Florida State
January 15 Wake Forest
January 22 Longwood
January 30 Miami
February 26 Pregame: ESPN’s College GAMEDAY! (No postgame social)
March 1 Boston College (Senior Night)
Dear Roundball Club,
We are just a week away from the start of practice. Our staff has been
busy on the road recruiting and doing individual and team workouts. Although we
have been hit with injuries, I am excited about the prospects for the coming
year. Our starting unit is intact and I am confident one of our underclassmen
will step up and give us the depth needed to compete in the best conference in
college basketball.
Raines Update: Cadarian Raines had shock therapy on his foot on Monday
and Dr. Anderson is optimistic it will assist in the healing process. I am
anticipating holding him out till October 25th which would give him 15 days of
practice prior to opening game vs Campbell.
Late Night: Come join us for Late Night with the Hokies, October 15th.
The festivities will begin following our volleyball contest. (Our volleyball
team is playing at a high level and play a fastbreak style of game that is fun
to watch). Let’s rock the Cassell for the start of the season.
All Access Clinic: Get an insiders look into college basketball by
attending our All Access Clinic October 22-23. The clinic will begin on Friday
evening. After Saturday’s session, join our players and staff for a tailgate
prior to the football game vs Duke. The cost of the clinic is $40.00 and
includes a clipboard, T-Shirt and lunch. To reserve a spot, return the attached
form or call our office at 540-231-6275.
Tip Off Banquet: Doug Gottlieb will be the featured speaker at this
year’s National Bank of Blacksburg Tip Off Banquet on October 24th. He has
developed into one of ESPN’s featured analyst and is never short on a story or
opinion. Doug was a huge supporter of ours as the field for the NCAA Tournament
was selected. For further information on the banquet or the clinic, call our
office at 540-231-6275.
Thank you once again for your support of our basketball program. Your passion and commitment is no doubt making a difference. See you at the Cassell!
GO HOKIES!
Seth Greenberg
Head Basketball Coach
I've had a chance to think about the Virginia Tech football games over the last week. One week ago, today, we were ranked #6 in the Coaches Poll and #10 in the Associated Press Poll. Since that time, we've had two devastating losses, but I have no doubt that this team can come back. That said, here are my thoughts:
1.) Tyrod Taylor is a one man show... he is the man that has come to play this year. He is awesome. There is a reason that he is playing... which alludes to #2...
2.) We need major improvement in the offensive line play (I do think that the coaches will look at the tape and make adjustments in the schemes). Stinespring is right that we need more depth on the offensive line (missing out on a few recruits has hurt the offensive line play). My understanding is that Ryan Williams said in today's press conference that the holes just aren't their for him to run through.
3.) Our offensive play calling needs to improve, but I won't talk more about that. People are already doing that enough and they don't need to hear from me (those guys run a great blog).
4.) Our tackling also needs to improve. We need our players to go back to defensive fundamentals (get back to the basics). We clearly miss Cody Grimm and others. I trust in Bud here. This will get fixed.
5.) I actually miss Brandon Pace... I have major concerns about the kicking game... but, again, I think this can get fixed.
6.) We cemented ourselves in history with Michigan... the only ranked teams to lose to NCAA Division 1-AA opponents. We will be on ESPN, ESPNU, and ESPN Classic for the rest of our lives. We just have to look at this as an experience that we can learn from and move on. There are many Hokies fans that, quite frankly, don't have an understanding of what it is like to lose a tough game (or games). The Hokies have not lost to an NCAA Division 1-AA football team since 1985. My of my followers on Twitter (I'm @HokieGuru there) either were not born when this last happened or were very young. Let me tell you, folks, I'm old enough to remember the loss to William and Mary (that should tell you something about my age, although I was really young then). So, in some sense, there may be a generational issue when it comes to Virginia Tech football... but this leads me to #7 (something every generation can agree on)...
7.) I'm with my team in good and bad times. I'm a Virgina Tech Alumni and fan. Even after these losses, I wear my Virginia Tech gear the next day (and every day... 90% of my wardrobe is Virginia Tech related). I love my school. And I still have hope for the rest of the season. I'm all in with these guys.
I am hearing that there are some angry fans out there who are looking to boycott the team. I beg you not to do this. I also beg you not to stop your donations to the Hokie Club (which I've heard that some are doing). The Hokie Club is Virginia Tech's athletic fund raising operation. Less a few administrative expenses, the operation funds athletic scholarships, pays for facilities, the coaches salaries, and travel costs. No state funding goes towards athletics at Virginia Tech. So your funds go to all sports at Virginia Tech and we don't want to hurt other athletes (or any athletes). For many, the scholarship is their only opportunity to go to school.
Now is when this team needs us. So, UT Prosim!! GO HOKIES!!!
4.) [August 25, 2010 Edit] On December 12, 2010, Virginia Tech will take on Penn State in the Cassell.
4.) On December 18, 2010, Virginia Tech will take on Mississippi State IN THE BAHAMAS.
5.) Today, we heard on Twitter that Virginia Tech will play Virginia at home IN THE MIDDLE OF DECEMBER. GREAT NEWS FOR HOKIE FANS.
If you can't tell, the Hokie Guru is pretty fired up :) GO HOKIES!!!