Zabian Dowdell, Coleman Collins, and Jamon Gordon were not one of the 60 players picked in tonight’s NBA draft. Dowdell is the only real surprise. He was the top remaining player according to ESPN, and held that status for at least the last 15 picks as the draft was unfolding. Good thing I watched the DraftCast on ESPN.com instead of listening to Stephen A. all night.

In other news, Coleman Collins and Lewis Witcher were named to the 2007 All-ACC Academic Team for Men’s Basketball. This is a repeat honor for Collins.

I was a HUGE Philadelphia 76ers fans in the 1980s, specifically 1980 through 1986. I loved the NBA back then. Dr. J was my favorite basketball player, and will probably always be my favorite for as long as I live. The Sixers were one of the NBA’s elite in the early to mid 80s. It pisses me off when people talk about the Celts and Lakers in the 80s, but don’t mention the Sixers. In addition to their finals appearances in ‘80 and ‘82, the 1983 Philadelphia team is one of the best in the history of NBA. They DESTROYED every opponent during their playoff run, only losing one game to the Milwaukee Bucks in the Conference Finals. The Sixers had some classic battles with the Celtics in the 80s, similar to Red Sox-Yankees epics in the late 70s and of recent years. But then came June 16, 1986, a day that will always live in NBA, and 76ers infamy.

June 16, 1986 was NBA draft day. Most people probably think of Len Bias when they think of the 1986 draft, and rightfully so. However, June 16, 1986, was also the day that the 76ers made the worst trade in NBA history.

Read more »

Former Virginia Tech basketball coach Bob Hussey died today at the age of 67. Hussey coached the Hokies for two years, from 1997 to 1999. He was an assistant for Bill Foster when the Hokies made their last appearance in the NCAA Tournament before this past season.

Coach Hussey finished his tenure at Tech with a 23-32 record. The 1997-98 team went 10-17 and the 1998-99 improved to 13-15. Both years, Virginia Tech played in the Atlantic 10.

Before coaching at Virginia Tech, Hussey led davidson for eight seasons. He coached davidson to the Southern Conference Championship, thus the NCAA Tournament, in the 1985-86 season.

Coach Hussey’s career record was 310-270. He spent 10 years at belmont abbey (1971-1981), and then 1981 through 1989 at davidson.

The cause of death is unknown at this time. Hussey is survived by his wife, Sandra; and their two sons, Bo and Greg.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and family of Bob Hussey.

June 30, 2007
Ex-Hokies not drafted, but will get their shots with Sonics, Mavericks | Richmond Times-Dispatch

June 29, 2007
Just Pick Me Already: Zabien Dowdell, Take 4 | ESPN.com

State standouts shut out of NBA draft | Newport News Daily Press

June 28, 2007
Collins and Witcher make ALL-ACC Men’s Academic Basketball Team | HokieSports.com

Dowdell makes his point, waits | Richmond Times-Dispatch

June 27, 2007
Shooting for a short list | Florida Times-Union

This crop of locals has best shot in draft | Newport News Daily Press

2007 NBA Draft Preview: Hokie Hopefuls | TechSideline.com

Former Tech hoops coach Hussey dies | Roanoke Times

June 26, 2007
Former Clemson Assistant Bobby Hussey Dies | CSTV.com

Ex-Davidson, Va. Tech coach Hussey dies | Charlotte Observer

Two for the show? | Roanoke Times

June 25, 2007
ACC All Over NBA Draft | WRAL.com

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We had an opportunity to ask former Virginia Tech basketball player Coleman Collins some questions about his future, and about his past four years at Virginia Tech.

Coleman has been a model athlete, student, and person, and the Team at TechHoops.com appreciates all of his hard work and dedication (and time to do this Q&A). We wish him the best in the upcoming NBA Draft, and beyond.

Coleman answered the questions below on Monday, June 18, 2007.

TechHoops: Have you had any workouts with NBA teams, or are any scheduled?

Coleman: I had one workout with the Sonics last week, and this coming week I’ll go to Minnesota, Phoenix, and Golden State.

TechHoops: What will you be doing on draft day/night?

Coleman: On draft night I’ll be with family and friends, either in New York or Atlanta - I haven’t decided yet.

Read more »

June 24, 2007
Va. Tech offers Bearden duo | Knoxville News Sentinel

Collins’ woes apparently now in the past | Roanoke Times

June 23, 2007
Hokies’ Munson mulling transfer | Roanoke Times

Summer ACC Hoops Preview continued | Raleigh-Durham News & Observer

Coach Greenberg to visit OBX Hokie Club | Outer Banks Sentinel

June 22, 2007
Just Pick Me Already: Zabian Dowdell, Part 2 | ESPN.com

Summer ACC Hoops Preview | Raleigh-Durham News & Observer

June 20, 2007
Just Pick Me Already: Zabian Dowdell | ESPN.com

Dowdell, one of the 2007 NBA Draft Sleepers | HOOPSWORLD.com

The Virginia Tech Hokies may get a big boost inside next season if verbal recruit, J.T. Thompson, can finish his final core class this summer.  J.T. has completed 13 of the required 14 core classes, according to this espn.com article.  He must complete 14 currently to be eligible to enroll at VT, but a rule change might affect this going forward.

Beginning with the 2008 academic year (ie: the year after this coming one), recruits must have completed 16 core classes to be eligible their freshman with only one being completed at a postgraduate school.  J.T. was planning to enter Hargrave’s postgraduate school next season (the same school Jeff Allen and Dorenzo Hudson attended this past season).  Since Thompson could have only counted one core class at Hargrave, he would have only had 14 official core classes after next season.  This might have forced him to go to a Junior College before entering VT.

J.T. is now looking into completing his final core class this summer and entering VT next year before the core class amount is raised from 14 to 16. 

J.T., like Jeff Allen, is somewhat short for a NCAA power forward at 6′6″, but is very highly regarded.  He is ranked the #58 player overall in the 2008 class by scout.com and the #71 player overall by rivals.com.  He would fill a big hole for the Hokies next year inside if VT can get him on campus, considering the fact VT lost big men Coleman Collins, Robert Krabbendam, and Chris Tucker, as well as highly touted recruit Gus Gilchrist who is prepping next year and may not re-sign with Virginia Tech.  However, J.T. has not signed a letter of intent yet to play at VT.  He is just a verbal commit right now.

For more on the new rule and its impact:

Washington Post article 

“The new NCAA rule states that upon entering ninth grade, athletes have four years to meet the eligibility standards in core academic courses to participate in college athletics; following those four years, they may take only one additional core course at any high school recognized by the NCAA. Beginning in 2008, recruits also will need to complete 16 core courses instead of 14, which will make it harder for players to become academically eligible after four years of high school.”

June 15, 2007
More Bad News For Virginia Tech? | Duke Basketball Report

Mention of Munson rumors | Roanoke Times

June 14, 2007
Prep/College Season Awards from the Bluefield Daily Telegraph | Bluefield Daily Telegraph

New NCAA rule may send Hokies recruit to juco instead | ESPN.com

June 13, 2007
New Grizzlies coach grew up with college coaches Seth and Brad Greenberg | Newsday

Curry among five to be inducted to Virginia High School Hall of Fame | Newport News Daily Press

June 8, 2007
Virginia Tech tragedy still hard for Dowdell to fathom | AP

ACC Recruiting Review | jacketsonline.com

June 7, 2007
Ex-Hokie Gordon to work out with Wizards | Newport News Daily Press

June 6, 2007
Zabe works out for Miami Heat | DraftExpress.com

June 5, 2007
Hokies’ Gordon Among Invitees To Work Out | Washington Post

June 4, 2007
Report on Coleman Collins from Pre-Draft Camp | cnnsi.com

Zabian Dowdell named All 1st Team at Orlando Pre-Draft Camp | DraftExpress.net