Alright, enough whining, TechHoops.com fans, I’m back from sabbatical.  I guarantee at least 90% new material in every article… but there’s only a 50% chance of that.

OK, so I’m back… what to write about…

THREE POINT LINE

Just a reminder that the college three-point line moves back a foot next year from 19′9″ to 20′9″.   This is the first time the NCAA has “officially” moved the line since it instituted it across the board back in 1986.  The Southern Conference was the first to use a three-point line (conferences can supercede NCAA rules for conference only games, as can tournaments).  The ACC also tinkered with a three-point line that was actually less than 19′9″.  In other words, it was shorter than the top of the key!  Yeesh.  Maybe if they went back to that, VT could actually hit a few.

The funny/annoying thing about the line moving is the Hokies finally became a three-point threat at the end of the season.  Well, I should say two guys were: Malcolm Delaney and A.D. Vassallo.  Even Deron Washington finally started hitting a few.

On the season, VT hit 192 threes in 35 games, or 5.49 per game.  That ranked 11th in the ACC, ahead of just maryland.  But Tech hit eight or more three-pointers in four of their final seven games and averaged 7.4 made per game over that span, including 26 in their three NIT games.  So what happens?  The line moves back a foot.

I see this move a good thing for Virginia Tech overall though.  A.D. still has the range to hit threes from 21 feet, and it will make other teams worse.  Plus, with the line out, defenses will naturally extend out a bit, leading to more room for Jeff Allen and J.T. Thompson inside.  Plus, Hank Thorns could have more room to slash and dish.

I haven’t been in Cassell yet to see if the line has been moved yet on the main court and practice courts, but I know Seth Greenberg said he was planning to do it quickly, and the sooner the better so the guys adjust.  They will either get better, or realize maybe they aren’t three-point shooters anymore.

FYI: The line is 23′9″ in the NBA (22′ in the corners) and 20′6″ in international play, including the Olympics this summer.  So the Olympic distance is actually less than college now, although the line is moving out to 22′2″ in 2010. For more on the three-point line, go to Wikipedia (shocker they have a page JUST about the 3-point line): Wikipedia’s Tribute to the 3

FIRST BLOOD

You all learned about my respect and admiration for Rambo back in February.  Well, while at a comedy last week that I’m embarrassed to admit I was at, I saw a preview that changed my plans for this coming week.  For ONE NIGHT ONLY, First Blood (aka: the original Rambo), is being shown in “select” theaters around the nation.  One night!  One chance!  Crank up Eminem’s song Lose Yourself. This is your one last chance at history!

The biggest debate for my buddy and me is whether to see it locally or drive out to Manassas, VA to see it with REAL Rambo fans.  Smuggle in the tallboys!  I know I’m not going to Tyson’s Corner to see it.  If I saw anyone in a sportcoat there, I’d have to punch them, and I’m sure I would.

For more info and theaters showing it near you, go to http://www.fathomevents.com/ and select First Blood from the Event drop-down list.

RECRUITING

Tyshawn Taylor, a four-star point guard prospect VT was hot-and-heavy on last Fall, has committed to National Champ kansas.  He had previously signed with marquette but was granted a release after Tom Crean left to coach three scholarship players at indiana (yes, they really only have three guys left from last year’s team, plus five incoming recruits). 

The Hokies are still in the running for five-star prospect Deshawn Painter.  Painter is transferring from Booker T. Washington HS in the ‘757′ to Hargrave Military Academy for his Senior season.  He is ranked the #3 Center and #22 overall prospect in the Class of 2009 according to Rivals.com.  He would REALLY fit a need for the Hokies.  His cousin, Vinston Painter, is enrolling at VT next Fall and will be an O-Lineman on the football team.  Let’s hope they are close. 

The Hokie’s quest to have a T. Taylor leading their football and basketball teams continues as Tech continues to recruit 2008 point guard prospect Tyshawn Taylor from Jersey City, NJ. Taylor was a marquette signee but has since been granted a release from his letter of intent with former marquette Head Coach Tom Crean moving to indiana. VT is considered one of five schools in serious contention, including 2008 National Champs kansas.

Taylor had been considered a three-star recruit and #101 overall in the Class of 2008 by Rivals.com but was bumped up to a four-star ranking, #77 overall, and the #11 point guard in their newest ratings.

At this point, it is unknown how Virginia Tech could take him. VT is currently maxing out all 13 scholarships for next year based on returning players and the three signees they have coming in for next season. Someone would have to transfer, quit the program, get a medical waiver (keep a scholarship but it doesn’t count against your 13 since they are unable to play due to medical conditions), or a recruit will have to not enroll.

That’s right. Tyrone Appleton, who led midland college of Texas to the national JUCO title in 2007 has signed with kansas.

Months ago I decided to take today off from work, similar to what I did one year after the attacks of 9/11, for personal reflection on an event that touched me deeply. Like with the Virginia Tech shootings, 9/11 impacted me indirectly, but very profoundly. I worked and lived a mile from the Pentagon. I saw the smoke rising off the Pentagon from where the plane had hit it that morning. I walked from my apartment later that day and saw the hole. All of those images made it extremely “real” to me.

Last year on this day, I was returning from a friend’s wedding in St. Louis. A trip of such happiness quickly turned to bitter sadness. Before heading into work, I started getting flooded with texts to check out the news. I began watching, and sat there stunned as the newscasts kept raising the death toll to unfathomable numbers.

In the days following, I struggled with my own grief. Why did this event make me so sad? I had long since graduated from Virginia Tech. Though I had friends that were neighbors of some of the victim’s families, and others that were taught by professors lost in the shootings, I had no connection to any of the victims or families. I almost felt guilty for being down in the dumps, when I couldn’t even imagine the pain the victims’ friends and families were feeling.

Then, it hit me. I realized how deep and strong my love for Virginia Tech was. It dawned on me why this event hurt so much. Virginia Tech, and all who have attended or worked there, are family. They are my brothers and sisters. It occurred to me that the pain I felt so deeply was because I truly felt like I had lost 32 siblings in those shootings. Though I will never know the excruciating sting this tragedy had on the blood-relation families or direct friends of these victims, I now have a better understanding of how deeply my fondness of Virginia Tech runs.

In the year since, my bond with VT has only grown stronger. That is due in part to my realization of my feelings. But more so, it has to do with the way the Virginia Tech community has reacted. Instead of being torn apart, Hokies have bonded together more tightly than ever. We have not let this define us, instead, it has driven us to do more. I only hope we can represent those who were lost proudly. And the outpouring of support from other communities all over the world has touched me and strengthened my belief in the human spirit.

Upon waking this morning, after realizing the news outlets were barely covering today’s events at VT, at least in the morning hours, I decided to read the biography of each victim on VT’s web site (Victims’ Biographies). It was extremely sad to read about the accomplishments, hopes, and dreams of each person. It was sad to see what might have been, and know it would never be.

One thing stood out in particular. It was in the biography of Mike Pohle, Jr. Mike struggled with a speech development issue early on in life, leading to teasings from other kids. As a result, Mike appreciated the struggles of others. “Based on his own experiences and even with his athletic success, Mike befriended those who felt they did not fit in or who were lost in the crowd with no one to turn to. It was instinctive for Mike to help; it was his calling,” stated his biography.

I only wish Mike had met Cho before that fateful day. Maybe, with such a wonderful person as a friend, this tragedy that still saddens all Hokies would never have happened. Going forward, if we all reach out to someone in need, the outcasts or “lepers” of society and show them the same courtesy we show everyone else, instead of fearing them and further isolating them, we can avert a similar situation, or at least make their blue days a little brighter. I know I could improve in this area.

To the 32 victims, here’s thinking of you. You are not forgotten, and never will be. You will always be an inspiration to me to enjoy life and to do more.

This is a re-post of the Tribute Desktop created by our own 8ball last year to honor the victims of April 16th. We are still thinking of all of you and pray for your families.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the 32 innocent Hokies that lost their lives, their families and friends, those injured, the friends and families of those injured, those yet to contact their student or loved one, and the entire Hokie nation. Today is a day we will never forget, and it will take a long time to even begin to start healing. Our beloved university will never be the same. God bless each person affected today. May your family and friends find the strength to cope with this horrible tragedy.

–The Team at TechHoops.com

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Tribute Desktop by 8ball:

We are Virginia Tech
Download | 800×600 | 1024×768
Letter (8.5 x 11; 144 dpi) | Tabloid (11 x 17; 144 dpi)

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Visit vt.edu for the latest updates on the tragedy.

We will resume posting basketball content on Monday, April 23.

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This is a re-post of our article that captured some of the various images and words following the tragedy of last April 16th. TechHoops.com has not forgotten any of the 32 victims from last year and never will. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the impacted families this week especially, but really every day. Not a day goes by that we don’t think of those that lost their lives, so full of hope and promise, way too early. We miss you.

We at TechHoops.com want to post some of the inspiring images and words to help the Hokie community cope with this tragedy. If you have any to share, please leave us a comment.

Nikki Giovanni at the Convocation:

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The Hokies will host defending Big Ten regular season and tournament champions, wisconsin on Monday, December 1 to tip off the 10th annual ACC-Big Ten challenge. This will be Tech’s first ever meeting with the badgers on the hardwood.

This is definitely one of the marquee games of the 2008 challenge, and a clear sign of respect for the Hokies from the schedule makers and ESPN. Other big match-ups include duke at purdue (12/2), clemson at illinois (12/2), ohio state at miami (12/2), indiana at wake forest (12/3), and unc vs. michigan state (12/3). However, the Hokies and badgers will be the first game of the challenge and the only game on the 1st. It’s got the making for a big-time non-conference tilt in the Cassell, which has been rare this decade.

The Hokies are 1-2 all time in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge. Tech defeated iowa in 2006 and lost to ohio state in 2005 and penn state in 2007.

Check out hokiesports.com for more info.

Washington averaged 17 points, 6 boards, 2.67 assists, and 2 blocks per game, and shot 5 of 12 of his three point attempts. You can read more about his performance at hokiesports.com.

Found this 2008-09 ACC preview on a random blog tonight. Hokies are picked 5th.

Frankie Allen, who coached the Hokies for four seasons from 1987-1991, is now the head coach of the women’s program at maryland-eastern shore. Coach Allen wasn’t too successful at Tech even though Bimbo Coles played for him during Allen’s first three years.

Allen went 56-61 during his four years, but only had one winning season - his first when the Hokies finished 19-10. However, the Hokies did not play in the postseason that year, despite their strong record. I was a freshman in 1989 and recall an Allen-coached Hokie victory over a Top 25 ranked alabama team that resulted in a massive celebration on campus, and specifically in the “prairie”. I look back at that and laugh because Tech basketball has come a long way since then. Now we are beating the likes of duke and carolina. Call me crazy, but I don’t think a victory over the crimson tide would trigger a similar response.