Virginia Tech will play iowa as part of the ACC-big ten challenge on Tuesday, December 1 at 9:30 pm on ESPN2. Unfortunately, the game is slotted thirty minutes after tip-off of a rematch of the national championship (unc vs. michigan state), which will be broadcast on ESPN.

The entire challenge schedule can be found on hokiesports.com.

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Deron Washington’s dunks are on display in the NBA Summer League. Here are some highlights from last night’s Pistons-Raptors game.

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With two on board as part of the Virginia Tech 2010 recruiting class, the Hokies have now added their first for 2011. Rivals.com has reported that Robert Brown from Clermont, Florida (just west of Orlando) has verbally committed to Tech. Robert is a 6’4″ shooting guard.

Rivals had Brown as four-star and Top-100 overall recruit (#81) in the Class of 2011. Tech was his only offer at this point.

Assuming Brown and Jarell Eddie (Class of 2010) sign with Tech, the Hokies will have a top-100 recruit in each of the next two classes.  Eddie is #49 in Rivals 2009 rankings.

The addition of Brown means the Hokies should have a steady diet of guards coming in over the next few years with Ben Boggs (SG) and Erick Green (PG) starting at Tech this Fall, Tyrone Garland (PG) coming in next year, and Brown the year after.

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The Weekend Warrior has been whining about getting some pictures of the new Virginia Tech basketball practice facility, so while I was on campus this afternoon I snapped a few pics. For the most part it is complete, at least on the exterior. Check out our Facebook page for more pictures and while you’re there, become a fan! We only need three more people to become fans so that we can reach 100!

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Rivals.com has confirmed that Tyrone Garland, a guard from the Philadelphia area, has verbally committed to the Hokies.  He joins Jarell Eddie as the second member of the Hokie 2010 recruiting class.  Garland is listed as a three-star prospect by Rivals and Scout but has seen his stock go up recently after his performance at the Reebok camp. 

Tyrone is expected to play point guard for the Hokies but could also see time off the ball.  His minutes during the 2010-11 season could have a lot to do with how Erick Green develops and whether or not Malcolm Delaney returns for his senior season or enters the NBA Draft (yes, I know, a bit premature, but it is a possibility).  Garland was a second-team selection on the Philadelphia Inquirer‘s all-Southeastern Pennsylvania team this past year.

Garland had offers from seton hall, nevada, butler, and two Philly area schools – temple and la salle.

Jarell Eddie is listed as a four-star small forward by Rivals and is a Top 100 recruit in some rankings.

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Hank Thorns is headed south to tcu (texas Christian university) to play out the remaining two years of his eligibility with the horned frogs according to The Collegiate Times. The former Hokie point guard has a tumultuous two-year run with the Hokies that included setting the freshman assists record in 2007-2008.

Hokie fans were often frustrated by his frequently ill-advised drives to the lane against opponents a foot or more taller than him. When the Hokies got Florida transfer Allan Chaney in May, it meant someone had to go and that someone was Thorns.

Read more about Hank Thorns’ transfer at The Collegiate Times Web site.

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MaxPreps.com is reporting that Tyrone Garland, a 6-foot-1, 165-pound point guard from Bartram High in Philadelphia, will announce his decision to attend Virginia Tech at a press conference later today at 5pm. Read more about Garland at maxpreps.com. (Thanks for the tip, @hokieguru)

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Virginia Tech head coach Seth Greenberg posted on his Twitter account that former Hokie standout Deron Washington has signed a guaranteed contract with the Detroit Pistons, who selected him 59th overall (second round) of the 2008 NBA Draft. Washington played in Israel last season.

Greenberg, @HeadHokie on Twitter, posted 6:41 p.m. (eastern):

“congrats to Deron Washington for signing a guaranteed contract with the Pistons Great to have a Hokie in the league!”

I have yet to see this confirmed in any news reports, but I’ll take Greenberg’s word for it. Way to go, Deron!

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