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   Welcome to TSLMail #252 - Friday, November 10, 2006    
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   Tech Sports News


Get Your Tailgating Supplies at Kroger!

TSL is proud to have Kroger® as a sponsor. Kroger® has been sponsoring Hokie athletics for years and has become a permanent fixture in VT athletics (whenever someone says, "You know what Coach Beamer says" on the message boards, someone else ALWAYS responds with, "Get your tailgate supplies at Kroger®!")

Have You Checked Kroger®'s Store Locator and Weekly Specials Web Page? Kroger®'s TSL ads, the ones that start out with the notation "Local Specials", are very cool -- when you click them, it takes you to a store locator, and once you locate a Kroger® store from the list, it loads your latest weekly specials. You can browse them all, sort them by category, etc.

Very cool -- click below to give it a test run.



Tech's Top Trio of Hoopsters Poised to Land in Record Books

by Chris Coleman, TechSideline.com

Jamon Gordon, Zabian Dowdell and Coleman Collins will begin their final season playing basketball for Virginia Tech tonight. The Hokies host Coppin State in Cassell Coliseum at 7:30. These three players, along with fellow seniors Markus Sailes and Chris Tucker, are hoping that it’s the first step in an NCAA tournament season.

Gordon, Dowdell and Collins are all three-year starters, and their names could be near the top of the Tech record books in some important statistics by the end of the season. In fact, Dowdell and Gordon have already made their marks on some of Tech’s all-time lists.

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Gordon and Dowdell are both currently in the top 10 in career steals at Virginia Tech. Gordon ranks sixth with 196, while Dowdell sits in ninth with 170. If Gordon keeps the same pace as his first three seasons in Blacksburg, he will find himself in second place at the end of his career with 261 steals. He would be behind only Dell Curry, who recorded 295 steals in his prestigious career. Dowdell is on pace to finish his career with 227 steals, which would place third all-time at Virginia Tech, behind Curry and Jamon Gordon.

But Dowdell and Gordon have made their mark on the program in more ways than just getting steals. They are also on pace to place highly on the career assists list after the season is over. Gordon enters the 2006-07 season with 360 assists to his name. He is on pace to finish his career with 480 assists, which would be second all-time at Tech. Bimbo Coles holds the record with 547.

Dowdell is on pace to finish fifth in school history in assists with 365. That would place fifth on the current list, but sixth if you include Jamon Gordon’s projected numbers for the season.

Gordon isn’t a big scorer, but he is a virtual lock to join the 1,000 point club when his career is over. He is on pace to score 1,189 points, which would rank 26th on Virginia Tech’s all-time list. He is also projected to finish his career with 576 rebounds, an outstanding number for a guard (not a top ten total, though).

Gordon will be remembered as one of Tech’s best guards because of his all-around game. Finishing second all-time in career assists and steals is no small feat.

Dowdell is also a very good scorer. If he stays on pace with his first three seasons, he will finish his career with 1,591 points, which would be 12th all-time at Tech. If he can score 1,652 career points, he will move into the top 10, tied with Bill Matthews and right behind Bryant Matthews.

It says quite a bit about the talent level in Virginia Tech’s backcourt to rank that highly in so many important categories. Gordon and Dowdell are projected to leave Blacksburg ranked in the top three in career steals. Both players will also be in the top 10 in assists. That’s four years (or it will be after this year) of outstanding production, and they are the main reason the Hokies are poised to make a run to the NCAA tournament this season.

Coleman Collins won’t have the statistical numbers of his career that Gordon and Dowdell will have. But he could have the brightest basketball future of the trio. Collins is on pace to finish with 1,183 points in his career, right behind Jamon Gordon in 27th place.

But if Collins can play in every game this season, which he hasn’t done in the past, he could move up further on the list. A season without injuries and off court tragedies could be a major boost to Collins’ numbers.

If the Hokies make it to postseason play this year as expected, that could potentially add a few games to Tech’s schedule. More games would lead to better stats, and better career numbers for the trio called “The Takeover”.


Flyover Scheduled for Saturday

The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, in cooperation with Navy ROTC, is proud to announce that, barring weather or operational factors, the United States Navy’s FIGHTER ATTACK SQUADRON THIRTY-SEVEN, “The Ragin’ Bulls” from Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia Beach, Virginia will conduct a military aircraft flyover with two F/A-18 Hornets during the National Anthem prior to the Virginia Tech vs. Kent State game.

The lead aircraft will be flown by Lieutenant Kristin Thompson. Lieutenant Thompson graduated from Virginia Tech in 1999 and played on the Virginia Tech Women’s Basketball team during her student years.


TSL's Will Stewart is going to jail November 14th

Message from TechSideline.com's Will Stewart: I'm participating in a Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Lock-up event on Tuesday, November 14th. I'll be thrown into a maximum security jail (cleverly disguised as a Comfort Inn), and the only way I can get out is to raise $5,000 "bail" for MDA. I'm counting on you, TSL's readers and subscribers, to donate enough money to get me out.

This is a fundraiser, of course, and it's unlike anything TSL has ever done before. TSL has gotten so huge over the years, that with the number of people we reach, raising money for charitable causes should be easy. We really think that TSL's vast, generous readership can make a lot of difference in the community, and this is your chance to prove us right. If this is successful, and we think it will be, we may participate in other fundraisers in the future.

It's very simple: just click on the link below to make a donation and help me get out of jail that day. Every dollar donated by TSL's readership through the link below will be collected together and credited to my "bail" (TechSideline.com's donation to the MDA) and will be used to help LOCAL MDA families. This particular lockup event is to benefit the Radford/Dublin/Pulaski area.

Here are some other notes and details:

  • The link below enables you to donate via credit card only (VISA, MC, AMEX, and Discover). Please see instructions below to donate by check.
  • All donations are tax deductible (by you, not me or TechSideline.com) as a charitable contribution.
  • My bail goal of $5,000 is very modest, and the TSL faithful should be able to donate much, much more than that. If every TSL reader donates just $10 ... holy smokes, that would be a lot of money.
  • For details on what your donation will be used for, see the "What Your Money Will Buy" button located at the link below. There are also links for "MDA Local Services" and the "MDA Website".

To donate by check: Make checks payable to "MDA" and mail to:

MDA Lockup
c/o TechSideline.com
P.O. Box 3472
Radford, VA 24143-3472

Checks must arrive by November 13th in order for me to have them in my possession when I go to the Comfort Inn -- er, jail -- the next day.

To donate by credit card: Click below.

Please contribute, even if it's a small amount – individuals, consider donating $25 or more, and businesses, please consider donating $100 or more.

When I walk into jail on November 14th, I want it to be as the top donor in this lockup event, and the money won't be donated in my name; it will be donated in the name of the TechSideline.com community.

Contribute Here to Will's Bail


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   TechSideline.com Updates From the Past Week

Keys to the Game and Matchups to Watch: Virginia Tech vs. Kent State

November 10, 2006
Will Virginia Tech get a much needed breather this Saturday when the Kent State Golden Flashes visit Lane Stadium, or will the Hokies experience the same difficulties that the Michigan Wolverines had with the Ball State Cardinals last week in the Big House? No one needs to remind Virginia Tech fans of how dangerous MAC schools can be, after Miami (Ohio) upset Tech several years ago. This week the Hokies host an improved Kent State squad that was in contention for the Mid-American East Division title until Ohio knocked the Golden Flashes off two weeks ago. Virginia Tech needs to come ready to play because the Hokies have basically become Kent State's bowl game for this year.
more

2006-07 VT Men's Basketball Preview
November 9, 2006
While the Hokies have been enjoying another successful season on the gridiron, another Virginia Tech team has been quietly preparing for a season that could be even better than that of their football counterparts. The men's basketball team returns a lot of talented and experienced players from last season's team and will be looking to make a run to the Big Dance in March of 2007.
more

Bourbonstreet's Championship Series (b-streetC.S.): Week 11
November 9, 2006
Slam, bang, that's it for the Mountaineers, and out of Bstreet's BCS Top 10 they go. Now it's down to Louisville and Rutgers to see who's got the inside track to the BCS for the Big East. Meanwhile, Bstreet still has love for Ohio State from the Big Ten, Texas from the Big 12, Boise State from Smallville, N(BC)D, and the waters are still murky for the ACC, SEC, and PAC 10.
more

2008 Class: Friendly's Dynamic Duo
November 9, 2006
Friendly High School (Fort Washington, MD) boasts at least two top targets for the 2008 class. They are Josh Haden and Lamaar Thomas, both of whom have already received Division 1A scholarship offers according to Friendly assistant coach Marcus Berry.
more

TSL Recruiting Report from "SportsBeat With Mike Harris", for 11/8/06
November 9, 2006
On Wednesday night's show, the topic of discussions were Virginia Tech and Virginia's men's basketball recruiting classes and the Fork Union/Hargrave football game. Chris Horne gave his on the game, the UVa/VT commitments, and some other players. (MP3 format, compatible with Windows Media Player and MP3 players, 3.0 MB, 20:38)
more

Press Conference Set for Jay Smith
November 9, 2006
Lake Taylor (Norfolk, VA) wide receiver Jay Smith will announce his college decision next Wednesday, November 15th, at a press conference at Lake Taylor High School. The press conference is scheduled to take place at 6:00 p.m., Jay's father Mordecai told TechSideline.com.
more

Hokies Sign Four Hoops Recruits; One More on the Way?
November 8, 2006
Today is a banner day for the Virginia Tech basketball program. Four players faxed in their letters of intent to head coach Seth Greenberg Wednesday, and those players represent one of the best recruiting classes in school history and one of the top classes in the nation this year. The talent haul includes two four-star players (on a five-star scale) and two three-star players.
more

Football Game Preview: Virginia Tech vs. Kent State
November 8, 2006
A week after knocking off the hated Miami Hurricanes in the Orange Bowl, Virginia Tech will return to the friendly confines of Lane Stadium for a rare November game against a MAC team. Kent State will be the opponent, and the Hokies will be looking to fine tune their game as they head into final quarter of the season.
more

2006-07 ACC Basketball Preview
November 8, 2006
After a season that saw the conference send just four teams to the NCAA tournament, none of which made it past the Sweet 16, the ACC is on the comeback trail this year. Conference coaches are already beating the drum, touting the league as an eight-bid league in 2006-07. Virginia Tech hopes to be one of those bids, for the first time since 1996 and only the second time since 1986, and we'll preview the Hokies tomorrow. Here's our ACC preview, letting you know what to expect from the other 11 teams in the league.
more

Coale Helps Episcopal Capture IAC Championship
November 8, 2006
6-0, 195-pound wide receiver Danny Coale estimates his 2006 stat line to be about 27 catches for around 650 yards with 13 touchdowns. More importantly, he has been a key part of an Episcopal team that has already captured the 2006 IAC regular season championship title.
more

Play Diagram: Ore's Game-Winning TD
November 8, 2006
I mentioned in "Monday Thoughts" that Branden Ore's game-winning touchdown was a fascinating play, and after spending time breaking it down and diagramming it, I discovered that it was one of the most perfectly-executed plays the Hokie offense has had all season. Here's a diagram and description of the play that gave the Hokies their fourth win in the Orange Bowl in the last ten years.
more

Miami Game Analysis: Patient, Disciplined Hokies Come Out on Top
November 7, 2006
Last week, the Hokies fired on all cylinders, dominated on both sides of the ball and routed the highly ranked Clemson Tigers. This week, the Hokies misfired in a couple of spots, but took advantage of some key opportunities to outlast the Miami Hurricanes 17-10 at the Orange Bowl. Sometimes, games come down to character, toughness, and the will to overcome adversity. This was one of those games. Although they didn't play well in some areas, the Hokies were patient, remained composed and found a way to win.
more

Hokie Hotline Notes for 11/6/06
November 7, 2006
Monday night's show featured offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring, athletic director Jim Weaver, and head football coach Frank Beamer. All three discussed the big win over Miami.
more

Four-Star DE Considering Six
November 7, 2006
Once Tony Tucker’s senior season comes to an end, he will focus solely on making his college decision. The 6-2, 225-pound St. John’s (Washington, D.C.) standout will simply look forward to his official visits, of which he has set four already. Two schools are vying for that final official visit spot, which will likely come in January.
more

Monday Thoughts: The Miami Game
November 6, 2006
Very little that happened Saturday night surprised me. I expected both teams to struggle on offense, I expected it to be a low-scoring game, and I figured one of the two teams would make a mistake or two that cost them the game. The one thing I didn't expect to see was a completely clean, hard-fought game, but that's what we got.
more

Tech-Wake Forest Kickoff Time to be Announced Sunday
November 6, 2006
ABC and ESPN have exercised their six day option on the Virginia Tech-Wake Forest game on November 18. Kickoff time will now be announced this coming Sunday, November 12, pending the results of the ACC games on November 11.
Also: ACC Football and Basketball in the Top 25.
more

Hargrave/Fork Union Report: Ajiboye Looks Sharp
November 6, 2006
Virginia Tech defensive tackle recruit Ladi Ajiboye was on display in last Friday's Fork Union/Hargrave contest. The standout played well for Hargrave and remains committed to Virginia Tech, the school he signed with in February earlier this year. Check out a game summary, an update with Ajiboye and more from the Hargrave/Fork Union game.
more

Bourbonstreet's ACC Capsule: Week 11
November 6, 2006
Wake Forest is hugging the rail on the inside track to represent the ACC in JAX? Georgia Tech and Reggie "The human turnover machine" Ball will touch down on The Landing in JAX? How amazing is it that the once mighty Sunshine State ACC schools known as Miami and Florida State have now been beaten seven times in league play, eight times overall, and appear to be fighting for the 7th and 8th ACC bowl slots respectively? And how about N.C. State, North Carolina, and Duke combining for only f-o-u-r wins on 2006?
more

Hokies Outlast Miami in Defensive Slugfest, Win 17-10
November 5, 2006
Coral Gables, FL --As expected, #23 Virginia Tech and Miami played a barnburner in the Orange Bowl on Saturday night. And as most college football analysts predicted during the week, the Hokies found a way to win. After Tech's 17-10 victory over the Hurricanes, the Hokies have now beaten Miami eight of the last 12 times the teams have played, and three of the last four times.
more
 
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