2012.02.02
Friday briefing/column (updated with ACC news)
UPDATE: 11:45 A.M. The ACC has announced that Pitt will be in the Coastal Division (with Tech and UVa) for football and Syracuse will be in the Atlantic.The schedule format will consist of each team playing all six in its division each year, plus its primary crossover partner each year and two rotating opponents from the opposite division.
Primary scheduling partners for basketball: Tech-UVa; Boston College-Syracuse; Clemson-Georgia Tech; Duke-North Carolina; Florida State-Miami; Maryland-Pitt; NC State-Wake Forest.
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ORIGINAL POST: We begin today with a sheep-herding rabbit. I think some here might nominate him as the next Virginia Tech basketball coach, considering his leadership qualities:
A few things for Friday:
-Today’s column from last night’s 75-60 Duke victory over Virginia Tech, which focuses on struggling freshman Dorian Finney-Smith, is posted below the breifing. Mark Berman’s game story is here.
-Randy King looks at the legacy of former VMI football coach Bob Thalman, who died Tuesday at age 89.
-Unfortunate news out of Texas, where the Dallas Morning News is reporting that Josh Hamilton relapsed. (Update: Hamilton is holding a 2 p.m. press conference today that MLB Network says it will broadcast live.)
-Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski practices for the first time this week.
Other Big Ten football coaches aren't too pleased with the new guy's recruiting tactics.
-The SEC-style recruiting tactics of new Ohio State coach Urban Meyer aren’t playing well in the Big Ten. “There are a few things that happened early on that I made people aware of that I didn’t want to see in this league, that I had seen take place in other leagues,” Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema says. “Other recruiting tactics, other recruiting practices that are illegal. “I was very up front and was very pointed to the fact, actually reached out to Coach Meyer and shared my thoughts and concerns with him. The situation got rectified.”
Michigan State’s Mark Dantonio called Meyer’s tactics “pretty unethical.”
-A lot of buzz about Peyton Manning possibly heading to the Redskins when this whole Colts drama ends. Curious what you ‘Skins fans would think of that?
-Got this e-mail yesterday regarding my signing day column that I figured I’d share. The writer is correct; I should have mentioned these guys as well: I know the focus on your article on VT RBs was recruiting rather than overall rosters but when you said that VT may have no other choice but to rely on freshman, I could find myself disappointed that the article did not mention any of the RBs currently in the program besides Gregory. There is highly touted recruit Michael Holmes who redshirted last year as well as Dominique Patterson.
-Embrace your baldness, guys. Don’t do what this guy allegedly did and steal Rogaine.
Don't omit Michael Holmes from the Tech running back derby (like I did).
NAME THAT TUNE
-I typically provide more than three lines but don’t think you’ll need more today:
I got my first real six-string
Bought it at the five-and-dime
Played it ’til my fingers bled…
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COLUMN: FINNEY-SMITH REPRESENTS TECH’S PRESENT, FUTURE
BLACKSBURG — One night after national signing day for football, we were reminded that the coaching doesn’t stop once the top-notch talent puts pen to paper.
This lesson played out at Cassell Coliseum, where one of the most decorated basketball recruits in Virginia Tech history continued to suffer through a horrific slump that threatens to shatter his confidence – assuming it hasn’t already.
Dorian Finney-Smith entered Thursday’s game on an 0-for-21 shooting streak from the field. When Duke’s 75-60 victory over the Hokies was over, the freshman’s slump had reached 25 straight misses.
It’s gotten to the point where you can’t help but root for the guy just to make one. A trash putback. A short jumper. A breakaway. Something. You can see him hustling out there, trying to make it work.
It just isn’t.
This season is all about player development now. The Hokies won’t be in the NCAA tournament. They won’t finish in the top half of the ACC. From here on, Tech needs to treat these games like a minor league baseball team would: strive to win, of course, but concentrate most on making the young players better.
Nowhere is that more important than with Finney-Smith, who represents so much hope for this program. USA Today named him a third-team high school All-American. The Hokies, you may have noticed over the years, don’t get many high school All-Americans.
Twice, the 6-foot-8 forward was named VHSL Group AAA Player of the Year at I.C. Norcom High. He could score. He could rebound. He could defend. He could set teammates up with slick passes.
And for a while this season, he was doing that for Tech. Finney-Smith posted double-doubles in two of his first three college games. He scored at least 10 points in seven of his first 12 games – nice production from a guy making that adjustment.
Finney-Smith’s early success, though, delayed what coach Seth Greenberg described as much-needed mechanical adjustments to his shooting form. The two are working one-on-one to correct it in practice. Meantime, though, he’s suffering through the trials in games.
“It’s 100 percent my fault,” Greenberg said. “He was making some shots early. Tim Tebow won a lot of games at Florida, so nobody really changed his release. So when he went up to another level, from preseason games to [the NFL], it was exposed.
“It’s going to take us a long time for us to [change the mechanics]. That one’s on me, because I knew better. It was fool’s gold.”
Please don’t misunderstand. Nobody – not Greenberg, not me, not any of the other Tech players – is blaming Finney-Smith for Tech’s 12-10 record and 1-6 ACC mark. There is collective responsibility in this, from the coach on down.
But Finney-Smith has the highest ceiling of any of these young players we talk so much about. If we’re looking toward the future – and at this point, what else is there? – he’s the focal point.
Point guard Erick Green knows what Finney-Smith is experiencing. As a freshman, he shot 29 percent from the field. He struggled terribly throughout the year.
“Man, I think mine might have been worse,” Green said, adding that he constantly encourages Finney-Smith and admires his work ethic. “I went through a slump where I don’t think I scored for a long time. He’ll get over it.”
Green did, bumping up his scoring average by nine points to 11.6 as a sophomore. He’s now one of the ACC’s best scorers as a junior.
The Hokies will need a similar career path from Finney-Smith, even if it doesn’t happen this year.
“I’m just telling you right now: No. 1, the kid is one of the best kids I’ve ever coached,” Greenberg said of Finney-Smith. “Ever, in 35 years. And No. 2, he’s going to be really, really special. I have no doubts in my mind about that.
“We’ve just got to help him through it, gotta be there. That’s part of coaching.”
Just as recruiting him in the first place was. Probably even more so.
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You can follow me on Twitter here. E-mail is aaron.mcfarling@roanoke.com.
Was watching an NBA game yesterday. Dirk Nowitzki was at least 0 for his last 14 3-point attempts. This guy played on the reigning NBA champions, is a likely Hall of Famer, and has hit something near 40% of his 3-point attempts the last two years and nearly 38% for his career, and he hasn’t hit one in several games. Eons ago, Gil Hodges went 0-for the World Series, and Brooklynites were lighting candles for him in church. Slumps happen to EVERYONE! Finney-Smith just needs to relax and let the game come to him, instead of pressing so hard (as it appears he’s doing). I’m predicting a breakout game for him at some point (hopefully soon, for his sake if not for Tech’s).
Comment by Mike Marcolini — February 2, 2012 @ 11:54 pm
As good as they said he was in HS, he was only about the 6th or 7th best senior in Tidewater and between 10th to 15th overall. So a good got for Tech but as a program changer, questionable. And what was Greenberg thinking, he learned nothing from the Tebow, Tiger Woods, David Duval, etc. changes.Right now the BB program is a zoo.
Comment by Tom L — February 3, 2012 @ 12:09 am
Finney-Smith is not only 0-25 he is also 0-12. 2012, that is. First we couldn`t start games then we couldn`t finish games and now it seems we can`t play during games. As Dan Patrick said, if Tech wanted to make Duke`s inside game beat them they accomplished that. Young? Agree this team was Green last night who seemed to the only one who wanted to play at the end. Agree with Aaron, make the rest of this season like spring practice and hopefully win a few games along way. Speaking of spring practice…..
Comment by Ralph — February 3, 2012 @ 7:12 am
Hate to say it but it is time for Tech to let Seth go. He has limited potential as a coach and Tech needs more. He made the most of so-so talent in the past but he is not good enough to coach high level talent to the highest level. Add to that the number of players that have left the program, the twice miss-fires on the Curry brothers and the current state of Finney-Smith (changing shooting mechanics in the middle of the season…come on!).
Comment by Steve — February 3, 2012 @ 7:19 am
For those who follow Tech basketball closely, and that is not me, here is something to think about today.
Maybe, just maybe, Greenberg is not the answer to the basketball program at Tech. What has he really accomplished at Tech?
A team is a reflection of the coach of the team. A team takes on the personality of the coach. So, what does that say about the team and the coach ?
Remember a president said, ” The buck stops here “. In coaching the buck stops with the coach.
Good luck to the basketball team, as good luck wishes are to all Tech teams.
Comment by Frank — February 3, 2012 @ 7:35 am
At least Seth admits it is his fault. Sometimes part of coaching, especially in hoops is to leave a good thing alone and not overcoach. who cares about his mechanics if he is scoring.
Comment by rick — February 3, 2012 @ 7:36 am
Why would Greenberg want to tinker with Finney-Smith’s shooting mechanical? It may be unorthodox or not standardized, if it gives result, then leave it be. Shooter typically evolves their touches and they will grow to adjust on their own.
I guess Greenberg haven’t ever heard of Sprewell who had a coach that constantly criticized the way he shoot the ball. One day, he had enough and punched the coach in the face. I’m not saying that F-S is anything like Sprewell, but if he is slumping due to having his shooting tweaked with, then it would make sense to let F-S be himself. He’ll make the necessary adjustment over the course of his career.
It’s like the saying, “if it is not broken, don’t fix it.”
At least Greenberg blamed himself for messing with F-S shooting slump.
Comment by Trevor — February 3, 2012 @ 7:37 am
Frankly given Seth’s length of time at Tech , The Orrie is surprised that the Hokie faithful have allowed him this long with a mediocre at best resume to show for it .
Where’s Burrell Paye when you need him ?
Comment by The Orrie — February 3, 2012 @ 9:34 am
Didn`t realize Josh Hamilton was a Va. Tech basketball fan.
Comment by Ralph — February 3, 2012 @ 9:48 am
Damn spell check, I meant to say mechanic instead of mechanical.
I caught the final 5 minutes of the game. Noticed that Erick Green plays with a lot of heart, but can’t depend on him to do everything.
I also think another problem with F-S is his tendency to rush his shot and not follow through. He pulls his hand back too quickly after releasing the ball, and that, in my experience, causes the ball to change trajectory. He just need to get back to doing what he always did before Greenberg, with good intention, messed with his mechanics.
Comment by Trevor — February 3, 2012 @ 9:49 am
Before last night’s game, they showed highlights of past VT/Duke games on the video screen. But given the way Duke shot the ball & rebounded last night, I doubt that any of the recent past Tech teams could have stayed any closer with them. At one point just before Tech’s last-ditch run in the final 5 minutes, Duke was shooting 56% from the floor, 58% from three-point range, and 80% from the free throw line, with 10 offensive rebounds to boot. What other college team does that? And it wasn’t just the starters; Duke’s bench scored 30 of the team’s first 62 points.
I hate to say it, but it was classic Duke, coming together at the right time for another stretch run in February & March. Rivers is a stud, and their depth is scary.
Comment by RP — February 3, 2012 @ 9:50 am
Off-topic (RP’s comment reminded me), but has anybody noticed how bad the Cassell Coliseum sound system is? Treble-fest.
Comment by Aaron McFarling — February 3, 2012 @ 9:53 am
Summer of ’69. Bryan Adams
Comment by Donald — February 3, 2012 @ 9:54 am
Donald scores.
Comment by Aaron McFarling — February 3, 2012 @ 10:01 am
Yesterday there was a talk about recruiting classes and how, with the classes they’ve received, the Hokies will never win a MNC. I was pretty busy (and looks like I will be today) so I didn’t have the time to analyze this further, because there’s always more to the story. Notre Dame and Miami (and likely other teams) show that recruiting success does not equal on-field success. Further, I recall hearing about ten years ago, that Tom Osborne never had a top-25 class at Nebraska and yet he won three such championships. Different times, but what you get out of the talent you have goes a long way to determining success.
Comment by Donald — February 3, 2012 @ 10:11 am
Dude, your link to whatever article you are trying to take people to, about Urban’s recruiting tactics, takes you to the blog home page.
I’m curious to read it. SEC coaches going into other conferences like this, and employing the SEC tactics just might be what finally brings the SEC down. Once in a while they’ll jump on one another for cheating and going over the top, but for the most part, they know what butters their bread and will just be content to let the ones that can cheat the best be the best in their conference, knowing that it brings in $$$$ to them regardless. Sounds like Urban is going against the B1G grain, just a bit.
I’m still not seeing it with DFS. I’m sorry, hopefully I’m wrong, but he just seems to be over hyped. Not only is he missing every shot he is taking, he’s taking some VERY bad shots. Maybe he’s just trying to hard, but an 0-25 shooting slump? Come on. He’s got the worst case of the shanks I’ve ever seen – maybe nothing worse than Steve Sax (how’s that for pulling one out of the historical bag?).
Comment by Rick H. — February 3, 2012 @ 10:53 am
Thanks, Rick — There was some sort of coding issue on the Meyer link. Try it again. It should work now.
I was wondering on the drive home last night what the longest 0-for streak is in Tech/NCAA history. Not sure where that info could be found, if anywhere. Donald??
Comment by Aaron McFarling — February 3, 2012 @ 10:58 am
Nice Sax reference Rick, but don’t forget Chuck Knobloch. He once took out Keith Olberman’s moher behind first base.
Sad news about Coach Bob Thalman. I never was a big VMI fan, but I met him once in the 70′s while he was there and he was just a real good guy.
Also sad news about Josh Hamilton. Hope he gets his demons in check. He’s got a lot to lose.
Comment by justafan — February 3, 2012 @ 11:05 am
I embraced my baldness a few years ago when nature started the process for me (my cousin had to embrace his while still in high school). It saves a ton on haircare…I don’t have to go to a barber or fool with shampoo now. I bought a set of clippers for if it got too long for a razor, and really I only have to buy razors from time to time. Much easier, and cheaper. Sucks in the winter though…but that’s what toboggans are for.
I didn’t have high hopes for VT hoops this year, but even the mediocre expectations I have may prove to be too lofty a goal to reach. However, I did say that they’d probably only get 1 win before the Clemson game a while back, and that’s what they managed, and I’m glad it came against UVA. I put the over/under on wins for the rest of the year at 3.5, and I’m going with the under. I think they have maybe 4 reasonably winnable games left: home against Clemson, at Miami, hosting BC, and hosting GT. I don’t see them winning at FSU, at Duke, or at Clemson. They could score a win at home against UVA or NC State, but it’s not likely. The 3 games I see them winning are Miami, BC, and GT.
Problem is, the team is still really not showing signs of progress…and they had another hot tub streaking incident last night, playing well for the first 13 minutes before going ice cold to close the half. I’m not convinced that the current roster has what it would take to get the team into the competitive mix for the top third of the conference, even with more experience. There’s something missing from this group, which is why I haven’t followed them like teams in years past. Maybe they’ll develop, but with the way the team has folded like a cheap suit at a 50-cent cleaner’s, I’m not counting on it.
Comment by Other John — February 3, 2012 @ 11:08 am
AMc, I see you are trying to boost against Urban Meyer. It’s too bad that coaches in certain leagues can’t keep things “in house”, but instead they try and use the media to boost things and hope this will deter coaches. I just hope that when an ACC coach choses not to keep things in house and spills the beans to the media about recruiting guys that have already given a verbal commitment then, I hope the RT will give it the same amount or more exposure…
AMc, maybe you or one of the other guys should pose the question to some of the ACC coaches regarding the pursuit of recruits that have given a verbal commitment…then again, you probably wouldn’t get a completely honest answer from most…
Comment by Stack Maroon — February 3, 2012 @ 11:22 am
Some ACC news has been added to the top of the briefing, guys. Pitt to Coastal, ‘Cuse to Atlantic.
Comment by Aaron McFarling — February 3, 2012 @ 11:50 am
I posted on Bermans column last night that with the avg. attendance that Tech is experiencing in B’ball they are losing $157,500 each home game. That’s using Tech ticket prices. How long do you think Weaver is going to tolerate that. He may say Seth is secure but money talks and right now it’s a whisper.
Comment by Tom L — February 3, 2012 @ 11:50 am
Stack Maroon we know for a fact that is not the policy in the ACC. Last year Tech continued to recruit several of UNCs verbal commits. This year Miami took a verbal from Tech and UNC took one from NC State in the last week of recruiting. Larry Fedora even had a comment about what it took to get the recruit to switch.
As for Greenberg he may or may not be the answer but the school isn’t helping him any. When recruits walk into Cassell they can’t be very impressed. The small size and lack of history doesn’t help. And when recruits come to a game there and see all the fans wearing football shirts, it pretty much lets them know where they stand.
Now I have a perplexing question for everyone. Looking at the highlights of the tragedy in Egypt, I see lots of people firing flares and what looks to be some sort of rocket. Just exactly how did the fans get these items into the stadium? What’s the policy, no umbrellas or outside food but rockets and flares are good. Can you imagine showing up to a stadium in the US with your flares and rocket launcher? I’m pretty sure you would be watching the game from a cell somewhere.
Comment by Original Greg — February 3, 2012 @ 11:57 am
AM in the update you showed schedule partners for basketball, you meant football right?
Comment by Original Greg — February 3, 2012 @ 11:59 am
No, those are for hoops. The football crossovers will remain as they are (Tech-BC, etc.), with Syracuse and Pitt being football crossover partners.
Comment by Aaron McFarling — February 3, 2012 @ 12:08 pm
Tom L, are they actually losing money on the games, or are they just experiencing lost opportunity cost, i.e not bri nging in the additional revenues due to slack ticket sales?
There is a distinct difference, it’s all in the presentation though.
Comment by Other John — February 3, 2012 @ 12:09 pm
OK. Thanks for the clarification. I didn’t realize they had actual basketball partners. I just knew UNC plays Duke and State twice every year. There isn’t any talk of doing divisions for basketball is there?
Comment by Original Greg — February 3, 2012 @ 12:12 pm
OJ I pretty much agree with your assessment of the Hokies this season. Although, I think they get off the snide against Clemson this weekend. They don’t seem to play as a team very much. Many nights it looks like 5 guys running around playing their own game. It’s like a pick-up game where each guy tries his own thing.
Anyone who didn’t see this year as a rebuilding project wasn’t paying attention. Paul Woody in the Richmond paper pointed out that the difference between Tech and Duke is that Duke can reload by replacing stars with high shcool all-Americans and Tech can only rebuild because the talent on the bench is not nearly as deep. Weaver says that Seth is not on the hot seat. I agree. This year is not the year for that. The hot seat will truly be next year if February arrives and Tech is 12-9 with one conference win.
Comment by HokieAl — February 3, 2012 @ 12:13 pm
Aaron-So with the basketball crossovers, does that mean that b’ball is going to a two division structure too?
Comment by HokieAl — February 3, 2012 @ 12:15 pm
OG, the worse part about the soccer riot was how little the police or military did. This kind of crap is common in Europe (where soccer is king) and the Middle East. Some comments I have seen hints to political activists getting involved in the game and in flaming the fans. Plus, those two teams are blood rivals. I think their security is a lot more lax than here in the States, but you are right, had someone brought in flare to Lane, the idiotic person would be behind bars and banned from Lane for life.
By the way, OG, how is the mood on Chapel Hill regarding Fedora’s recruiting class? It looks like State is about to make some noise.
Comment by Trevor — February 3, 2012 @ 12:25 pm
HokieAl: Here’s how the league explained the men’s/women’s basketball scheduling it in the release:
As previously announced, the ACC will play an 18-game conference schedule beginning in 2012-13.
When Pitt and Syracuse join, each school will have one primary partner (Boston College and Syracuse; Clemson and Georgia Tech; Duke and North Carolina; Florida State and Miami; Maryland and Pitt; NC State and Wake Forest; Virginia and Virginia Tech).
The scheduling model will be based on a three-year cycle during which teams will play every league opponent at least once with the primary partners playing home and away annually while the other 12 rotate in groups of four: one year both home and away; one year at home only; and one year away only. Over the course of the three-year cycle primary partners play a total of six times and all other conference opponents play four times.
The format allows each program to see opponents with more regularity and creates an increase in competitive balance throughout the teams.
It was determined that all 14 league members will continue to compete in the ACC Men’s and Women’s Tournaments and a decision on the Tournament formats will be announced at a later date.
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So, to simplify: Hokie fans will see UVa home and away each year. Every three years, they’ll see Duke (or insert other non-UVA ACC team name here) four times (twice home, twice away). So no divisions or anything.
Comment by Aaron McFarling — February 3, 2012 @ 12:26 pm
Can’t wait to see Cuse in Blacksburg! Manning to the Skins would be great!
Comment by Uptheriver — February 3, 2012 @ 12:27 pm
OJ,It may be considered lost opportunity but I’m sure Weaver expects a full house every game and an empty seat is lost revenue.
Comment by Tom L — February 3, 2012 @ 12:27 pm
HokieAl, I saw the team having a rough year, with around 18 total wins, 7 or so in-conference for the regular season. With the way they started in the OOC schedule, that looked pretty feasible, but once ACC play started, they exposed themselves like a flasher on the subway. Everyone saw what they had, and just pointed and laughed, before delivering the ensuing beat-down.
Even though this was a rebuilding year, it’s still been a disappointment because there’s not been those signs of growth you expect from a young group. They’ve now played over 2/3 of the year, where’s the improvement? I grant you, this year’s team can make free throws better than in years past, when they actually draw fouls that is. But shooting talent? Aggressiveness to drive the lane? Teamwork? Not seeing it.
Tom L, I’d be interested to know what size crowd was needed to break even for VT hoops. I think as long as the season ticket sales keep the paid-for seats over 50% of Cassel capacity, they probably won’t fret too badly because even if those people no-show for games, they still paid for the seats. If that number takes a massive dive and people aren’t buying the available tickets on the market either, then there will be a problem. As it is, I think the soft attendance should be reason to try and give tickets away to students to try to pack the place and make it more raucus. Anyone know if they’ve made any such attempts?
I remember when NC State still played on campus in Reynolds. Small, dinky gym that would be packed to the hilt for a game. Students would camp outside of the bookstore for several days in advance of a rivalry game like Duke or UNC. Student tickets would be completely gone for every single game. There was even rioting when the athletics department cut the number of student tickets because the demand for paid tickets was so high. Maybe it is because of the lack of hoops tradition at VT that there’s not that kind of energy. But to build that sort of momentum, it takes winning. It takes on-the-floor talent. It takes converting on as many opportunities to step up as you can take. Right now, and for a while, VT really hasn’t done any of them to a sufficient degree to be more than a novel football afterthought to partly tide people over until spring practice.
Comment by Other John — February 3, 2012 @ 1:06 pm
OJ,
I have been complaining about SG for 2+ years and was told I was a SG hater even though I pointed out what the facts were and are.
Problem is now, JW gave him a ridiculous contract with 4 years left and there is no way VT swallows anything but the last year of that contract.
3 more years of Greemberg, no matter what the results onthe court, guaranteed. And HE knows it too.
Is there a sould out there that feels this guy is worth 1.2M a year?
BTW, Has the game passed Page Moir and Susan Dunagan by? AcMF, when will that be a highlight article?
Comment by Bob H — February 3, 2012 @ 1:11 pm
Agree with everything you say OJ. My only addition to your thoughts is we always hear from SG is we’re young, we’re developing, rebuilding,etc. and then Tech goes out and gets whacked by teams with more freshmen, new coaches, from weaker conferences, etc..BC played 9 freshmen. Teams all around the country have freshmen playing significant roles in their seasons. I think the coaching staff this year has just lost the handle on this team. It’s nice for the coach to massage their bruised egos but sometimes a good swift kick in the a** is required. Now is the time to play all players to develop them for next year because this season is toast.
Comment by Tom L — February 3, 2012 @ 1:18 pm
Here’s a great piece on actual National Signing Day quotes. I love how Frank is the only one to say “tremendously.”
Reminds me of “A Few Good Men”:
Lt. Weinberg: “I strenuously object?” Is that how it works? Hm? “Objection.” “Overruled.” “Oh, no, no, no. No, I STRENUOUSLY object.” “Oh. Well, if you strenuously object then I should take some time to reconsider.”
You’re tremendously pleased? Is that how it works?
Comment by Aaron McFarling — February 3, 2012 @ 1:21 pm
I hope I`m wrong but right now I don`t see next year`s Bball being much better. We lose `Zo and Davila who may not be great but are certainly better then the two freshman taking their place on the roster. I have not seen the local boy Woods play but the Seminole District is not exactly a hotbed for hoops. To go from Rustburg to the ACC is quite a jump. We will have an average foul prone center with not much behind him. SG has always had a couple of really good players who made the marginal players better. With the exception of Green, I see marginal players who need to step up and be coached up a lot before next October or we`ll be right about where we are now next February
Comment by Ralph — February 3, 2012 @ 5:10 pm
Hmmmm… had to work late and it looks like all the topics have been pretty well covered by the usual suspects. I’ll weigh in on this one though. From late teenagehood until I was about 29, I wore my hair extremely long, had to go the ponytail route for work, but it was the ’80′s so it was cool. When I turned 29, started getting the ol’ male pattern baldness. So I took the extreme route and shaved it all off.. been shaving it ever since. It’s cool in the summer (especially in the Texas heat) not a big deal in winter…as Other John pointed out, hats in the winter do the trick, saves money and as the old saying goes “chicks dig it.” Don’t miss my old coif at all. And remember guys: The more hair you lose, the more head you get
Comment by Dan — February 3, 2012 @ 8:43 pm
Name me another program that would allow it’s coach to get one NCAA berth in 9 years and still support him? I know AD’s often lie but obviously time to get rid of Greenberg. VT will never be a BAsketball power but should make the tournament at least once every other year. Plus I”ve heard he really grinds on his players too much. Plus the ACC is way down and he still can’t get the job done.
Comment by Jeff H — February 4, 2012 @ 8:53 am