Will the Hokies be better next year? And, a bunch of other questions regarding 2012.

[BeachGobbler]

Initial random thought - a team from the ACC will never be denied from the tourney if they have a record similar to ones we have had over the last 2 or 3 seasons. Someone in the NCAA does not like the Hokies (wonder if it’s the same guy who worked the replay booth at the Sugar Bowl?). Sorry, I had to get that off my chest - again.

First off, anyone else think that the Hokie basketball team is cursed? How different would this year have been if Chaney could have played and/or JT didn't get hurt? What if Hudson played this year like he played two years ago? Something has been missing from his game and I'm not sure if it's mental or he's been playing hurt all year.

Even though we have been in almost every game next year, and we are so young, I'm concerned about next year. Here are my questions and concerns:
• Are Eddie and Green our best outside shooters? If so, how do they compare to the outside shooters of other ACC teams?
• Will we have any sort of inside the paint offensive game?
• What can we expect from Raines? He’s looked improved over the last couple of games, but will he mostly help us on the defensive end of the court?
• Will Van Zegeren contribute? Ever since I became a VT hoops fan, I’ve been dying to have a solid center who is over 6’10”. We always have to guard a team’s 7-footer with a 6’8” player. I know 7 footers don’t grow on trees, but can’t we get one just once? At this point, if they can block a shot, I don’t even care if they play offense.
• Is Green better as a 1 or a 2? I don’t see him as a prototypical point-guard so I’d like to see him as a 2-guard and Rankin at the point. Is there anyone besides those two who can play the point?
• JT’s not coming back, right? Man, I feel for that guy. He is my favorite 6-man in the history of Hokie basketball.
• Do our two recruits contribute next year? Will we sign anyone else? Can we sign anyone else?
• Who leaves the team this off-season? Isn’t there usually at least one departure?
• Has the Greenberg show run its course? It drives me crazy to see so many people slam Greenberg on this board. I love how I hear him on national radio shows and the emotion he shows on the sideline. However, if the guys aren’t put forth the effort he’d like, does that mean his message is no longer getting through to these kids?
• What happened to the Tech crowds this year? Have Hokies turned into fair-weathered fans? I think it’s pitiful that Cassell isn’t sold out every single game (at least every ACC game). It’s not going to help us get on TV, and/or our recruiting, if our TV games show a coliseum with half its seats empty.
• And the most basic question, will this team be improved next year?
Thanks and Go Hokies!

[DJ Golf]

• Will Van Zegeren contribute? Ever since I became a VT hoops fan, I’ve been dying to have a solid center who is over 6’10”. We always have to guard a team’s 7-footer with a 6’8” player. I know 7 footers don’t grow on trees, but can’t we get one just once? At this point, if they can block a shot, I don’t even care if they play offense.

I share your sentiment. It'd be very nice to have a 6-11 guy who can play defense, get rebounds and occasionally score when he catches the ball down low, even if he had absolutely no jump shot. If he could make 3 out of 5 free throws it'd be even nicer.

[nc_hokie87]

Initial random thought - a team from the ACC will never be denied from the tourney if they have a record similar to ones we have had over the last 2 or 3 seasons. Someone in the NCAA does not like the Hokies (wonder if it’s the same guy who worked the replay booth at the Sugar Bowl?). Sorry, I had to get that off my chest - again.

First off, anyone else think that the Hokie basketball team is cursed? How different would this year have been if Chaney could have played and/or JT didn't get hurt? What if Hudson played this year like he played two years ago? Something has been missing from his game and I'm not sure if it's mental or he's been playing hurt all year.

First paragraph is absolutely true. Some will call it whining or complaining, or point to the fact that we "could've done more". But we should not have to overcome a biased selection committee... we should be given a fair chance... and we aren't. This year pretty much proves it... UVA is a lock, despite having a worse resume than we did the past 2 years. There are other stats I could bring up about how no other acc team is treated like we are when it comes to the selection committee, but we'll leave it here. As for the curse.... I agree. It sucks, I feel horrible for the injured players, the remaining players, the coaches, fans.... its just horrible, and has to change sooner or later. Hopefully next year luck will be on our side, for once.

Are Eddie and Green our best outside shooters? If so, how do they compare to the outside shooters of other ACC teams?

I think so. Hopefully Rankin and DFS continue to improve their shot, they have both made occasional 3s this year and it'd be nice to have them be at least a threat that needs to be guarded (not left wide open when they go outside), because that in turn helps open things up in the middle. I have no idea how it'll compare to other ACC teams, but we seem to be average to above average this season, % wise... I am not sure how, given that we go through loooooooonnnnggg scoring droughts every game

Will we have any sort of inside the paint offensive game?

Yes. Raines. I have been really excited to see his growth the past several weeks, and I don't see any reason why he wouldn't be one of the better post players in the ACC the next couple years. He seems to have great footwork, post moves, and touch around the basket. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let him stay healthy!!!

Is Green better as a 1 or a 2? I don’t see him as a prototypical point-guard so I’d like to see him as a 2-guard and Rankin at the point. Is there anyone besides those two who can play the point?

Green is better as a 2, imo. I'd also like to see Rankin at the point, but he HAS to become a better (smarter) passer. The number of turnovers he has had that directly lead to a wide open layup for the other team is unacceptable, if he wants to start at PG in the ACC.

JT’s not coming back, right? Man, I feel for that guy. He is my favorite 6-man in the history of Hokie basketball.

I doubt he comes back, but apparently the door is still open for him to do so. If I were him, I'd be done. He has a degree from a good school and should move on... I , too, feel terrible for him, but wish him the best. He was/is one of my favorites as well.

Has the Greenberg show run its course? It drives me crazy to see so many people slam Greenberg on this board. I love how I hear him on national radio shows and the emotion he shows on the sideline. However, if the guys aren’t put forth the effort he’d like, does that mean his message is no longer getting through to these kids?

It drives me crazy too. I love his emotion and passion for the team, players, program, and school. The effort thing some on here claim is BS. This team has had basically nothing to play for, for several weeks now, and have put forth numerous amazing efforts (@FSU, @Duke for starters). Have there been games we come out lethargic? Absolutely. So did UNC, in losing by 30+ to florida state (a team we were very close to beating twice). It is college athletics.... don't let the "sky is falling" crowd get to you... the effort has been there way more than most teams who have nothing left to play for besides pride

And the most basic question, will this team be improved next year?
Thanks and Go Hokies!

Unless "the curse" continues, absolutely we will be better... maybe by a lot. I can't deny that I am definitely ready for this season to be over, but am excited and feel good about our chances next season. We all need a break from the close losses... and the negativity on this board associated with them!

Go Hokies!

[133743Hokie]

Take off the foil hat -- there is no conspiracy to keep VT out of the tournament. Each year the lead 1 or 2 determinants are different becasue the auto bids shake out differently and the depth and quality of the at large pool varies. They have to have 1 or 2 metrics that clearly differentiate the teams so they can make a selection. It has nothing to do with VT being snubed by a biased selection committee. It has to do with us not meeting enough of the key criteria that year. So please stop this whining about past snubs

[nc_hokie87]

It has to do with us not meeting enough of the key criteria that year. So please stop this whining about past snubs

This quote says enough. The criteria should not change from year to year. I understand the strength of teams invited based on the criteria might change from year to year... but the criteria itself should not. We allow a group of openly biased old men to decide this thing behind closed doors... I am personally not ok with that, and would really like to see transparency, consistency, and if violating those standards, accountability for the people who make these decisions.

Unfortunately, people are so obsessed with the good parts of march madness (the games themselves), that the totally corrupt and wrong part (the selection process) is allowed to remain completely intact, with no discussion for change. Long term, a better selection process would actually lead to a better ncaa tournament.

[amptech]

You naively assume there is or ever has been some absolute standard that treats the non tourney cash cows exactly like the cash cows.

And if you were doing it, what would seem "fair" within making the money the NCAA is committed to making, would seem unfair to others and they would call you names.

[133743Hokie]

This quote says enough. The criteria should not change from year to year. I understand the strength of teams invited based on the criteria might change from year to year... but the criteria itself should not. We allow a group of openly biased old men to decide this thing behind closed doors... I am personally not ok with that, and would really like to see transparency, consistency, and if violating those standards, accountability for the people who make these decisions.

Unfortunately, people are so obsessed with the good parts of march madness (the games themselves), that the totally corrupt and wrong part (the selection process) is allowed to remain completely intact, with no discussion for change. Long term, a better selection process would actually lead to a better ncaa tournament.

Let me explain what I mean...

Let's say the committee looks at RPI as factor #1; there is a cluster of teams on the bubble with very similar RPIs (w/in 6 or 8 of each other say), they need to pick 2, so they go to another metric. So what metric differentiates the 3 or 4 teams they are looking at. Well let's see, how about overall SOS. Nope, still too close? OK let's look at OOC SOS. Bingo. Now there are 2 clear winners and they're in. The committee announces that OOC SOS was "a big factor".

The next year they go thru the same process, but the decision can be clearly be made at the overall SOS level (so they announce that as the determinant), or wait, it's even closer so they go on thru other factors until they reach losses against RPI 150+ teams. Bingo, they find something that differentiates the teams and it becomes the basis for thier decision.

So you see, everyone knows the criteria going into the season and the evaluation on selection weekend. It's W-L record, RPI, top 50 wins, top 100 wins, losses to 150+ RPI teams, OOC SOS, overall SOS, etc. They ALL factor into the decision. But to sort out those last 1, 2 or 3 teams they have to keep going thru all the criteria until something makes that team(s) stand out. each year it is different because the teams being evaluated are different and their numbers/data in each of these categories are different, so they stack up against each other differently.

It really isn't that hard to understand, really..

[Groff]

It really isn't that hard to understand, really..

It's been explained to the "conspiracy theorists" over and over again. They either can't or won't understand that the "criteria changes" every year because the teams change every year and what they do or don't have in common changes every year.

Bubble teams are bubble teams because most of them are in the same boat and they are initially indistinguishable from each other. When they are initially indistinguishable from each other you have to search for the things that *are* different. When you have to search for the things that are different, the things you find every year is going to be different.

At my company, reviews are competitive. We have a forced distribution, when you have a forced distribution (like the requirement that you field 68 teams every year) then you are going to have to look for the things that separate people. These are called "differentiators." What separates me from my peers in a given year is going to change based on what we have in common that year and what we don't. It's literally the exact same concept here.

[BeachGobbler]

I'll take my foil hat off as soon as another ACC team with identical records, has to then meet this other criteria. Which, as mentioned, changes from year to year. If it ever happens in the future, I'll eat my foil hat. I bet you think Danny Coale was out of bounds too?

[Hokiefan5]

Take off the foil hat -- there is no conspiracy to keep VT out of the tournament. Each year the lead 1 or 2 determinants are different becasue the auto bids shake out differently and the depth and quality of the at large pool varies. They have to have 1 or 2 metrics that clearly differentiate the teams so they can make a selection. It has nothing to do with VT being snubed by a biased selection committee. It has to do with us not meeting enough of the key criteria that year. So please stop this whining about past snubs

Clueless as usual. Some of your posts make a lot in here wonder if you and Mel Gibson have discussions weekly