Porcha at VT let go??

[commonwealthfan]

I was recently made aware of the information. I havent heard any specifics but it seems he was let go. Not good since he seemed to be a great coach and loved to be around young people.

[lordsofdogtown]

Is this true ? Does anyone any reliable information on this subject?

[commonwealthfan]

It was reported on a few news stations this evening....apparently he was let go

[pgcop]

I tried to call and his tech cell is disconnected. this is bad business for tech, unless there is some misconduct or something crazy this is bad business. this guy had uprouted his family to take this job, turned down other gigs and is gone mid season? if it is losing not landing certain players or whatever honor your commitment, unless as stated before misconduct. I would definatley look closely into this before commiting or signing a loi there. hope to get some clarity.

[lordsofdogtown]

PG... Sounds like you are pointing a finger at VT. No one is saying why he was fired. I'm sure the truth will come out in the next few days. VT appears to be a program on the rise with Barbour and Harrison both being prime time players. Unless you know the facts I wouldn't indict anyone yet.

[lboogie]

News 7 Sports has learned that
George Porcha has been fired due to
philosophical differences. Porcha, who
was in his first season with the
program after coming to Blacksburg from
the high school ranks at TC Williams in
Northern Virginia, was let go this
week.

[pgcop]

ld, your right if the guy didn't do anything foul then I would blame the school, its like beth, stacey, katie, & george everything is cool on sunday, now on thursday you got philosophical differences. I know that tech persued him, I know he could have went with jeff at louisville, I know he had another offer, and I know he moved his family and chose this job for its long term benefits. he was the sole provider. I believe that tech will pick up the slack on the financials on his contract. I guess I am more saddend because I concidered that whole staff as friends. I want to call but I doubt I will hear any details only that he is not with them anymore, which would make me leary as a recruit. but I don't know the facts and I guess tech won't release them. but I am speculating big time about this whole thing. lboog I will give you 24 hours I know you can get to the bottom of this.

[arbitraryj]

:eek: y'all be breaking with the nu-nu!!!

Let's wait to get the facts before the speculation begins.


and yeah boog, the clock is ticking

Bring it.

[wise2641]

http://blogs.roanoke.com/pressbox/college_basketball/porcha_fired_1.html

[intelligenthoodlum]

Whatever the deal was between Virginia Tech and Porcha, it was serious enough on either side that he was fired HALFWAY THROUGH HIS FIRST SEASON, after blazing a trail and grinding through his first club season on the recruiting circuit, and making an INCALCULABLE impact.
The Real Basketball Report MD/DC/VA Region 2009-Class Top-Ten, and the IH's opinion of Virginia Tech's Porcha firing on their recruiting:

1. Tierra Ruffin-Pratt, 5'10", T.C. Williams/Alexandria, Virginia - A must-have for pretty much every top program in America, as a national 2009-class top-five player, and VTech was IN THERE with her. Porcha coached her some of middle school, some of high school, and some of club ball; it would be safe to assume that TRP ain't gonna be lookin' at Tech anymore.

2. Nyree Williams, 6'1", Howard/Ellicott City, Maryland - Ultra-athlete smacked every national 2008 and 2009 top-forty post she saw last club season, and 8 of 12 ACC schools have either offered, or are recruiting hard. And VTech was on her short list, because of Porcha. The IH doubts that VTech will be in Nyree's final five, after this.

3. Alyssa Bennett, 6'0", Hampton/Hampton, Virginia - The MD/DC/VA region's top returning small forward for next year, she was supposed to be down to James Madison, Virginia, Virginia Tech, and North Carolina State, according to rumor. The IH guesses that VTech will be out of the running now.

4. Akeema Richards, 5'8", Western/Baltimore, Maryland - The region's top 2009-class playmaking guard had verballed to VTech at the end of the summer, on the strength of Porcha's gangsta grinding. With a couple of ACC's and a few Big East's still yapping at Akeema's heels, it'll be tough for VTech to re-recruit her and hold all of them off.

5. Brandy Wingate-Holland, 6'1", Howard/Ellicott City, Maryland - Straight blazER PG/SG/SF/PF, who has a few issues that keep her from blazING. Apparently, she was one of the next-in-line behind Barbour and Harrison, if you be feelin' what the IH be sayin'. Well, no Techy for Brandy...

6. Asya Bussie, 6'3", Seton Keough/Baltimore, Maryland - Underwhelming performances this season, from this girl with overwhelming potential; but still the region's top returning post for next season. Virginia Tech, Georgetown, Penn State, George Washington, and Virginia were the clear front-runners. The IH doesn't see VTech in that mix anymore.

7. Tianna Hawkins, 6'2", Riverdale Baptist/Upper Marlboro, Maryland - The second-most versatile post in this class, in our region. Tianna was on VTech's very short list of 2009 girls from the region to get on their campus. The IH doesn't think Miss Tianna was that interested, anyway; she surely ain't gonna be interested now.

8. Sydney Wilson, 6'6", St. John's College/Washington, D.C. - UNderwhelming and UNder-skilled, but UNlimited potential, with a WNBA ceiling--and 6'6". Supposedly automatic for Georgetown, but supposedly tight with Harrison, a club teammate. It's most likely moot, at this point, anyway.

9. Elashier Hall, 5'11", Eleanor Roosevelt/Greenbelt, Maryland - This versatile SG/SF has been looking good, on the down-low, to about 8-10 ACC and Big East schools, from bottom-feeders to middle-of-the-pack types. The IH is certain that Lacy and her handlers would probably take pause at real interest from VTech, at this point.

10. Kristine Mial, 5'10", Robert E. Lee/Springfield, Virginia - would be an Ashleigh Newman/Maryland-Courteney Morris/Wake Forest type for VTech: the 2nd-line SG/SF that every ACC team needs, who plays hard, who is athletic enough with IQ to defend, who can hit a wide-open shot, and who can rebound in-traffic. If a Porcha-less VTech comes calling, should she bite?

To be continued, to be certain...

[arbitraryj]

Oh Hoodie my dear hoodie,

How can you even begin to suggest that these top players are going elsewhere based on VT firing Porcha yesterday?:rolleyes:

This just happened so you can't say what the fall out will be. Unless these players know for sure it was VT in the wrong -and it changes what they thought they knew about the school or the athletic environment, I'd say ohblahdee ohbladah life goes on.

Basketball -especially at the college level- is a business.

I'm surprised that you of all people would suggest that these kids take their skills elsewhere based on a sudden personnel change.

College coaching assistants change jobs almost as often as they change underwear.

You also make the assumption that VT was in the running to secure this list of players just because he was an assistant coach.

I'd be inclined to speculate that such assuptions were at the basis of the "philosophical differences" if anything.

Is he a scapegoat for poor performance?
Were there promises made but not kept?
What about serious NCAA recruitment violations?

We don't know.

We do know that VT is at the very bottom of the ACC right now with no real hope of climbing higher this season. He was hired suddenly this summer to help change this and then fired suddenly in the winter. A resonable person could assume -especially with the ambiguous press release- that VT had cause to put him out. Whether we agree with this cause or not remains to be seen.

Sounds like a bad staffing selection on both sides from where I stand.

I will say it is an unfortunate circumstance for anyone to loose their job, and I hate to see someone -especially from the DMV go down like that.

[intelligenthoodlum]

1. It's a known fact that Porcha was the recruiting grinder on that staff, FOR THESE TYPES OF PLAYERS, REGIONAL AND NATIONAL. That's why they brought him in.

2. If he ain't there no more, FOR WHATEVER THE REASON, they need to bring someone else in there between now and April 17th, who can get and keep these types of players thinking about Virginia Tech as one of their 3-5 college choices.

3. Porcha WAS the reason that most of these ten were thinking about Virginia Tech. That is a FACT.

4. Based on what the IH knows about the recruiting process, and the recruiting processes for these ten, it is the IH's OPINION that Virginia Tech is in a bit of a jam with the recruiting of these ten; ESPECIALLY when one considers the fact that these girls have Big East and other ACC people competing for their services.

5. College assistant coaches may come and go with the weather; but not in the middle of their first seasons on a staff, after making such a recruiting splash in a club season and pre-season leading up to a school season...

6. On a personal level, it's a shame that things didn't work out. On a professional level, who you bringin' in next, VTech, to pickup where he left off, and keep it movin'?

7. The million-dollar (the cost of four scholarships) question is this: What are Ruffin-Pratt, Williams, and Bennett--who apparently have several other ACC and Big East choices available to them--and Richards--who has verballed to VTech already, but also has several other choices--going to do when they find out what happened, and what is happening, at VTech? We sports fans will find out over the next 5-6 months...

[arbitraryj]

the world may never know.

It is quite reasonable to suggest that VT was recruiting these players. I doubt any of them are NOT being highly recruited.

However, can you say definitively that VT was in the top 3-5 choices on those players' list in the first place?

We all know that recruiting (even in said grind-like fashion) does not always equate to being seriously considered.

Even it VT was a top choice, isn't it against the best interest of these young ladies to suggest that their loyalties should lie with someone above their own interests and future plans.

If they all cross VT off the list of options, so be it. But to suggest its a done deal for someone other than your own offspring seems outside the role of any handler.

If a Porcha-less VT comes a courtin, I hope Mom & Dad have the good sense to have the players bite, chew and swallow if the meal fits the menu.

[wise2641]

Talked to two of the families last night and VT is definately out of the picture!!!!!!

Their loss.......

[Rodder08]

I like both the Vtech staff and Porcha but there dispute does not have anything to do with what is the best option for a player. A lot of parents and players make a business decision based on who they like or dislike which is an opportunity killer.

Both Porcha and Vtech know that the business of college athletics is fast paced and always changing, especially in college basketball. TR did not leave TC Williams when Porcha moved on for a better opportunity for him and his family. That is because she felt that TC Williams was the best school for her.

I do agree with IH to a degree, that a lot of people make choices based on relationships a lot of the time to a fault. That has cost a lot of players and people opportunity. A lot of high school players who can play and should be on some recruiters A list, are not, because they choose to listen to bad advice of people with self serving reasons and not the best interest of the student-athlete. Look at these so called spring/summer teams that have great players but no colleges at there games and recruiters recruiting players on there teams. Why do they continue to play with those teams? The same reason that a player would choose not to attend Vtech without researching the situation.

So yes some of these aforementioned players will not attend Vtech because they are not business savvy. I just hope they have an unbiased person that is looking at the situation for the best interest of the student-athlete and not for what happened between adults. Being comfortable immediately does not always make for the best decision.

They should look at the facts and make a sound business decision based on long term opportunity both on and off the court. I hope that these young ladies have people in there camp that weigh the situation based on what is best for them and not a conflict that they have little to no interest.

"JUST ONE MAN'S OPINION."
P.S.
Porcha should not have a problem getting another job his credentials where good enough to get him the V.Tech job.

Does anyone know his coaching background?

[pgcop]

adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty

rodder what you are saying may ring true for the kid with limited options but when talking about the kid with multiple options there are so many intagibles that will go into the recruiting process. many kids go to schools based on relationships that have been formed with the coaching staff, that's one reason why schools hire them. many assistant coaches are not hired to coach at all but for the sole purpose of landing recruits and it is based on relationships and their ability to relate to players, you of course should know that as your name is being tossed around, (stay by your phone). the common thought is that if you would do this to one of your own, you would do it to me too. what if I don't perform as you'd like, or I get injured will I be expendable as a philosophical difference? as a recruit I would need you to regain my trust to seriously consider you. however if I only have 2 offers I'm not going to limit it to 1 because of this. I am getting mixed stories on the reasoning so I don't know what happened, but philo diff ain't good enough. j1mo

[pgcop]

gp resume has been removed from tech's site today so I don't have the link but it includes:
several years at washington-lee head coach and playoffs.
*middle school coach trp.
*head coach trp at tcw.
asst ad @ tcw
2nd place district something
*asst boo williams club team

*denotes key jobs

[DALIST]

What you are saying PGCop. Integrity is key here! But lets just keep in mind that we are not aware of all of the facts DMV. But I definately understand what you are saying Rodder it really about the BUSINESS of basketball yet they are not proving to be good BUSINESS partners so I would kinda back off too! Coach P could be replaced today or tomorrow just like players are replacable! So people definately need to witness the ANYONE IS EXPENDABLE!

[arbitraryj]

Integrity is key here! But lets just keep in mind that we are not aware of all of the facts DMV. ...yet they are not proving to be good BUSINESS partners so I would kinda back off too!

"they" meaning Vtech or they meaning tech & GP are not proving to be good business partners?

You have to imagine with such a sudden turn of events that integrity was indeed at the heart of this matter. But you can't really assume it was either party until you know more about what happened.

Boog, what are you finding out? Can we get some fact-ish news about the real WHY behind this situation?

[lboogie]

I hit the road down to Hoo-ville and I figured that someone on one of the staffs would know something...nada...they were asking me what I knew?

Did hear from parents of recruited and recruitees...the Tech coaching staff is a little vague in returned voice mail messages.

Silence sometimes speaks volumes...lack of a real press release from Tech
about this situation is leading to more suspicion.

I prefer not to speculate, the truth will come out evidently in some way, shape or form. Let's just hope the best for Coach P and the V-tech players.

[intelligenthoodlum]

The IH has been doing some research in The Streetz over the last two days--never forget, sports fans, that The Streetz is ALWAYS watching--and The Streetz says this:

1. George Porcha has not committed any recruiting violations.

2. George Porcha has not exhibited any inappropriate behavior with any players.

3. George Porcha was not fired; he was asked to resign, and he did do so.

4. Some days later, it was reported that he was fired.

5. Apparently, those who reported this stand by their report.

6. Apparently, this situation is not fully settled.

7. As well, no one on the staff or in the athletic department has been forthcoming with an official statement as of yet.

8. Recruiting in the MD/DC/VA region has already been severely hurt, perhaps irrevocably, in some cases.

9. With an 0-5 start in this ACC season, and no Porcha around to boost the program to recruits, what are the VTech staff's possibilities of staying around, and for how much longer?

10. "Philosophical differences" may be about Porcha's apparent abilities to ingratiate himself with potential recruits, current players, and others in the athletic department and connected with the women's basketball program, and those on the coaching staff not feelin' it...

Standard stuff, actually, in college women's basketball, sports fans. But halfway through the season, and halfway through his first season? Assuming that The Streetz is on-point, the next couple of weeks will reveal what the Virginia Tech women's basketball program is really about, for now and into the immediate future...

To be continued, to be certain...

[pgcop]

thanks lboog & ih, I knew you would be the first2no. from what I have been getting there was a little jeolousy and control issues amongst the staff as to gp's influence becoming a threat. but the closer I get to some answers I run into a "no comment" or a road block. they are reading these boards too so expect "damage control" to issue some kind of blanket statment.

[lboogie]

With Tech 0-5 in the ACC and several elite level recruits dropping them from their list of schools and current players looking for the exits...this could be a PR and recruiting nightmare in Blacksburg.

To paraphrase the IH...this is standard business in women's college basketball.

[teammom4]

impact...don't forget the other baby blazers from this area...GP was in on it for c/o 10 too, not to mention beyond! Vtech will have some serious damage control assignments ahead of them. I saw one of PG's top 08 recruits after she returned from her visit to Blacksburg this summer & simply put she said "it aint for me." Without GP & with all the things working against them I believe they will have some serious catch-up work to do.
I have been through the business of recruiting & feel that I am business saavy, but with the cargo being negotiated being so precious, relationships & "affairs of the heart" do come into play, don't ever think they don't!

Naw PGC, Porcha is first2kno! lol :D

[arbitraryj]

ALWAYS comes to light

Yo! VT Coaching Staff who reads this board:

Wo-man up!! Please believe me when I say the DMV is watching and we want the truth. Straight up with no chaser. Things ain't smellin so great for your case.

Boog thru the front door, IH thru the back...
Gotta love them COnnects.

If CNN doesn't come a knockin for one of you soon....
surley TMZ will :D

and to the O.G. F2N, keep ya head up!

[basketballisinmyblood]

Porsha was doing a good job down here in the south also...He is good guy...Good job IH on getting the info....Guess what folks most girls do make decisions based on relationships they develop and the history of the program success...So unles you are the top 25 you better be able to develop relationships....I beleive this was a skill this young man did a good job with.....:)

[lordsofdogtown]

IH, LB. VA TECH is a great university and I seriously doubt the athletic dept would allow an assistant coach to be fired or asked to resign mid season over jealousy issues. That would open them up to too many legal issues. I'm sure we will never know the full story from BOTH sides of this story due to privacy laws. But, it would be interesting to know. If GP was the only reason that top girls from the DMV were considering Tech then they probably wouldn't go there anyway. Finally, I'm sorry for GP and VA TECH that things didn't work out much much better. It will probably hurt them both although probably GP much more as he is an individual that was on a promising career path and also has a family to feed. I wish him the best.

[intelligenthoodlum]

Sports fans, it seems like our distant message board cousins, www.TechSideline.com, have been paying attention to what we've been saying about the George Porcha-Virginia Tech situation.
This is a good thing, in the IH's opinion. It means that we have more than enough sports fans who are passionate about girls basketball, and who are truly knowledgeable AND fake-knowledgeable about what's going on around us.
Specific to the George Porcha-Virginia Tech situation, there are several posters over there who are commited supporters of their program, and of their coaching staff. There are posters over there who strongly feel that Porcha "must have done something serious."
There is also a poster over there who felt the need to OUT the IH; and, another who feels that the IH is just another poster who's running his mouth and doesn't know squat about nothing.
The IH has not spoken negatively in any way of Virginia Tech the university; the Virginia Tech women's basketball program; the Virginia Tech coaching staff; or of George Porcha. As well, the IH did say that the recruiting situation at VTech was jacked-up in the aftermath of this VTech-Porcha scenario REGARDLESS of whether or not either side was right or wrong.
The IH stands by his posts, sports fans. And feels entirely comfortable saying that he WANTS to be proven wrong, in this situation.
If the IH don't know squat, b.townbilly, then why don't you get the VTech athletic department to release an official statement about why Porcha ain't there anymore, and whether he resigned, or he was fired?
If the IH don't know squat, b.townbilly, then why don't you contact those ten recruits listed--or their school coaches, or their club coaches, or their "handlers"--and several other recruits from this region, and throughout the south, and ask them yourself what THEY think of VTech-Porcha in the wake of Porcha rolling out.
And if the IH is who you people say he is, then that means that you all have the IH's phone number. Which means that anyone affiliated with Virginia Tech women's basketball can call the IH at ANY time, and holler.
And b.townbilly, you and your VTech people have much bigger concerns than who the IH is and what he's saying; you all really do have to win some games, and get some blazers in there to win some more games...

Remember, sports fans, paranoia plus stress equals DELUSION...

[arbitraryj]

OHMIGOD!!!! Hoodmiester, you're like sooo totally famous now dude!

I like totally like have to like have your like autograph, ya know?

[tearing] It like such a dream come true for you man!!!
Wasn't it Kevin Costner who said: If you post it, they will criticize.

I mean you like totally better remember us little people when you are a full time pundit on ESPN. :p

Yo Boog, were gonna need some more room in the Relax room, STAT!
I sure hope the bar is fully stocked. Glenn can we please get some topshelf margurita IVs running for IH and his board guests please...

[Rodder08]

adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty

many kids go to schools based on relationships that have been formed with the coaching staff, that's one reason why schools hire them. many assistant coaches are not hired to coach at all but for the sole purpose of landing recruits and it is based on relationships and their ability to relate to players, j1mo

Pgcop I understand what you guys are saying and you are correct, that is a big reality of the situation but I again say it may not be the best business decision. People move on to different jobs every day, that is why young people should look at opportunity more so than personal. Yes you do have to consider how you get a long with a head coach but an assistant coach does not make many decisions and most time is looking to become a head coach themselves. So is it a good idea to base a decision on who is the assistant coach? The advice I give to my players and parents are base your decision on opportunity for you (your child) do not count on a coach being there. Go into the situation as if there could be an entire new coaching staff there next year. Is this the school/university for you? Make the best business decision for you and your family. Integurity difinitely counts but you have to understand the entire situation before you just say "I'm not going to VaTech because . . . . . . . . is not the assistant coach".

[da silent 1]

all that has been commented on is true opinion of fall out. one thing we can comment on being from the area (DMV) and knowing the parents and players is it ain't a good thing and the reprecussions are not rosy. true the head coach runs the show, but every player should have an assistant as their advocate to the head honcho. if that person is not there it does present a problem for that player and family. at the end of the day it is fulfilling that contract (scholly) and graduating with job potential. it is at the least not about no #@*(@! basketball. we all are saying and commenting on things to think about and it is wholesome for us to share here and to the parents of players we know and are involved with about some of the situations that do and will arise and how to go about absorbing and dealing with them prior to and during the length of that contract to play ball at university. how ever we in the DMV look at it family got hurt and we all hurt no matter what the hidden cause or agenda of VT might be. it does affect us and our kids and certainly answers are needed and required in order that we the DMV family keep good vibes about VT as their alum base is an end to getting that job!!!!!

[intelligenthoodlum]

1. Tierra Ruffin-Pratt, 5'10", T.C. Williams/Alexandria, Virginia

2. Nyree Williams, 6'1", Howard/Ellicott City, Maryland

3. Alyssa Bennett, 6'0", Hampton/Hampton, Virginia

4. Akeema Richards, 5'8", Western/Baltimore, Maryland

5. Brandy Wingate-Holland, 6'1", Howard/Ellicott City, Maryland

6. Asya Bussie, 6'3", Seton Keough/Baltimore, Maryland

7. Tianna Hawkins, 6'2", Riverdale Baptist/Upper Marlboro, Maryland

8. Sydney Wilson, 6'6", St. John's College/Washington, D.C.

9. Elashier Hall, 5'11", Eleanor Roosevelt/Greenbelt, Maryland

10. Kristine Mial, 5'10", Robert E. Lee/Springfield, Virginia

11. TaShaunda Rodgers, 5'10", King's Fork/Suffolk, Virginia

12. Tiffany Davis, 5'8", Hampton/Hampton, Virginia

13. Taylor Hilton, 5'10", Sidwell Friends/Washington, D.C.

14. Shylanda Saunders, 5'6", Oak Hill Academy/Mouth of Wilson, Virginia

15. Olivia Applewhite, 5'11", Eleanor Roosevelt/Greenbelt, Maryland

16. Tarik Hislop, 5'7", Paint Branch/Burtonsville, Maryland

17. Carleeda Green, 5'7", H.D. Woodson/Washington, D.C.

18. Abby Redick, 6'0", Hidden Valley/Roanoke, Virginia

19. Leandra King, 6'2", Parkdale/Riverdale, Maryland

20. Simone Egwu, 6'2", Arundel/Gambrills, Maryland

Sports fans, our message board cousins over at www.TechSideline.com have settled down over the last couple of days, and have been having some relevant and interesting discussions about RECRUITING, as it relates to Virginia Tech.
(Now, the IH has ALWAYS said that recruiting was the issue, regardless of which side was tripping down there...)
Our HokieHomies are currently having what the IH thinks are necessary discussions about VTech's recruiting: in their immediate area of southwest Virginia; versus, in eastern Tennessee and in northwestern North Carolina; versus, throughout the entire state of Virginia.
The above-listed twenty 2009-class girls from the MD/DC/VA region are being recruited by Virginia Tech's direct competition--for winning league games; for getting to the Post-Season WNIT; for getting to the NCAA. The IH is talking about competitors from: their home league, the ACC; the Big East; the SEC; and such high-mid-majors as Temple, George Washington, Delaware, James Madison, Old Dominion, Liberty, and Tennessee-Chattanooga.
The majority of these twenty girls ARE GOING TO END UP AT THESE PROGRAMS. This is a fact.
So if Virginia Tech doesn't recruit these girls--much more importantly, SIGN AT LEAST 2-3 OF THEM--then, they're not going to be able to compete against these competitors.

(Can you sports fans imagine VTech's 2009-class signees having to compete against Ruffin-Pratt, Williams, or Bennett for four years if any of the three go to the right ACC program for her? Just a thought...)

[intelligenthoodlum]

Sports fans, our message board cousins over at www.TechSideline.com have been doing some really interesting postings over the last couple of days. You all, and you recruits especially, DEFINITELY need to be checking this stuff out.

Meanwhile, The Streetz says that over the last week, or so, the Virginia Tech coaching staff has been beating the bricks hard, checking out the IH's 2009-class homegirls Lacy (Elashier Hall/Eleanor Roosevelt) and Big Syd (Sydney Wilson/St. John's College)...

[lboogie]

and the Hokie faithful are finally picking up on what we had posted early on when this all went down. Kudos to them for supporting their team and being diligent enough to find out a little bit more about the WBB recruiting process.

[pgcop]

hence r08's support of vtech and its staff and the reasons why you keep them on your short list

[intelligenthoodlum]

Sports fans, our message board cousins down yonder at www.TechSideline.com are starting to talk REAL BUSINESS right now; they're talking about recruiting, finally, and they're talking about specific players.

The following 12-piece, with some college experience and some relevant coaching--and with 2 more semi-blazers--would look like a competent-enough middle-of-the-pack Big East/ACC roster (and we know that middle-of-the-pack teams in these two conferences go to the NCAA Tournament...):

1. Tierra Ruffin-Pratt, 5'10", T.C. Williams/Alexandria, Virginia

2. Nyree Williams, 6'1", Howard/Ellicott City, Maryland

3. Alyssa Bennett, 6'0", Hampton/Hampton, Virginia

4. Akeema Richards, 5'8", Western/Baltimore, Maryland

5. Brandy Wingate-Holland, 6'1", Howard/Ellicott City, Maryland

6. Asya Bussie, 6'3", Seton Keough/Baltimore, Maryland

7. Tianna Hawkins, 6'2", Riverdale Baptist/Upper Marlboro, Maryland

8. Sydney Wilson, 6'6", St. John's College/Washington, D.C.

9. Elashier Hall, 5'11", Eleanor Roosevelt/Greenbelt, Maryland

10. Kristine Mial, 5'10", Robert E. Lee/Springfield, Virginia

11. TaShaunda Rodgers, 5'10", King's Fork/Suffolk, Virginia

12. Tiffany Davis, 5'8", Hampton/Hampton, Virginia

Looking at what Virginia Tech will have coming back for the 2009-2010 season, cousins and sports fans, it looks like VTech needs for the 2009 class:
a point guard, who can score;
a forward, who can play both forward positions;
two posts, with real height and both being athletic.

Unless VTech has something stewing in the near-Midwest that Penn State/Pittsburgh/West Virginia/Ohio State ain't gonna get; or in eastern Tennessee that Tennessee/Vanderbilt/Georgia/Georgia Tech ain't gonna get; or in the near-South that them other ACC/SEC people ain't gonna get; they're gonna have to get their 2009 players out of the MD/DC/VA region.
This means that for a meaningful draft, they're going to have to get:
Akeema Richards, PG, or Tiffany Davis, PG;
Nyree Williams, SF/PF;
Asya Bussie, C;
Sydney Wilson, C

Now, sports fans, Porcha WAS on top of these five girls; Richards had even verballed, back in the fall.
Now Richards' recruiting seems to have opened back up, a significant number of Big East and ACC types want to know what's up with her, and enough Big East/ACC/SEC types are regularly lurking and fiending around those Davis, Williams, Bussie, and Wilson gyms...

What are the Hokies gonna do, sports fans?

[intelligenthoodlum]

In the ACC's Toilet Bowl last night, sports fans, featuring winless Wake Forest versus winless Virginia Tech, Wake beat VTech 67-50. Wake was up by 30 for most of the second half.
Wake was without: last-season ACC scoring leader Yolanda Lavender (Riverdale Baptist/Upper Marlboro, Md.; Archbishop Carroll/Washington, D.C.), who left the team this mid-season for George Washington; and starting freshman PG Camille Collier (Sidwell Friends/Washington, D.C.), who is out for the rest of the season with a fractured leg (and who had been dropping 20-pieces on some of the other ACC teams).
Wake did get big contributions from: Corinne Groves, a steady, solid 6'3" junior who was one of the top posts coming out of high school in North Carolina; Mekia Valentine, an athletic 6'4" sophomore who was an All-ACC Freshman last year, and was a national top-25 player coming out of high school; sophomore Courteney Morris (Parkdale/Riverdale, Md.), a high-level ACC utility player, and one of the better wings in the D.C. area coming out of high school; Kemerly Wilson (Thomas Johnson/Frederick, Md.), one of the RBR's top-five 2007-class MD/DC/VA players, and a national top-100 2007-class player; and, freshman Brittany Waters, the Florida High School 6A MVP last year.
In Wake's 2008 class, they've drafted Brooke Thomas out of Florida, one of the top ten PG's in the country in her class; and Secily Ray, the top wing in that class in the state of North Carolina--and who also turned down UNC for Wake.
Of these nine girls whom the IH just mentioned, sports fans, VTech ONLY RECRUITED ONE OF THEM. Corinne Groves.

It's about drafting players, sports fans. All of that other stuff being discussed by our message board cousins over at www.TechSideline.com is irrelevant.

By the way, sports fans, our cousins are very, very distraught over there, after last night. You all should go over and check it out--and give them real love, while you're at it...

[arbitraryj]

(YAWN)

...and you just saved big money switching car insurance...

VT is poised to remain at the bottom of the ACC.

We got it.

hit us back here if you learn something new mmmkay?

[Pundit2007]

Its being reported that Andrea Barbour was suspended from the team... Solid rumor has it that Barbour considered leaving school, but, people close to her, including her high school and AAU coaches have encouraged her to return to school.

It has also been rumored that another player was suspended. Maybe Tech kept the wrong coach??