From Inside Carolina

Quote:VIRGINIA TECH

GETTING INSIDE

Virginia Tech finally aligning with its regional rivals in the ACC is arguably the biggest thing to ever happen to the Hokies. But when Tech takes to the hardwoods this winter, it will be thinking small.

Power forward Bryant Matthews has left for the NBA, and there's no heir apparent in the program, so look for adaptable coach Seth Greenberg to run 6-8 sophomore Coleman Collins out on the floor with four guards.

Tech will miss Matthews, who averaged 22.1 points and 8.9 rebounds last season and signed a free agent deal with Detroit.

Greenberg is counting on senior Carlos Dixon and incoming freshman Marquie Cooke to be among his offensive leaders, creating an inside game by attacking the basket. On defense, Greenberg says the diminutive Hokies must rebound by committee, and cover the court and low-posting opponents with quickness.

NOTES, QUOTES

PROGRAM OVERVIEW: Tech enjoyed its first winning season in four years, tying for eighth place in the Big East and qualifying for the league tournament for the first time. The Hokies finished 15-14 overall and 7-9 in the Big East in their first season under Seth Greenberg, who has breathed a little life into the once-proud program that had eased into Tech football's shadow in the past 20 years.

Greenberg's easy-going manner has made him popular with players and fans, who are anxious to fill Cassell Coliseum to boo the likes of Duke and Carolina, regional teams they've watched from afar with envy for so many years.

Tech has been a basketball force before and it can happen again, but Greenberg needs some more players, especially up front.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I have no problem playing three guards and a skilled forward. Duke's done it for years with (Carlos) Boozer and (Shane) Battier. That's a style that's conducive to be successful in the ACC. We're just going to play with four guards." -- Coach Seth Greenberg to The Roanoke Times.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

KEY RECRUITS AND TRANSFERS: Guard Marquie Cooke -- Rated the top prospect in Virginia, the 6-3 Cooke is the impact-type offensive force the Hokies had to land this year. They may have been aided by Virginia's pursuit of Pennsylvania point Sean Singletary, but for a program that hadn't landed the consensus top player in the state since Dell Curry came aboard in 1982, no one is complaining.

Forward Deron Washington -- Washington is a 6-7 wing player from New Orleans and could push for duty in the guard-heavy rotation at Tech. A small forward, he averaged nearly 15 points and seven rebounds at National Christian Academy in Fort Washington, Md., this past season. Washington has athletic bloodlines. His father, Lionel, is a former NFL cornerback and a current coach with the Green Bay Packers.

Forward Wynton Witherspoon -- A 6-7 wing from Duluth, Ga., Witherspoon was a late addition to the class after averaging 24.1 points and 6.8 rebounds at Berkmar High School. He can play all three perimeter positions and Seth Greenberg loves his seven-foot wing span. Witherspoon's and Washington's prospects for playing time have already been boosted with the dismissal of 6-7 Justin Holt. Holt, a transfer from Tacoma (Wash.) Community College who had yet to play at Tech, was dismissed for an unspecified violation of team rules.

INJURY IMPACT: The 6-7 Carlos Dixon, Tech's lone senior, missed all of last season with a fractured foot. He will be a key after averaging 13.8 points per game the previous season.

Actually, Tech may have another senior, too. Football quarterback Bryan Randall came over and helped the hardwood Hokies last season with his stable demeanor and solid, though, limited game contributions. He could be back this year, too, if his NFL prospects don't limit his options.

A lot of people think that Virginia Tech will be in the basement of the ACC next year, but I'm not so sure. Virginia Tech loses one starter from last year's team, though that starter was Bryant Matthews. On the other hand, the team besides him was very young. Coleman Collins and Jamon Gordon are two future stars. Both were freshmen last year and showed up to play in the BE Tourney. Collins is a 6'11 big man ready to dominate whereas Gordon is a SG. Carlos Dixon was a solid player in the past and will be coming back from an injury last year.

My pick is that VT wins 4 conference games and wins most of their OOC games. Assuming a 27 game schedule, I'm gonna go with 11-16. They'll be tied for 9th in the ACC standings.