Hokies Journal - The Washington Post's blog covering sports at Virginia Tech. - January 10, 2010

For Hokies guard Bell, focus is paying off

Terrell Bell was in a slump. The Virginia Tech guard wasn’t playing well in December and had trouble focusing during practice at that time. He thought about the troubles he had with his girlfriend and already felt worn down by...

By Mark Viera | January 15, 2010; 12:00 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Poll: Where do the Hokies end up?

Antsy for March? Can't wait to fill out your bracket? And are you wondering if Virginia Tech will make it to the Big Dance? Some of the folks at The Post, including my colleague Steve Yanda, who covers Maryland basketball,...

By Mark Viera | January 15, 2010; 10:15 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)

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Friday links

It's Friday, so smile about it. Here's some reading. David Teel of the Newport News Daily Press thinks that Virginia Tech's defensive coordinator, Bud Foster, would be a great fit for the coaching vacancy at East Carolina, where Skip Holtz...

By Mark Viera | January 15, 2010; 8:51 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Allen stays involved in second half vs. Miami

Jeff Allen disappeared in the second half of Virginia Tech's loss at North Carolina on Sunday. He reappeared on Wednesday night and played a complete game. In the Hokies' 81-66 upset of No. 23 Miami, Allen recorded his fifth double-double...

By Mark Viera | January 14, 2010; 12:51 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Six football newcomers arrive in Blacksburg

Six scholarship football players will enroll at Virginia Tech when classes begin on Tuesday. Two players originally signed with the Hokies last February and deferred their enrollment, two went to prep school for a semester and two graduated early from...

By Mark Viera | January 14, 2010; 10:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Thursday links

Happy Thursday. Here's some reading. Virginia Tech knocked off No. 23 Miami, 81-66, on Wednesday night. The Hokies dominated from the start. In fact, it only seemed that the game was essentially finished before halftime, a win "as certain as...

By Mark Viera | January 14, 2010; 8:08 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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What are Va. Tech's NCAA tournament chances?

Virginia Tech Coach Seth Greenberg has said he has no time to worry about the NCAA tournament while it's still January. He said he would not be able to coach his team, recruit and take care of the day-to-day business...

By Mark Viera | January 13, 2010; 3:30 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)

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After Kiffin's departure, appreciation for Beamer

As word spread that Lane Kiffin would be leaving Tennessee after only one year to become the coach at Southern California, outraged fans and students took to the streets in Knoxville to show their angst toward a coach now viewed...

By Mark Viera | January 13, 2010; 3:00 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (4)

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Foster's deal worth about $1 million

How much does it take to keep one of the nation’s top defensive coordinators? Answer: about $1 million. Virginia Tech’s Bud Foster agreed in principle to an annuity package worth approximately $1 million, according to a person briefed on the...

By Mark Viera | January 13, 2010; 1:08 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Wednesday links

It's a game day in Blacksburg. Here is some reading to get you ready. Virginia Tech takes on Miami in another tough conference match up. Eric Prisbell, The Post's national college basketball reporter, takes a look at the Hurricanes in...

By Mark Viera | January 13, 2010; 9:30 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)

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After Delaney, Va. Tech needs scoring options

One of the biggest questions about Virginia Tech this season was whether it could find a third scoring option after the departure of A.D. Vassallo. Now the questions is who will be a second scoring option. The Hokies have relied...

By Mark Viera | January 12, 2010; 1:30 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Hokies look to refocus on defense

Entering the year, Virginia Tech Coach Seth Greenberg stressed playing with urgency on defense. The Hokies have done well defending at times this year. But their defense has also fallen by the wayside at times. As the Hokies (12-2, 0-1...

By Mark Viera | January 12, 2010; 12:10 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Tuesday links

Happy Tuesday. And now, some links. After losing to North Carolina on Sunday, Virginia Tech has a relatively quick turnaround before hosting Miami on Wednesday. The Hurricanes (15-1) have finally received some love after their hot start, joining the Associated...

By Mark Viera | January 12, 2010; 8:58 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Hokies Journal: January 10, 2010 - January 16, 2010