Yes, I am fully aware that we have arrived at the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament – an event that Virginia Tech did not participate in.

In fact, the Hokies didn’t even make noise in the tournament that they were invited to – the NIT.  The harmlessly left the fray after a second-round loss to Wichita State at home in Cassell Coliseum.  Nice way to go out for seniors Malcolm Delaney and Jeff Allen.

But, yes, I will continue to talk ‘VT.’

Over the past few days, two separate messages from friends served as the inspiration for my latest rant.  First, my cousin (in-law) – a Facebook friend – posted the following status:

LOL! I think ppl in Virigina, no names please! Need to hop off Seth Greenberg and Va Tech bandwagon, and get on VCU Rams and Shaka Smart’s bandwagon. here’s an even better idea Va Tech should hire Shaka Smart. But I think he should stay at VCU! LOL!

I’m sure that the VCU bandwagon has reached its capacity, so it won’t have to worry about me jumping on…but point taken.  Shaka just about has the whole world in his hands right now.

Then, my long time boy, T-Spoon, sent me an email with the following text:

Virginia schools in the Final Four

UVA -2 (16 NCAA Tournament appearances)

George Mason – 1 (6 NCAA Tournament appearances)

VCU – 1 (10 NCAA Tournament appearances)

Virginia schools not in the Final Four

ODU – 11 NCAA Tournament appearances

Richmond – 9 NCAA Tournament appearances

Virginia Tech – 8 NCAA Tournament appearances

James Madison – 4 NCAA Tournament appearances

Radford – 2 NCAA Tournament appearances

Liberty – 2 NCAA Tournament appearances

 

Bottom line – looks like we (Hokie fans) have the 6th best college basketball team in the state.  If JMU, Radford or Liberty make a run for it, we are going to drop in the (state) rankings.

As a former 90′s student at Tech, I’ve witnessed the basketball team work its way through three conferences – the Metro, the Atlantic 10, the Big East, and now, the Atlantic Coast Conference.  Each move seemed to increase the Hokies’ stature, particularly by increasing the acknowledgement of successful programs that they played against on a regular basis.  Tech’s eventual progression into two of the most prestigious hoops conferences in the country (which happened primarily through the exploits of its football program) had to be considered a landmark achievement.    

The Hokies have established themselves as a slightly above average performing team in the ACC.  That has garnered them a miniscule amount of respect.  While that miniscule amount far exceeds what they had been given a decade ago, it hasn’t been enough to lift them up off of the NCAA bubble and into the Big Dance.  And although schools from smaller conferences have made appearances into March’s premiere showcase, I generally summoned two excuses to make myself feel better about my team: 

1. Virginia Tech plays in a much tougher conference
2. Virginia Tech could beat any of those teams head-to-head

And that would provide me with the closure that I needed.

But this year, something strange happened.  After the usual news that VT would be returning to the NIT, I realized that there were indeed lots of other state schools that would be dancing.  No less than five Virginia colleges were included in the brackets for the tournament.

And then, the ‘strangeness’ occurred.  Virginia Commonwealth easily dispatched USC in the new ‘First Four.’  Old Dominion University played one of the openers in the field of 64, competing in a thrilling tilt against Butler (now one of the Final Four for the second straight year) that was decided by a last-second whistle.  George Mason executed a spirited comeback over Villanova, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.  Predictably, Hampton got murdered by Duke.  In a 12-5 matchup that almost all ‘bracketeers’ picked, the Spiders of Richmond sent Vandy home early.  Then VCU returned to play in its first field of 64 game, and shocked us all by sending the Hoyas back to the dog pound.

The fighting spirit of Shaka Smart and the VCU Rams has captivated the nation.

Then, as Richmond and VCU coasted into the Sweet Sixteen, reality set in.  The supposed conference-superiority argument didn’t hold water any longer.  The new reality was that four of the five VA schools that were dancing would beat Tech (I’ll gracefully give us the edge over Hampton).       

Add to that the fact that UVA – who was supposedly one of the ACC’s bottom feeders – handed Tech their hats twice this season, and it’s clear that the Hokies are falling behind the regional competition.

Tech drastically needs to do something to enhance its pedigree, or relevance in the basketball arena.  Pedigree, in all sports, is traditionally built by winning.  But winning is a process that doesn’t come overnight. 

What do we have to overcome?  Recruiting is the clear challenge.  Prospects who would aspire to play in the ACC won’t be impressed by Tech.  Why would they when they can play for Roy Williams (UNC), Mike Krzyzewski (Duke) or Gary Williams (Maryland)?  But why stop there?  Until earlier this year, when the Phoenix Suns signed D-Leaguer Zabian Dowdell, Virginia Tech was the only ACC team who hadn’t produced a player currently on an NBA roster.

In addition to the conference competition for prospects, Tech is positioned to lose out on talent to other in-state rivals.  Freshmen who prefer to stay close to home can now choose from teams who made noise on college basketball’s biggest stage.  Unfortunately, the Hokies are not one of them. 

Indeed, all seems to be lost for VT hoops.  But I do believe that one change could bring them back into relevance.

Their head coach.

Now before I continue, I am not campaigning against Seth Greenberg.  I believe that he is a great motivator, and I believe that he (typically) is able to squeeze every ounce of success out of his players.  I enjoy his enthusiasm for the game; it’s evident that Greenberg puts all of his being into each game that he roams the sidelines.

But it’s time for someone else.

The fact of the matter is that playing in Blacksburg (and its surrounding area) is not attractive.  Playing for Greenberg is not uniquely beneficial, and therefore, our recruits lack the transcendent abilities of other top college prospects. 

So, Tech’s athletic department must ask itself the question – - “what will really improve us?”

Many feel that younger coaches (similar to the aforementioned Shaka Smart, and Brad Stevens) bring more diverse and open game plans into play.  And while this may indeed be true, it takes the proper players to execute those game plans. 

An established, well-reputed coach?  Well, that would be a start.  However, the possibility of the Hokies drawing one of them into its program would be an extremely long shot.

While there seems to be no sure-fire options for a turnaround, I would suggest the following…

Hire Dell Curry as the top man.

Curry, well known for his long-range marksmanship, played four superb seasons for Virginia Tech back in the mid-80′s.  Curry was an All-American, and the juggernaut behind the program’s last back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Tournament (1985, 1986). 

He went on to have a 16-year NBA career, and still ranks as the Charlotte (New Orleans) Hornets all-time leader in points scored and three-point field goals made.  After his playing career, Curry has also maintained his ties with the Association.  He had a brief spell as an assistant coach with the Charlotte Bobcats, and now is a commentator for Bobcats basketball.

Through it all, Curry has three key elements that could propel him to success in the position:

Curry's Hokie legacy would vastly improve the program's recruiting efforts.

Coaching Experience.  There’s no question that this is the weakest of Curry’s credentials.  However, Curry has been around basketball for decades and certainly would recognize all of the subtleties with playing the sport effectively.  While Curry excelled in putting the ball in the basket, his success was dependent upon the proper execution of a set offense.  He wasn’t supremely talented in an athletic sense, and that perceived weakness would seemingly enable him to understand and create true offensive and defensive sets.

NBA Connection.  In today’s recruiting game, a coach’s connection to the next level of play cannot be overstated.  Top recruits will always gravitate toward a program that has a proven track record of getting its athletes a chance at the pros.  This is something that Tech has clearly lacked.  However, having a leader who not only played at that level, but also experienced great success there will be a real plus in the recruiting game.

Hokie Connection.  This would be the icing on the cake for his candidacy.  Curry has endured as a symbol of excellence for a basketball program that he done very little (in the sense of postseason appearances, or wins).  The former college great would have the support of the alumni from the moment that he stepped into the position.  Just imagine the love that Curry would receive from primetime college hoops analysts and commentators such as Dick Vitale, Jay Bilas and Hubert Davis, for coming home to coach his alma mater. 

(In essence, this would be his second attempt to save the program.  Most of us have heard about Greenberg not being able to promise Curry’s son - Golden State Warrior Stephen Curry – substantial playing time if he would have committed to VT.  Here’s one of the many accounts of this missed opportunity.)

In the NCAA, it’s all about baby steps.  Each piece of the puzzle brings a program closer and closer to a state of completeness.

For Tech, there may be different approaches that can be taken.  And perhaps, even more qualified candidates to lead the team.  But more often than not, success is determined by talent….which would give Tech a shot at something special.

And there’s no one more accomplished at knocking down shots than Dell Curry.

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