Archive for February, 2012

Georgia Tech baseball coach Danny Hall signed a five-year contract extension Thursday, five games into his 19th season at the school. Hall is a three-time ACC coach of the year and has led the Yellow Jackets to the school’s only three trips to the College World Series. The deal’s terms were not disclosed.

Said Hall, “I’m very thankful that they want me to be here.”

Hall, who had been working on an extension with the school since the end of last season, was in the final year of his existing contract. The extension runs through the 2016 season.

“We could not be happier that he’s going to be wearing a Yellow Jacket baseball uniform for the next five years and beyond,” associate athletic director Wayne Hogan said.

Tech opens its home schedule Friday against Ohio State.

Continue reading Tech’s Hall receives contract extension »

Greetings-

Stephen Hill is ready to run fast. The former Georgia Tech wide receiver will fly up to Indianapolis today for the NFL draft combine.

“I’m feeling great,” he said. “I’m ready to go.”

Nervous?

“Not nervous at all,” he said, and he sounded it. “This is something I’ve been dreaming about and something I’ve been ready for.”

Since declaring for the draft Jan. 5, Hill has spent most of his time at the IMG training facility in Bradenton, Fla. He worked out with other draft hopefuls such as quarterback Russell Wilson from Wisconsin, quarterback Kirk Cousins and Rutgers wide receiver Mohamed Sanu. The training is principally for the combine, Tech’s pro day (March 6) and individual workouts with teams. He also spent a week in Atlanta getting tutored by former Falcons wide receiver Terance Mathis.

Among those training him in Florida was renowned speed coach Loren Seagrave. Hill said he plans to do all of the tests at the combine.

“My 40 time has improved a little bit,” Hill …

Continue reading Stephen Hill ready for NFL combine »

Update: The ACC wasn’t waiting only on Florida State. With Florida State having found an opponent for its Sept. 8 slot, the clock is now ticking solely for Georgia Tech.

The school had to move games around to accommodate its Labor Day game against Virginia Tech and is still looking for an opponent for Sept.8, five days after the Virginia Tech game.

“Hopefully we’re getting to a conclusion, but it’s been frustrating,” associate athletic director Wayne Hogan said.

Hogan said the school has narrowed its search down to two schools, which he declined to name.

“We’re close,” he said. “I hope we can announce something soon.”

The Seminoles will play Savannah State to replace its game against West Virginia, which canceled the game as it is about to join the Big 12. Savannah State will receive $475,000 for its visit to Tallahassee. The ACC had been waiting on Florida State to find an opponent to complete the league schedule.

Two known dates for Georgia Tech are the Sept. 3 Labor Day …

Continue reading Update: Tech last piece of ACC scheduling puzzle »

Greetings-

I spoke late last week with New Jersey Nets guard and former Georgia Tech star Anthony Morrow, primarily about his selection to the 3-point contest at the NBA All-Star game this weekend in Orlando. You may know that Morrow was undrafted out of Tech and made the Golden State Warriors roster in 2008 as a rookie free agent. He scored 37 points in his first start – the most ever by an undrafted rookie in his first start – and ended up leading the league in 3-point shooting at 46.7 percent.

After two seasons, he was traded to New Jersey and signed a three-year deal worth $12 million. He is virtually tied for second in NBA career 3-point shooting percentage with Golden State’s Stephen Curry at 44.1 percent.

1. Despite finishing in the top 10 in 3-point shooting percentage in his first three seasons, this is his first 3-point contest. Morrow didn’t hide his excitement over the honor.

When his agent called to tell him he’d been chosen, “I had to stay calm, but I was …

Continue reading Anthony Morrow on 3-point contest »

Greetings

Georgia Tech didn’t have much going for it Tuesday night going into the game and it showed in the Jackets’ 56-37 loss. A few thoughts:

1. Tech was unable to handle Clemson’s man-to-man defensive pressure. The Jackets needed a guard, Mfon Udofia, Brandon Reed or Pierre Jordan, who could split a double team or swing the ball to the weak side, but none could accomplish it enough to force the Tigers to back off. This has been the Jackets’ struggle for much of the season. It happened repeatedly that one of Tech’s bigs would screen for one of the guards, leaving a double team on the guard as the big rolled away, and the ball got stuck in the double team.

“We have struggled all year long, it’s no secret, with teams that have pressured us and were able to pressure the ball,” coach Brian Gregory said.

Tech handled the absence of Glen Rice Jr. fine on Saturday, perhaps because the Hokies played in a zone and gave the Jackets more room to get into their offense. It was not the …

Continue reading Georgia Tech-Clemson wrap »

Greetings-

Hope this finds you well. A few points, and we’ll start it up.

1. Guard Jason Morris will be a game-time decision. He warmed up with the team, but will test out his foot sprain just before the game starts. As I write, he’s come out for layups and is moving pretty well. If he can play, he’ll start. If not, coach Brian Gregory will have Mfon Udofia, Pierre Jordan and Nick Foreman as his guards. The double jeopardy of losing Morris is that he could give minutes at either forward spot.

2. Gregory said that his primary concern with a thin bench is defending Clemson’s transition. To start with, that means limiting turnovers.

3. Watch out for guard Andre Young from Albany and Deerfield-Winsdor School (alma mater of Tony Zenon). He is 25 for 39 on 3-pointers against Georgia Tech over his career, 64 percent.

Enjoy the game.

Continue reading Georgia Tech-Clemson live blog »

The sellout crowds and electricity that attended Georgia Tech basketball when James Forrest played for the Yellow Jackets are missing.

Forrest, though, is not. The Tech great plans to be in attendance Tuesday when the Jackets play Clemson at Philips Arena.

“I try to go down as much as I can to support the guys and support the new staff,” Forrest said.

Tech’s season has played out in the grim fashion that many predicted in coach Brian Gregory’s first year. The Jackets have lost 13 of 15 and are in last place in the ACC. Virginia Tech delivered the latest gut punch Saturday, a 74-73 overtime loss on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer. Former players like Forrest, accustomed to Tech making the NCAA tournament and challenging for ACC titles, have braced for the ride.

“Everyone says the same thing,” said Forrest of former players such as Jon Barry, Dennis Scott and Travis Best. “They like [Gregory's] energy and they like the fact that he’s reaching out to the former guys.”

“The …

Continue reading Alums supporting Tech, Gregory »

Guard Jason Morris may not play against Clemson Tuesday because of a foot injury suffered in overtime of the Yellow Jackets’ loss to Virginia Tech Saturday.

If Morris cannot play, Tech will have eight players on scholarship available, including former walk-ons Nick Foreman and Derek Craig. Guard Glen Rice Jr., who is suspended, and backup center Nate Hicks, who has mononucleosis, will not play.

Morris suffered the injury when he landed awkwardly after taking a shot against the Hokies. Morris played one of his best games of the season, scoring 10 points with four assists. He did not practice Sunday. It’s possible that even if he is available, that he would be limited.

The Jackets played with eight players Saturday, including Morris. With the overtime period, all five starters played 33 minutes or more.

“Everybody’s got to be ready to go on Tuesday night,” coach Brian Gregory said. “Even if it’s one minute of playing time it’s got to be the hardest one minute that they’ve ever …

Continue reading Tech’s Morris uncertain for Clemson »

Georgia Tech guard Glen Rice Jr.’s suspension will continue into the Yellow Jackets’ Tuesday night game against Clemson. Coach Brian Gregory said on the ACC teleconference Monday morning that Rice will not play in the game or practice with the team Monday.

Rice was suspended indefinitely prior to Tech’s Saturday game against Virginia Tech, a 74-73 overtime loss, and did not travel with the team to Blacksburg, Va. The Jackets played one of their best games of the season, losing on a desperation 3-pointer by Virginia Tech guard Dorenzo Hudson as time expired.

“I was proud of the way our guys competed for 45 minutes and I thought we played some of our best basketball,” Gregory said.

Rice, Tech’s leading scorer and rebounder, also was suspended for the first three games of the season.

Continue reading Rice’s suspension will continue »

Greetings-

My commendation to you for watching this game. You are truly loyal.

Georgia Tech has a chance to get out of last place in the ACC, or at least force a four-way tie for ninth at 3-9.

Obviously, a big piece of this game is that the Yellow Jackets will be without Glen Rice Jr., suspended indefinitely by Brian Gregory. Rice, I probably don’t have to tell you, leads the team in scoring and rebounding and takes on a lot of ballhandling responsibilities. We’ll see who fills in the void and how the Jackets manage having such a short bench. I’d expect to see both former walk-ons Derek Craig and Nick Foreman giving minutes. Guard Jason Morris may get some minutes at the power forward spot.

It’ll be interesting to see where Rice’s shots go. I am sure Gregory is hoping that Daniel Miller and Kammeon Holsey pick up the slack. Another piece is how Mfon Udofia handles pressure without Rice.

Virginia Tech players to watch:

Forward Victor Davila, 26 of 38 from the floor in his last …

Continue reading Live blog: Georgia Tech vs. Virginia Tech »