Tech Talk Live Notes for March 10, 2014

James Johnson

The ACC Tournament is a fresh start.  It’s season #2.  Everybody has a clean slate.  It’s survive and advance.

Tech competed at Georgia Tech, but they just don’t have a lot of bodies right now.  The Hokies played hard, but they couldn’t find a way to put it in the hole.

Joey van Zegeren played very well against a really good opponent (Daniel Miller) on Saturday.  He was the best player on the floor.  He set his career high in scoring in each of his last two games.  He is getting much better.

Joey van Zegeren still needs to get stronger, work on his free throws and extend his range.  Teams might play him differently next year, so he will have to adjust.

It was great to have four Tech players on the ACC All-Academic team.  If you take care of business off the court, you have a better chance on the court.  He and his staff always preach academics to their players.  Basketball will end at some point, and everybody needs to get their degree.  Trevor Thompson was particularly proud of makng the All-Academic team.

Tech got two good wins against Miami this year.  Tech’s defense played really well against Miami in the home game.  Now it’s time for round three.  Johnson and Jim Larranaga are good friends.  Miami will be ready to play.

Johnson and Larranaga still talk often.  Larranaga even called Johnson the day after Tech beat Miami in Blacksburg.  They talk more in the offseason.  They talk basketball some, but mostly about personal stuff.

Miami is the defending ACC Tournament Champion.  They still have a few guys from last year’s team.  They will be looking to repeat.  It’s a new season for everybody, including Miami.

Tech is happy to have an opportunity to play again.  The Hokies have confidence in this game because they have beaten Miami twice.

Coaching in the ACC Tournament is big for Johnson.  He remembers the teachers stopping class to show the ACC Tournament on TV when he was in school.

Robert Carter being back has made Georgia Tech a much better team.  Johnson hopes getting Ben Emelogu back will make the Hokies a better team in the ACC Tournament.

Cadarian Raines has no ligament or structural damage.  Johnson hopes to have him back on Wednesday.

Johnson thinks the crowd at the ACC Tournament will be good.  There will be more teams, and more games.

Johnson doesn’t think there is a favorite for the ACC Tournament.  There are a lot of teams playing good basketball right now.  You’ve got to be deep and be able to put the ball in the hole to win the tournament.

Johnson wants to see his team continue to compete.  He would like to see them play with a little more confidence.  He doesn’t think his team necessarily did that throughout the season.

Johnson really appreciates the fans hanging in there with the team this year.  He knows it has been a disappointing season, and he is thankful for the fans sticking with them.

Kevin Dresser

It’s great to win the ACC two years in a row.  Now they have to go for three in a row.

It was a perfect day for Tech wrestling.  Pitt and UVA were the favorites, and the Hokies were the darkhorse.  However, Tech put it all together.  They won matches, and got bonus points from dominating matches.  It was a heck of a day.

All 10 of Tech’s wrestlers placed in the top four of the ACC and earned points.  They had four wrestlers finish in first place.

Tech has great coaches.  They have great facilities.  Jim Weaver gave the program everything they needed.

Dresser hopes Chris Moon gets into the NCAA Championships as an at-large.  That would give the Hokies eight wrestlers at NCAAs.

Devin Carter has always been able to raise the bar for himself.  Getting back so fast from his injury was pretty amazing.

Dresser was impressed with the turnout of Tech fans in Cassell Coliseum on Saturday.  It made a big difference.

Devin Carter

Three weeks ago, Carter didn’t think he would be able to compete.  He tore his hamstring back in December, but he was able to make it back and win the ACC Championship.

He was originally told it was going to be a 6-9 month recovery after surgery.  His rehab went very well.  He pushed it, and it worked out.

Carter always wants to make himself the best he can be.  He wants to be amongst the best.

Carter feels like he will be fine for the NCAA Championships.  There is a little pain, but overall he feels fine.  He’s got to work on his cardio and get in better shape.

Monday was Day 3,391 of Virginia Tech’s continuous possession of The Commonwealth Cup.