Teel Blog - dailypress.com

W&M's Shaver, VT's Johnson say college basketball rules changes should help offenses

By David Teel — Fri, 17 May 2013 09:10:00 GMT

Given their teams’ contrasting styles, it’s no surprise that William and Mary’s Tony Shaver and Virginia Tech’s James Johnson differ on the duration of college basketball’s ideal shot clock. But on this they concur: Referees need to rid the game of MMA-style defense.

Retiring VT president Steger advocated for athletics

By David Teel — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:13:00 GMT

Charles Steger was not the most visible or vocal proponent of Virginia Tech athletics. But as Hokie Nation reflects on his retirement after nearly 14 years as university president, there’s no questioning his advocacy or appreciation for major college sports.

Nine ACC teams among baseball's top 25, including Virginia, Virginia Tech

By David Teel — Tue, 14 May 2013 08:10:00 GMT

Extolling ACC baseball is like berating the IRS. It’s an easy mark – darn near all the time. But the sheer volume of 2013’s quality merits compilation as the conference enters the regular season’s final week and prepares for the league tournament – and beyond.

Virginia-Wisconsin rematch in ACC-Big Ten Challenge

By David Teel — Wed, 08 May 2013 20:51:00 GMT

Virginia’s best road victory in Tony Bennett’s four seasons as coach was at Wisconsin in last season’s ACC-Big Ten Challenge. The Cavaliers and Badgers will reunite in this year’s edition, at John Paul Jones Arena on Dec. 4.

Swofford discusses ACC divisions, revenue sharing, bowl tie-ins, basketball venues

By David Teel — Tue, 07 May 2013 08:58:00 GMT

The last year has been the most stabilizing and fortyifying in ACC history. Also the most turbulent. From the additions of Notre Dame and Louisville to the loss of Maryland. From the renewal of contracts with ESPN to the Orange Bowl partnership with the SEC, Big Ten and Fighting Irish. From the relentless realignment gossip to the granting of media rights.

Swofford met with Virginia Board to discuss ACC's grant of rights

By David Teel — Mon, 06 May 2013 21:31:00 GMT

Less than 24 hours before ACC presidents unanimously approved the conference’s landmark grant of rights last month, commissioner John Swofford met with Virginia’s Board of Visitors in Charlottesville. But the trip was not a last-minute sales pitch to a skittish client that might take its business elsewhere.

Beamer fails to recruit Duke's Blumenherst to Virginia Tech at LPGA pro-am

By David Teel — Wed, 01 May 2013 22:51:00 GMT

Frank Beamer failed on the recruiting trail Wednesday, but the loss won’t cost his Virginia Tech football team any games.

A finalist at American, Virginia's Williford likely to have other opportunities

By David Teel — Wed, 01 May 2013 13:58:00 GMT

American University was Jason Williford’s first head-coaching interview. Bet it won’t be his last.

Louisville, UNC, Wake Forest commits, other ACC targets excel at Nike EYBL

By David Teel — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 17:25:00 GMT

Long, rangy wings who lead the break and make contested threes; clever, slightly undersized point guards who pass unselfishly but score when needed; a power forward who rebounds more than he shoots.

Notre Dame's Brey hopes ACC takes basketball tournament to Madison Square Garden

By David Teel — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 00:43:00 GMT

As a newcomer, Mike Brey plans to keep a low profile at the ACC spring meetings next month in Florida. But Notre Dame’s basketball coach doesn’t lack for opinions as the conference charts a new direction with 15 teams and a greater Northeast presence.

Teel Time: Notre Dame's Brey hopes ACC takes basketball tournament to Madison Square Garden

By David Teel — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 21:08:00 GMT

Boo Williams Nike event showcases Duke, North Carolina commitments, U.Va., VT targets

By David Teel — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 01:40:00 GMT

Three days, 40 teams, 100 games. That’s the hook-up Friday night through Sunday afternoon at the Boo Williams Sportsplex as Nike’s Elite Youth Basketball League makes its annual Hampton stop.

ACC's 2013-14 basketball schedule unique opportunity, challenge

By David Teel — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:33:00 GMT

If precedent prevails, future ACC basketball schedules will work on rotation. No surprises. Teams will know their conference opponents years in advance.

Even with grant of rights, much work remains for ACC

By David Teel — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 18:39:00 GMT

Each May, ACC officials convene for the conference’s spring meetings. Substantive issues are debated, enduring decisions made. But the event is also an opportunity to exhale, enjoy a beverage of choice and bask in the accommodations of the Ritz-Carlton in Amelia Island, Fla.

More reaction to ACC's 'great strategic move' with grant of rights

By David Teel — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:26:00 GMT

Late Monday mornings are usually reserved for work. You know, jobs, parenthood, errands. But when David Glenn, publisher of the ACC Sports Journal, tweeted that the conference’s 15 current and future members had agreed to a media grant of rights, countless took notice.

'Monumental' grant of rights agreement brings stability to ACC

By David Teel — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 23:01:00 GMT

ACC commissioner John Swofford was portrayed as a modern-day Nero at the fiddle. The conference’s presidents were mocked for their joint statement of solidarity.

Freshman offensive tackle McLaughlin solid in Virginia Tech spring game

By David Teel — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 09:35:00 GMT

Little wonder Jonathan McLaughlin did not appear on Virginia Tech’s pre-spring depth chart. A true freshman offensive tackle who enrolled in January, he’d never practiced against college competition, and Hokies coaches had no idea how he’d respond to criticism or grasp the playbook.

Virginia Tech searching for 2015 game after ACC decision on Notre Dame

By David Teel — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 13:07:00 GMT

One look at Virginia Tech’s future football schedules online told you when athletic director Jim Weaver preferred to play Notre Dame. The Hokies’ lone opening in the next three years was in 2015.

Notre Dame plays at Virginia in 2015, hosts Virginia Tech in 2016

By David Teel — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 20:57:00 GMT

Notre Dame will visit Virginia in 2015 and host Virginia Tech in 2016 as part of the Fighting Irish’s five annual football games against ACC teams.

NBC-Notre Dame football contract extension no surprise to ACC

By David Teel — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 18:10:00 GMT

Neither Notre Dame’s renewal of vows with NBC nor the contract’s 10-year extension should surprise anyone.

Boston Marathon bombing strikes at running's core

By David Teel — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 17:15:00 GMT

Pete Watson runs, literally and figuratively, among the distance-running elite. He won bronze in the 5,000 meters at the 2001 Canadian national championships, and he coaches his brother Rob, a world-class marathoner.

Improving anemic ground game vital as Virginia Tech concludes spring practice

By David Teel — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 12:51:00 GMT

When David Wilson turned pro after his junior season at Virginia Tech in 2011, I presumed the Hokies would simply introduce another quality tailback. From Shyrone Stith to Lee Suggs to Kevin Jones, from Cedric Humes to Branden Ore to Darren Evans, from Ryan Williams to Wilson, Tech enjoyed more than a decade of dependable runners.

More than 41 percent of ACC football assistants will be new this season

By David Teel — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 19:31:00 GMT

At last check, ACC assistant football coaches are not subject to term limits, but as teams went through spring practice last month and this, the turnover among staff was striking.

Jones' former boss at American calls ODU's hire 'a home run'

By David Teel — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 12:56:00 GMT

Keith Gill and Jeff Jones go way back, further than Jones could have known, back to the days when Gill was a Duke student and Jones was Virginia’s head basketball coach.

Basketball Hall of Fame honors Boo Williams with Human Spirit Award

By David Teel — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 18:07:00 GMT

The phone call early Monday afternoon was classic Boo Williams. NCAA tournament observations, coaching gossip and a random request.