Deron Washington AD Vassallo Coach Seth Greenberg - HokieSports

In a game that turned out exactly as
predicted, the fifth-seeded Hokies defeated
the 12th-seeded Illini of Illinois, 54-52,
to advance to the second round of the
tournament. Washington scored 14 points
and Collins added 13 points for Tech in their
first NCAA Tournament appearance since the
1995-96 season. The Hokies had rallied from
a 12-point deficit with about eight minutes
to play to claim the win. Tech played tough
defense throughout and really tightened up
in the final seconds to preserve the win.
All good things must come to an end and
for the Hokies that came in the second round,
as they lost to fourth-seed, Southern Illinois,
63-48. Much like when the Hokies lost to the
Salukis in the Old Spice Classic in Orlando,
SIU used solid defense and a big run late in
the first half to claim the win. Gordon led the
Hokies with 16 points and Washington added
15 points.
Although disappointed in the loss, the
Hokies had put together a season of pride
and accomplishment. Aside from the wins
over Duke and North Carolina, aside from the
22 victories and the national reputation the
team began to grow, the season was one of
movement. Movement away from the horrors
of the previous season and toward the type
of program each player was trying to put his
mark on. The program known for hard-work
and hard-play can and will compete at the
highest level.
Dowdell earned first team All-ACC and
was named to the league’s defensive team.
Gordon was named third-team All-ACC and
was the league’s defensive player of the year.
Accolades are great, but building a program
that the players, coaches and school are
proud of, now that’s real accomplishment.
Chris
Tucker
Markus
Sailes
2006-2007 REVIEW
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