Hokies Have Come a Long Way to ACC Title

(This article originally appeared on www.hokiehaven.com.)

Huge.

That's really the only word to describe the next five days of Virginia Tech basketball. In the catbird's seat for the ACC Championship with two games to play, the Hokies have 80 minutes of basketball to prove they have come full circle since their much-doubted inclusion to the conference just three seasons ago.

For over a decade Virginia Tech has struggled in every conference they have played in since 1995-1996, logging a 58-104 record that has spanned the ACC, Big East and Atlantic 10. After high hopes gave way to a disappointing slide during the 2005-2006 campaign, the Hokies have shown resiliency this season, rebounding strong from big losses, and scoring a triad of big wins: a season sweep of North Carolina, and a road win at traditional power Duke. Greenberg's Gang is just the third ACC school to win at both Tobacco Road powers in the same season.

However, there have been disappointments as well, occasional head-scratchers, baffling outings of lethargy that have left Hokie fans nearly as down as the monumental Tobacco Two-fer left them up. Virginia Tech has been swept by 14-13 North Carolina State, yielding two losses by a combined 36 points in performances that left critics asserting the Hokies were not ready for prime time. A frustrating loss to Florida State and a pair of occasionally listless victories against Miami have made Tech's next performance almost impossible to predict.

The roller coaster ride rolls in to Charlottesville tomorrow, and the John Paul Jones Arena will rock. The cross-state Cavaliers have a 10-4 ACC record to match Tech's, and are undefeated in their new digs this season. The contest is one of the biggest in recent memory to hit the Old Dominion State, which is consistently overshadowed by the traditional roundball power of its southern neighbor, North Carolina. But this year, Duke has struggled, and Tech has swept the 'Heels, making Wednesday's derby the biggest ACC matchup of the year.

Here's a look at how the standings shake out right now:

Virginia Tech 10-4 at Virginia, Clemson
North Carolina 10-4 at Georgia Tech, Duke
Virginia 10-4 Virginia Tech, at Wake

If Tech ties for the title with UNC, Tech wins.
If UNC ties for the title with UVA, UNC wins.
If all three tie for the title, Tech wins.
If Tech and UVA tie for the title, after a Tech win Wednesday, Tech wins.
If Tech and UVA tie for the title, after a UVA win Wednesday, Tech and UVA tie.

The ascension from also-ran to the apex of the ACC mountain has been navigated by Tech's trio of super seniors, Zabian Dowdell, Coleman Collins and Jamon Gordon. Under the seniors' charge, Tech has risen from a team some coaches said would lower the talent pool of the ACC, to one with 20 wins, a likely top-five NCAA seed and a dominant home court advantage.

Dowdell's rise has been particularly magical. One of the most underrated guards in the nation, Dowdell has quietly led the Hokies through adversity, and his scoring total of 1700 is currently good for eighth on Tech's career list. With just 105 points in Tech's remaining four games (minimum), Dowdell would rise to fifth all-time. His 18.1 points per game have him poised to be just the third Hokie ever to lead his team in scoring three times.

Ultimately, the legacy of these three seniors and Coach Seth Greenberg will be left for history to judge. Win or lose Thursday, 2007 has been a watershed campaign for Virginia Tech basketball. Several more will be required if the hardcourt is ever to compete with Frank Beamer's squad as the main attraction in Blacksburg. Regardless of the final score in Charlottesville, this senior class has left its mark indelibly pasted on Virginia Tech's basketball fortunes. Gordon, Dowdell, Coleman and Greenberg will and should be legends, celebrities in Blacksburg for years to come. A 20-win season, a dominant home campaign, and a high NCAA tournament seed will be these Hokies' star on the sidewalk. A win at Virginia and, thereby, an ACC title, would be their handprints in the concrete.