Comings and goings Part V: Virginia Tech

Kelly Koshuta

Here is Part V of our series Comings and goings. We take a look at Virginia Tech, which pulled off back-to-back upsets over North Carolina State and Pitt in the ACC Tournament before endings its season against Florida State.

Comings and Goings: Old Dominion
Comings and Goings: Richmond
Comings and Goings: George Mason
Comings and Goings: Virginia

Who's going

- Kelsey Conyers, 5-9 Sr. G, Chesterfield, Va. (Cosby);

- Assistant coaches Bett Shelby and Jermaine Woods

Conyers started 22 of 32 games last season and averaged 3.6 points and ranked second on the team with 60 assists. One of only two Hokies (Panousis) with more assists than turnovers (51). Shelby is assisting Brenda Frese at Maryland and  Woods returned home to Norfolk to be an assistant to Old Dominion's Karen Barefoot.



Who's coming

- Kelly Koshuta, 6-2 F/C, Vienna, Va. (James Madison High); ranked No. 32 on ESPN's Top 100 list for 2015 recruits; had career totals of 1,726 points and 946 rebounds despite missing her entire sophomore year with a knee injury; All-Met Player of the Year by the Washington Post
 
- Chanette Hicks, 5-5 G, Norfolk, Va. (Maury High); ranked No. 53 on ESPN's Top 100 list for 2015 recruits; averaged 16.8 ppg and 7.1 spg as a senior; All-Atlantic Conference POY

- Alana Gilmer, 6-0 G/F, Easton, Mass (Archbishop Williams); led the Bishops to back-to-back Division 3 state titles; First-team All-USA Massachusetts (USA Today)

- Assistants Heather Vulin and Britney Anderson


Five-star recruit Koshuta leads a Top-20 recruiting class that will look to move Tech into the top half of the ACC. Remember also that Regan Magarity started her collegiate career averaging 14 points through five games before going down with a knee injury. Double-figure scorers Vanessa Panousis, who will play for the Australian national team in the upcoming World University Games, and impact freshman Rachel Camp also return for what looks, on paper, as a Tech team that is ready to make a statement in a league where being in the top half is good enough to get an invite to the national tournament.

Comings and goings Part IV: Virginia

Mone' Jones is a top 100 ESPN recruit 

We continue our series of Comings and goings with Part IV: Virginia.

Comings and Goings: Old Dominion
Comings and Goings: Richmond
Comings and Goings: George Mason

Who's going

- Sarah Beth Barnette: 6-2 F, Lexington, Ky.; lone career start was on Senior Day for the Kentucky transfer, who had her career-high 10 in her first game as a Cavalier against James Madison; member of the 2015 NCAA Good Works Team given her numerous volunteer efforts

- Tiffany Suarez, 5-11 G, Miami; appeared in 50 games over two seasons (10.8 minutes per game); transferred to Fordham, has two years of eligibility starting in 2016-17

- Sarah Imovbioh, 6-2 C, Abuja, Nigeria (St. Anne's Belfield); transferred to South Carolina, has one year of instant eligibility (2015-16) as she graduated from Virginia in May. Scored 1,028 points and grabbed 793 rebounds in three seasons; was ACC's leading rebounder last year (10.8 rpg). Had 22 points and 17 rebounds vs. Louisville; 18 points and 24 rebounds vs. Ohio State.

Virginia's huge loss in Imovbioh is Dawn Staley's big-time gain at South Carolina, which was a point away from advancing to the national championship a year ago. The Nigerian is the third transfer Gamecock Nation has snagged, as Staley has also added guard Kaela Davis (Georgia Tech) and Allisha Gray (North Carolina). Her loss and the transfer of Suarez are indicative of the difficult season the Cavs endured punctuated by a disappointing effort against Old Dominion in the first round of the WNIT, their final game.

Who's coming

- Debra Ferguson, 6-4 C, Madison Heights, Va. (Amherst County H.S.); power post who can shoot the 3 and anchor the defense

- Mone' Jones, 6-3 F, Durham, N.C. (Riverside H.S.); No. 61 on the ESPNW 100 recruiting rankings; averaged 23 points and 7.5 rebounds. Third team all-state pick by the North Carolina Basketball Coaches Association

- Shakyna Payne, 6-3 F, Acworth, Ga. (Southwest Atlanta Christian); played first three years of high school ball at Etowah High; athletic post with tremendous upside who needs to develop on offense

- J'Kyra Brown, 5-11 G, Rocky Mount, N.C. (Rocky Mount High); transfer from East Carolina; sat out last season and has three years of eligibility beginning in 2015-16.; averaged 5.9 ppg at ECU as a freshman in 2012-13

Talent hasn't been the problem at Virginia under Joanne Boyle, and 2015-16 continues the trend of solid recruits -- and in this case, recruits with size -- to the program that is looking to return to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2010. Boyle has lamented Virginia's inability to attract top post players, and signing three players 6-3 or taller makes up for that. But while the Cavs have bodies, developing players in the post time, so asking one of the freshmen to contribute big numbers in the ACC from the tip is a tall order. Ideally, Imovbioh would have carried the load, but without her, questions remain in the post for Virginia. In addition to the freshmen, Brown has shined in workouts.

Comings and goings Parts III: George Mason

Here we go with Part III of our series, Comings and Goings, looking at George Mason.

Comings and Goings: Old Dominion
Comings and Goings: Richmond


Who's going

- Rachel McNair, 6-0 F, 2.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg; started 14 of 29 games
- Talisha Watts, 6-2 F, 4.5 ppg, 5.2 rpg; started 10 of 29 games (also A-10 high jump champion)
- Sandra Ngoie, 6-1 F, 10.3 ppg (second-leading scorer); 5.2 rpg; team-high 73 treys (37.1 percent); started 11 of 29 games
- Cyndi Cole, 5-5 G, 2.5 ppg, 24 assists, appeared in 28 games, averaged 11 minutes
- Qierra Murray, 5-7 G, 4.9 ppg, started 13 of 29 games, averaged 21.2 minutes
-Jasmine Jackson, 5-9 G; 9.6 ppg; made 26 starts last season and was third in the team in scoring; she graduated from George Mason in May and will play her final year of eligibility at Georgetown, where she played her first two seasons.

Bidding adieu to Sweden's Ngoie is the biggest loss here as she was the second leading scorer for the Patriots last year and a part-time starter. It's also unusual to see a player return to the school she transferred from: Jackson will pursue her master's in sports industry management at her first alma mater, Georgetown. Point guard Cole and shooting guard Murray are both transferring out of the program into Appalachian State, 14-16 a year ago and ironically also a program relying heavily on transfers as two juco players are eligible this season.

Who's coming

Eligible transfers

 - Katrina Hutzell, 5-11 G (UMBC); limited action in 19 games
- Kara Wright, 5-11 G/F (Southeast Missouri St.), 7.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg (career-best 26 vs. Mizzou)
- Bridget O'Donnell, 6-6 C (UMBC); Leading shot blocker in America East her sophomore year, something she has in common with her Aunt Anne, that would be Anne Donovan; 6 ppg, 5.1 rpg
- Mikala McGhee, 5-11 G (Missouri St.); 3.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg
- Tiffany Padgett, 6-1 F (Loyola-Md.), 5.1 ppg, 5.0 rpg

Incoming freshmen

- Allie McCool, 6-2 C, East Central High (Ind.), East Central Player of the Year 2015

- Jewel Triggs, 5-11 G Thibodaux High (La.), McDonald's All-American Game nominee; involved in bizarre eligibility court case as a sophomore

- Chinyere Bell, 6-0 F, Cumberland County High (NC); Fayetteville Observer All-Cape Fear POY; Led Mid-South 4A Conference in scoring as a senior with 24.9 ppg and 12.3 rpg

More than half the roster of the Patriots has turned over in a near-complete makeover engineered by third-year coach Nyla Milleson. This much is for sure; Taylor Brown (who also transferred in from Georgetown) will have a senior year unlike her previous three with almost an entirely new cast around her. The 5-7 guard set a program single-season scoring record with 643 points a year ago when Georgetown transfer Jasmine Jackson and Florida State Kristi Mokube joined the team. We give the nod to Milleson's former recruits at Southeast Missouri, Wright and McGhee, for playing time, though we're intrigued by what O'Donnell will bring defensively given an already impressive resume and some notable roots. All the freshmen look capable, though finding playing time on a team where transfers Wright, McGhee, Padgett and O'Donnell will be itching to play as juniors, will be a challenge. It's looking like Milleson is looking to make a dent in the A-10 in a hurry; her Patriots finished 13-17 overall last year, 5-11 in conference play.

An added note, Milleson has also added Sylvia Maxwell, a 5-7 guard from Niagara, and April Henson, a 5-9 guard from Drexel, both eligible for the 2016-17 season.

Comings and goings Part II: Richmond

Tuuli Menna of Finland

Here is the second part of our 13-part series called Comings and Goings that allows us to take a look at roster changes, both hellos and goodbyes, for each of the state's team.

Part I of our series was Old Dominion.

Richmond finished 19-14 last season, falling by a point in the second overtime of the WNIT to Atlantic 10 foe Duquesne. 

Who's going

Genevieve Okoro, 6-0 F, Gibbsboro, N.J.
   - Two-time All-Atlantic 10 selection (third-team in 2014-15)
   - Finished career with 1,334 points and 1,005 rebounds

Liz Brown, 6-3 F/C, Baltimore
    - 7.1 points and 5.5 rebounds per game
   - 35.6 percent 3-point shooter

Keri Soppe, 5-9 G, Rochester, N.Y.
   - Appeared in 106 games with 67 starts (10 last season) as a Spider

Yazmean Burgess, 6-3 F/C, Asheville, N.C.
   - Appeared in 87 games during her Richmond career.

Amber Battle, 6-3 F/C, Apex, N.C.
   - Did not play in 2014-15 due to injury.
   - Appeared in 24 games her first three seasons.

It's hard to imagine the Spiders minus the versatile Okoro and Brown, one of only two Richmond players (along with Lauren Tolson) to start all 33 games last season. Meanwhile, we're hopeful Liv Healy is on a quick mend from her second ACL surgery (left knee in March, right knee the year before). Richmond went 4-5 after Healy went down, with all five losses by two points or fewer or in overtime. Healy averaged 8.2 ppg and 4.4 rpg before her season abruptly ended. We also send positive vibes to Karleigh Wike, who had surgery to repair a severely torn labrum in early April, and is looking at 4-6 months of rehab.

Who's coming

Tuuli Menna, 5-11 F, Finland
   - Averaged team highs of 10.0 points and 7.6 rebounds in leading Finland to a fifth-place finish in the B Division of the 2014 U18 European Championships.
  - Averaged 15 points, 11 rebounds per game in 2013-14 U 18 European Championship

Salita Greene, 5-11 F, Durham, N.C. (Charles E. Jordan Sr. H.S.)
   - Graduates from Jordan High as the Lady Falcons all-time leading rebounder (1,202) and second leading scorer (over 1,500 points)
  - MVP in 2015 when she averaged more than 21 ppg and 13 rpg

Taisha Murphy, 5-10 G, Clayton, N.C. (Clayton HS)
 - Averaged 24.3 ppg, 5 rpg and 7 assists in 2015, reaching 30-plus points in 6 games
 - Played four seasons for Blue Star Carolina AAU, averaging a club-record 25.5 per game in summer of 2014

We'll be intrigued to see how well Menna's numbers translate to American ball. She comes in with plenty of experience, having played 72 international games for 26 different nations and is likely to feel right at home when the Spiders travel to Europe for four games in two weeks. Greene and Murphy bring in good-looking high school stats and ideally will contribute early given the loss of five players. But with Okoro, Brown and Burgess gone, the Spiders could use some size to go along with their quickness.

Updated Comings and Goings Part I: Old Dominion

Aneesah Daniels

Today we begin our 13-part series we call Comings and Goings that allows us to take a look at roster changes, both hellos and goodbyes, for each of the state's team.

We start with Old Dominion, which finished 21-13 a year ago, falling in the second round of the WNIT.

Who's gone

Departing seniors: Tiffany Minor, F; Chelisa Painter, F
Also not returning: Ashley Betz-White, G (redshirt junior graduated in May and has moved to Tampa for a job in pharmaceuticals)
Transfers: Maia Lee, F (headed for Towson, has 3 years eligibility beginning in 2016-17)

Minor and Painter had almost identical stat lines as seniors, each averaging just over 7 points and 4 rebounds. Minor was perhaps most valuable on defense and actually led the team in minutes played. Painter's offense was in spurts, and she will be particularly missed as a rebounder. Betz-White, meanwhile, was the most capable ballhandler on a team that suddenly is without a known quantity at point guard (Galaisha Goodhope would be a senior this year but was dismissed from the team and will play at VCU this fall).

The 6-3 Lee played a total of 23 minutes as a freshman and will sit out a year before getting a shot to play for one of the most promising coaches in the game in Niki Reid Geckeler, who led Howard to back-to-back 20-win seasons before taking over as Tigers coach in 2013.

Who's coming

Gianna Smith, 5-10 G/F, Norfolk (Lake Taylor)
   - 16.2 points, 11.2 rebounds, 3.2 steals, 2.8 assists as a senior
   - First-team All-Tidewater by The Virginian-Pilot
   - First Team All-State

Rhaven Kemp, 5-6 G, Jackson, Tenn. (Eastern Florida State Junior College)
  - 3.4 ppg and 1.3 apg as a sophomore
  - All-time assist leader at Liberty Tech High (571)

Carolina Bernardeco, 5-4 G, Lisbon, Portugal
 - 17-year-old who played point guard for U-18, U-16 Portuguese national team

Makayla Timmons, 5-7 G, Columbia, Tenn. (Columbia Central)
 - All-time leading scorer (1,640 points); also holds school records in high jump and long jump
- MVP of her district as a senior
- Second team All-USA Tennessee
- Played for four different coaches in high school

Aneesah Daniels, 6-0 F, Decatur, Ga., (Clemson, Alabama)
- Redshirt senior who is immediately eligible as she graduated from Clemson in May. Has not played since the 2011-12 season at Alabama; scored 7 points and 6 rebounds for Alabama in Paradise Jam (Virgin Islands) game against the Lady Monarchs -- which was Karen Barefoot's first victory at ODU; Never played at Clemson after sitting out a year and being sidelined the following year with a neck injury

Assistant coach Jermaine Woods replacing Richard Fortune, now at VCU. Norfolk native Woods comes to ODU from Virginia Tech and will be reunited with Smith, who played her first three years at Maury High where he was coach.

Karen Barefoot's collection of guards looks impressive on paper, but we give the nod to Kemp to get the early playing time given her junior college experience. While her numbers don't overwhelm, she came off the bench, saving her best game for postseason -- an 18-point effort in the NJCAA Region VIII tournament. She will be a junior and could challenge sophomore Ashley Jackson for point guard.

The ODU faithful with Ticha memories still lingering fondly in their minds will clamor to see Bernardeco, but adjusting to the American game will be part of her learning curve. Smith and Timmons both come in as promising freshmen on a team that needs to find somebody besides Jennie Simms to share the offensive load. Given Daniels has only one year, she's the logical choice, but conditioning will be key as she's sat out for three seasons.

Note: Tyshara Fleming, the 6-4 center from Virginia Beach's Salem High, who went to Northwest Florida State College in 2013 with the intent of transferring to ODU in two years, committed to Florida in January. She averaged 7 points and 7 rebounds in one year of junior college play.

NBA finals: Who ya got? Ticha, Elizabeth Williams, our players and coaches all have an opinion

Tipoff is tonight and we wanted to know who ya got in the NBA finals. You told us, and it seems like we've got quite a few Lebron and Curry fans in our crowd.

Thanks to all who participated in the LadySwish poll, and it's not too late to weigh in. Tweet us @LadySwish and we'll add you to the list.

"I'm going with Lebron. He's been my favorite since he's joined the league and I'd love to see him do something as spectacular as what's about to happen in taking this team to a finals championship. Sucks bc SC is a close second, but I'm loyal to LBJ.. MVP!!! - Dawn Evans, actress, friend of the blog and a woman who enjoyed a few Curry-like nights herself during her days as a hair-trigger shotmaker at JMU

"Golden State Warriors! And Stephen Curry for MVP!" - Camille Calhoun, VCU forward, team leader in offensive rebounding and, with the transfer of Brittani Burgess, alliteration.

"I think the Cavs will win the NBA finals. I think that this time around LeBron has something to truly motivate him, his city.. I think that Cleveland is really something he's passionate about & really going to give his all for. The past championships he won, he did it to prove people wrong. This championship would truly be something meaningful for him. Ultimately he would also be the MVP. -- Kenia Cole, star guard at Paint Branch High (Md.) and Hampton University, newly-minted HU graduate.

"I think it's going to be a great series, but I give the edge to Cleveland. LeBron is so dominant! - Debra Clark, head coach, Norfolk State

"Mmmm. I really like LeBron, but I don't think the Cavs can hold the Warriors off. Steph would be MVP, too. - Duke grad and Virginia Beach's own Elizabeth Williams, the No. 4 pick in the WNBA draft, now with the Connecticut Sun.

"Steph Curry, because he's unstoppable!" - Macaela Parson, Richmond sophomore guard

Lebron for MVP and the Cavs for the championship." - Nyree Roberts, an ODU great from the '97 NCAA runner-up team

"Steph Curry. He is unstoppable; his shot is automatic;  his hands are great. He's fun to watch! - Autumn Childress, Longwood sophomore guard

Steph Curry MVP and Warriors because his daughter is adorable. Wouldn't mind seeing Lebron though just because everybody said he couldn't do it." -- Nikki Newman, former CAA Defensive Player of the Year and JMU captain, now radio phenom

"I love Steph Curry but I also like Harrison Barnes and Draymond Green. Steph is very inspiring and has changed the game because of the many ways he can score and how acrobatic his moves are. Harrrison Barnes is a solid player to me and Green plays hard and never gives up. MVP will be Steph; I believe he will carry his team to a championship." - Brittani Burgess, VCU's loss (transferred after two seasons); UMBC's gain (starting in 2016-17).

"I want the Cavs to win because I love Lebron James. I want him to prove that he doesn't need help to win a NBA championship and to quiet the crowd that he is one of the greatest of all times. If the Cavs don't win and then Steph Curry will be MVP. If Cavs win Lebron will be." -- Jazmen Boone, fearless, versatile ex-William and Mary star who helped lead recent revival of Tribe hoops fortunes.

"I'm going to have to go with the Cavaliers and the best player in the world. At times of adversity, he just puts the whole team on his back, and those guys all go with him. So obviously, I like LeBron for MVP, too." - James L. Flood Jr., CEO/League Operator, 7 Cities Pro-Am Basketball League.

"I go for the Warriors because it's nice to see a young group win it. And MVP to be Steph Curry! - Vanessa Panousis, outstanding combo guard at Virginia Tech by way of Sydney, Australia. G'day, VP!

"I would like to see Steph and Golden State win because I think it would cap off a great year and I don't think he'll get another shot at it." - Amber Nichols, ex-Richmond guard, cousin of Washington Wizards star John Wall and all-around basketball savant.

"I would like to see Golden State win because they are the underdogs and they play together every game. So of course Steph for MVP! - Precious Hall, JMU guard, reigning Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year.

"Warriors and Curry. I'm a fan of the jump shot and his crazy form and a player's overall ability to win games. Curry does that flawlessly. - Liv Healy, Richmond guard (and a pretty fair sharpshooter herself)

"Steph is the most exciting player to watch in the NBA and I think Draymond Green is having a huge impact. Ultimately, are the Cavs riding as high as we think or is this East really that weak? I'm rooting for LeBron and it's hard to bet against him, but I think there's a 51 percent chance the Warriors win (smiley face). - Kate DeSorrento, assistant coach, VCU

"I'm going with Golden State, and Curry for MVP." - Jaclyn McKenna, underrated ex-William and Mary forward.

"Stephen Curry MVP, best shooter. (Warriors) win in Game 7. Deep bench and team plays with passion and energy. Love Coach (Steve) Kerr; great leader and proven winner! - Karen Barefoot, Old Dominion head coach and a woman who knows a thing or two about playing (or doing anything) with passion and energy.

"I'm going with the Warriors...even though they lean heavily on Curry and Thompson. I feel they play more as a team. They have a great supporting cast and on any given day either can give you 20-plus. I love the tempo they play with getting the ball up the floor. They play bothe ends of the court as well. I'm a huge Steph Curry fan - I love me a good shooter with great footwork. So I'm pick Curry as MVP - but I think (the series) is going seven. - Kim McNeil, Virginia assistant coach, mother of twins Cayden and Gabrielle, husband to fellow U.Va. assistant Cory (items not necessarily listed in order of importance).

"I have the Cavs, LeBron for MVP!" - Taysha Pye, gifted former William and Mary star now playing for pay in Italy.

"I want LeBron James and the Cavs to win...but the Golden State Warriors will. They have a deeper bench. I think Green can limit LeBron's post-up game. Klay (Thompson, if cleared to play) will get hot and be MVP of the Finals. Otherwise, Steph will be MVP." - Jen Brown, assistant coach, JMU

"I'm going with Golden State and Stephen Curry for MVP!" - Becca Allison, speedy former Old Dominion guard and current assistant coach for surprise Southland Conference tournament finalist Houston Baptist.

"I like both teams. In my opinion they were the two best teams in the league this season. I really like the style of play of the Golden State Warriors, but the Cleveland Cavaliers have a player named LEBRON JAMES who is the best player on the planet right now. And I don't see anybody on the GSW squad that can stop him. That said, I pick the Cavs. - Mery Andrade, heart and soul of the Portuguese Connection-led powerhouse Old Dominion teams of the late 1990s.

"Cleveland. And LeBron for MVP. Because he's won two championships. He's been to the Finals, won MVP, and you have to beat the best 2g2 the trophy. I wouldn't bet against him right now. But someone said this to me today - there's nothing to dislike about either team. It's a win-win." - Morgan Valley, three-time NCAA champion guard at UConn, current Virginia Tech assistant and owner of a truly great name.

"Cleveland! (The Cavaliers) are playing good basketball offensively and defensively, with the league's best player on the team. I don't think Golden State has enough to beat the Cavs top to bottom." - Shavon Earp, former star at Pitt and Radford and current assistant at perennial MEAC contender North Carolina A&T

"Warriors! I lived in the Bay Area for six years so I want to see them win." - Rachael Bilney, former Richmond sniper who once buried a school-record eight 3-pointers against George Washington.

"I have Golden State winning. (Steve) Kerr is a well-rounded coach who understands the delicate balance of a championship team. Not to mention he learned from the best in Phil Jackson. Not to mention he's a phenomenal motivator and strategist. Curry for MVP, although Golden State has important other pieces. Curry win hit big shots and make big plays." - Jen Wedo, assistant coach, William and Mary

"I really want Golden State to win and Curry to be the MVP, but if I was betting and not going with my heart I think the Cavs will win and LeBron will be MVP." - Beth O'Boyle, head coach, VCU

"Golden State Warriors because Steph Curry deserves a ring. Curry for MVP, too." - Taylor Brown, high-scoring George Mason guard, the Steph Curry of the Atlantic 10.

"I'm thinking the Warriors will take it with Steph being the MVP." - Sarah Williams, ex-JMU star, current Dukes assistant and former teammate of Elena Delle Donne at Ursuline Academy.

"The Warriors, because I'm not a LeBron fan. And Steph for MVP." - Jayda Worthy, Radford forward and one of two Highlanders (along with Janayla White) to make the Big South All-Freshman team.

"Cleveland in six...The King is the MVP! As you can see, I'm a huge LeBron fan! I just believe this is too big for him to lose. It's almost storybook." - Jermaine Woods, assistant coach, Old Dominion.

"I think the Cavaliers will win. LeBron is unstoppable. I don't think anyone from the Warriors can keep up with him." - Barbara Burgess, formerly the Chris Dailey of Hampton, now the Geno Auriemma of Delaware State (or better yet, the David Six of Delaware State)

"The Cavs will win in six games, maybe seven. In my opinion, they will win because LeBron is playing a consistent all-around game. Also, the Cavs have more offensive threats and with Tristan (Thompson) playing so well, he will be a problem for GS. LeBron for MVP. - Tia Lewis, ex-Old Dominion standout who has taken her talents to Denbigh High as the school's new head varsity girls basketball coach. Teach 'em, Tia!

"Matchups make fights.Cleveland has LeBron and Golden State doesn't. Simple. Plus the supporting cast has really stepped up for LeBron. If they defend the three of Golden State then they win. They also don't have to worry about playing against a big man down low because neither team has a low-post threat. - Brian Davis, Hampton assistant and sharp-dressed man with no dog in the fight - he's a Lakers fan.

"I believe Golden State will win because shooting (skill) can overcome a multitude of sins. Curry for MVP; LeBron and the Cavs get theirs in 2016! - Michael Shafer, Richmond head coach and orchestrator of a squad that, at times, does a pretty fair Golden State impression on offense (starring Janelle Hubbard in the role of Steph Curry. Lauren Tolson, you're Klay Thompson. Splash Sisters, anyone?).

"I think it will go to Game 7 for sure. I'm thinking matchups and coaching. LeBron said he's is playing his career best. But I love Curry and the way the Warriors move the ball. Final thoughts - Warriors in seven games. MVPS - Stephen and Riley Curry. I am looking forward to Riley's championship post-game speech. - Millette Green, William and Mary assistant.

"I am riding with the Cleveland Cavs and the experience of LeBron James being on the court. His presence will always give them the best chance to win. The MVP should go to the person that makes every play a matchup problem. The Cavs play great pressure defense, push the ball and score in bunches. LeBron is consistent with putting pressure on the defense by attacking the basket. Cavs win and LeBron is MVP! - Tim Valentine, Hampton assistant.

"I have Cavs in 6 -- Lebron for MVP!" - Ticha Penicheiro, All-American point guard at ODU and all-time WNBA assist leader who would love to feed Lebron or Steph in the post.

"Steph Curry! Because he's hungry!" - Aisha Foy, All-Big South point guard (second team) gearing up for her senior year at on-the-rise Radford.

"I believe that Cleveland will be named champions and that LeBron will be the MVP." - Trina Patterson, assistant coach, Old Dominion

"I'm going with Golden State in 7. I think they have too many weapons offensively and Steph Curry as MVP. My prediction is he will hit a game winner in Game 7 and hit multiple big shots like he has done throughout the entire finals. Lebron will be a tough matchup, but they will rotate and defend with different guys just like they did in the Houston series. I think it will be a great finals!" - Fran Recchia, assistant coach, Radford

Breaking: ODU hires Va. Tech assistant Jermaine Woods

ODU coach Karen Barefoot's new assistant coach is Jermaine Woods.

Woods had been an assistant to Virginia Tech coach Dennis Wolff since 2013 and recently helped sign the Hokies most recent recruiting class ranked No. 20 by ESPN HoopGurlz. He previously coached at Maury High where he led the Commodores to the regional final in back-to-back season.

"I am beyond excited," Barefoot said.

The former Christopher Newport University standout graduated from Norfolk State in 2011.

Woods replaces Richard Fortune, who left ODU earlier this month to be an assistant at VCU.

The Hokies announced the hiring of assistant coach Heather Vulin on Thursday. Vulin had been an assistant at Villanova.

JMU's Okafor: graduation today, WNBA tomorrow

God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when the morning dawns. 
Psalms 46: 5 -- the message on Lady's cap

Today she celebrated. Tomorrow the next chapter begins. And for James Madison's Lauren Okafor, who graduated on Saturday with her bachelor's of science in premed/psychology, that next step is WNBA training camp.

To her surprise, Okafor was drafted in the third round, the 34th pick overall, by the Atlanta Dream.

"When everything happened, I was in shock," said Okafor, who attended two combines in Tampa after JMU (29-4) ended its season in the first round of the NCAA tournament. "I wasn't really jumping up and down. I was taking it all in."

Okafor had just returned from the end-of-year JMU banquet with her teammates when she learned she had been drafted. She began getting texts and seeing the news on Twitter before she got the call from the Dream. Even coach Kenny Brooks was taken aback, though he thinks she can make an impact.

"She understands their needs," he said. "They're looking for someone who can defend, rebound, run the floor. She can do that."

Since the draft, the 6-3 Okafor has worked with JMU's strength and conditioning coach to improve her physical conditioning. She's aware of this, noting, "You can get drafted, but the process doesn't end there."

In a league where first-rounders can get cut early, a third-round draft pick can be dispensable. Okafor will be fighting to earn a spot on a roster that includes Rutgers forward Monique Oliver and Mississippi State forward/center Martha Aiwei.

Okafor's long-range goals include graduate school in the health sciences. "I want to be a psychiatrist," she said. "I also want to own a medical spa. And I want to have a nonprofit for young, underprivileged girls who are trying to make an impact on their communities."

Her future, with all its promise, starts today.

Point guard Kemp looking to make immediate impact at Old Dominion

Rhaven Kemp credits two years of playing ball at Eastern Florida State College with teaching her patience, but don't expect her to be sitting around waiting her turn at Old Dominion, "I'm ready to make an immediate impact," she said. "Being that I'm a junior, I want to play right away."

The 5-7 point guard from Jackson, Tenn., should get her chance on a Lady Monarchs team that needs experience at the point given the decision by Ashley Betz-White not to return for her final season of eligibility (Betz-White has graduated and taken a job with a pharmaceutical company). ODU has added 5-6 point guard Carolina Bernardeco from Lisbon, Portugal, who played point for her country's U-16 and U-18 national teams, but she will likely need time to adjust to the collegiate game.

Kemp is the all-time leading assist leader from Liberty Tech High School, averaging 5.2 apg her senior year when she was also name team MVP and all-state. She started for Eastern Florida State College as a freshman, averaging 9.4 ppg and leading the team in steals but didn't play the second half of the semester due to academics. That cooled the interest Auburn had in her.

During her sophomore season, the Titans reached the postseason for the first time in more than a decade, and though Kemp came off the bench, she was a utility player who did whatever she was asked, said coach Jim Grimes.

Kemp was named to the all-tournament team in the 2015 NJCAA Region 8 Tournament. The Titans advanced to the quarterfinals and finished 22-8, winning 15 of their final 18. Kemp scored 18 with seven assists in her final game.

"She's unbelievably athletic," Grimes said. "She's very unselfish and a great passer. She was unreal in the tournament."

 Kemp had interest from Tennessee Tech, Jacksonville and Troy before deciding on ODU. She will be one of three players from Tennessee on ODU's roster along with Ridgeway High School teammates Ashley Jackson and Oigbokie Odegua from Memphis.

She enjoys the role of floor general, "I like keeping my teammates happy; I want them to feed off me," she said. Though she grew up a Lady Volunteers fan, noting, "If you live here, you eat, sleep, breath Tennessee," her allegiance is now ODU.

Kemp, who enjoy bowling in her spare time, plans to enter ODU as an undecided major but is leaning toward sports management.

Peeking in at Tech, JMU, Radford, Liberty, etc. at the BooPlex

OK, we're back at bloggin' after taking a needed rest, and what better way to get back into the swing then seeking out some of our favorite coaches at the BooPlex this weekend in Hampton, home of the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League. Anybody and everybody is there (didn't see Geno but spotted associate head coach Chris Dailey and Tennessee's Holly Warlick) to see recruits from the Diana Taurasi Division, the Maya Moore Division, the Brittney Griner Division and the Sky Diggins Division.

The great news for the coaches this year is all the action is split between two venues (the BooPlex and Hampton Roads Convention Center) instead of a dozen (the bad news is parking at Woodstock might be easier than finding a conventional spot at the BooPlex). Noted James Madison's Kenny Brooks, "Anything that saves me time is good."

"It's way more effective," added Virginia Tech assistant Jermaine Woods. "I can watch one game at 1:20 and catch another at 2:30 and be on time."

Woods said the Tech staff is mighty excited after pulling off two upsets in the ACC Tournament -- the Hokies upended NC State and Pitt en route to the quarterfinals. That taste of winning has made the Hokies hungry and eager beavers in the weight room.

"It's good to be a coach and come to work at 8 in the morning and see a full gym," he said.

Tech has a top 20 recruiting class by ESPN's count, and is also excited about the return of Regan Magarity, the 6-3 forward from Sweden. The freshman had become Tech's best post player, averaging 14 ppg and 10.6 rpg before calf surgery ended her season in December.

"She'll be a freshman again," said Woods, who is also high on Sidney Cook, who shot .429 from behind the arc last year. "She's having an amazing offseason," he said. "She's going to be key."

Speaking of keys, good to see Brooks and assistant Sean O'Regan showing off the purple. No doubt Dukes fans were relieved when Joni Crenshaw was named the new head coach at Georgia, as Brooks was rumored to be interviewing for the job. Shaking his head, he says, "Twitter rumor. I never even got a call," (and though frankly, we don't know why, we're glad he's sticking around the 'burg).

"Congratulations on another 5,000-win season," Cal coach Lindsay Gottlieb joked as she passed Brooks, whose Dukes completed their second straight trip to the NCAA Tournament. Look for the 2015-16 version of the Dukes to be "the best shooting team I've ever had," says Brooks, adding that Muff Mickens will be much improved in that department.

"I don't know our record for 3-pointers ... " he said -- so we'll help him out -- Dukes' best accuracy from 3 was 43.4 percent in 1990-91; JMU attempted a school-record 215 3-pointers in 2013-14. Look for those to fall, says Brooks, whose team will return point guard savant Mickens, CAA Player of the Year Precious Hall and two-time CAA Tournament MVP Jazmon Gwathmey. "(Gwathmey) will have a more prominent role," Brooks promised, noting the same will be true for Ashley Perez, eligible for the second half of the season last year.

A few paces away from Brooks we found Liberty Coach Carey Green, pleased with the depth Big South champion Liberty will return. "With three solid post players coming back and our starting point guard, that's pretty good," he said.

For the last five years, Liberty has had at least 10 players averaging double minutes -- one reason the Lady Flames are reliable contenders in March. Look for Jaymee Fisher-Davis (who, incidentally hasn't missed any of her 19 free throws in the last two years) to play a bigger role.

Among the newbies, Green expects Molly Reagan, a 6-2 post from Braintree, Mass., to make an early impact along with 6-0 forward KK Barbour. Liberty, by the way, will have a date with JMU during non-conference play.

Former Old Dominion and VCU assistant Niki Dawkins, now assisting Marlene Stollings at Minnesota, was also in town showing off pics of the kids, 3-year-old twins, Amani and Isiah. As for being a mom and a coach, "I don't know how to do it, we just do it."

Dawkins is hopeful former Lady Monarch Shae Kelley will earn a spot on the WNBA's Minnesota Lynx. Kelley, who played her final year at Minnesota, was the 35th pick in the 36-player draft held April 17.

"Minnesota Lynx coaches were at the majority of our home games," Dawkins said. "She has a lot in her favor. She can rebound, play defense, do those energy things that will help me make the team."

Around another corner we found George Mason's Nyla Milleson, excited that her five transfers who sat the bench last year will be eligible to join Atlantic 10 leading scorer Taylor Brown. While she's high on all of them, redshirt sophomore guard Mikala McGhee might be a nose ahead given her familiarity with Milleson. McGhee comes to Fairfax from Missouri State, where Milleson coached prior to George Mason.

"She's a very, very good leader," Milleson said.

Sitting in the stands a few feet from Louisiana Tech coach Tyler Summitt was Amanda Levens, a Lady Monarch oh-so-long ago, who transferred to Arizona State after two years at ODU. A former head coach at Southern Illinois Edwardsville, Levens is now associate head coach alongside Charli Turner Thorne at ASU. Levens had nothing but good things to say about ODU and still keeps in touch with her former teammates, including Jessica Williams and Bettina Love.

Levens said she thinks of ODU as "a place in my life that shaped who I am today. I still talk to Cindy Fisher and Allison Greene."

Before we made our exit, we finally got to say an in-person hello to Radford assistant Britney Anderson, happy about the effort the eight returning Highlanders are making in the weight room. Anderson played AAU ball herself prior to starring for Virginia Tech. She noted the difference between these days and her days.

"We played for a trophy," she said. "Today everybody's playing for a scholarship."

Our last stop was a visit with Hampton graduate Kenia Cole, bound for graduate school at Georgetown where she'll major in sports industry management. Cole is a sports junkie whose opinion we share about NBA MVP. "I think James Harden should get it," she said. "Steph Curry is great, but Harden doesn't have as much help. I think Curry will get it, though."