Wreck Ramblin

Calvin offers immediate impact

The flagship debate topic of the 2007 NFL draft has become, "Who's the best quarterback to take, JaMarcus Russell or Brady Quinn?" I'd much rather ask this question: "Which offensive player will have the greater immediate impact, Adrian Peterson or Calvin Johnson?"

I give the slight edge to Peterson, just because the nature of his position will get him more touches all over the field. Johnson, however, probably will need to touch the ball only a few times to make his presence felt.

Either way, I can't see going wrong with either Peterson or Johnson. I'm much more confident in that than a team going right with either Russell or Quinn.

History tells us it will take a while to find out if either Russell and/or Quinn will ever deliver in the NFL.

[VI, SI]

JC @ ESPN praises Calvin at the Combine

Tudor proposes 8-team ACC tournament

The Atlantic Coast Conference seriously should consider returning to a three-day, eight-team tournament for men's basketball.

Returning to an eight-team tournament would put emphasis on regular-season games.

If the bottom four regular-season finishers were eliminated from tournament consideration, league games in December and January would be marked by the same sense of urgency as those in late February.

[CT, Knoxville.com]

The ACC Tournament is by far the best, though expansion to 12 teams and a new locale in Tampa, Fla., could detract from the normal atmosphere.

[JB, Knoxville.com]

Newcomers threaten Carolina dominance of ACC

In the regular season's final week, the top four schools include two teams, Virginia Tech and Boston College, that weren't even in the conference three seasons ago and another, Virginia, that has not won the regular season title since 1981. North Carolina remains tied for first place, and Duke has been hot of late, but both traditional powers have looked vulnerable during conference play.

Nine of the ACC's past 10 regular season champions were schools from North Carolina. And 12 of the past 13 ACC tournament champions were from that state.

[EP, WaPo]

The Cavaliers, who were picked to finish eighth in the ACC in a preseason media poll, and the No. 21 Hokies, who were picked sixth, are in a three-way tie for first place with North Carolina.

The Hokies and the Cavaliers haven't played in the NCAA tournament in the same year since 1986.

[TC, Fredericksburg]

Football depth chart shaping up

GT AA described the leaders by position, going into Spring Practice.

MW @ AJC comments.

Basketball hosts UNC and BC

Having won five of seven games in the month of February, Georgia Tech closes out its regular-season schedule this week with a pair of important home games against two of the top four teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference standings, No. 8 North Carolina and Boston College. The Yellow Jackets need to win both to finish with a .500 record in the ACC and get to 20 overall wins.

Tech hosts the Tar Heels Thursday night at 9 p.m. in a game that is being televised over the Raycom/Lincoln Financial television network, and can be seen in Atlanta on WATL-TV. The game can be seen outside the ACC area on ESPN2. Sunday's regular season finale against the Eagles tips off at 3 p.m. and can be seen nationally on Fox Sports Net.

[GT AA]

The doors to Tech's "Hotel Hewitt" have been swinging madly, and North Carolina's "Turnstile Tar Heels," run a dozen players in and out of most games.

[MW @ AJC]

Tar Heel Fan notes five pressing issues for UNC.

Baseball takes on Braves in Orlando

Georgia Tech's 14th-ranked baseball team will take a break from its regular season for a trip to Orlando when they face the Atlanta Braves in an exhibition game at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex Wednesday at 1:05 p.m.

Pitching Matchups (GT vs. Atlanta Braves)
Wednesday:  RHP John Goodman (First Appearance) vs. LHP Matt Harrison

GAME COVERAGE:  A live broadcast of the game can be found at www.Braves.com with Pet Van Weiren calling the action.  Fans may also listen to the game on 94.9 The Bull in Atlanta.

[GT AA]

680 the Fan is saying CJ will throw out the first pitch.

Baseball upset by Western Carolina

Western Carolina reliever Greg Holland stopped a Georgia Tech rally in the eighth inning Tuesday, and the Catamounts held on for a 10-7 victory.

Georgia Tech (6-5) scored six runs in the bottom of the eighth, five off of Ryne Nelson, but that wasn't enough to overcome a nine-run lead. Holland held the Yellow Jackets to two hits and one earned run, walking two and striking out two in 1 2/3 innings.

[AP]

Men's tennis falls to USCe

Freshman Pedro Campos earned a three-set victory at No. 2 singles to seal the South Carolina men's tennis team's 4-3 win over Georgia Tech Tuesday afternoon at the Sam Daniel Tennis Facility. The Gamecocks improved to 7-3 on the season while Tech's record dropped to 3-5 on the season.

[CSTV] [GT AA]

Women's tennis hosts UGA

The No. 12 Georgia women’s tennis team is set for a match with in-state rival and 6th-ranked Georgia Tech on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex.

Georgia holds the 15-2 all-time series advantage over Georgia Tech. However, both of those wins for the Yellow Jackets have come in the past two contests. They won in Atlanta last year (6-1) and in Athens the year before (4-3).

[Bob Larson] [GT AA]

Shelton, 41, in his eighth year here, is the hottest coach going on The Flats. The Tech women's tennis team has won its only ACC titles the past two seasons, has made its only NCAA tournament appearances during his watch and now is ranked third nationally.

[SH, AJC]

Softball beats Oakland, 14-6

Junior Brittany Barnes hit her team-leading eighth home run of the season driving in five runs and senior Caitlin Lever was a perfect 4-for-4, with four runs scored and one RBI, to lead No. 21 Georgia Tech (13-2) past Oakland University (2-3), 14-6 in six innings, on Tuesday at Glenn Field.

[GT AA] [OU AA]

GT is ranked 21st in the USA Softball rankings.

The Lady Jackets host UTC in a doubleheader beginning 1PM Wednesday.

[UTC AA]