A Look Back at Selection Sunday 2007: Ten Years Later

On March 11, 2007 our beloved Tech Men's Basketball Team gathered to watch the NCAA Selection Show on "Selection Sunday." The Hokies were sitting pretty with a record of 21-11, including a 10-6 mark in the ACC; that was good enough for a third-place regular season finish. The Hokies were knocked out of the semi-finals of the ACC Tournament the previous day by a team that will forever be a thorn in our side, NC State.

The Hokies didn't have to wait too long to hear their names called. They were selected as a #5 seed in the West Regional; their opponent would be #12 seed Illinois.

I dug through the Hokiesports archives and I found some photos of the team watching the NCAA Selection Show. Enjoy...

Team meal before the Selection Show

Our team gathered to watch the ACC Tournament Final

"The waiting is the hardest part" – Tom Petty

Our Puerto Rican sharpshooter, AD Vassallo. Check out those sweet Air Jordan V's!

"If you don't think this team is one of the top 65 teams in the country, you're certifiably insane." – Seth Greenberg (yeah I know he didn't say that until 2008, but I'm sure he was thinking it in 2007 as he watched the selection show)

The smartest guy on the team, Coleman Collins

We're In!!! Seriously, can we get a better TV for these guys? I know it's 2007, but c'mon man!

And there was much rejoicing! Terrance Vinson (middle) looks possessed. And yes, that's Robert Krabbendam (aka The Flying Dutchman) on the far left.

Smiles all around

You gotta love Zabian Dowdell

Jamon Gordon was a defensive stud

Clear eyes, full hearts...

Don't forget your dancing shoes!

The Hokies traveled to Ohio to take on the Fighting Illini. The Hokies beat Illinois in a wild 54-52 contest.

Unfortunately, the Hokies fell to #4 seed Southern Illinois in the second round, which ended their NCAA Tournament run. I was a freshman at Tech during the 2006-2007 season, and I assumed we'd be back to the Big Dance very soon. Sure, we were losing Zabian Dowdell and Jamon Gordon, but we had a lot of returning talent so it wouldn't be long until we returned to March Madness. Alas, it was not meant to be. We had to endure several years of heartbreak after not hearing our names called on Selection Sunday. We were a perennial "bubble team" that was always relegated to the NIT.

It's been ten years since the Hokies went to the Big Dance. That streak should end on Sunday as we'll HOPEFULLY hear our names called during the NCAA Tournament Selection Show. There will be a Selection Show Watch Party inside Cassell Coliseum. That's a whole lot better than watching the show on some crappy JVC television like they did back in 2007.

Speaking of the 2007 squad...