Last January, I made five predictions, and two were pretty much on the money. Here's my short list for this year. 1) Eric Maynor will get drafted in the late first round or early second round and make an NBA roster. He must adjust his slow shot release and improve on his athleticism. But he has other nifty intangibles that allow him to be shifty and productive. 2) Richmond will not showcase professional baseball for two to three years. There was talk of a Double A or even an Independent League team coming to Richmond, but it's not going to happen anytime soon. 3) When VCU President Eugene Trani retires on June 30, a new era will begin. The new leader of Monroe Campus — some have mentioned Gov. Tim Kaine as a possible successor — will begin the process of fielding a football team. VCU's inspiration will be the envy Rams supporters feel as they watch Old Dominion University's football program play its first game in the fall. 4) My out-on-a-limb prediction: Al Groh will be out as Virginia head coach after the 2009-2010 season. Replacing him will be current University of Richmond head coach Mike London. The Spiders coach was on the Cavaliers staff for six seasons, including a stint as defensive coordinator. He has the experience and recruiting talent to bring football excitement back to Charlottesville. 5) Chesterfield native Denny Hamlin will drive to his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory in Richmond. Hamlin captured the pole in the May race last year, but faltered late and finished 24th. He won't make the same mistake in 2009.
