WASHINGTON -- Maurice Josephs first head coaching job comes with an interim tag and after an awkward summer for George Washingtons basketball program.The 31-year-old understands his best attributes and is leaning on them as the Colonials Nov. 11 season opener against Maryland-Eastern Shore approaches.In the grand scheme of things, the major focus has been to bring energy and enthusiasm on a daily basis, which we always have done, and to focus on getting better on a daily basis, which we always have done, Joseph said Tuesday at the teams media day.Former coach Mike Lonergan, who led George Washington to its first NIT title in March and went 97-70 in five seasons, was fired Sept. 17 after the university investigated him and concluded he had engaged in conduct inconsistent with the universitys values.Joseph was named interim coach 10 days later.Joseph, who played at Michigan State as well as under Lonergan at Vermont, spent the last five years on the Colonials staff. That continuity has helped George Washington make the unusually timed transition, as has Josephs own positivity.Thats his biggest strength, forward Tyler Cavanaugh said. Hes young. He has positive energy and hes just had a rhythm and an upbeat sense to him throughout our practices. If you come in, youll see him running through drills with us. The way hes been able to work with the other assistants has been phenomenal. Everyones still engaged.Thats important after a wild summer. A Washington Post report in July included accusations of player mistreatment by Lonergan, though he remained as head coach during an August tour of Japan. Then came his ouster less than two months before the start of the season.A swirl is definitely a good way to put it, Cavanaugh said. It was crazy. There was just a lot up in the air and going from one thing to the next. But I think playing games and preparing really helps. The Japan trip, we got to focus on those practices and build toward the season. The four games there was a step. When we came back, it was out of our control, so we just had to move forward.Thats the attitude Joseph is taking with the Colonials, who were picked to finish eighth in the 14-team Atlantic 10s preseason poll.Theres really no time to dwell on emotions or what happened in the past, Joseph said. Like Tyler said, some of these teams in our league that were picked ahead of us or below us dont really care about the coaching change. When the ball goes up, theyre going to try to beat us. Derrick Thomas Youth Jersey . Fred Couples, captain of the U.S. side, put it all into perspective. "We know whos in charge," he said. Darwin Thompson Youth Jersey . -- Team after team passed on Andre Ellington in the draft. http://www.prochiefsauthentic.com/Youth-Derrick-Thomas-Elite-Jersey/ . -- Three close looks at the bucket, three misses. Khalen Saunders Jersey .com) - The Calgary Flames aim to bounce back from their first regulation home loss of the campaign on Friday night when they host a Detroit Red Wings club that they swept in three meetings a season ago. Juan Thornhill Chiefs Jersey .Y. -- Sabres defenceman Tyler Myers had no intention of changing his hard-hitting style before taking part in a disciplinary hearing for his illegal check to New Jersey forward Dainius Zubrus head. BLACKSBURG, Va. -- Virginia Tech coach Buzz Williams consistently cites Ahmed Hill as the toughest player in his program.So it came as no surprise to him that Hill made the big plays in the final minute of a close non-conference game.Ive been to where Med grew up, Williams said. Hell be fine in the toughest situation you can create.Hill scored 20 points to lead the Hokies to an 80-75 victory over Ole Miss on Sunday.Hill hit 5 of 10 from the floor, including 3 of 6 from beyond the 3-point arc for Virginia Tech (8-1), which won its fourth straight game. Zach LeDay added 15 points.Sebastian Saiz led the Rebels (6-3) with 21 points.Ole Miss trailed the entire second half, including 68-54 with a little more than five minutes left to play, but the Rebels scored on six straight possessions. They hit three 3-pointers in that span to cut the lead to 71-70 on a basket by Cullen Neal with 1:224 remaining.But the Hokies went to Hill, and he responded, scoring six points in the final minute. He drained a jumper with 59 seconds left to push the lead to 73-70. He also hit four free throws in the final 16.6 seconds to help the Hokies hold on.Were trying to work on finishing better, Hill said. Last year, we didnt finish as well, and Buzz is trying to teach us how to finish better in the second half. Were learning every day.Hill made 7 of 10 from the free-throw line, but the Hokies connected on just 60 percent of their free-throw attempts (18 of 30). Virginia Tech was able to make up for it by hitting 10 of 26 from beyond the 3-point arc.If they get penetration, because of their spacing and ball movement, theyre going to find the open guy, Ole Miss coach Andy Kennedy said. Youve got three of their five guys tyypically making 3s -- and then (Chris) Clarke throws one in.dddddddddddd And LeDay throws one in. It doesnt do good for the other team.BIG PICTUREOle Miss needs to shore up its perimeter defense if it harbors any hopes of postseason play. The Rebels gave up 10 3-pointers to Virginia Tech and have allowed at least eight 3s in eight of nine games this season.Virginia Tech added another impressive win to its resume, as it seeks a bid to the NCAA Tournament. Ole Miss came in ranked No. 26 in the Ratings Percentage Index. The Hokies also have non-conference wins against New Mexico, Nebraska and Michigan.QUOTE TO NOTEVirginia Tech post player Khadim Sy scored the Hokies first three baskets of the second half, forcing Kennedy to stop playing a 1-3-1 zone and go to a man-to-man defense -- which the Hokies exploited. Sy, a native of Senegal, scored just the six points, but had an impact on the game and has a huge fan in his coach Williams.Hes like Eddie Murphy in `Coming to America, Williams said. Hes just happy to be here. I think thats part of the reason why hes good. He doesnt have a lot of bad voices in his head. He wants to do what you ask him to do.UP NEXTThe Rebels return to action Thursday with a home game against Murray State for the first of three straight non-conference home games before opening SEC play against No. 6 Kentucky on Dec. 29The Hokies are in exams this week and dont return to the court until Saturday when they continue non-conference play with a home game against The Citadel. Virginia Tech is a combined 23-2 all-time versus its next three opponents. ' ' '