AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2005 > November > 29 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USYellow Jackets will test coach’s optimism
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
In its most recent game, the Georgia Tech basketball team lost by 22 points at home to Illinois-Chicago. This early-season nadir gained clarity three nights later when Illinois-Chicago lost by 20 to Georgia Southern.
Take comfort.
Georgia Southern is not on Tech’s schedule.
“I’m still optimistic,” Yellow Jackets coach Paul Hewitt said Tuesday. “But at some point, it has to be about actions, not words.”
Hewitt recently received a contract extension and nobody erupted. At Tech, that speaks volumes. The Jackets have been to the NCAA tournament three times in Hewitt’s five seasons, including the past two. If you were to compile a list of the young, bright and popular coaches in the college game, Hewitt sits near the top of the list.
And if he still is lucid by mid-season, all the better.
Tonight, the Jackets play Michigan State. Until the other night, this was expected to be the first real test of the season. Now it seems everything will be a test.
Hewitt called his team’s second-half defense against Elon “the worst defensive half in my five years here.”
That was in a win.
Over Elon.
Hewitt generally oozes optimism. He’ll be critical but rarely finishes a thought without some foreshadowing of better days ahead. If the man captained the Titanic, he would announce to the passengers, “We’re going down. But the moon is shining bright, it’s a lovely night for a swim, and this is going to be a great character builder for us.”
It goes without saying that Hewitt’s optimism will be tested. Tech lost five seniors and its floor leader, point guard Jarrett Jack, to the NBA. The only ACC team that took a bigger hit was North Carolina, which lost its top seven scorers. (But reloading with another class of McDonald’s All-Americans tends to erode people’s empathy.)
This is a program that reached the national championship game two years ago. But when the preseason rankings came out, the Jackets weren’t even included in the “also receiving votes” category. That placed them behind Harvard and Wisconsin-Milwaukee, among other afterthoughts.
Hewitt’s reaction: “I was amused by it.
“I guess it doesn’t surprise me. I guess we’re still at the stage of a program where we’re trying to prove ourselves, and me as a coach trying to prove myself. But I don’t use that as a motivation. We have enough to concentrate on.”
It’s one thing to be green (the Jackets start four sophomores and a junior). It’s another to be “lackadaisical,” a description Hewitt spewed the other day.
He blames himself for the Illinois-Chicago game, saying the players were poorly prepared. But he didn’t like their effort level, particularly on defense.
“When you have a younger team, there’s a fear that effort is dictated by whether you make shots or not, or who you’re playing,” he said.
“We’re still looking for that determination, that toughness that we’re going to need to win games in order to get to the tournament.”
Yes, he believes this can be a tournament team. “I genuinely believe if we don’t have a good season, then I didn’t do a good job teaching them,” he said.
But things could get painful when the ACC season starts, and there was more obvious reason for optimism a year ago. The Jackets looked stocked for another Final Four run but were hit by injuries and never really found their stride.
The gloom even got to Coach Sunshine. In late January, after an emotional overtime win over Wake Forest, Hewitt was approached by somebody about writing a journal for AOL. The idea was to follow a team from late in the season through the NCAA tournament.
Hewitt declined.
“I didn’t want to do a journal because I didn’t know if we could make the tournament,” he said.
Tonight, it’s Michigan State. “They run about 25 to 30 different sets,” Hewitt said. “And they run each one like it’s the only one they do.”
How many does Tech run?
“Not that many.”
They’re young, and it’s early. Hewitt said he’s going to like coaching this team because, “They’re good players.” They just need to learn. And when you lose by 22 to UIC, they need to learn a lot.
Permalink | Comments (28) | Categories: Jeff Schultz, Tech / ACC
Comments
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By Rick
November 29, 2005 09:40 PM | Link to this
Hewitt is a credit to the University and a great influence on these kids. Thanks for the article Jeff!
By wes
November 29, 2005 10:18 PM | Link to this
Rick, if you’re a tech fan…you know it’s not a University. How many times most the color commentators pose that stupid trivia question before you learn that? No hard feelings, m’kay?
Jeff, this had me rolling because I’m a sick pup like you:
By wes
November 29, 2005 10:20 PM | Link to this
I’m a Tech man who hasn’t yet mastered the art of the copy and paste features.
By Ty
November 29, 2005 11:25 PM | Link to this
Gentlemen,
What you’ll see this season is Tech athletics as we all wish it were in EVERY sport at the INSTITUTE (that was for you, wes).
Watch the program (and fans) as this difficult season unfolds. We will not waiver or second-guess our Coach.
Why? Because….
1) From the first day Coach Hewitt came on campus he has lived by the credo “we may win by 20 or lose by 20, but we will out-hustle our opponent every night!”
2) We understand losing five seniors and a star junior means rebuilding (unless you are blessed in Blue Devil or Carolina blues).
3) We can look at the recruiting class and smile (WOW, he’s getting great talent!)
4) Coach Hewitt stands in front and LEADS….he doesn’t back down, make excuses, or expect any less of his players because they are ‘young’.
Unlike our football troubles, the future of Tech basketball is BRIGHT. I don’t care if we miss a tournament or have to play spoiler. This program is one of the tnings that is RIGHT in the world of sports!
I LIVE for basketball season and won’t miss a game!
P.S. Guys, I hope we can keep this blog on the subject hand….please join me in ignoring all Dawg / Tech ‘trash talkers’ ….
P.P.S. Mr. Shultz…you WIlL see Coach Hewitt optimistic through the season. He believes in his players, his program, and his school! (not sure where you got that Titanic view from….he has never had the ‘pollyanna’ attitude you inferred)
By jjgrogan
November 30, 2005 07:52 AM | Link to this
Yes, Hewitt is a great coach and Tech is fortunate to have him and the bright future he brings.
Does anyone remember it was Braine who found him and brought him in? I believe Hewitt was quoted as saying he’d be around as long as Braine was there….now, that’s scary!
By Kudzu
November 30, 2005 08:33 AM | Link to this
As the season unfolds someone (a Tech player) must emerge as the team leader…this will help create good team chemistry. With so many young players as starters, I’m not certain who this player will be (maybe J.Smith), but one will be needed to hold this young team together.
I’m thinking, but I’m no expert, that recruiting must never take time off…you need a constant flow of star talent, maybe two (star recruits) this year, then at least one next year, then try and sign two again… this insures that you don’t come up with a team of all seniors as starters. Duh, eaiser said than done, I know…
I miss J.Jack the most right now. His personality and playmaking skills would be excellent in the guard spot this year… can’t you just see his leadership qualities on the floor…with all the young guys…dang’it.
But I’m always stoked about Tech sports. I love Coach Hewitt. I cut my teeth during the Mark Price era and I haven’t looked back. Yeah, we’ve had some big time disappointments on the court, but to me I’m the most disappointed when (off the court) a player leaves early…for pro. I hope Coach Hewitt doesn’t leave early. My two cents…
By THL
November 30, 2005 09:15 AM | Link to this
Wes, a university is “an institution for higher learning with teaching and research facilities constituting a graduate school and professional schools that award master’s degrees and doctorates and an undergraduate division that awards bachelor’s degrees.”
Tech doesn’t have University in the name but it still is a university.
I just hope Hewitt brings back the press more this year. That may make up somewhat for their lack of size and experience if they can get up and down the floor on people.
I’m glad we have Hewitt. He is the anti-Chan Gailey.
By Techaholic
November 30, 2005 09:54 AM | Link to this
The difference in Hewitt going through ‘growing pains’ is we’ve already seen him coach up his players.
He also didn’t inherit a Top 25 program with a whole lot left in the cupboard. Fact is Hewitt took over a dieing program, Chan had something good handed to him.
Hewitt will struggle but I bet you’ll see his team improve game to game.
By Greg
November 30, 2005 10:26 AM | Link to this
This could be a tough year with all of these offensive minded players (besides West). I know that Paul can change the outlook to always think Defense first, but it may take a while.
By jackets fan
November 30, 2005 10:48 AM | Link to this
I have confidence in Hewitt that he will get his young team going in the right direction this season. The problem I saw in the UIC game was a complete lack of confidence by the outside shooters. Anthony Morrow, who has a good outside jumper, played like they still had BJ Elder on the other wing. He never took his shot as if he was deferring to the veteran players to do so. Anthony, you are the veteran shooter. Take your shot. Rashaun Dickey was the only player who looked improved. But he had some foul trouble that kept him off the floor too much. Jeremis Smith needs to practice his foul shooting until his hands bleed. He was awful. Those three guys are going to have to step up and lead.
By Zach Osterman
November 30, 2005 11:48 AM | Link to this
Tech is going through the same growing pains they experienced the year before their national title run. Remember, that team lost to IUPUI, and they had Chris Bosh. Tech is young, but they’re energetic and can fill it up when they want to. LEt’s give these freshmen and sophomores a couple of years before we judge them like this.
By mikeydawgs
November 30, 2005 12:16 PM | Link to this
Sounds like Tech’s Basketball team is close to becoming known as the jackettes…. like their football team has been known for years
By Ga_Tech_92
November 30, 2005 12:57 PM | Link to this
GO JACKETS! We are very young this year, so all I personally ‘expect’ is for us to out hussle our opponents. If we do that, I’ll be satisfied whether we win or loose. We should be really good next year. All these guys gaining experience then add a couple blue chippers to run the point and SF. If we can bring in a true center we will have everything to dominate.
By Ga_Tech_92
November 30, 2005 01:00 PM | Link to this
Oh mikeydawgs, grow up.
By Ty
November 30, 2005 01:10 PM | Link to this
Way to go guys!!
This is what a blog should be (except for the lone exception…you know who you are).
It’s good to see some common focus in the group regarding the program.
1) The ‘coaching up’ comments — spot on. And I agree that a focus on defensive intensity is the course to take.
2) Recruiting — check out scout.com to see the future…it’ll amaze you with the crop of talent who have signed the LOI’s for next year.
3) Braine — I don’t think Paul will pack his bags when Braine retires. The statement is a vote of confidence in the AD as one who will ‘stick by’ his coaches. The Gailey stuff reinforces it (though I don’t necessarily agree with it).
In the end, if we let Hewitt keep ‘doing his thing’, we’ve got lots of years of exciting basketball ahead!
P.S. Best of all is that NCAA b-ball has the tournament thing figured out…no BcS here!!
By dawgfannot
November 30, 2005 01:42 PM | Link to this
Mikeydawg….
Trust me those bulldogs of the last few years want none of the ladydawgs…
Funny to hear a dawg talk trash with the pitiful program they have….by the way I got my A+ in basketball 101 at UGA
By Sparty
November 30, 2005 01:57 PM | Link to this
Hewitt will really find out what his boys are made about tonight when the Jackets get thumped by 20-30 points.
By ben
November 30, 2005 02:10 PM | Link to this
I think the real challege is Hewitt developing Zam into an ACC point guard. He did it to Tony when I didn’t think it could be done, so I’ve got faith. But, I bet you money the Jacket recruiters are camped out at the talented point guard recruits’ doorsteps.
By Ty
November 30, 2005 02:19 PM | Link to this
Ben,
Jarvis Crittenton…SW Atlanta Christian….Nationally ranked #3 point guard in next year’s class as rated by scout.com ….letter-of-intent signed. I think the point guard of tomorrow is coming.
Here’s the link:
text to be linked
By wes
November 30, 2005 02:51 PM | Link to this
Keep Hewitt forever.
By The master
November 30, 2005 03:10 PM | Link to this
Nothing to worry about when comes to Tech Basketball. This is our rebuilding year, but if you remember last year we beat UIC by 1 point only and that’s with Elder, Bynum, Jack, and others. So maybe we just don’t play that team well. Hope they play well tonight and out hustle spartans.
By Gordon Pfeiffer
November 30, 2005 03:26 PM | Link to this
I was at the UIC game and after Smith missed the 6 free throws I said to the person next to me that Jeremis shoots free throws as bad as Muhammad. Turns out Ish was sitting two rows in front of me. Thankfully he didn’t hear me!
The future is bright for Tech hoops with Hewitt there. As long as Braine isn’t forced out, and I don’t think he will be or should be, I think Hewitt will stay at least another 10 years. He is smoothing out his recruiting years (4 sophomores, 4 freshman, 4 coming next year) so that he won’t lose the world in one year like he did his first year and last year.
By Ga_Tech_92
November 30, 2005 04:12 PM | Link to this
Jarvis Crittenton 3rd ranked blue chip point guard… Thaddeus Young 2nd ranked blue chip small forward…
The group we have now will mature and be a nice base to add these two freaks into.
If we can get a true center we have everything covered for the next 2-3 years with these guys alone.
By ben
November 30, 2005 04:14 PM | Link to this
Cool, thanks.
By michael
November 30, 2005 05:26 PM | Link to this
will tech bear michigan state
By michael
November 30, 2005 05:26 PM | Link to this
will tech beat michigan state
By retired engineer
November 30, 2005 09:18 PM | Link to this
had a chance…just missed the last shot..that would have won. Not a W but better than whatever that was against the Chi (Bulls it seemed-LOL).
By Andrew
November 30, 2005 10:33 PM | Link to this
Tech basketball is going to be awesome this season - even better next. They made Mich St look sloppy - scored points off turn-overs - Dickey is a force - Morrow found the three point line - blocked shots against a bigger, way more experienced team. Go Jackets! Won’t be very long before they are nationally ranked.