By jackets fan

November 8, 2006 10:37 AM | Link to this

I agree Terrence. Last season the Jackets were IN so many games, even leading a lot of them. But they couldn’t finish them off, because they lacked a floor leader, and more importantly didn’t have someone who could handle the basketball and bring it up court. They had so many turnovers just trying to get the ball across half court. Stability at the point will focus this team and bring those wins home. In my opinion having a ball handler will improve Tech’s defense, because they’ll give up fewer easy opportunities.

I’m excited for this season.

By ga_tech_92

November 8, 2006 11:17 AM | Link to this

I couldn’t agree more TM, nice blog today. ping

By Richard

November 8, 2006 11:55 AM | Link to this

Well, it couldn’t have gotten much worse than last year.

By Hot Sauce

November 8, 2006 12:19 PM | Link to this

Tech has a great balance of talent, experience and the desire to beat those that beat them last year. They should most definitely do some good this year. Picked to finish 4th in the ACC. I truly expect to see us higher than that. GO JACKETS!!

By VAN-24 UGA-22

November 8, 2006 12:32 PM | Link to this

Tech will finish no lower than 3rd in conference. Hewitt is a fantastic coach.This will be a fun year. I tell you Tech is in a good place right now with Basketball and Football. Its been great being Yellowjacket.

By sandiegoclippers

November 8, 2006 12:45 PM | Link to this

Not so fast! Let’s see how they do in the ACC the first time around before we start tooting the horn.

The preconference schedule is weak by design. It will be Januarry before they are really tested.

Stay tuned!

By Rubin

November 8, 2006 12:53 PM | Link to this

This season should be an exciting and promising season

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/preview2006/columns/story?columnist=schlabach_mark&id=2652163&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab3pos1

By ben

November 8, 2006 01:22 PM | Link to this

I don’t think it was just the on-court saavy of Jack that was missing. Last year’s squad had a few players like Morrow, Dickey, and Frederick that were not willing to leave it all out there on the court. Call it lazy, poor attitude or lack of dtermination, but it was not what we came to expect from Jack, Bynum, McHenry and company. Those guys were physically and mentally tough. Last years squad, with the exception of Smith, seem to lack the DNA to compete at a championship level. Let’s hope that “refuse to lose” attitude can be restored by putting freshman on the floor if the upperclassmen continue their malaise.

By Jake

November 8, 2006 03:26 PM | Link to this

I just hope we can keep these super freshman for at least a couple years. From what I hear Young is looking pro already. If coach Hewitt can convince them to stay for at least an extra year, I really think we can get a championship. This team is going to look similar to the 2003/4 team with a sharpshooter from 3 (Morrow), a leader at the point (Crittenton), only we have more size in Young, Smith and Dickey. If we’d had that size against UConn we might have one more banner in the thriller dome.

By Danny

November 8, 2006 03:34 PM | Link to this

I am also very excited about this season. I think a lot of Atlantans might wake up to a basketball town this winter.

Yo sandiegoclip - Last time I checked, Tech is playing 6, possibly 7 different teams from major conferences outside the ACC. How on earth can you claim that Tech has a weak non-conference schedule?

By Eric

November 8, 2006 04:04 PM | Link to this

You’re a hack, Terence!!

Sorry…no one had said it yet…this space seemed empty without it. :)

Seriously, I’m very excited about Tech hoops this year. Good coach, good recruiting, muscle in the post…there’s alot of potential.

By Mike D

November 8, 2006 04:24 PM | Link to this

Now that Zam Frederick has transferred because of the 2 mcdonalds all americans coming in, we shoudl have an excellent year. Zam was the reason for all the turnovers in the crucial games, all he could do was shoot the ball, no handling skills. Now south caolina will have to deal with him, good luck gamecocks.

By charles

November 8, 2006 04:27 PM | Link to this

I didn’t know the Maui Invitational was “weak.” None the less, I agree that we should let the season play out before labelling this young team. After all, we do have 3 freshmen starters.

By smitty

November 8, 2006 04:30 PM | Link to this

nice article tm…..agree completely….hewitt is the man and GT is incredibly fortunate to have him….hope that everyone realizes that he is setting the table for many years of continued success in the toughest BB conference in the country…..hope he hangs around for at least a decade….last year was an aberration….go jackets and go tech BB……and now that chan has figured out how to delegate responsibility and coaching duties (ie…nix as OC and a new recruiting leader), the football team is looking to go higher…..man, GT sports are looking good……keep everything clicking d-rad…..yeah!!!

By KB

November 8, 2006 04:41 PM | Link to this

Tech will get SLAUGHTERED in Nashville this season against the Commodores. Memorial Magic will prevail against a young, inexperienced Tech squad. Go ‘Dores

By Bill

November 8, 2006 05:04 PM | Link to this

sandiegoclippers…better take another look at Tech’s non-conf schedule again…the Maui is stacked, and Tech will probably play Memphis in the 2nd game and get a quality 3rd game . They also play Vandy, UGA and a really weak UConn. There are the 3 cupcakes early, but the team needs this to prepare for Maui.

By whitey

November 8, 2006 07:06 PM | Link to this

Decent article TM. Another reason for Tech’s lack of success after Jack left: point guard recruited to replace JJ signed to play pro baseball instead. Forgot his name…

By Wedgie Evans

November 9, 2006 12:08 AM | Link to this

Last year wasn’t a “fluke”, it was just a down year. The freshmen weren’t spectacular, there was no real senior leadership, and out of the top 3 players one was injured (Jeremis Smith) and two were inconsistent (Morrow and Dickey). Tech hoops will definitely bounce back this year, thanks to a 5 star freshman class. With the lack of experience I think it’s safe to expect at least the 2nd or 3rd round in the big dance in March.

By Ben

November 9, 2006 12:23 PM | Link to this

The name of the recruited point guard that jumped to pro baseball with the Yankess was Austin Jackson.

By gojackets

November 9, 2006 02:20 PM | Link to this

Easy KB. Just because you beat UGA in football this year is no reason to get fired up for your entire program. You are still Vandy!!

By whitey

November 9, 2006 02:23 PM | Link to this

Thanks Ben. Wonder how he’s progressing in the minors. I’m going to look it up.

By Drexel Gal

November 9, 2006 04:22 PM | Link to this

Ah, the good old days, when you could count on four years from your stars (or three, in the pre-freshman-eligible era). Perhaps some of the newbies will be hungry enough to stay until the NCAA championship banner is raised. Extreme wishful thinking, but it wuld be great for the Jackets to win it down the street at the Dome this year.

By Fred C. Dobbs

November 9, 2006 05:11 PM | Link to this

“Every day without a point guard is like a root canal” — Tom Izzo

Last year the Jackets had no point guard. This year they have a freshman point guard.

Results will get better. If I recall, Jack was once a freshman. Freshman tend to become sophomores, etc.