AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > December > 18 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USTime kind to Kansas, not Tech
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mark Bradley
Over the course of nine months and three days, Georgia Tech and Kansas had built the beginnings of a beautiful rivalry. They’d played twice in that span, each game requiring overtime, each game a shining example of college basketball at an exalted level.
Tech won the first, outlasting the Jayhawks in the St. Louis Regional final along the giddy road to the 2004 NCAA title game. Kansas won the second, prevailing when Keith Langford hit a splay-legged jumper on New Year’s Day in a frothing Allen Fieldhouse, and the entire 2004-05 regular season didn’t see a better game.
They met again Tuesday, peers no longer. Kansas is still really good. Tech has become just another team, unranked and unassuming. Afterward, Paul Hewitt said of his losing Jackets: “We’re a talented team - we’re not a good team.” A harsher judge would say Tech is neither.
On this night 28 of the 30 NBA teams dispatched representatives to Alexander Memorial Coliseum. It’s safe to say that none of those men came to watch any Jacket. If you were to take the two rosters and choose a starting five, you might consider Tech’s Anthony Morrow for the fifth spot. Then again, you might not.
Kansas has depth and talent of the first rank. Tech has a middling collection of Division I players. “Put two first-rounders on this team,” said Kansas coach Bill Self, speaking of the departed Thaddeus Young and Javaris Crittenton, “and how good would they be?”
But there’s the difference. Kansas lost a first-rounder of its own in Julian Wright, and the Jayhawks are ranked No. 3 in the land. Tech lost its two one-and-dones and is sub-.500, having lost to UNC Greensboro and Winthrop. Kansas is a premier program. Tech is an OK program that had a really big season a few years back.
“We’ve just got to realize we’re a good team,” Hewitt said, but the more likely outcome is that Tech will go through another winter with a couple of rousing victories but far more losses. The Jackets aren’t a factor on the national landscape anymore. They’re just another team.
About here, you’re saying: Didn’t Tech have a chance to catch the nation’s No. 3 team at the wire Tuesday? Isn’t that a sign of definite progress?
The answers: Yes and no. The Jackets had a chance to hoist a game-tying 3-pointer inside the final nine seconds but, being the Jackets, didn’t even find a shot. Zack Peacock threw a halting pass in the general vicinity of Matt Causey at midcourt, and Sherron Collins turned the gift into the clinching layup.
“I thought we were going to win the game,” said Hewitt, when asked if he felt he had a manpower advantage over Kansas at any position. And why did he think that? “Because we’re a good team.”
This would seem to be a case of hope (or maybe, to be generous, faith) trumping reality. Kansas can get away with missed free throws and silly turnovers because it’s gifted enough to override foolishness with athletic feats. Tech’s talent level is such that it has to play really well just to have a chance. It had a chance and didn’t know what to do with it.
“We did the things we’re capable of doing,” Hewitt said, and that was true - to a degree. Tech induced 18 turnovers and outrebounded a bigger opponent, but when Kansas didn’t throw the ball away it usually scored. The Jayhawks made 52.2 percent of their shots, and Tech was already last in the 12-team ACC in field-goal percentage defense. A team of modest ability must play barbed-wire defense if it’s to have a prayer along Tobacco Road, and the Jackets haven’t yet shown that capacity.
What Tech has shown, and showed again Tuesday, was its limitations. It doesn’t have a top-shelf player. It lacks a point guard to pull the tangents together. It lacks an inside scorer to keep the defense honest. In sum, it lacks what Kansas has in abundance. It lacks, for want of a better word, quality.
Permalink | Comments (45) | Post your comment | Categories: Mark Bradley
Comments
By ArkyTech
December 19, 2007 12:37 AM | Link to this
Team played well, played hard, but the moral victories sandwiched between bad losses are getting old. Like the Indiana game, at no point did I think Tech had a chance to win that game. Does that mean we’ve slipped into apathy?
By GT71
December 19, 2007 12:41 AM | Link to this
Much as I hate to say it, Mark is right. And Hewitt may be following our other ‘good man, decent coach’ out of town soon. The new cowboy in town has an itchy trigger finger and seems bent on paying as many coaches not to coach as possible. And when the dust settles, we’ll regret Gailey AND Hewitt.
By elfamousburrito '99
December 19, 2007 12:49 AM | Link to this
Hewitt’s looks of frustration have framed his countenance since the 04 run. I wonder how that affects players. I still have hope that he will develop good teams, but am wondering just how long I will give him the benefit of the doubt…always thinking, “next year’s recruits will take us to another level.” But it hasn’t happened.
By RobertT
December 19, 2007 5:32 AM | Link to this
At some point someone has to question where is Hewitt taking the program. This is the ACC, the premier conference in BB, in a tradition rich program. He should be able to attract the candidates he wants year-end and year-out. Our players opt for the NBA just like other programs, so that is not the complete answer. Every program has down years and rebuilding years, but several years of mediocrity does NOT resemble “building a program.”
Paul seems determined to force fit his players into his system. This system and approach is not new in the league and most teams have been successful at breaking our pressure defenses in the past several years. I’m wondering if the significant talent that Hewitt has had is not being properly utilized, where the players talent are maximized. Just a thought.
By WFC
December 19, 2007 6:25 AM | Link to this
I hope that Critt’s mom is enjoying her house and that he’s having fun on the Laker bench because he’s the main reason that GT is 4-5 instead of 8-1. Of course, it didn’t help last night that Tech’s “bigs” forced up horrible shots instead of finding the red-hot Lewis Clinch. I can only imagine what Coach K at Duke would have done if his guys hadn’t got the ball to an open 3-point shooter as hot as Clinch was.
By Greg
December 19, 2007 6:46 AM | Link to this
I agree with RobertT. I would also add that as each mediocre year goes by it becomes harder for Hewitt to attract top players. This feeds on itself. Forcing players into his system has not worked well for Hewitt. They play tight and scared. The passing is haphazard (poor coaching) And would someone please tell me why Jeremis continues to makeso many bone-head moves in the paint? I put this also down to poor coaching.
By GT66
December 19, 2007 6:53 AM | Link to this
Several people very close to the program have told me that Hewitt has no interest in recruiting white players. If a coach’s position was the opposite of that he would be driven out of town and criticized by media and fans alike. Why can’t we just try and recruit the best players available without regard to the color of their skin?
By GT66
December 19, 2007 6:53 AM | Link to this
Several people very close to the program have told me that Hewitt has no interest in recruiting white players. If a coach’s position was the opposite of that he would be driven out of town and criticized by media and fans alike. Why can’t we just try and recruit the best players available without regard to the color of their skin?
By yellowblood
December 19, 2007 7:16 AM | Link to this
The truly sad thing about our program is that we are no longer a happy fan base therefore no Tickle Piles are being held. When we’re winning we’re happy and having great Tickle Piles.
By Artie
December 19, 2007 8:28 AM | Link to this
For once, right on, Mark Bradley!!!! ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK!!!!
By Peter
December 19, 2007 8:44 AM | Link to this
For 36 minutes I watched some of the most stagnant basketball I have seen from an ACC team in some time. I agree with Mark, we lack talent. However, for the first time in Hewitt’s reign, I see a poorly coached team.
By Fundamentals
December 19, 2007 8:49 AM | Link to this
As a fromer player for Cremins and season ticket holder I have found it very hard and frustrating to watch the teams of the past 3 years. We have no offensive continuity and our defense lacks the on-ball pressure that is required to put close games in the W column. I agree with Bradley that the teams are going in two opposite directions but I disagree with his opinion of the talent level of the two teams. I think the GT team on the floor last night with the exception of PG COULD be just as good as the Kansas team if we simply had been coached to run an offense. It appears that Hewitt is not teaching the fundamentals which were even obvious to the Kansas fans sitting all around me. How many times do we have to run a ball-screen and get double-teamed at mid-court before someone on the coaching staff makes an adjustment? How many possessions did we have on offense where we made more than 4 passes? Does anyone know how to take a charge? What is our in-bounds philosophy? Lob the ball to half-court? How many turnovers did we have coming out of time-outs? Does anyone know how to set a pick? All of those things are fundamentals and it appears that all of the athletes we have need to be shown the basics and until that day comes we will continue to lose games to teams with much less talent because they are well-coached. The more I write, the more frustrated I get so I will end it here.
By Fundamentals
December 19, 2007 9:09 AM | Link to this
As a fromer player for Cremins and season ticket holder I have found it very hard and frustrating to watch the teams of the past 3 years. We have no offensive continuity and our defense lacks the on-ball pressure that is required to put close games in the W column. I agree with Bradley that the teams are going in two opposite directions but I disagree with his opinion of the talent level of the two teams. I think the GT team on the floor last night with the exception of PG COULD be just as good as the Kansas team if we simply had been coached to run an offense. It appears that Hewitt is not teaching the fundamentals which were even obvious to the Kansas fans sitting all around me. How many times do we have to run a ball-screen and get double-teamed at mid-court before someone on the coaching staff makes an adjustment? How many possessions did we have on offense where we made more than 4 passes? Does anyone know how to take a charge? What is our in-bounds philosophy? Lob the ball to half-court? How many turnovers did we have coming out of time-outs? Does anyone know how to set a pick? All of those things are fundamentals and it appears that all of the athletes we have need to be shown the basics and until that day comes we will continue to lose games to teams with much less talent because they are well-coached. The more I write, the more frustrated I get so I will end it here.
By gdawgfan
December 19, 2007 9:09 AM | Link to this
Watching Gtech is getting played. If you look at the roster you will see that GTech is not getting that 5 star point gaurd anymore, they are signing a lot of 3 and 4 star players who are not being coached to their potential. The system Hewitt runs suck! They dont play defense that well and try to pressure full court. They will only win about 6 acc games this year with emabarrassing loses to UNC, Duke, Virginia, BC, Maryland, Clemson,Wake,and they may lose to an improving Miami team. Get ready for a long season jacket bball fans.
By gdawgfan
December 19, 2007 9:09 AM | Link to this
Watching Gtech is getting played. If you look at the roster you will see that GTech is not getting that 5 star point gaurd anymore, they are signing a lot of 3 and 4 star players who are not being coached to their potential. The system Hewitt runs suck! They dont play defense that well and try to pressure full court. They will only win about 6 acc games this year with emabarrassing loses to UNC, Duke, Virginia, BC, Maryland, Clemson,Wake,and they may lose to an improving Miami team. Get ready for a long season jacket bball fans.
By gdawgfan
December 19, 2007 9:10 AM | Link to this
Watching Gtech is getting played. If you look at the roster you will see that GTech is not getting that 5 star point gaurd anymore, they are signing a lot of 3 and 4 star players who are not being coached to their potential. The system Hewitt runs suck! They dont play defense that well and try to pressure full court. They will only win about 6 acc games this year with emabarrassing loses to UNC, Duke, Virginia, BC, Maryland, Clemson,Wake,and they may lose to an improving Miami team. Get ready for a long season jacket bball fans.
By gdawgfan
December 19, 2007 9:10 AM | Link to this
Watching Gtech is getting played. If you look at the roster you will see that GTech is not getting that 5 star point gaurd anymore, they are signing a lot of 3 and 4 star players who are not being coached to their potential. The system Hewitt runs suck! They dont play defense that well and try to pressure full court. They will only win about 6 acc games this year with emabarrassing loses to UNC, Duke, Virginia, BC, Maryland, Clemson,Wake,and they may lose to an improving Miami team. Get ready for a long season jacket bball fans.
By wes
December 19, 2007 9:22 AM | Link to this
MARK BRADLEY wrote: “It lacks a point guard to pull the tangents together.”
Of everything you had to say about GT basketball, this is THE #1 reason why they stink this year.
No point guard = No success.
Thanks for nuthin’ Javaris.
By Reggie
December 19, 2007 9:54 AM | Link to this
First of all GT66, I really question your idea that Hewitt won’t recruit white players. What about Luke, Brad, or Matt in the last couple of years? None of them are athletic like the other players, which for me seems more like a departure from his style. Not race. That is a bogus claim! And Fundamentals, I sure hope you didn’t play under Cremins his last several years, because that team was truly hard to watch. I thought Bobby was a great recruiter for sure, but X an O’s, are you kidding me? Hewitt got caught short without an blue-chip PG (think Crit) or at least an experienced skilled one (don’t think Causey). I would have to say that the thing that has been most disappointing to me has been the defensive breakdowns (think Vandy) and the lack of confidence in our gaurds to try and penetrate. When they fix these things, good things will happen
By jackets
December 19, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this
Gdawgfan - Tech is still getting the 5 stars, we just didn’t have one in this class. Jarret Jack was a five star, Austin Jackson was a five star but we went to the NY Yankees, Javaris Crittenton was a five star but he was one and done. We already have a five star guaurd lined up for next year, talent is not our problem. I think we’ll be fine when Dickey comes back.
By Reality
December 19, 2007 10:02 AM | Link to this
Couple of words for all you doom and gloom. Billy Donovan. Went to the final game and got beat and fell way down by getting beat in First round acouple of times straight one-time to Manhattan badly. I think Florida is happy they stuck with Billy D.
In 2004 Hewitt said “we are playing as good as anyone in the country” BEFORE they beat Duke and magical run. Someone for this newspaper said he almost laughed in Hewitt’s face when he made the comment
By GT>>>U[sic]GA
December 19, 2007 10:12 AM | Link to this
i was upset about the game until i see yet another redneck u[sic]ga fan on here who cannot comprehend how to post a message.
By GTBALTFAN
December 19, 2007 10:12 AM | Link to this
All this negative crap is really depressing. While I agree we need work, I’m not sure its as bad as Bradley and most of the posters are suggesting. I suppose we’ll know more by this time next month. However, three of our five losses are to top 15 teams, two of which are undefeated and the third with just one loss. And we played two of those teams down to the wire. While we definitely need improvement at the point and we need to improve on some fundamentals, it’s just not time yet to write off this season. It’s amazing how these negative posts take on a life of their own. Just lay off for awhile and let’s see what happens.
By Reality
December 19, 2007 10:12 AM | Link to this
GT66. You have absolutely no idea what you are talking about when you write an inflammatory comment like Hewitt won’t recruit white players.
Your wrong, your so called sources are wrong and it is wrong for you to even suggest
By STRETCH
December 19, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this
Its the same thing EVERY year with this team. Paul Hewitt has NO idea of whats going on half of the time.
They cant keep anybody past their Freshman year. I blame that on the NBA, NCAA and who ever makes all these overning decisions. Why do these teens make commitments to a school and just like that…they are gone?? Answer: Money. Until the government or someone steps in, teams will continue to suffer.
Last night was the worst coverage of an NCAA game ive ever seen by ESPN. I mean what was that crew doing last night? NO replays??? I saw more than a few questionable calls last night, but since ESPN was trying to hurry the game, i guess those 3-5 second replays were holding em up for the KU/Houston game..go figure!
They had 9 blocked shots to GT’s 0..ARE YOU KIDDING??? And most of thats due to the fact that there is absoloutely NO DISCIPLINE or SELF CONTROL on offense and Paul Hewitt just lets them run down, throw up shots without looking at the basket!
Heck, they missed two UNCONTESTED layups in the second half and then they didnt even get a chance to tie the game at the end due to clumsiness, the kinda clumsy play by the guards ALL GAME and sadly, ALL SEASON!
By Artie
December 19, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this
Everyone likes to land the 5-star recruits, but sometimes the “one-and-dones” hurt programs more than they help.
By GTBALTFAN
December 19, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this
PS to Jackets. Dickey ain’t coming back. He’s got “knee problems” and is red shirting.
By Dude
December 19, 2007 10:37 AM | Link to this
Solid piece Bradley….That being said, I honestly felt that we were just as athletic as this team. Pg was the biggest difference as usual. You cant back dribble at midcourt and get pinched in a trap over and over again. Also 9 blocked shots! More than half of those were down on the blocks. Man that would have been a huge difference in terms of potential points. It will be good to have Dickey back and give us some toughness down low. I felt that Clinch was the best player on the floor for either team on both ends hands down. If they could put together a complete game and see what it takes to win against a top tier team that would do wonders for our confidence. Not giving up on them or Hewitt yet. The kids fought hard at the end and that says a lot(not calling this a moral victory but its a step in the right direction). Lastly, could someone please tell me why in the heck Brandon Rush gets so much attention? Sure he has potential but he may be one of the most over rated kids i have seen in a while.
By Mark Bradley
December 19, 2007 11:05 AM | Link to this
About Brandon Rush: I agree. I’ve seen him three times in person now and three times I’ve come away asking myself, “Why is he holding back?” Bill Self, you should know, wasn’t happy with Rush after last night’s game, either: He said Rush was tentative from the game’s first series, when he was outhustled to a loose ball by Jeremis Smith. And Darrell Arthur, another big pro prospect, didn’t do much himself. I came away thinking the Jayhawk I’d most like to have on my team is Mario Chalmers, the off-guard who can play the point and defend.
By GT80
December 19, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this
Guess what folks, although our PG play was not great and if we had an elite one this team would be better, on offense our inside game killed us. Jeremis Smith, 1 for 6, ZERO free throws; Alade Aminu, 1 for 5, at least he got fouled 3 times but was 2-5 from the line; Zach Peacock, 2 for 9 with one 3 pointer, ZERO free throws; Gani Lawal, the only bright spot was 2 for 2 and made his only free throw.
We gots lots of issues, and PG is just one of them.
And Dickey is not coming back this year - medical redshirt.
By Jim
December 19, 2007 11:50 AM | Link to this
Do you know what the most frustrating thing about being a Yellow Jacket fan is? It’s the fans. If there are worse fans out there, please, let me know, because while our basketball team has played poorly at times this year, they just took the number three team down to the wire. Did they botch their last attempt? Yeah, and that’s terribly frustrating and embarrassing, but you know what bothered me more than that? The fact that our guys would make a great, momentum changing play, the old, rich crowd would lumber to their feet and show signs of life and actually make a little noise, and Bill Self would immediately call a timeout. What happened then? All those people sat right back down, and Alexander Memorial sounded as quiet as a ghost town. Do we have SMART, SAVVY enough fans to get back up and start yelling again when the timeout is over? No. Kansas would start their next possession in a, calm, noise free environment.
It wouldn’t be so annoying if you couldn’t tell that the noise the crowd was making at the end of the game- lots of it- rattled them. Good coaches call timeouts to take the momentum out of the opposing team, and to try and quiet the crowd, but you have to think that Self must have thought “geez, they shut up fast, didn’t they?”
The sign of a true Georgia Tech is his or her empty seat when there are 5 minutes left in the game, because he thinks he’s smart enough to calculate exactly what’s happening from that point on, and if he leaves then, he will get home 9.4 minutes earlier than if he leaves with the crowd. I hate to say it, but I can never be that fan. If there are any other fans out there who don’t like these strictures of GT game watching, I’ll notice you standing up after the opposing coach calls a timeout to quiet the crowd. We’ll be the only two standing up, yelling, cheering our team.
And Mark, Hewitt believing his team could win this game a case of ‘faith’ and ‘hope’? Please. Leave religion to the pandering politicians in Iowa.
By Mark
December 19, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this
Mark: So you don’t feel that Lewis Clinch would start for Kansas? I have to disagree there.
By Calvin
December 19, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this
Tech had a chance to tie within the last nine seconds, and because Tech failed to do that, Bradley trashes Tech. Bradley had a chance to praise Tech for nearly tying the number three team, but Bradley being Bradley, he would rather discourage the hometown team.
By GTinNC
December 19, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this
It’s not the players - it’s the coach: 1) Hewitt runs off Zam Fredrick from GT and look who’s now the top scorer for USC. Wouldn’t we love his 26 points per game as a 2 guard? 2) 5 second call after coming out of a timeout - we’ve had many of these with Hewitt (along with other teams getting lay-ups under the basket when they in-bounds). 3) When Causy gets his 2nd foul he sits for 95% of the 1st half while we are making multiple turnovers at point guard while Causey sits. 4) 4 turnovers from traps of the point guard and no adjustments? The commentators even remarked about this. 5) How about that last play of the game? It was a set play - now that’s some great coaching.
Fire Hewitt!
By gt
December 19, 2007 1:39 PM | Link to this
Bradley, you think Anthony Morrow is the best player on our team? Are you nuts? What has that kid ever done since he has been here? Lewis Clinch is head a shoulders better than anyone we have! Hewitt let him play the whole game and thats why he did well. He subs in players TOO MUCH. Let these guys play and get comfortable together. Every time the go to pass it its someone different standing there. Thats why they have no chemistry.
By GT96
December 19, 2007 2:02 PM | Link to this
To gdawgfan: Thanks for making it easy. Perhaps you should stop skipping grammar class instead of giving Hewitt diatribes. Four bumbles in your “rant.” Thanks for the advice, genius.
By KU Fan
December 19, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this
I guess this is the only time I’ll see “Jayhawk” being mentioned in the AJC’s GT section. Oh, I forgot, I’m not in Kansas anymore… ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK Baby!!!!
By Out of Town
December 19, 2007 2:49 PM | Link to this
Dennis Scott is not walking through that door…Kenny Anderson is not walking through that door…Matt Harpring is not walking through that door…
By Son of a Gun
December 19, 2007 3:39 PM | Link to this
Are you people seriously saying that Hewitt should be fired. I’ve been a Tech fan since I was born but it saddens me to hear the arrogance coming from the blogs. Hewitt has had to rebuild a team every year. He brings in some of the best recruits in the country. The recruits are actually so good that they leave for the NBA a year or two after playing for Tech and leave us in a scramble to rebuild. Give Hewitt a break. So we go to the National Championship game in 04…so what? Do you honestly think that makes us capable of going every year. I know we should expect to play competitive basketball but come on, give him a break. And if you insist on firing Hewitt, please name a more qualified candidate for the job.
By Hewitt Supporter
December 19, 2007 4:21 PM | Link to this
I agree with son of a gun. Sure, the Jackets may have underachieved since the 2004 season but that doesn’t require Hewitt to get fired. He didn’t make the bad pass that precluded a last second shot for the tie last night. Sh*t happens. I suppose this Hewitt bashing will take on a life of its own, just like the firechangailey movement. I hope not, but I can see us staring down that same barrell some time in the not too distant future. My only real criticism of cph is I would like to see him show a little fire now and again. They showed Bill Self a number of times last night and his face and actions showed intensity and passion. When I’m watching on the tube I scream, yell, curse and occasionally punch the wall when the Jackets make a bad pass, miss a crucial free throw or when the refs blow a call (Like last night about ten times) Somehow, cph is able to sit over on the bench, with his arms folded, like he’s at a knitting bee. It drives me nuts. I wish he would get fired up every once in a while. Otherwise, I hope he’s here for a long time.
By Eric Breiner
December 19, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this
Hey Mark, I moved 6 months ago to Los Angeles and now GT BB stinks, GT FB stinks, Falcons stink, Braves stink, Thrashers stink….what do you think Arthur Blank would would pay me to move back? ~Eric
ps, Hawks stink too, but that’s nothing new….
By E
December 19, 2007 5:27 PM | Link to this
Mark,
I usually don’t agree with most of your columns, but I do agree that the 3 years between Tech playing Kansas, Tech and Kansas has gone in opposite directions. Tech is a talented team, not Kansas talented, but how many teams in the country are? they have a leat 4 players who will be on NBA rosters next year if they choose to leave. Also for you to dimiss the lost of Thaddeus Young and Javaris Crittenton, is very short sighted, as this would be a top 10 team if they had stayed and you would have to find something else to complain about.
By Curt Moore
December 19, 2007 6:11 PM | Link to this
I agree 100%. Gt’s program is in a downward spiral. We are becoming a bottom 1/3 of the conference team. It’s time to begin getting some solutions to the problem. In order to compete in the ACC you must recruit blue chip players. To bring in a player(Causey) in his senior year to play point guard magnifies the root of our dilema. The answer is obvious. Go figure!
By Hew was told/warned to sit by the ref
December 19, 2007 7:57 PM | Link to this
He was on the floor too much and received the warning.
By GT Athletic Supporter
December 19, 2007 8:03 PM | Link to this
GT66 is more right than those of you who dispute what he has to say. Two of the players you mention approached Tech about playing - they were not recruited in the true sense of the word. The third player also came to Tech in a circuitous way. Don’t like the implication but it seems its there.