AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2008 > January > 09 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USTwo programs tread water, one founders
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
Athens — As just-down-the-highway rivalries go, Georgia vs. Georgia Tech in basketball is very similar to Duke-North Carolina, only without the 30 Final Four appearances, the eight championships, the two legendary coaches, the McDonald’s All-Americans or any sense of drama.
The state of the state was on display Wednesday night. Not pretty.
The flagship has been dented by academic issues. The institute has been wrecked by early defections and a general inability to recapture whatever pixie dust it carried to the Final Four. Academic issues won by seven points.
A chant was audible during the final seconds in Stegeman Coliseum: “Just Like Football.”
Well, not sure. These Bulldogs aren’t likely to make an argument to be in a national title game at the end of the basketball season.
But if there’s any question about which coach is doing more with less, that was answered Wednesday. The Dogs and Jackets both played hard, but Georgia looked like the better-coached team. They functioned as a unit, even if they sometimes functioned poorly. The Jackets still look only like pieces.
“One of the biggest factors in this game was fatigue and endurance,” Georgia coach Dennis Felton said. “There were times when we looked tired, but they looked tired, too. We wanted to keep pressing the issue and see who looked tougher.”
Felton got his answer. Georgia led by as many as 12 points in the first half, saw Tech rally and even the score at 51-all, then responded with a punch in the mouth: seven straight points.
“That was one of the most complete efforts we’ve had,” he said.
Embrace the joy on one side. It may be a rarity this season.
Even by normal modest standards, this is a down year for basketball in Georgia. If you want to attach numbers to the state of the state, refer to Wednesday’s projected RPI rankings (on the Web site kenpom.com).
The top basketball school in Georgia wasn’t even on the court Wednesday.
That distinction belongs to Georgia Southern, who ranks No. 1 in the state but No. 76 nationally with an RPI of .561. Southern is the king of a very small hill. The Eagles are looking down on Tech (ranked No. 84), Georgia (185), Savannah State (256), Mercer (266), Georgia State (294) and Kennesaw State (which at 339 out of 341 is one spot behind the New Jersey Institute of Technology, which is 0-17).
Duke-North Carolina? No. Can it be? Unlikely. But it’s not going to stop a coach from dreaming.
“I think it can,” said Felton, who lost three players for several games before the season due to academic reasons, two of whom — seniors Mike Mercer and Takais Brown — have since been thrown off the team. “There’s no doubt Duke-North Carolina is a great rivalry. But it was built a long time ago, years before basketball was ever really emphasized at either one of our schools. I believe we can become a premier program, and Tech — we know what Paul Hewitt can do from when they went to the Final Four.”
That seems so long ago. Whereas the Dogs at least have a nice jumping off point in the SEC part of their schedule, the Jackets already resemble a punching bag for most of the ACC. How do you fall behind by 12 points to a team that lost to East Tennessee State by 18?
Neither of these programs is headed up or down right now, as much as they’re trying to stop the bleeding. Consider that the score was still only 2-2 five and a half minutes into the game.
It was significant when Maurice Miller made two free throws to give the Jackets’ a 6-3 lead, because then the teams had finally combined for as many points as turnovers (nine). At halftime, Tech was shooting only 9-for-27 from the floor, and had more turnovers (10) than shots made.
It was enough to make Georgia feel superior for a night.
“We definitely still feel we can do something this season,” said guard Sundiata Gaines. “I know we lost those guys before the season, and that was disappointing, but we have to fight through that and pull together.”
It’s nothing but SEC games from here on out for Georgia. No more opponents from within state boundaries.
Permalink | Comments (48) | Post your comment | Categories: Jeff Schultz, Tech / ACC, UGA / SEC
Comments
By Slick
January 10, 2008 12:12 AM | Link to this
I was pleased to see that Georgia won the game, but that was the worst basketball game I’ve ever seen. In fact, it was so painful to watch that I found myself watching Project Runway instead, and I’m straight! Sad commentary.
By bob
January 10, 2008 12:15 AM | Link to this
When are thre Tech fans going to get on Paul Hewitt like they did Chan Gailey. Hewitt is 134 and 101 with a below 500 winning % in ACC PLAY, 13 games below I believe. I never here anything about his job being in jeopardy. What a joke this program has become. I don’t think it is gooing to be any better next year. Only recruit coming in is 6-6 kid Shumpert from Chicago minus AMow,J Smith, & Causey ( no loss there). Time for Radakovich to put his stamp on basketball program. Even if we got lucky in ACC PLAY and finished 8-8, that is only 15 wins + a loss to U CONN and first round loss in ACC tournament. Get rid of HEWITT NOW!!!!!!
By bob
January 10, 2008 12:16 AM | Link to this
When are thre Tech fans going to get on Paul Hewitt like they did Chan Gailey. Hewitt is 134 and 101 with a below 500 winning % in ACC PLAY, 13 games below I believe. I never here anything about his job being in jeopardy. What a joke this program has become. I don’t think it is gooing to be any better next year. Only recruit coming in is 6-6 kid Shumpert from Chicago minus AMow,J Smith, & Causey ( no loss there). Time for Radakovich to put his stamp on basketball program. Even if we got lucky in ACC PLAY and finished 8-8, that is only 15 wins + a loss to U CONN and first round loss in ACC tournament. Get rid of HEWITT NOW!!!!!!
By Chris
January 10, 2008 12:22 AM | Link to this
Shultz, rankings don’t mean sh-at. You’ve got to come up with better material or I’ll have to fire your azz.
By Gordon
January 10, 2008 12:26 AM | Link to this
At least Georgia has an excuse. They are less talented and have lost 3 players. Tech is just undercoached. There is no way they should lose to Georgia, even in Athens, with the roster they have and the way they played tonight. Georgia tried as hard as they could to give the game away but Tech just wouldn’t take it. I can’t believe I drove 140 miles to get called a nerd for that. Pitiful.
By Steve
January 10, 2008 3:49 AM | Link to this
What is it with Tech coaches? They recruit well but can’t coach a lick. In football, look at our QB’s. As the season progresses (and their four year careers progress) they not only don’t improve but actually get worse. We eventually wised up and moved on from the Gailey era.
The very same can be said about our basketball players. There are very few B-ball players who have improved while at Tech. Hewitt just is not a good teacher. His teams are very unorganized. The only thing worst than their man-to-man defense is their feeble attempt at playing zone. Players are out of position and often look confused. The offense is just as bad. There is no penetration by the guards or wings (no inside out gme). All they want to do is shoot 3-pointers. JSmith is a battler inside, but bless his soul he couldn’t hit a five footer even if no one was guarding him. Is it about time to close the door on the Hewitt era?
By LizDawg
January 10, 2008 7:52 AM | Link to this
GATA Dawgs! SEVEN IN A ROW in football and now UGA owns Tech in basketball too. I said it’s GREAT to be a Georgia Bulldog! Can’t wait to sweep them in baseball this spring.
Tech athletics=the picture of mediocrity.
By mike
January 10, 2008 8:12 AM | Link to this
I suspect Dennis Felton would listen to an offer from GT if they came calling. He is a good basketball coach and gets alot out of a little. He could turn Tech’s program around in one season. Presently both programs are terrible with Tech being the worse of the two. Felton has had to deal with player issues since he got to Athens. I see Tech winning 3 more games this year.
By Sambo McPoot
January 10, 2008 8:17 AM | Link to this
Day both stunk it up
By 82DAWG
January 10, 2008 8:30 AM | Link to this
The only reason nobody is calling Felton’s head is that all UGA fans are so giddy over the football success. But does anyone remember how much fun Spring is when you have a competitive team in the NCAA tournament. Okay, you have to have a REALLY good memory, but do names like Terrell Bell, Carlos Strong, Shandon Anderson ring a bell? Okay, maybe not, but this UGA basketball program is a joke. Are you telling me that we are the number 3 ranked team in the State? When will Felton be held accountable for the sustained lack of success for this team. This continuous revolving door of players and his “my way or the highway” approach are failing miserably. Soon no one is going to want to play for him. This is just all so VERY disappointing. UGA DOES NOT DESERVE THIS. Where is the www.firefeltonnow.com website, I want to be a charter member!!!
By TDone
January 10, 2008 8:39 AM | Link to this
The situation is this, Tech lost to Muttland in both football and basketball. However, the lives of Tech people has not changed in the aftermath of it. But the Muttlanders believe their lives have changed as a result of it.
I think that about sums it up.
Go Jackets!!!
By Tech75
January 10, 2008 8:51 AM | Link to this
I agree with an earlier poster.
When is Hewitt going to be held accountable by DRad?
I see no evidence of coaching or motivational ability (Gaileyesque in its scale), and only his modest ability in recruiting has saved him from complete disrepute.
Start looking now for the next coach - don’t wait for a 8-18 season and another missed NCAA
By 82DAWG
January 10, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this
TDone, if my life hinged on the success/failure of simpling beating Tech in basketball every year, life would be great. Unfortunately trying to juggle being a single father and IT Proj Manager, I take my pleasures in life where and when I can find them.
By Politics
January 10, 2008 8:56 AM | Link to this
GT’s basketball program needs consistency. Lately, it has been consistenly bad. It’s going to get harder to recruit these one-year-wonders if the team continues doing so poorly. GT needs to redefine their goals as a team and start winning consistently. That may aid the team in keeping the talented players more than a year or two. How often do you see players leaving after a year at NC or Duke? GT needs to move from being a turnstile to being a basketball program.
By JJ
January 10, 2008 8:56 AM | Link to this
Hey Jeff:
Mike Mercer: not a senior.
Your editors failed you again.
By Robert
January 10, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this
Dang. There is something wearying about watching a team (GT) play an Indiana and Kansas tough but then, as if almost scripted, stink it up against the likes of Georgia State and Georgia. The latter two are simply not very good teams. Something ain’t right here and honestly, it is not clear Tech will win a game in the ACC this season.
By Brad
January 10, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this
TDone, nice try man. The fact that we’re both on this blog would suggest that the event had significance. Life or death, no. Yes, there are fans of both the old gold and red threads who get a little too worked up over a sloppy basketball game in the Steg, but for most of us logical GT and UGA fans, it’s just another chance to support our struggling teams. Go Dawgs!
By Phildo
January 10, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this
Yeah, Hewitt has turned out to be a big disppointment, actually worse than Chan. His record is now worse than Cremin’s for Cremin’s last equal number of games when he was in decline. Although gone, Techsters still love Bobby (and Whack Hyder), but when Hewitt finally leaves/is terminated, he’ll quickly fade in oblivion. Oh, wait, he’s already there.
By Bored
January 10, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this
So, Georgia beats Tech in again. Yawn. This is getting comical.
By GT Fan
January 10, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this
Both teams look about as coordinated and organized as elementary school kids during a recess pickup game.
Was the Jack/Elder/Bynum/Muhammad/Lewis/McHenry/Schenscher group really that good or that coachable, but no other team has been since? I’d argue there was a lot more talent on the team last year, but they weren’t nearly as good.
What’s the name for the offense Hewit is running? Clogged toilet?
By Non Biased Observer
January 10, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this
With UGA just investing 25 million dollars into a new practice facility and offices, I feel the future is bright for their basketball program. Tech seems on the decline in basketball and needs to make a change. They USED to be known as a “basketball school.” I would like to see both programs succeed!
By Non Biased Observer
January 10, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this
With UGA just investing 25 million dollars into a new practice facility and offices, I feel the future is bright for their basketball program. Tech seems on the decline in basketball and needs to make a change. They USED to be known as a “basketball school.” I would like to see both programs succeed!
By Skunker
January 10, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this
Will Morrow make it to the NBA?
By Charlotte Jacket
January 10, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this
TDone- You may have a point, but I’m one Tech fan who’s now taking the year off.
After driving four hours to ATL to watch that disaster against FSU in basketball, I drove four hours home on New Year’s Eve to watch the football Jackets tackle like a bunch of 14 year olds and lose to another FSU (and another set of Bulldogs).
Last night was the final straw. I’m out. I will no longer invest eight hours (round trip) in driving to ATL to watch these kids’ matador-defense, ridiculous inability to get the damn ball in bounds after a time-out, and selfish shooting.
Like 82DAWG, I’ve just got too many other things to do that get myself worked up over kids who apparently just don’t care.
Georgia fans: congratulations on a spectacular football season and your final ranking. Best of luck except when you play Tech. Luckily, I won’t be watching this year during baseball season.
I’ve been a big supporter of CPH (and would have been fine with CCG, but welcome CPJ!), but I just can’t take it any more. The next time I darken these boards will be 1/1/09.
Happy 2008!
By GT80
January 10, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this
bob, the answer is now. I’ve been a big Hewitt supporter and now I feel like an apologist just like I did with Chan for his 1st 4 years. I’m really disappointed in Hewitt’s sudden inability to coach. last nights game was it for me. I don’t know how this team wins a game the rest of the year and I think most of it is mental. Maybe it was Hewitt’s assistants that did all the real work in his early years.
And Brad, well said. It’s nice to know there are logical UGA fans out there. I knew there were but the majority that post on blogs are similar to LizDawg.
By KT
January 10, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this
Obviously Hewitt does not have what it takes to compete at Tech. If I need 10 guys who can outrun, outjump and outflub 10 other guys, I’ll take Tech’s BB team. But, if I want to win games in the ACC, I’ll start over and get some players with experience and savvy, not to mention the desire to win. Paul, I like you, but you gotta go.
By GT80
January 10, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this
Just read the write up by Matt and saw this quote from Clinch… “We had spurts where I didn’t feel like we played as hard as we could, and we didn’t follow the game plan,” said guard Lewis Clinch. “When you don’t follow the game plan, you come up short. That’s been the whole season. You can’t look for a jinx or whatever.”
WHAT?!?! How can you say you had guys not playing their hardest and not following the game plan? I’d say if a player doesn’t go all out and/or do what the coach has directed him to do he rides the pine. Maybe Hewitt needs to be more like Felton and tell these guys to either do it his way or go somewhere else.
I can’t believe this team is where it is. Being a Tech fan is almost as bad as being a Falcons fan.
By yellowblood
January 10, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this
Hewitt is keeping us from having Tickle Piles with his non performing basketball team. No one is in the mood. My God!!! This is worse than Football.
By unclebug
January 10, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this
The 2004 team, and I say “team” advisedly, was coached by the players — not by Hewitt. Marvin Lewis and Jarrett Jack were coaches on the floor. And don’t forget the guys off the bench who played with such passion. Clarence Moore (14 points in the regional final) was the best sixth man a team could wish for. Coach Hewitt doesn’t understand the concept of team play. He should do the honorable thing and resign.
By Charlotte Jacket
January 10, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this
Whew! I checked back to make sure my post went through, and thank goodness. I might have missed another brilliant post from yellowblood. I guess your mom didn’t wake you up early enough to be in the first five posters? I will miss your insight in 2008.
GT80, keep ‘em honest this year.
By abucs
January 10, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this
Lookied like a room full of monkies trying to screw in a single light bulb - they broke the bulb…
Hewitt’s not getting it done on a consistent basis. Nice guy, just not working out…
Simply too painful to watch any more this year…
By shane #1
January 10, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this
coach felton deserves a pat on the back for cleaning up the uga bb program.he did what needed to be done,imo,and i respect him for even accepting the job as hc at uga.quite frankly,i would not have wanted to take over a program in such chaos.now i am hearing some fellow dogs talking of firing him.i have one question for you disgruntled dogs.just who the hell would you hire?i don’t see a coach k or a roy williams jumping at the chance to take over the”final four”contender in athens.there was a cancer at the university,and coach felton is performing the necessary surgery.of course it is painful,but felton may save the program.i don’t know if he is the coach for the future,but his toughness is needed now.
By GT80
January 10, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this
You won’t hear an argument from me! Our program is in disarray and embarrassing! The Mutts own us.
By OG-T
January 10, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this
I dropped my Tech season tickets.
When I find myself looking at the coach (waiting for him to ‘COACH’), more than the game, the program has a problem.
When fans don’t notice the ‘refs’ that’s a well officiated game. When fans don’t think about the ‘coach’, that’s a well planned game.
We’re spending WAY too much attention on P-Hew. Clearly, there’s a problem with this program, and Coach has been given the time to fix it. Like with any business, which this really is, it’s time for a change.
Hewitt is a very good guy, but this program simply needs to move into a new chapter.
When that happens, I’ll buy back in.
By GaTech '86
January 10, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this
I think Hewitt should be on the Hot Seat and i think that we need to change bball coaches and football coaches in the same year for the first time, maybe ever.
By 82DAWG
January 10, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this
Shane, how much longer do you give Felton? I am 47 years old now. I don’t want to wait until my 50’s to have a good basketball team. My son is 12 now, he is not going to want to go to games with his dad forever. The scandal ocurred when the Freshmen on this team were in 6th grade. It is ancient history. these kids we are recruiting today have never even heard of Tony Cole or Jim Harrick. This team is painful. Every year is a rebuilding year because he is running a revolving door with his players. He has no more excuses. He has the $25 million facilities, the support of the administration and a fertile recruiting bed. No more time for excuses, its time for results.
By shane #1
January 10, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this
82dawg,unfortunately the sins of the father are passed down through the generations.our program cannot afford even the appearence of anything improper.after years of playing walk-ons and second and third tier recruits felton has a good recruiting class and things should turn around soon.i would give him two more years,and i am 58!i look for big things from this class and success will breed success.good athletes want to play on a team with other good athletes.when you start to sign four and five star recruits others will follow,and felton has sent a message to high school stars and their parents that you must go to class to play at uga.any player that does not understand this as a minimum requirement to keep his”scholarship”does not belong at the university!had the lord deemed to bless me with a son,and if he was a good basketball player i would consider felton’s tough stance a plus when looking at college programs.so would any parent that can see beyond the pie in the sky dream of big nba bucks.
By GT80
January 10, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this
Did LizDawg come on and post under my name? I would never utter the words “Mutts own us”. Geez people, have a little integrity and only post as yourself.
I heard Hewitt’s post game interview and he sounds distraught. Like he’s trying to coach these guys but they just don’t seem to get it. Unclebug is partially right, and if we had some smart senior (or junior)leadership like Lewis or Moore or Jack then Hewitt might look like a good coach again. Instead, we have J Smith who is an undersized power forward with no range in his game. He should be the banger/scrapper that comes off the bench to inject some enthusiasm, much like McHenry was for that ‘04 team. But instead he is our leader. Uggghh.
For you Dawg fans, I’d say if Felton doesn’t have a significantly better product next year then it’s time to worry. I’m already worrying about my team.
By RAMBLE ON!
January 10, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this
I said at the beginning of the year this was going to happen. Isn’t that right GT80 (you call me an “idiot”)?
HEWITT IS TERRIBLE, The team quit in the middle of the season 2 years ago, and they are going to do it again, watch and see. He’s still trying to figure out his team a rotation. GT will be defeated by 40points in at least 2 games this year.
THAT WAS THE WORST BASKETBALL GAME I’VE EVER SEEN
By RAMBLE ON!
January 10, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this
I said at the beginning of the year this was going to happen. Isn’t that right GT80 (you call me an “idiot”)?
HEWITT IS TERRIBLE, The team quit in the middle of the season 2 years ago, and they are going to do it again, watch and see. He’s still trying to figure out his teams rotation. GT will be defeated by 40points in at least 2 games this year.
THAT WAS THE WORST BASKETBALL GAME I’VE EVER SEEN A battle of two terrible teams.
By Pitbull
January 10, 2008 5:10 PM | Link to this
I think Hewitt is doing just a wonderful job for Tech and he should be signed to a long term contract by the Jackets. Don’t let that coach get away.
By high on the horse
January 10, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this
Hewitt is a one time wonder just like the Dawgs basketball team was a few years ago. But remember folks, defections, defections, defections can hurt. Not everyone can reload like UNC and Duke each year. Crittenton defection to NBA hurt and was unplanned. But I agree. He should be doing more w/ this team than just plain lacing up the shoes. This is bad to watch (except for the Kansas game where effort was shown)
By GreenJackets
January 10, 2008 7:52 PM | Link to this
Tech has shown how important a QB is to football and a point guard is to hoops. You have to cut Hewitt a little slack as no one expected Crittenton to bolt after one year. That being said, GT continues to show no offensive plan or execution. Too many turnovers as always and poor free throw shooting as usual.
By GT FAN
January 10, 2008 8:04 PM | Link to this
Rads needs to fire P. Hewitt. I’ve been saying that for three years. When his asst. coaches took off we see Paul can’t coach. Blaine is to Blame. Fire Hewitt
By Bk Hawk
January 10, 2008 10:45 PM | Link to this
A lot of empty seats at Thriller Dome. Maybe we should change the name to Loser Dome. Fire Paul.
By Whack
January 11, 2008 3:12 AM | Link to this
It’s time to fire Hewitt and hire Pat Summit from UTenn.
By Whack
January 11, 2008 3:12 AM | Link to this
It’s time to fire Hewitt and hire Pat Summit from UTenn.
By Whack
January 11, 2008 3:12 AM | Link to this
It’s time to fire Hewitt and hire Pat Summit from UTenn.