AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2006 > October > 24
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Picking up the pieces
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The mood at Georgia Tech Tuesday was what you’d expect, and then some, as players were as sullen or moreso as all season, which is to say more deflated - by far in my opinion - than after losing to Notre Dame.
My theory is the nature of Saturday’s 31-7 loss at Clemson was a lopsided game whereas the Notre Dame game was not.
Add the fact that the run defense — which Tech takes great pride in — was gutted, and the Yellow Jackets’ wonder weapon — Calvin Johnson — was shut out, and it probably doesn’t come as a shock.
Still, the Jackets know that the Miami game matters more than the Clemson game because the Hurricanes are in Tech’s division in the ACC. “We’re aware of that, but our coaches always tell us the next game is important,” said linebacker Philip Wheeler. “We feel the same way the coaches do about it. We’re really excited to kind of redeem ourselves, and to win against Miami to maybe even clinch an ACC title.”
As Gailey said, “[Players] understand this is a division game. Division games are always big because not only do you get a win, you give somebody in your division a loss. That’s what you’re trying to do, win the division so you get to the championship game. That’s why this is big, because it is a division game. It is bigger in the scheme of getting to Jacksonville than last week’s game. Division games take on double importance.”
Miami’s defense is still very good, ranked No. 8 in the nation, in fact (Clemson is No. 4, Virginia Tech No. 6 and Georgia Tech No. 37). The running game’s been very poor, but appears to be improving, and the ‘Canes will get back 12 of the 13 players suspended for that ridiculous brawl on Oct. 14. They can throw some, too.
I think the psychological approach this week is more important than game-planning. Gotta convince players they’re still a good team.
It looks like Avery Roberson will replace Jahi Word-Daniels at cornerback in the starting lineup. Word-Daniels had problems, and so did several teammates, with tackling at Clemson. His knee may be bothering him, too.
Regarding basketball, at the ACC gathering Sunday in Greensboro, N.C., I found several things interesting, including coach Paul Hewitt’s willingness to gush about a player who hasn’t played, forward Mouhammad Faye. Team officials have re-measured players, saying he stands 6-10 1/2 in shoes (like Alade Aminu, by the way), and that Jeremis Smith (among others) also has grown, to 6-7 1/2 in shoes.
Hewitt said Smith’s improved offensively while facing the basket and has added enough quickness to occasionally defend the small forward spot, players are having problems communicating on defense, Lewis Clinch and Anthony Morrow will be the shooting guards, Morrow (back) is slated to return to practice Nov. 5, and he likes the overall versatility of his players.
The Jackets will be bigger, and they’ll play differently. They’re going to get into people’s faces a lot more, and attack on offense. Apparently, they’ve re-tooled their fast break, for example, so that when they don’t get a layup right away rather than pull the ball all the way out to near halfcourt to re-set the offense, the goal will be more to make quick passes and get a shot up quicker.
Piecing tidbits together, here’s your starting lineup: Center - Ra’Sean Dickey; power forward - Smith; small forward - Thaddeus Young; shooting guard - Morrow, or Clinch at the beginning of the season if Morrow’s not ready; and point guard - Javaris Crittenton.
Mario West will play backup PG, and D’Andre Bell will play there some was well.
Aminu and freshman Zack Peacock will see honest action in the frontcourt, but it’s a little less certain if freshman Brad Sheehan (6-11) will fit in the rotation. Hewitt says he needs to bulk up, like Morrow, who claims that after playing last season at around 205 pounds, he’s up around 215 or so. He claims, and Hewitt more or less back it up, that it’s muscle, not chow.
