AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2007 > January > 04
Thursday, January 4, 2007
Basket full of ‘ifs’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This much we know: Georgia Tech’s at least as good as last season in men’s basketball. They have the same number of wins, 11, as last year. Of course, they have 16 games left to prove they’re better now, and they will.
But man, this is a brutal way to dive into the teeth of the ACC thrashing machine. At Clemson (15-0), home against Duke (13-1), home against vastly improved Florida State (12-3), at North Carolina (13-1) and at Maryland (13-2).
That’s not a schedule. That’s a death march.
Then again …
If Javaris Crittenton keeps taking care of the ball (27 assists, one turnover in the past three games) …
If the defense keeps the screws tight, and especially if Tech’s press keeps improving …
If Ra’Sean Dickey remains alert and perky, rather than slipping into that somnambulant dream world that coach Paul Hewitt loathes …
If Thaddeus Young keeps getting it, as he has for about three solid weeks now …
If Hewitt keeps players on the same page he’s on …
If Mouhammad Faye keeps improving upon his legend (what a line last night: 10 points, nine rebounds, five assists, no turnover, a steal) …
If Anthony Morrow hangs onto his stroke, which he has recovered while getting his weight down from a high of 223 pounds to the 210 he set as a goal for this season (five pounds bigger than last season) …
Then, it may hurt less to lose Lewis Clinch, which is not a lock anyway the way I understand things (and that’s not in any more detail than I’ve written).
Buckle up. Countdown to launch, 48 hours.
P.S. I don’t believe there’s anything to worry about with regards to Mario West. He didn’t play after twisting his back last night, but it didn’t appear to be serious. If I learn otherwise later today, I’ll post something on the website.
