AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2007 > March > 15
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Not one of coach K’s better performances
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Told you I’d be back for a bonus blog. Don’t have much to say about Tech, but what about Duke losing in the first round since 1996? Credit where it’s due, that’s awesome. And so is going to nine straight Sweet 16s like the Blue Devils.
But you don’t have to go far to find people pleased by Duke losing. Remember, that’s a young team, but they have five (I think) former McDonalds All-Americans on that roster. There are very good pieces on that team. DeMarcus Nelson is a very good player; I’d love him on my team. Scheyer is full-bore all the time. And McRoberts is going to be a lottery pick. They’re not the only fine players, though.
The Blue Devils don’t blend very well, though, and McRoberts has not had a good season. He’s nowhere near as assertive as he needs to be for his size, experience relative to his teammates, and skill set. Defensively, Duke is alright. Offensively, they had no personality this season. And their most determined player, the one best equipped to set their collective frame of mind, is poorly positioned to do it.
That’s Scheyer. Problem is two-fold; he’s a freshman, and he’s not a point guard (although he played it some early in the season when Paulus was injured). And I don’t know if it’s in his personality anyway.
Not one of coach K’s better performances this year. He’s as much to blame, in my opinion, as anyone. He recruited the players, and did a fine job doing it, but didn’t blend them very well.
As for Tech, if UNLV hits six or fewer 3-point shots, the Rebels have no chance. If they hit 10 or more, they’re in great shape. In the middle, anybody’s ball game. The Jackets have to beat the Rebs up in the paint and limit the damage by UNLV outside of the arc.
Permalink | Comments (8) | Post your comment |
Smith, West need to lead
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’ll get back with another blog later, but as people keep asking me what the key to Tech is, I’ve spent a little more time thinking about that than usual.
While playing well in winning seven of their last nine in the regular season, the Jackets defended and rebounded much better than in the middle third of the season. Some games, better defense than others.
Can’t sell short the importance of either one, but in looking for a way to approach from a different angle I’ll suggest that if you looks to be more specific, the Jackets to to follow the leads of Jeremis Smith and Mario West. First, though, they each need to take the bit and order a pace to follow.
There’s a reason Paul Hewitt added Jeremis as a co-captain with West after the season. In both players’ cases, their greatest effect does not always show up box scores. They’re not stats guys, but energy guys. Emotional cores.
UNLV coach Lon Kruger was quick to mention Javaris Crittenton and Thaddeus Young in his opening comments. When asked about Smith he said, “He’s a guy who’s kind of the glue. He’s a guy who’s physical. He’s involved in a lot of plays. He handles the ball well, he’s one of their inside guys, always going to the boards, active defensively. Our guys recognize very quickly that it’s not just about Crittenton or Young or Morrow.”
