Tech

By Oddjob

March 17, 2007 8:54 PM | Link to this

No comments that is a sad comment in itself.I’m not posting to praise or bury Hewett in fact I’m not here to post about basketball,I’m not even much of a tech fan.In fact I’m a dawg for life.So what the hell am I doing here? It’s to comment on a player I watched video of,a football player one Steven Threet a qb in this years tech recruiting class.Mark my words even though he isn’t even the highest rated qb to sign with tech this year if he gets the chance he will own all the school records when he’s finished.The guy has a strong arm a great release and superb rhythm on his throws.

By JERRY MANIS

March 17, 2007 11:00 PM | Link to this

WATCHING THE GAME BETWEEN TECH AND UNLV MADE ME WONDER IF THIS WAS A TWHOLE TEAM OF REGGIE BALLS WITH THE STUPID MENTAL MISTAKES THAT THEY MADE AND ESPECIALLY CRITTENTON’S (ABOUT THE ONLY PRO TEAM DUMB ENOUGH TO TAKE HIM WOULD HAVE TO BE THE ATLANTA HAWKS). I DON’T KNOW IF IT IS THE COACHING OR JUST THE LOW IQ’S OF THE PLAYERS, BUT TECH RESEMBLES A TEAM WITH NO OFFENSIVE DIRECTION, NO DEFENSE AND NOTHING BETWEEN THE EARS. I HAVE NEVER SEEN A T.V. NETWORK SWITCH FROM A LOCAL TEAMS GAME TO ANOTHER GAME BECAUSE THE TEAM WAS PLAYING SO SORRY, THAT EVEN THE ANNOUNCERS WERE MAKING COMMENTS ABOUT THEM, BUT CBS DID JUST THAT. I’VE BEEN A TECH FAN FOR MANY YEARS, BUT THEY DISGUST ME.

By curtrob2000

March 18, 2007 1:20 AM | Link to this

well Jerry im sorry you are so disgusted in the team that you so-called stand behind and cheer for. you wanna know what i am disgusted about, its people like you. no wonder dawg fans come on our blogs and belittle us for not being faithful fans. as soon as we lose a game, people are disgusted with the team. how do you think the players feel to know that there fans think they’re stupid and dumb. maybe thats part of the reason some of the better players dont choose to come to tech because at times we are known for lack of support. i for one am not DISGUSTED in the team. i am disappointed in the loss, but not the team or the coach. personally i think we have the best coach in America, yea i said it , i think Paul Hewitt is the best coach in the nation. he knows the game, and he knows how to get his team prepared. now sometimes his team loses, its apart of playing the sport. they have the talent and the ability but this year lacked the experience. maybe we got beat by a better team, why not give the other team credit sometime instead of pointing at the players and coaches. this was the first time these kids played on a stage this big. and i am not saying they choked, i am simply saying we played a better team who had been there before. id like to see how well you handle pressure in front of millions at 18 years old.

and these Reggie Ball comparisons are getting old and played. his collegiate career is over, let the Reggie comments cease from now on, because its not fair to him or anyone you compare him too. he has nothing to do with basketball.. i understand your passion but take into consideration the kids and their feelings sometimes. its bad enough they lost, because they have to live with that, but to have their so called fans calling them dumb after a loss is just assinine.

to the players and the coaching staff i am so proud of you guys, there was a time when most thought we would not get this far and we did, and for that i know we have a team that fights to win and will play better next season..

Go Jackets!!!

By surfrider

March 18, 2007 1:27 AM | Link to this

We all need to step back and look at the Hewitt era, including Paul himself. It’s not time to ride him out or hope that he vacates but to readjust to the new realities. Tech I don’t believe has finished higher than 4th place in the regular season and has only advanced maybe twice past the first game of the NCAA’s of which it has been to maybe 3 times give or take on. For a major conference team in the city of Atlanta this is not real good overall but there are signs things may start to payoff more consistently. It starts with recruiting. Players should stay at least two years now, the stars before leaving for the NBA. This should allow Hewitt to adjust to bring in a mix of top talent with some role and team players. Chemistry is an issue that needs to address along with a dominant small forward, shooting guard and center. Bring back the Cremins formula to go with Hewitt’s defensive and depth formula. Start to recruit two stars every year with two or three role players.

By curtrob2000

March 18, 2007 1:35 AM | Link to this

and one more thing Jerry Mr.Observant the reason CBS was switching to other games is because its the only station showing the games. and in case you didnt know there were 2 or 3 games being played while tech was playing. its a nationally broadcast tournament and Tech was not the only team in the tourney. i was watching today and they switch back and forth to different games all day. but since you were too disgusted to watch it really shouldn’t have matter, right?

Go cheer for another team, we dont have time for fans that only support the team when we win. we need real fans and its obvious you’re not one of them..

By hawks r cursed for trading nique

March 18, 2007 3:20 AM | Link to this

Im a tech fan thru it all since the late 80’s when i was a little kid. I watched all the games by myself during the 90 final 4 run where we gave UNLV there closest game of the tourney. I loved crimens but I like Hewitt as well and think were lucky to have him.
Surfrider: what are you talking about….we have one of the best small forwards in the nation in young. (to bad his shot selection sucks) The problem with this team was the loss of clinch (his scoring and ballhandling). Tech will be LOADED next year even if young leaves.
Jerry: u can go jump off the tech bandwagon u obviously jumped on after the 2004 finals season. Same to all the falcons fans that jumped on after they drafted vick.
even thou this loss hurt give unlv credit…there a senior led team and they hit there freethrows.
Even thou tech got some bad calls in the game thats just how it is sometimes. Mario West ….u will be missed….its not to often u see a walkon playing a major part of a team and thats a tribute to his hard work! plus hes from douglasville and ive never known anyone else from my hometown that played on my favorite team! everytime they announced his name and hometown i felt pride.
Go Jackets!!

By Jacket 4 Life

March 18, 2007 3:57 AM | Link to this

Curtrob 2000….

A lot of good points, but Paul Hewitt is not the best coach in the country, but he’s learning…Understand, he did not have this kind of talent at Siena and he’s learning how to coach top flight talents;he’s been much better coaching up lesser talents (Ie…Will Bynum, Clarence Moore,B.J.Elder and Mario West), but he’ll learn that he has to get tougher with these young talents….and youth is no longer an excuse because that is the name of the game now….He may be guilty of trusting his kids too much and that’s OK…We’ll be OK…and as for Crittenton and Young, if the money’s there, take it guys, I would, and thanks for coming !

By TechTony

March 18, 2007 6:14 AM | Link to this

Now that we’ve had a little better than a day and a half to get over the disappointing loss to UNLV,perhaps we can get a better handle on what the future holds for the Jackets.

Unfortunately, unless staff changes are made, the coaching deficiency will remain the same. As I have stated in a previous post, you can name one, at most two, players that have improved under Hewitt’s instruction (and if you’re counting, I’m thinking West and maybe Ish Muhammed). Given the turnover problems never abated and at times a maddening ability to perform a simple inbounds play, it is fair to wonder if the staff even recognizes its shortcomings. It is somewhat reminiscient of the last days of the Cremins era in that there seems to be little help coming from the assistants (Cremins always had the foresight to have guys like Cantwell, Clark, Felton, etc. on board whereas Hewitt seemingly gets little help or he either outright ignores advice). Yet for his real or easily perceivedable struggles as a bench coach, there can be no questioning Paul Hewitt’s ability to sell the Tech program and keep a roster stocked with talent. The extra year of experience will no doubt help, as will the return of Lewis Clinch, who if nothing else, possesses the ball skills to spell Crittendon. Rather than being junior/freshman dominated, they’ll then be senior/sophomore and if the UNLV loss taught us anything, it’s that a senior oriented team with heart can overcome a more physically gifted team. Today is bleak yet tonmorrow holds promise. Practice begins in October, huh? Can’t wait…..

By Kay

March 18, 2007 6:49 AM | Link to this

I am a die hard Tech fan. Always have been. It just always seems with Tech, it’s always “wait until next year.” But as with any family, you always have hope things will get better. And with Hewitt and our players, things do look like they will get better. Wait till next year!

By GT80

March 18, 2007 7:53 AM | Link to this

Guess what folks, after today there will only be 16 teams that are not saying “wait ‘til next year” and to be one of those 16 is really tough. Just ask Duke, BC, Maryland, Mich St. and a few other top programs in college Bball. Waiting until next year is hard but we have a lot to look forward to. And please don’t tell me you think we have a “coaching deficiency”, I remember the same in-bounds play problems under Cremins. I know that ever since PH has been coach that whenever we call a timeout and a play is set up we tend to get a good shot. Coaches can draw up plays all day and but the players still have to execute them.

Let’s look forward to next season when we will have as talented a team as we’ve ever had. I love going to the games and cheering for my college in a exciting/fun atmosphere and seeing top flight college bball and can’t wait to do it all over again, no matter how far they go in any tourney.

By John

March 18, 2007 9:31 AM | Link to this

Go LADY JACKETS. Now there’s a team and coach that makes me proud.

Get off Jerry’s back. He can say whatever he likes. Hewitt is a nice guy and a good recruiter, but just an average coach. Those that think otherwise don’t really know the game or are living in denial. Players change, the coach doesn’t. I’m not sure why you all think anything will be different. This ‘wait until next year’ is stupid and tired and so typical of our school. We are resigned to ALWAYS waiting until next year. Well, I wanted it this year. And football comparisons are A-OK by me because if you want to talk about the biggest disappointment ever with a GT sports team - that would be it - also coach related!

My local paper, all the way up in Ohio, had a blurb in the ‘They Said It’ portion of the sports page attributed to Bill Simmons of ESPN.com.

“With UNLV winning by 11, Billy Packer describes Georgia Tech’s offense as ‘directionless.’ That’s a nice way of saying, ‘What the hell is their coach doing?’”

I don’t think we need to say anymore!!!

By Doc Dawg

March 18, 2007 9:56 AM | Link to this

Look bees, here’s your problem. Clinch’s stupidity put way too much pressure on a freshman, Critt. Young was not anywhere near what was advertised. Your preseason ranking was based on him being a Brooks type impact player. He was a force in only 3 or 4 of your games and disappeared in both tourneys. Dickey did not develop and in fact, seemed to regress. Your coach is a good man, recruits well, but you seem to get out X’ed and O’ed.

By destin

March 18, 2007 9:57 AM | Link to this

If I were a betting man, I would say the chances of Young leaving are very high. A lottery pick is expected to contribute right away and I don’t know if the NBA scouts will rank him top 15. From a selfish standpoint, if he stayed another year, he would likely be top 10. Crittenton is probably 50/50. There is no doubt that another year of seasoning in the ACC would not only prepare him better for the rigors of the NBA, but improve his draft status as well. We do have some pretty good talent next year, but I am a little worried about our small forward position if Young is gone. Who will our starter and backup be at this position? Right now the only options I see are Faye and a couple of guards that could swing down if necessary(Bell,Morrow). Do we have another scholarship available if Young leaves and we could find a ‘true’ 3 that can score consistently?

By Dante21

March 18, 2007 10:12 AM | Link to this

Coach—Step #1 for the 2007/08 season.

Tell Dickey—Smith—Morrow you’re red-shirting them the entire season. They’ll either do it and mature, or they’ll moan and groan and leave, solving the scholarship problem among others.

Either way it’s appealing.

By i have told you before

March 18, 2007 11:25 AM | Link to this

Paul Hewitt can’t coach stick with him and this is what you get every year.

By IWrecken

March 18, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this

I’m disappointed in Coach Hewitt’s comments.

How can you not be disappointed in the way his team played against UNLV and in other games during the course of the year. Make no mistake about it, Hewitt was outcoached by Lon Krueger.

Yes, we have talent but is it the right talent to win games and have a successful program more often than not. Great recruiting only means that. What you do with those recruits is what matters.

We’ve had some great classes under Coach Hewitt but the results don’t coincide with the talent we’re suppose to have. I like Coach Hewitt but that isn’t good enough. You have to produce and right now that’s is not happening.

He should have been very disappointed in his team and instead he’s frustrated?? I don’t think that’s the answer a coach who’s looking to build a Top 25 Program more often than not should be saying.

We’re lacking in coaching and direction right now and it shows.

By destin

March 18, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this

The rap on Cremins was good recruiter — bad floor coach. We thought Hewitt would excell at the latter, but at some point soon he must deliver the goods. I have no doubt Hewitt wants to win as much as anybody and I hope he does a serious evaluation of his own flaws this off-season. His dream of being HC of the Knicks is drifting away.

By Techster

March 18, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this

Fire Paul Hewitt!!!! Fire Paul Hewitt!!!! Fire Paul Hewitt!!!! Fire Paul Hewitt!!!! Fire Paul Hewitt!!!! Fire Paul Hewitt!!!! Fire Paul Hewitt!!!! Fire Paul Hewitt!!!!

By noel malone

March 18, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this

It is possible to be a loyal tech fan and also to use this column to critique the program. After all, do you think Hewitt pays any attention to whats said here??

I hope Aminu wins the center job next year and that Dickey leaves the program. What a disappointment he has been. I’d like for Crit to return, and it Young returns, Hewitt needs to tell him he has to win a job. I think he was coddled too much this year. he obviously did not live up to his press clippings. And to all you “wait till next year” guys, I recall that there was a lot of that talk before this year. Yes, there is a lot of talent coming back - with or without Crit/Young, but I think Hewitt should make it clear that every starting positon is wide open and the starting jobs must be won.

By ben

March 18, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this

I’m frustated that we have two possible lottery picks and can’t get past the first game of the ACC and NCAA tournaments.

By RDU_GT

March 18, 2007 1:13 PM | Link to this

Lance Storrs, Crittenton, Clinch, and a Mc D all american forward to replace Young. GT will be fine next year. Every team has just as good of a chance to lose as the next in the tourney. At least we were one of the 64 that made it. I’m proud and will continue to cheer and support the team.

But we do have to seriously step back and evaluate PH’s game plan. Yes, kids have to execute, but he has to give them the best possible plan to execute. I just don’t think that’s happening each night. He has done a great job of adjusting (down by 14 and tie the game) but UNLV clearly had a better game plan. Does anyone know how to box out?? Fundamentals are the key. Hewitt has to get a role player or two on this team. You can have 5 McD All Americans, but someone has to light fire under these kids.

By WhereRthe Jackets?

March 18, 2007 1:18 PM | Link to this

1. Offensively, Paul Hewitt is LOST.
2. Defensively, Dickey is LOST.
3. Crittenton and Young both need to go, especially Young.
4. Crittenton is no Jack, Anderson, Best or Price. 5.The team cant inbound, dribble, or shoot free throws (see 1. above)
5. Next year will be more of the same of this year. Bah Humbug!

By Gordon Pfeiffer

March 18, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this

Sometimes a team can have too much talent, which leads to individual instead of team play. I just remember too many times a guy like Young would get the ball down low and try to force a basket with two guys on him, trying to make things happen with their atheticism. Tech’s two final four teams had roles players (McNeil and Brown in ‘90, McHenry, Ish, and Schenser in ‘04). Both had less overall talent than this team. Hewitt needs a couple of great players, and then several solid players like Elder who are good but not so good they don’t stay 4 years. He also needs mentally tough players. I liked his comments about this being a “feel good” team. They can’t handle adversity, which is why they can’t win away from AMC. The ‘04 team with guys like Moore, Jack, and Ish knew how to fight. We should NEVER lose a game because the other team tried harder, especially with the depth we have.

By i have told you before

March 18, 2007 2:02 PM | Link to this

Will the class of Dickey,Smith,Morrow and Frederick go down as the worst recruiting class in Tech history? Is it possible that Dickey will leave the program? If all players return next year how many scholarship players will they have?

By destin

March 18, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this

Lawai is a power forward — can he be the full-time 3 ? Small forward is the position we are thin at if Young leaves. When we lost Clinch, we lost a lot of our perimeter offense. Is it definite that he’s coming back? With Morrow, Clinch, Storrs and an improved Crittenton we would be OK from 3 point land. We have enough people at the 4,5 positions and with Miller and Causey coming online PG should be OK.

By hawks r cursed for trading nique

March 18, 2007 3:33 PM | Link to this

I stand by dickey and think hell be a nice backup next season. I hope crinttenton stays and if young leaves then i think Faye would do a great job taking his place (more defense, not as many dumb selfish shots). Well be loaded next year with what we so badly lacked this year (pure shooters). I like smith but get so tired of seeing him catching the ball around the 3 point line. Next year WE will be the senior led team playing with heart and emotion like unlv was this year.
To all you pple critising cremins x’s and o’s …..he took a team that wasnt supposed to do anything to the title game of there tourney this past year! and as for Hewitt….he says he lets his assistants draw up a game plan for each game. I think he could really use some older wiser assistants on the bench to help him!! Look at the Mavs…u can never have to many good coaches on the bench.

By TexasWreck

March 18, 2007 5:48 PM | Link to this

Remember: TECH WENT FROM 11-17 TO 21-11. That for you Bulldogs and Techices alike is called success and improvement. Tech is not as good as the top ranked teams, but can compete when it all goes right. Next year will be another chance to improve, but without a lot of luck and some smart play by the players, Tech will make the tournament, perhaps the Sweet Sixteen, but I do not see a national championship. So what????

By Oddjob

March 18, 2007 6:22 PM | Link to this

RUD-GT How can you say Crittenton is no Jack?the kid ran the team as a true freshman!This team had plenty to criticize but Crit is easy the best player on the team and if he stays he’ll be as good as any point gaurd in the acc.

By jimbo

March 18, 2007 6:28 PM | Link to this

Wait til next year, just like every other year for the Tech faithful. Big dreams, small results.

By Oddjob

March 18, 2007 6:30 PM | Link to this

For you football fans I posted at the top about Steven Threet the qb tech signed last month.He isn’t even the highest rated qb they signed but if he gets the job he will be the best to play at tech and will set all the records.

By Get Serious

March 18, 2007 7:15 PM | Link to this

TechTony,

Please stop posting comments that demonstrate your lack of basketball acumen. Right off the bat, I can think of more than a dozen players who have improved under Hewitt to include almost the entire 2004 squad. Yes the Junior class has been disappointing, but recruiting 16 to 18 year olds is not an exact science. Just ask Duke about some their recent busts, all of which were more highly rated coming out of high school than anyone in our junior class. No one is saying Coach K should go….

Losing Clinch obviously upset the entire offensive scheme and I give Hewitt credit for not letting the kids pack it in at 2 and 6. Any honest assesment recognizes that this season was a rebound over last year, and something to build on next year with the amount of talent coming in and returning.

By ga_tech_92

March 18, 2007 7:46 PM | Link to this

Go Jackets!
Thanks for the heart Mario!!

By ACC - POWER CONFERENCE???

March 18, 2007 7:57 PM | Link to this

How can anyone think the ACC is better than the SEC when there are 3 SCE teams in the Sweet Sixteen and only 1 left from the ACC?????

By George Rosser

March 18, 2007 8:05 PM | Link to this

Metriculated Tech ‘47 and was a fan before that. But I have some bad news for Tech fans re Hewitt. He’s not a good coach. Great recruiter but poor coach.

I live in NC so see much of Roy Williams and Coach K. In my opinion, had Tech had them and the talent Hewitt recruited, we would be where NC is today and headed north.

The ACC and the NCAA performance this year has shown me that you have to more than one of the best recruiter around. You have to be coach, and Paul is not the latter.

Sorry about that, fans, but he’ll be gone in 2 years. I hope he wins the ACC and gets to the final four next year, but I doubt it’ll happen.

By War Eagle

March 18, 2007 8:38 PM | Link to this

Sorry Tech when so soon, I was pulling for them…SEC was the better conference than ACC in basketball this year…

By D from Dville

March 18, 2007 9:32 PM | Link to this

The ACC iS the better conference and history proves that. In the final 4 it will be one acc team…and one sec team. There actually pretty equal this past year…but then again it was a down year for the ACC. GT would be VERY dominant thou if they played in the sec. The best teams dont always win u know.
Jimbo: at least us true fans HAVE something to cheer about thats meaningfull instead of jumping on whoevers winnings bandwagon…dont jump back on the bandwagon when were in the final 4 next year. Go Tech!!

By Gen Neyland

March 18, 2007 10:58 PM | Link to this

Thought I’d slum over here to mention UT, Vandy and Memphis are heading into the Sweet 16…Three teams from Tennessee, and that isn’t counting Women’s BB…

It is a beautiful day…

By jim70

March 19, 2007 7:33 AM | Link to this

Crit did a much better job this year than Jack did his freshman year - give him a break. Paul is a good coach, maybe not a great one yet, but he is getting there. The major complaint I have on him is the inability to get his team properly motivated. Maybe needs new assistant coaches?

Curtrob2000 said it right on CBS. How could they air EVERY game for the women’s tournament a few years ago, and only a few of the men’s. I am not going to watch a georgetown/belmont game, if i get a choice of three or four games, one of them should be interesting. in the past i would keep it on as background noise to get scores, but with the internet, who needs it.

had it on espn.com and cbssportsline.com and amazing with cbs covering the ncaa - the espn was quicker/more responsive with the scores. shows you what a dog cbs is.

hopefully young/jc stays next year. they have the talent for the nba but not the experience. a team will take them, but like dion, they will ride the bench and not play much for a few years.

By coach

March 19, 2007 8:21 AM | Link to this

This team did well! If Paul can keep them on the campus and continue to add talent, he will compete for the National Championship over the next few years.

And, a side note, it will be a long hard slog for the dogs.

By JustMe

March 19, 2007 9:31 AM | Link to this

I am proud of Tech men’s basketball. I feel that this team did show character, but it also showed that it is young. For their sakes, I hope that the freshmen return next year so that they can mature. If they jump to the NBA and get on a team, they will be bench warmers for a long time until they mature.

By curtrob2000

March 19, 2007 9:42 AM | Link to this

good job for the SEC in the tourney so far. i am an ACC basketball fan and more so a Tech fan, but my hats off to the SEC, the ACC didnt fair so well the first couple days this year, oh well ish happens. either way i route for any team that beats UGA. Go Dawgs good luck against Air Force tonight. i dont think they lost a home game this year, so that should be fun for you guys. well, the ACC still UNC and although i think they have the talent to win it all , i think the championship will eventually have to go through Florida. and the reason i am slightly pulling for the gators is because those kids made a promise to come back and repeat, and thats something i have nothing but respect for. oh yea and they humiliated UGA in the SEC tourney. LOL

By Brooke Steppe

March 19, 2007 9:55 AM | Link to this

I, Brooke Steppe, am available.

By SlimG

March 19, 2007 9:58 AM | Link to this

Better hope Hewitt doesn’t leave. This guy stepped up after the Cremins debacle and puts a quality product on the court every game. With top quality players leaving early, each season will be an adventure. Defense wins championships, and if memory serves Bobby never won a single national championship even with lethal weapon3. Tech will always have a chance as long as Paul is around. UNLV was just the better team that played a better game. End of story.

By John

March 19, 2007 12:11 PM | Link to this

Slim G - slim thoughts. We were, what? 1-17 on the road over the last 2 years. Wake up - we are sorry and WERE sorry this year. He had the #6 recruiting class and this is what he did with it. If you think he is a good coach, you are entitled to that. But many of us, who know whats going on, disagree. END OF STORY!

By JustMe

March 19, 2007 12:28 PM | Link to this

John,

I agree with Slim G and very much disagree with you. And, you don’t need to lump people that “know whats going on” with your opinion because I do not think that your opinion represents every one!

Those of us that were around during the Cremins era remember. Cremins was a great recruiter and motivator, but sorely lacked as a game-time coach. He won games with the talent he could recruit, period.

Hewitt is not only a good recruiter, but he is also a good coach. You may not agree with the style of play that he coaches (the running game), but he does coach it well. He may not call time outs at the right times, but honestly, that is the only fault that I can find with him.

This current team has young talent. They are immature and need time to develop. Look at their shooting percentage in the UNLV game and that will tell you the whole story - our young kids were nervous.

My hope is that this young talent doesn’t do something stupid and try to jump to the NBA. They are just not ready yet.

I also hope that Hewitt stays with Tech for many years. He is a class act that compliments Tech in every way.

By louisville slugger

March 19, 2007 12:54 PM | Link to this

Two words — “point guard”. If JC stays, great, but he’d better be coached on being a true point guard. Either way, we’d be better served with a couple of ball-handling, distributing point guards in this recruiting class, or this trend of underachieving is going to continue. It does no good to have good athletes/players elsewhere if you are averaging 20 turnovers per game.

By Pete

March 19, 2007 1:13 PM | Link to this

I think Hewitt is a great coach and is building a super program, Tech fans need to be a little more patient. I was a Tech student during the Cremins heydey but his lack of recruiting/developing a bench always left us one injury away from disaster and when players played lazy there were ZERO alternatives. Hewitt has been adding 2 - 4 quality players every year and the fact that people are wondering about scholarship limits is amazing considering what the situation was under Cremins. Let’s also remember that we’re in the same conference as superpowers UNC and Duke, as well as Maryland, UVA, Wake, etc - NOBODY is going to win big every year, even UNC missed two NCAA’s a couple of years ago and Duke seems to be sliding. On a national level college basketball has become super competitive and EVERYBODY is taking some lumps - look at UCONN, SYR this year and Maryland last year - all recent NCAA champions. With his recruiting and emphasis on defense I think Hewitt has a chance to bring a NCAA championship to Tech, I’m just afraid too many “fans” who lack perspective will prevent this from happening. Let’s remember that we’re Georgia Tech and NOT North Carolina, Duke, Kentucky, Kansas, or UCLA. Even Coach K took some lumps during his early years at Duke. Give Hewitt a chance!!!!!

P.S: Hewitt has had a couple of disappointing years but he has also had two INCREDIBLE years. His first year transforming an 11- 17 team into an NCAA participant was a MIRACLE and one of the best coaching jobs I’ve ever seen. Ditto the Final Four run after Bosh went pro and Ed Nelson transferred to UCONN leaving us with ZERO quality big men on paper. Just can’t understand how fans can turn on a coach who has already performed two miracles.

By O. Verit

March 19, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this

Aargh. I agree with John and others on this blog in that Paul Hewitt is out of his element. Characteristics of Paul Hewitt’s teams and coaching style that I’ve seen every season include: 1) Failure of big men to improve, in fact they actually regress over time (Schenscher and Dickey). Can we not recruit a good center or coach one up? 2) Lack of heart and motivation for long stretches. This is pure coaching. I couldn’t believe Hewitt’s comments about the “bickering” in the first half on Friday. Bickering??!! There’s no bickering in basketball! Take charge of your kids, Hewitt, and stop trying to be one of them! 3) Awful game clock management. Once again, Hewitt burned his last timeout with nearly 4 minutes left to play, which meant we couldn’t run any set plays in the endgame. Meanwhile, Kruger had 4 TOs left. Nuts. 5) Turnovers. Why this never gets any better I don’t understand, but I have to believe it goes back to coaching…or the lack thereof. 6) Too frequent substitution that wrecks the flow of the game. I’m all for having a deep bench, but it’s almost like Hewitt feels he has to prove it at every opportunity. You have to develop chemistry with your starting five, that’s no way to do it. I “like” Paul Hewitt like everybody else on this board, but I’d rather have a coach who’s a jerk but won’t stand for losing (like Coach K, who I hate with a passion). I am…Over It.

By O. Verit

March 19, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this

And by the way: this “give him a chance” nonsense has to stop. Seven years is plenty of chances. Take out that 2004 run (which we have to view as a fluke after the humiliation they took at the hands of UConn in the final game), and the overall won-loss and tournament record is UNACCEPTABLE. This guy recruits four and five star guys and wastes them.

By Pete

March 19, 2007 1:54 PM | Link to this

“And by the way: this “give him a chance” nonsense has to stop. Seven years is plenty of chances.”

Nice logic, if followed it would have lead to the firing of Coach K, Dean Smith, and John Wooden. Guess Duke, UNC and UCLA really screwed up there!!!

By GT55

March 19, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this

Love the Lady Jackets PH should take some advice from *Machelle Joseph *on how to fire up his team. Great Job Lady’s and good luck.

By gtbaltfan

March 19, 2007 4:41 PM | Link to this

All you Tech/Hewitt bashers make me sick. PH made adjustments this year that turned around what was looking like a disaster — and did so after losing a star in early January. You people act like losing Clinch when he was leading the team was no big deal. It was huge and to recover from that and finish by winning 7 of 9, 8-8 in the conference, ahead of Duke, 20 wins etc was huge. I live in Maryland and nobody’s yelling for Gary William’s’ scalp desoite stinking up the joint against Butler. Like many of you, before the season I thought this would be a sweet 16 year. It didn’t happen and like the rest of you, it makes me sick. Yet let’s be glad things went as well as they did. It could have been much worse. And, yes, like several of the earlier bloggers, I can’t wait til next year. I love GT and will always be a fan.

PS— what in the Hell is wrong with the Beesball team, Now that’s disappointing!

By Bill

March 19, 2007 6:53 PM | Link to this

Sick and tired of all you idiots blasting Smith. The guy does all the dirty work, sacrifices his stats and puts his heart into every play. Don’t you think he would score 12-15 points a game if he took more shots? Why don’t you look at the Memphis game. He was dominate in the second half and was the reason Tech won. Young and Crittenton took most of his shots away. That’s fine because Tech will benefit in 2008 if they return. He is a good player and outstanding leader on a team that needed more from the center position. If you think 10 rebounds in the NCAA game is poor, you haven’t been watching. Don’t put Smith in the same boat with lazy Dickey. Tech will be outstanding in 2008. GET OVER IT!!!! the best is coming real soon.

By old Tech fan (in NC)

March 19, 2007 7:39 PM | Link to this

uh, Bill, Is Dickey really lazy? I think he is perceived as that just because he shows little emotion. I also think he is a good ball player. Perhaps he should get excited as Smith and you would think he is ok.

If the two future pro guys stay…Crit needs to dribble less and maybe Young should dunk more.

Hopefully Morrow will not be bothered by a sore back next year and be more agressive….he surely can hit free throws when they are needed.

Sounds like a fun year coming…both football and bball.

ps…some of you guys need to be glad your parents could not send you back for another less griping kid….leave the coach to coach.

By hawks are cursed for trading Nique.

March 19, 2007 11:58 PM | Link to this

Overit: your a idiot. Your obviously not a true tech fan….go root for whoevers winning like u probably usually do. And dont jump back on the bandwagon when we go to the final 4 next year!

By JustMe

March 20, 2007 8:57 AM | Link to this

True Tech fans….

Remember that there are a number of ugay fans that are posers on this board and say things bad about our programs. Ignore the negative comments.

By O. Verit

March 20, 2007 2:02 PM | Link to this

BS and MS, both from Tech. I’ve paid my dues and earned the right to criticize. My junior and senior years coincided with Bill Curry’s monster 1-19-1 run (everybody just LOVED him too, and it only took about 7 years for him to get to a minor bowl game). I also was present during Morrison’s last years as basketball coach (the rise of the JackAints), and Cremins’ early years. I’ve been “waiting for next year” for most of 20 freakin’ years now. Both the football and basketball teams consistently underperform given the talent they recruit. I am NOT a UGA fan, but I respect the fact that they and other SEC schools do not tolerate mediocrity. Jim Donnan won all his bowl games and went 8-3 pretty much every year, but only beat Tech once during that span and got canned. Gailey has NEVER beaten UGA and probably never will, and he got a contract extension. Hewitt took a team to the championship game and has had a losing record ever since, including one and done in each tournament. I think I’ve made my point!

By Bill

March 20, 2007 4:56 PM | Link to this

old Tech fan…I do think Dickey is lazy because he does not come out with his best effort every night. Hewitt played Peacock and Aminu when the game was on the line vs UNLV. He has tremendous post talents, great mid range for big man, but despite his ability to block shots and rebound, he has trouble shifting his feet to create charges, frequently is out of position, gets caught looking at the ball and is very slow helping around the baseline. Whose fault it is is debatable.

By hawks are cursed for trading Nique.

March 21, 2007 12:27 AM | Link to this

I, Brooke Steppe, am available:
Awsome brooke….i have a few cars that could use a good washing. do you go for immigrant worker rates? cause all i got is some beer and 5 bucks.

By WFC

March 24, 2007 7:52 AM | Link to this

GT basketball is in good hands and is poised for another break-out. Hewitt did a great job with his first GT team, taking a moderately talented but demoralized team to the NCAA tourney. But, everyone knows that it takes a couple of years for a coach to put his stamp on a program. Look at the last four years… three twenty win seasons and three trips to the big dance. Even the 11-17 season was not entirely PH’s fault. Had Jack not left early, that record would have been reversed and GT would have been competitive. If Crit, Young and Clinch return next year, GT will be more than competitive in the tough ACC. Everyone seems to forget that Jack had his growing pains as a frosh and then sparkled as a soph. JC will do likewise. Lawal will be the Brandon Wright of next season.

By old Tech fan (in NC)

March 24, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this

Did everyone notice how many subs Ole Roy used last night? The CA boys were worn out late in the game.

By wowowow

March 25, 2007 11:37 PM | Link to this

Who cares what hewitt says… the man is not half the coach ya’ll make him out to be, he’s had one good season and the rest have just been disappointments. Funny how noone has ever said anything about the fact that he’s signed three white players in all of his years at Tech and two of them transfered. Cremins teams were good because they had people that played smart basketball, Hewitt has a bunch of players who play for themself.

By m

March 26, 2007 10:26 AM | Link to this

Apparently Chan Gailey’s overwhelming MEDIOCRITY has rubbed off on Hewitt. It is time for Chan to be fired…..TODAY!!

By hawks are cursed for trading Nique.

March 27, 2007 5:21 AM | Link to this

Gt Basketball is in good hands…go Tech!! The latest draft predictions dropped Young out of the lottery and towards middle of the first round. I hope he comes back and gets better…and is more of a team player this time!! with or without him thou i like the players coming in and clinch coming back will help alot. Watchout…Tech will be as loaded next year as NC was this year!!

By hawks are cursed for trading Nique.

March 29, 2007 3:23 AM | Link to this

Crinnenton…PLEASE come back next year, im as big a fan of tech as you are and hopefully u wont miss out on a very promising GT season! U can spend many many boring years in the NBA playing for sorry teams…but you can never get your last chance at a college championship back!! Go GT!!