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June 2007
One-and-dones disappoint
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
OK, so the sample size is small, but with Thaddeus Young and Javaris Crittenton about to become first-round draft choices this week it might be a good time to look at how Georgia Tech’s men’s basketball team has done with one-and-done first-round talent.
Disappointingly.
Chris Bosh is an NBA success but couldn’t get the Jackets beyond 16-15. Last season, with two one-and-done types, Tech couldn’t win a game in the ACC or NCAA tournaments. The totals: Two seasons, three one-and-done players, zero ACC tournament victories, two NIT victories, zero NCAA tournament victories.
So I’ll throw this question out there for discussion: Is there something about Paul Hewitt’s system or style that makes it unsuitable for one-and-done talent, or were the results of those two seasons completely explained by other factors?
Permalink | Comments (44) | Post your comment | Categories: Basketball
Draft deadlines a drag
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
You can stop crossing your fingers now if you were hoping that Thaddeus Young would put it in reverse and return to Georgia Tech. He’s going to the NBA, same as Javaris Crittenton.
I don’t have a problem the way this works for underclassmen: they can either submit their names for the draft, or not; sign with an agent, or not; if not, withdraw from the draft by a date about 10 days before the draft, etc.
But man, the timeline is absurd! This has been playing out for like two months. I realize there is a lot of fact-finding/research to be done by and for these kids, but geez … gimme a break. It seems like the whole process could be condensed to about three or four weeks.
The problem in that is two dates: the end of the NCAA season, and the timing of the NBA draft. Neither one is about to move, either. The NCAA tournament is not going to end any later (no way CBS lets the tournament run past that first Monday in April, as it it would get in the way of the Masters, which CBS also has rights to), and the NBA draft is going to stay in late June, where the sports world is otherwise at a crawl other than baseball. That’s the only way the NBA draft can hope to generate much buzz.
Ugh! At least it’s nearly over.
So, changing gears a little, would Crittenton fit with the Hawks if they don’t first take Conley?
The freshmen arrive
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This week one of the most heralded groups of Georgia Tech football recruits arrives on campus. Their first day of classes is June 18.
Derrick Morgan and Steven Threet got a one-semester head start, of course, but now they will be joined by the other members of the class Giff Smith assembled. It’s an amazing group, noteworthy not just for the depth of talent but also, football staffers say, for the interconnectedness. From what I’ve been told, these guys aren’t going to have to take a lot of time to get to know each other; they’ve been texting and talking for months.
How quickly will Nick Claytor get onto the field at offensive tackle? How does athletic quarterback Josh Nesbitt fit into an offense in which the starter is a passer, not a runner? Will D.J. Donley mesh so well with Taylor Bennett in summer workouts he’ll be catching passes in games this fall? What kind of career will Parade All-America running back Jonathan Dwyer have at Tech? Some things to think about as the freshman class of 2007 become, well, freshmen.
Permalink | Comments (50) | Categories: Football
TECH Fund ticket plan: Touchdown or fumble?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’m working on a story about Georgia Tech’s new TECH Fund ticket plan. Not all of the numbers are in, but it looks like it is accomplishing its prime mission (raising more money) without chasing away a large number of season-ticketholders.
I need your help, though. I’m looking for Tech football season-ticketholders who will share their TECH Fund decisions with me. Did you keep your tickets? Move to a non-TECH Fund area? Move to a better seat? Stay in a TECH Fund area but choose a cheaper seat? Transfer some of your tickets to somebody else?
Please send me an e-mail at mknobler@ajc.com with information on how I can contact you during the day on Wednesday. Thanks.
Permalink | Comments (70) | Categories: Football
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