AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2007 > October > 19 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USHard not to think about hoops
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
From what I know, and that’s relatively limited compared to the recruiting mavens out there, Tech fans should be quite happy about Chicago’s Iman Shumpert committing to the Jackets.
Hewitt likes big guards, of course, and this guy is built somewhat like Javaris Crittenton. I don’t think he’s as inclined to drive, but capable of it, and his ball-handling skills may be behind Critt’s at the same stage. But apparently, he’s a solid shooter, and a very nice all-around player.
He won’t play at Tech until this time next year, but while he’s played mostly SG the consensus opinion is that he’ll play PG and SG at Tech. Barring strange events, Clinch will be the starting SG next season (as a senior), and Storrs figures to be in line for time there as well. Morrow will be gone, of course. Matt Causey will be gone from the PG lineup, and Maurice Miller is the leader to be the starter at that position. Then, Shumpert.
But who knows? What if he grows two inches this season to 6 6 1/2? I’m not saying he will, but it’s happened. Then, he might work at the 3 spot. Pure speculation on my part.
With Smith and Dickey departing after this season, one could argue that the Jackets will have some space inside. On the roster, that’s true. But Aminu, Lawal, Peacock, Sheehan and even Faye - although Paul said his hope is that with Mouhammad’s quick feet and length he can become chiefly a perimeter guy - the Jackets have a head start in the size department. Of course, the jury is most out on Sheehan in this group, but that’s true of all of them to some degree.
If even one of those four doesn’t measure up, or washes out, Tech’s recruitment of Ralph Sampson of Duluth becomes that much more important. He’s 6-11, the son of a hell of a college basketball player (and not a bad pro).
The other guy in the Jackets’ crosshairs is 6-2 point guard Ty Taylor of Jersey City.
I won’t be shocked if a name heretofore on the margins creeps into Tech’s recruiting picture. They’re losing (at least) four scholarship players in Morrow, Dickey, Smith and Causey. I bet Paul wants to fill all four spots.
By the way, anybody know where Paco Diaw ended up? The San Diego thing didn’t work out, and I think he might be in the state of Tennessee, but I’m not sure.
On to football, since we must go there …
Tech wins about 34-13 Saturday over Army (by the way, I’m really looking forward to the trip to Army next year; it’s supposed to be one of the great venues in all of college football). Hope the weather cooperates for Homecoming.
Tashard needs 160 yards to become the first Tech player ever to reach 1,000 in eight games. I don’t think it’ll happen. He won’t play long enough, in my opinion.
Eddie Lee Ivery hit 1,000 in the first quarter of the ninth game one year.
I agree with Tony Barnhart’s suggestion: Have Taylor throw a lot in the first half. I didn’t agree with that concept last week, not that it matters, right? But Tech needs work in the passing game, obviously, and Army is a good chance.
Who would like to see Nesbitt play about four possessions tomorrow? About six throws to Donley from any and all QBs? Dwyer run substantially for the first time in weeks? A few interceptions by the defense (which has just two)?
On an unrelated note, should strength of schedule play a bigger part in the BCS standings? I have mixed feelings on that one. Clear ‘em up for me.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Comments
By MC
October 19, 2007 2:52 PM | Link to this
The important thing about the Iman Shumpert verbal is that Tech went head to head with UNC and won. The recruiting class was looking pretty bare before this. Tech has missed on all the local talent this year but this verbal gives them a base to expand upon.
MRD
By RamblinRed
October 19, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this
Shumpert is a nice piece of the puzzle. He will play mostly at PG but also some at SG. He played PG at the LeBron James Skills Academy this past summer and held his own against the other PG’s there. He brings two things that GT needs with this class - ballhandling and shooting.
Great story. Late bloomer who grew and really improved in the last year. FWIW, at this point his ranking in the main recruiting services is #15 Scout, #26 Rivals, #21 PrepStars, #15 Van Coleman. HE is a likely McD AA based on his summer play.
By JD
October 19, 2007 3:43 PM | Link to this
I think non-conference strength of schedule should factor into the BCS. You can’t really control your conference schedule but you can control the non-conference schedule. Encourage big boys to play other big boys and you’ll find out who the best teams really are and we won’t see games between a good team and a girl scout troop.
By RAMBLE ON!
October 19, 2007 3:45 PM | Link to this
actually it’s pretty easy Not to think about hoops, when our coach has never had a winning season in the ACC. Don’t expect one now, or never as long as Hewitt is the coach.
By E
October 19, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this
Ramble On….not to try to change your opinion of Hewitt or anything… but check your facts before posting, Tech did have a winning record in the ACC in 2004, you remember, the year they played for the NCAA title….when you thought Hewitt was the best thing since sliced bread…He’s built a solid program, who do you think could do a better job?
By Chris
October 19, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this
Ahem, you’re dead wrong, RAMBLE ON. In 2004, the year we played for it all, the team went 9-7 in the conference. Not exactly the greatest record in the world, but the man took a team that was not world beaters on paper and took them one win away from the summit of the hoops landscape. He guided a team with a frosh PG to 20 wins and a Tournament berth.
He’s got good team this year that will almost certainly be in the running for a tourney berth, if not competing for a high seed.
By 3 Rivers jacket
October 19, 2007 5:34 PM | Link to this
how can anyone be upset with Hewitt. He is a good coach who is respected in the BB world and the community. I wish that he would not sub as much but we thought that was great in 04. I think that the program is in good shape and if the point guards are adequate then we could have a sweet 16 year. Of course i wish Thad and Crit were there but they are not. I do not blame Hewitt for recrutiing them. You have to get those guys. I do think that he has the right mix of stars and role players this year to do some damage. I like our schedule in the ACC not playing the best teams but once. The out of conf schedule is tough but I like it that way. If anyone knows theformula the ACC uses for the conference rotation let me know. I have never seen it expalined in detail.
By GTmiata
October 19, 2007 6:07 PM | Link to this
Matt, The thing about strength of scedule is that it is already an important part of the BCS standings. Theoretically, the voters take it into account while preparing their ballots. That is why (again, in theory) an undefeated Kansas team is still ranked 15th behind, among others, a two-loss Florida team in the AP and USA Today polls. More importantly, the computer rankings take strangth of schedule mathematically into account. For some of them, opponents’ (and opponents’ opponents’) W-L is more important than a team’s record. When strength of schedule was an explicit part of the BCS in addition to being implicit in the polls, it was overkill, and probably was the reason USC was left out in ‘03. A positive change would be to increase the value of the computer rankings relative to the human polls, which naturally introduce an element of bias into the standings. When the importance of the computers was diminished in ‘04, it was a knee-jerk reaction to the controversy of the preceding year. Also, margin of victory should be allowed to count in the computer rankings, though I wouldn’t be against the use of a normalizing factor so that teams don’t get rewarded for “running up the score.”
By AlabamaRamblinwreck
October 19, 2007 6:31 PM | Link to this
Yes, great get for Paul. I just hope he can put a team together of unselfish guys who will gel into something special.
Regarding the strength of schedule: I do believe the strength of schedule should play a significant part. The only problem with SOS is that it is based on rankings, and we all know how unscientific rankings can be.
Now for what is really important: Chan must go..he must go..Chan must go!! Our offense is still offensive because of his conservative, predictable play-calling, and we will never be better that mediocre with him at the helm. He must go…
By GT Coaches R4Me
October 20, 2007 1:15 AM | Link to this
I can’t get over the whining about our coaches. We have 2 excellent coaches.
Paul Hewitt….nothing but class. You try and bring in a program to compete in the ACC. We were not in good shape before he came (except a blue chip here or there). Remember, BC was building a consistent program before they entered the ACC (they almost beat us in the tourney in 04). It is really tough to compete in the ACC. Go watch conference games in the ACC and then look at others. There is not as much going on. I have seen this first hand just 2 years ago. I understand his best record is 9-7 and 4th is our best finish. Against programs that have won 2 National titles since he has been here and like 6 final 4 appearances during those past few. And you complain that Hewitt cannot bring it home. Hewitt’s teams run the floor hard and when they can play, they are tough. Look at the Duke games the past 3 years. A fight has broken out almost every time. Coach K passed out and avoided a T just 2 years ago. I don’t see many teams get under his skin as Tech can. All Hewitt needs is few turnovers, defensive pressure and 2 guys that can dribble penetrate. But try to penetrate in the ACC. You will see how good you really are. T Young could not even do it effectively and he went 13th!
As for Chan, yes predictable with the run….but we have not had a great quarterback. I believe if he can get his hands on a solid pass game that can change. Look what Nix did against UNC? He was down 27-0 having a QB wide open against an inferior team. Yes they cam back, but still lost. We open up QBs who do not have the talent and we are out of a lot more games. We are not out of many games and I like that. I understand things happen and you can’t win them all. But hit teams really compete with almost anyone….only 1 blowout each year for the past couple. And Chan is getting recruits b/c the word is out that Chan can get you ready for the next step. I also think he surrounds himself with great coaches.
So please lay off our coaches. Dropping millions on someone different isn’t going to make things better here. Talent is going to make a difference. And both of these guys are getting it on a consistent basis. Tech is in the top 15 in football recruiting 2 years in a row. Those stats were not really kept all that well the last time that happened.
And as for hoops, the year we went to the finals, we lost 2 key impact players in Bosh and Nelson (both ACC Fresh of Year) and look where Hewitt took them. But I am sure the coach had nothing to do with that….just like they have nothing to do with the talent landing on our doorstep.
The thing I am worried about is when C Young and J Tenuta leave….then I am concerned. They both have helped their coaches tremendously in putting together a solid program.
By Braves Fan 79
October 20, 2007 1:58 AM | Link to this
thank God were talking about GT basketball again. College football is nothing but a bunch of overhyped players playing in the most meaningless sport on earth. I mean even in the WNBA theres playoffs!
Would the Cardinals who won the world series, have been “voted in”, or the Rockies this year been “voted” into the championship game?? Heck no! fact is sometimes teams with a few losses are the best team in the nation. Take UGA the year Quincy Carter was a senior. And they had that loss at florida with the backup QB…and then lost momentium. You put them in a 4 or 8 team playoff and they could of beat anyone! I felt the same way about GT last year!
Until you idiots stop supporting and giving your $$ to such a retarted sport that dosent have a true champion it will never change!
Oyea…Boise State…the REAL undefeated defending Champs!
College Basketballs got it right, 64 teams, in a TOURNAMENT! Thats what makes it the Greatest sport!!
By Lowcountry Bulldawg
October 20, 2007 9:02 AM | Link to this
As a Dawg fan I am shocked that Paul Hewitt catches heat. I am impressed by what he has done and it seems as if every year he gets a steal here or there on the recruiting trail.
Now it seems the problem is keeping them at Tech. Ease up on Hewiit, if ya like you can have Felton!
By yellowblood
October 20, 2007 11:23 AM | Link to this
Hewitt is as good as they come. We’re lucky to have him. The question is how do you keep freshmen stars out of the NBA. Is Shumpert another one year player ?