AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2007 > November > 20 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USTraveling’s always good for these Techsters
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I have a few minutes in San Juan before catching another flight to Atlanta.
Some thoughts from the Carribean, where several dozen Georgia Tech fans appeared to have a good time over the past several days at the Paradise Jam, including world traveler, global innovator and dancer extraordinaire David Dacus, ME ‘99.
I met David, who went to Eagles Landing High School, last year when the Yellow Jackets played in Maui. He’s a Tech fan, to be sure, but even moreso a traveler. He meets a few times a year with a former classmate, Simit Shah, who now works at CNN, at out of town Tech events (like NCAA tournament games, bowls, etc.). On this occasion they were joined by other former classmates — Brian and Anne Fitzpatrick and Matthew Marcinek, who came in from Atlanta and Cleveland, respectively.
This tournament had the unique format of giving every team a day off, either Saturday or Sunday depending on whether the team won or lost on Friday. That was a great thing for players, some of whom went snorkeling Saturday, and fans, who did a lot of different things.
The aforementioned clan went on a small cruise of sorts, on a fairly small and personal boat with food, drinks, and a stop for snorkeling. They said they had a great time.
But the highlight of their trip, at least for me, came at halftime of Friday’s win over Charlotte. David and Brian were selected from the crowd to participate in some sort of on-court event. It was hard to tell what was going on, but I was interested enough to skip a trip to the media room, where delicious snacks abounded. Wow, they had Chex Mix, and granola bars, Fruit Roll-ups (until Shah got hold of them), and — can you believe the joy? — Bugles.
Man, Bugles are … some sort of snack. I had a few (later) for the first time in, oh, maybe my life, and, well, I don’t wanna get sued. So enough on Bugles.
Eventually, this became some sort of dancing contest, although I’m not sure Brian participated in that. Maybe he did and I missed it while doubled over laughing.
David … dude’s got moves! I may be mistaken, but Dacus — who moved to San Francisco shortly after graduation, got a job, eventually became a businessman, and now spends most of his semi-retired (seriously) time either in Tokyo or trotting around the globe — appeared to have the ability to loosen his joints, or somehow bypass their normal function. Most mortals would’ve snapped bones attempting that routine.
We’re talking about an eclectic guy, who does not hide his disdain for $1 bills, loathes the fact that ATMs use $20 bills as their default, and generally does not afford consideration for wasted energy or time.
He was like Gumby in sandals while on four cans of Red Bull! This was not wasted motion, for it was all energy spent in pursuit of fun. Judging from the sight of his friends, including Shah gasping for air, it was a huge success.
Anne Fitzpatrick e-mailed me a photo of the epic shimmy-shake, and I’ve forwarded it to the office in the hope they can post it with this blog. We’ll see about that.
As for the Virgin Islands … the pace is very slow (which is not all bad), traffic is horrible (at least on St. Thomas), the cabbies have a monopolistic hold (and many are crooked, ignoring posted ride rates, and foul), the roads are narrow and in poor shape, they drive on the wrong side of the road, and it’s … just … not … Maui. St. Thomas is not much of a beach island, actually, which wasn’t a problem for me on this trip. I got in the water twice, once for about five minutes, the other time for 10. The water is very warm.
And the basketball team? Lukewarm.
I think the Jackets grew some here. With solid point guard play in games one and three, they won. Without it in game two, when they also were bad at a lot of little things, they lost.
Causey’s shooting stroke is obviously coming around, Bell is getting more comfortable, but Moe Miller’s return will be welcome. So, too, will that of Peacock, and, presumably, Dickey.
Brad Sheehan needs to be more assertive in everything he does, Lawal needs to re-discover the intensity that made him a McDonald’s All-America player, and Lewis Clinch needs to take a few more shots per game.
I still think the talent’s there to have a pretty good season. It’ll come down to defense and point-guard play.
Win a lot or not, the Tech travelers will always have a good time when they hook up. They’re already lobbying for a future trip to Puerto Rico.
Me, I’m really looking forward to getting home and seeing my family.
I trust that Mike Knobler will have a football blog for you later today. If not, please save your tomatoes for the Georgia Bulldogs, and don’t waste them on me. I hate tomatoes.
Matt
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Comments
By scooter11
November 20, 2007 9:11 AM | Link to this
I still think Matt gets paid by the word.
By yellarjacket4life
November 20, 2007 9:36 AM | Link to this
Huge shot from Causey! This is exactly what this team needed. A big boost of confidence going into the brutual part of the non-conference schedule.
I agree with you Matt. The freshman need to step up the intensity if they want to make an impact this season. It seems like Hewitt wants to put them all on the court together. At one point last night, he had Storrs, Sheehan, and Lawal in the game at the same time and Notre Dame was able to extend their lead. It was painful watching Sheehan get schooled by Harangody everytime he was in the game.
Why do we always seem to bail teams out by fouling late in the shot clock? We picked up 25 fouls to Notre Dame’s 16. They shot 14 more free throws than we did. If we weren’t committing stupid fouls 50 feet away from the basket, then we would foul with less than 5 seconds on the shot clock. We have got to be able to defend without fouling.
I must say Jeremis Smith is an absolute beast. He is the heart and soul of this team. We wouldn’t have won a single game without Jeremis. He is definitely fun to watch. If he is not catching a lop for a nasty dunk, then he is snatching down one handed rebounds. Although he missed a few last night, it seems his free throw shooting and short jumper has dramatically improved.
I hope the Jackets are able to build on this win. It will be nice to get Mo Miller and Peacock back real soon as well.
By yellowblood
November 20, 2007 9:37 AM | Link to this
Matt’s shot was amazing. Quite a victory considering what happened Sunday. The exciting part was that we had a wonderful Tickle Pile last night . More victories, more Tickle Piles.
By ArkyTech
November 20, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this
I’m out of state and haven’t seen Causey’s shot. Does anyone know if it is posted online anywhere?
By gt2bama
November 20, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this
Aside from Jeremis Smith, the GT basketball team is as excruciating to watch as the football team (aside from Tashard Choice)…no determination/drive or passion for the game, no consistency handling the ball and simply no gameplan for success.
By 3 Rivers jacket
November 20, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this
I like the way that Aminu is scoring inside. If the point gurad play improves we will be ok. When is Clich going to be the offenisve player that he is supposed to be. I know it is early but let’s settle on about 9 players and get the conttinuity before the Acc season starts. I know it is what Hewitt believes in but the shuttle of players even thoug h they all are talented is not that impressive to me. Is it overcoaching? I do not know.
By Realist
November 20, 2007 12:57 PM | Link to this
The simple fact in sports (both football and basketball) is that for GT to be competitive with the powers (including UGA) we must have a GREAT quarterback(in football) or a GREAT point guard (in basketball). Those two positions are critical in college. Think back Tech fans; when have we had a really competitive team in either sport without that ingredient. Last year, we had arguably the greatest receiver in Tech history and we couldn’t pull it off. Without the Shawn Jones or the Joe Hamilton or the Jarrett Jack or the Stephon Marbury or the Kenny Anderson or the Travis Best we don’t compete because we can’t get enough great athletes into our school. Is either of this year’s quarterbacks that great one or is the freshman point guard the one? I don’t know, but that’s what it takes. We are not unique in this regard. Last week, you saw what happened to Oregon when they lost, Dixon, their great quarterback. All of a sudden, they were very ordinary. Mark my words, until Chan gets the great quarterback or Paul gets the great point guard (who is not one and done), we are going to be average, and that’s all.
By CAS
November 20, 2007 1:33 PM | Link to this
Anybody want to sell your Tech-UGA tickets? I need 5 for family coming in for the holiday. They don’t have to be together.
By CAS
November 20, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this
Email cs2209@att.com if you have tickets. CAS.
By yellarjacket4life
November 20, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this
3 Rivers jacket-
I’ve been asking myself the same question about Clinch. So far, he has not been the same offensive player we saw last year. Although last night he did finish with 12 points all on 3’s. He hit a couple of big 3’s down the stretch to help us cut the deficit.
It seems like he is trying to do too much. He has been taking some very tough and contested shots. I know he can score off the dribble, but he seems to be more comfortable when he catches and shoots, instead of putting the ball on the floor. He has also been very careless with the ball, especially in the Winthrop game, which is very uncharacteristic.
We definitely need Clinch to be one of our main offensive weapons, but with the emergence of Aminu this could take some of the scoring pressure off Clinch and Morrow.
I hope Matt is right about this team growing up a little in this tournament. They are going to need the experience when we visit Indiana and Vandy.
By GTFAN
November 20, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this
Realist, remember back to Jarrett Jack’s freshman year. He is a great player, but it was painful to watch at times. Paul Hewitt has shown the ability to mentor young talent. Let’s see what Moe can do as he learns.
What a shot by Matt. Even without the shot, he is an emotional spark plug for this team. Go Jackets!
By gtbaltfan
November 20, 2007 2:57 PM | Link to this
Matt, is there some way you can block yellowblood and his stupid, distracting, annoying, infantile tickle pile crap from blogging here. It may have been mildly humorous back in August for a day or so but now even the most low life Mutt fans have moved on. This guy needs to get a life, somewhere else — like Key west or Haight-Ashbury. Please see what you can do.There must be a way.
By germanjacket
November 20, 2007 10:19 PM | Link to this
Matt,
I agree with and second gtbaltfan’s comments. It’s waaay past time to cut off Yellowblood’s childish, moronic blather.
By leroy
November 25, 2007 8:10 PM | Link to this
been supported for 30 years,finding someone else