AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2008 > January > 28 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USEarly signs on Moe Miller & Stones’ show rocks again
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Ok, maybe not first things first, but Moe Miller’s sprained ankle did not after the game appear to be as bad as it looked when he wrenched it. He was walking, maybe not exactly comfortably, with ice on it. Trainer said it’s not clear yet whether it’s a dreaded high-ankle sprain.
Good time to have an off week (no weekday game). Tech next plays Maryland Saturday, at home, before three straight on the road.
Quickly …
The new nickname for Matt Causey could be “Stones.” Figure it out.
D’Andre Bell played a team-high 34 mins. at N.C. State Wednesday, and 32 Sunday night. He had some turnover issues at times, but getting his long body in front of Sean Singletary so much was capital C critical. Singletary was the best player to take the floor, maybe one of the three best players in the ACC. He hit 5 of 19 shots. He didn’t leave the floor as the best player Sunday.
Tech had just two turnovers in the second half and overtime combined. That’s huge.
Defense was solid inside the arc the whole game. Better on the perimeter in the second half, but frankly, Virginia was just unconscious with the long ball in the first half. Then, the Cavs got tired and Tech didn’t.
The rotation grew to 10 players, as Lance Storrs pitched in (and hit a 3). Interesting, and just as Hewitt predicted a few days ago.
If you can find the play-by-play somewhere, look at the last 15 minutes or so of this game. Causey was in on almost every play, scoring, assisting, or stealing. May have grabbed a rebound, too. When he gets in the zone, he’s in a world by himself. Hewitt said, “I’m to the point now where I just let him go.” Hewitt also likened him on two occasions, once in the post-game news conference and once in the hallway outside the lockerroom, to another former small college transfer — Shaun Fein. Fein hit almost that exactly long 3-point bomb in a win at Virginia seven years ago, in the old arena.
Speaking of arenas, Virginia’s is the nicest in the ACC. Top-notch all the way. Great, great place.
Former Tech assistant Dean Keener was at the game, and celebrating with the Jackets afterward outside the locker room. He’s the head coach now at nearby James Madison.
Tech’s got to rebound better. Last in the ACC in overall rebounds, defensive rebounding and offensive rebounding. If they weren’t a good shooting team, and if they weren’t taking care of the ball so much better of late, we wouldn’t be talking about all this. Add rebounding to the equation, and look out!
Jackets doing a lot better job recently working the ball inside. Sometimes it goes in the basket, sometimes it comes back out, but there’s a plan either way.
“You throw the ball inside, the cumulative affect is it opens up the 3,” Hewitt said. “I think early in the year we were just coming down jacking up 3s; there was not much rhyme or reason to our offense. Now, we can do that more because Lawal is becoming a presence down there. We try to go inside to out. As a matter of fact, I think some of the improvement in our play is just better play execution instead of breaking off the play and putting up a 3.”
Gani Lawal is becoming a stud in the paint. And he may be learning to pass out once in a while. He had his fifth and sixth assists of the season in this game. And believe me, his free throw problems are not from lack of work both by himself and under the eye of coaches.
This was the second road game in a row (and the first two this season), chaplain Derrick Moore made the trip. Hewitt said that’s normal, that he starts traveling when his football obligations end. Maybe that’s the real deal. Whether it is or not, I bet it continues, and ditto Hewitt’s decision to have the team eat dinner at the team hotel the night before the past two road games, er, wins. No more going out, huh?
Causey so gets under the skin of opposing fans. I wonder if opposing players loathe him, too? Watch teams start game-planning around him. They have to, don’t they?
Stones. I’m telling you.
Comments
By mowreck
January 28, 2008 5:38 AM | Link to this
Would have won by a bunch if made free throws … how about getting Mark Price to work with Lawal on his free throws? Very nice game tho.
By Randy
January 28, 2008 5:56 AM | Link to this
Loved the long 3’s from Causey. Just wish the one at the end of regulation would have rattled in!!
By WFC
January 28, 2008 6:32 AM | Link to this
The Jackets are beginning to show sone toughness. Great ACC season is shaping up. There is no weak team in the league. Miller and Causey are improving at the point and the substitution pattern is much more rational.
By GTBALTFAN
January 28, 2008 6:39 AM | Link to this
Need to fix first half turnovers and foul shots need to improve. (Duh, I’m quite the analyst)Also, where were Smith and Morrow?We got a lot of good looks at point blank range which didn’t go. Truth be told, we could have won by 20. Defense looked good.Check out the UVA shooting percentage, even after the torrid first half. Not much you could do about the UVA first half 3’s. Just one of those halves. It evened out after the break. All things considered this was a HUGE win. Now, we have six days to get Miller’s ankle better and we’ve got the Terps Saturday at noon. They are playing well and if we can knock them off, things are definitely looking good.I love having 10 players that can be counted on — five had double figures last night and that group did not include Smith and Morrow. Causey is a blast to watch.Jus keep plugging one game at a time and let’s see what happens. GO YELLOW JACKETS!!!
By Leo
January 28, 2008 6:57 AM | Link to this
This is the best basketball we’ve played in a couple of years. Its not hard to watch anymore. Everything looks fluid. Nice job Coach! I don’t know what you did, but it’s pretty incredible. I had written you off. I’m glad you proved me wrong.
By luvthejackets
January 28, 2008 7:01 AM | Link to this
Where are all those Paul Hewitt haters who were calling for his head? Probably on a Mark Bradley blog. Hewitt has really turned this team around. Only fools would run this guy out of town. Go Jackets!
By mike
January 28, 2008 7:59 AM | Link to this
I too think this team is turning the corner. Very entertaining game to watch yesterday. Do it again!
By RWfromGT
January 28, 2008 8:03 AM | Link to this
I think what is most amazing is that this team is playing as well as it is having lost three to the NBA and their best inside scorer from last year’s team. I just wish the light had turned on before we played the MUTTS.
Go JACKETS! THWG!!!
By Tech75
January 28, 2008 8:30 AM | Link to this
You want to know where all the Hewitt-bashers are?
We’re still here.
Here’s some more food for thought:
Would we be this happy if Causey had not played out of his mind the last 3 games? I think not.
What are the chances that Causey can keep this up? Pretty low, I think.
If you disagree with me on #2 above,then you have to ask: why wasn’t he doing this before? The answer is - Hewitt didn’t trust him. Even Hewitt admits he has tried and failed to coach Causey in a different direction, saying: “I’m to the point now where I just let him go.” Gee Paul, the way he’s going, why would you want him to go a different way?
So, yeah, we’re still here, happy for the wins, but also realizing those wins were due to fantastic individual play by a single player, not by any improved play by the team.
Keep your perspective, people.
Hewitt still stinks as a coach!
By Mr. Bitter
January 28, 2008 8:40 AM | Link to this
Where are the Paul Hewitt haters? We’re right here wondering why it took 3 months (17 games) for this team to figure out what to do. It is a shame that the season had to be over before the team finally responded.
By ga_tech_92
January 28, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this
I think the difference is an experienced pure point guard. Not a converted two guard trying to play point. To CPH’s credit, he is letting said experienced pure point guard play lots of minutes and letting rotations get a little more time together. I believe it’s more important to have an experienced PURE point guard, than to have a dude who looks great coming off the bus and who will be gone to the NBA before he becomes experienced. Keep us stocked with the Matt Causey’s of the world and we are in business. We have to have someone experienced and a PURE point in control on the floor. To heck with the two guards playing point…to heck with the one and dones at point…to heck with Georgia! :)
By GT76
January 28, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this
It’s look like the “team” is starting to come together and understand roles. They are hustling more. If they can go .500 in the league and beat UCONN on the road they will be on the bubble. If they can win +1 in the league they will be in the tourney! This is doable. Let’s hope Millers injury is minor. Causey can’t go 40 minutes at the pace he plays. We need Miller.
By Go GT
January 28, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this
RWfromGT-
You do know Causey has been hampered by SEVERAL injuries earlier in the year don’t you? It’s hard to shoot when your knee or shoulder isn’t 100%.
If you don’t see the progression from Miller and Lawal and the improvement in the offense you just aren’t watching the same games I am.
By ga_tech_92
January 28, 2008 8:50 AM | Link to this
Tech75
You make good points. I think they support my position also. Basically, I think when we have an experienced PURE point on the floor, we have someone to lead and control the team (implication…the coaching staff doesn’t seem to do this unless we have someone who does so in spite of them). How many times the past years have we said, “we need a leader”…”the offense just doesn’t seem to know what it’s doing”…”how did they go to the Nat Champs??”. Well we had an experienced point guard who would control the game then…and we do now…they don’t have to be super stars…they have to be HUNGRY…HATE LOOSING…and involved in every play…a floor leader…someone who wills the team to win in spite of whatever it is that happens in practice. It has to be the pure point to lead…it cannot be a forward or center…they cannot touch the ball enough…cannot pressure the opposing ball handlers…etc. Keep letting Mo and Causey have lots of minutes. Causey has that fire in his eye that we were lacking…that look that says “I might have busted up knees…I might be short…I might be unheralded…but I KNOW how to play basketball and I DO NOT like loosing one bit…guys…it’s contagious when your POINT GUARD has that attitude in a positive way like Matt. We need to keep recruiting guys who will stay at that position…and I don’t mean two guards who are converted into points. You have to have a guy who’s first thought is leading and passing and pressure on the ball…who sees the whole floor…who isn’t afraid to shoot or take a tough shot, but would prefer to set up his team mates ala John Stockton. Thank God Matt is that kinda guy…unheralded…clearly not the most talented…but balls of stone and refusal to loose…ala Mario West, but with more point savvy and less athleticism.
By GTBALTFAN
January 28, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this
Tech 75, you’re just wrong. Hewitt has done a better job of coaching over the past couple of weeks. We didn’t win yesterday because of Causey. He didn’t play much of a part in getting us back in the game after being down by 13 with 30 seconds left in the first half. Miller got most of the point guard minutes. The scoring was balanced with 5 guys in double figures, Lawal was a force , depite his foul shooting woes. The subbstituting has been much more sensible. The defense is much better, etc. I think you have to credit the coach for some of that. Sure, Causey was lights out in OT and he’s a spark but he only had 6 points in regulation, yet we clawed back and stayed in the game. I think the team would have won without Causey and having him play the way he is playing is just a bonus. I don’t think Hewitt stinks and I think the rest of the season will prove me right in that assessment. I’m tired of naysayers who constantly call for coaches heads on a platter. Give it a rest.
By Taco
January 28, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this
Dear Coach Hewitt,
I apologize!!!! I had thrown you under the bus and given up on our team. We are fun to watch and I am excited about the future. I am not sure if we have the game to get to the dance after we stumbled so bad early, but I am happy for you, the team and proud to be a Yellow Jacket. I will keep the faith next time.
By Taco
January 28, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this
Dear Coach Hewitt,
I apologize!!!! I had thrown you under the bus and given up on our team. We are fun to watch and I am excited about the future. I am not sure if we have the game to get to the dance after we stumbled so bad early, but I am happy for you, the team and proud to be a Yellow Jacket. I will keep the faith next time.
By rascal
January 28, 2008 9:03 AM | Link to this
So for you Hewitt haters, just who are you going to get that is better? We lose three NBA level players and our center and Faye, who looked like a potential talent. Lost Zam Frederick who would be a senior this year. Causey had to be hurting much worse than anyone knew, maybe Hewitt didn’t even know. The offense simply figured out how to set a screen and use one. We figured out that when you are 6’8” and weigh 250, your best scoring threat isn’t a three pointer and you aren’t a point guard. Get inside and work the ball back out when an opening occurs. If not, take it to the hole. Hewitt is as good a coach as we will find. Quality person, quality coach, if a bit stubborn. Great recruiter to a school with a less than attractive location for a lot of kids. Hope we keep it up
By TechX2
January 28, 2008 9:05 AM | Link to this
Yes, Causey has had three special games and you gotta give him love for that. But I think it’s a mistake to say that our recent success is only due to Causey. The team, as a whole, has improved in ball movement, defense, and just playing as a team. Lawal is becoming a serious threat down low (he’s got to improve free throws and watch his fouls, though). Marrow is moving well without the ball. Both he and Clinch have been using screens well as of late. And, despite the turnovers, I like having Bell in the game for the defense, and he actually is a decent scoring threat when he needs to be.
The methodical way we got back in the game in the 2nd half demonstrates that this team is finally “getting it” - how to stay calm, how to adjust, and even recognizing who has the hot hand (Causey as of late).
Again, I’m not taking anything away from my boy Stones - but you have to recognize that the team as a whole is improving.
By ga_tech_92
January 28, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this
GTBALTFAN –
I agree CPH has done a better job of coaching lately. Mainly by letting people play together longer to build some chemistry. I do believe without a doubt though that Causey has had a lot to do with our success. A good point guard doesn’t have to score a lot to make a big impact. It’s more important to have good pressure on the ball, intensity, contagious attitude, leadership and PURPOSE. I think we are all happy that we’ve won some conference games, to which the entire team and coaches deserve our congratulations. I just hope we can keep 2-3 average to above average PURE POINT GUARDS on the team at all times going forward…and continue to let guys play to build chemistry. They don’t have to be McDonald’s All American’s to be good scrappy point guards. I’d rather have continuity at PG than stardom.
By yellarjacket4life
January 28, 2008 9:12 AM | Link to this
Huge win!!! Now we must protect our home court against Maryland on Sat. “Stones” played incredible when we really needed someone to step up at the end of regulation and in overtime.
I also thought Peacock played extremely well last night. Other than committing a foul on the three point shooter, Peacock was great. He made some timely outside jumpers and made a couple of huge shots in the lane late in regulation to keep the game even. Not to mention the go ahead dunk that should have been the game winner, since Singletary traveled on the prayer layup with just seconds remaining.
I hope Mo Miller’s ankle is ready to go on Sat. I really like the combination Hewitt is going with right now allowing Causey and Clinch to come off the bench. If Miller can’t play on Sat. then Causey will have to log more minutes, so he may not be as effective late in the game and with Bell’s recent ball handling issues I would not feel comfortable having him run the point. Although, I must give Bell some credit. He plays extremely hard on defense and did an good job of hounding Singletary all night. He seems to know his role and he hustles on every play.
This team is starting to show some toughness. Keep up the intensity Jackets!!!
By mutthater
January 28, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this
Has anyone noticed that we are playing much better since CPH hasn’t been wasting TO’s? He had 4 TO’s with 2:00 to go yesterday. That is unreal to me. Thank god he has stopped wasting TO’s after WE hit big shots.
By GT FAN
January 28, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this
Two or three wins does not make a season are Hewett a better coach. The last 8 years speaks for itself. I hope we win it all but Hewetts got to go.
By GT55
January 28, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this
The Team is looking good right now. Thanks “Stones” for firing up players and intensity of play. To bad Paul couldn’t do it.
By GTBALTFAN
January 28, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this
To GTFAN, I disagree. The fact that bloggers have the power of instant publication of their views, while empowering, is often detrimental. I’m sure players and probably coaches read this stuff. It has to hurt team unity, recruiting, attitudes, etc. when a few bloggers are forever negative regardless of what is going on. I have no doubt that the rabid Chan haters who regularly posted here played a part in causing poor play, poor attitudes and likely cost us games.Now, the B’ball team is playing better, and the coach seems to be coaching better. I know you have the freedom to write whatever you want but if you do give a crap about Tech, why don’t you just bite your freakin’ tongue for awhile and enjoy the team’s and coach’s current good fortunes. This season’s far from over and there’s no good reason to continually be a naysayer, particularly now. Give us a break.
By GT Fan Jeff
January 28, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this
Like Taco, I owe Paul Hewitt and the entire GT team an apology for “throwing them under the bus” after the Miami game. At that time, I honestly did not think GT would win ONE ACC game this season. GT75 and some others have made some valid points about Causey just being on a hot streak, or why it took GT 17 games to finally “get it”. As for me, I choose to look for the positives in the amazing turnaround we have witnessed during the past four games (yes, I include UNC even though we lost that one), and to enjoy a GT team that is FUN to watch again. The ACC is a very strong league this season and GT (as well as nine other ACC teams) will be severely challenged to finish 8-8 or 9-7. However, I am now CONFIDENT that GT will HUSTLE all the time, play good DEFENSE, play SMARTER on offense and be a TOUGH TEAM TO BEAT in ALL of their remaining games. After the way GT began this season, finishing the season that way would far exceed my expectations and make me a HAPPY GT fan. Go Jackets!!! THWG.
By ga_tech_92
January 28, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this
Go Jackets, keep up the great work!
By Tech75
January 28, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this
I love the Jackets as much as anyone here; heck, I liked Chan Gailey - great guy - just couldn’t get over the plateau we were at. Maybe Johnson won’t be any better, but we knew where we were going with Gailey, and that was unacceptable.
We have the same situation with Hewitt. Great guy. Plateau. Unacceptable.
Sometimes you have to break a few eggs to make an omelette.
Some of you people sound like you have “abused wife” syndrome… “he heat me last week, but this week he hasn’t”.
When you evaluate a coach, it’s the body of work you look at, not the last week’s worth.
Say what you want to right now, but the body of work does not warrant continuing with this guy.
By Bk Hawk
January 28, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this
Got to love the Lady Jackets Basketball Team.
By Matthew Stafford
January 28, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this
I like to spoon.
By ILuvHewitt
January 28, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this
GT75:
Causey always plays out of his mind!
Chances of Causey continuing to play well: Why r u so pessimistic? B happy w/the win and how well they r playing! They cld b 18-1 and u wld still find something wrng.
Ok he didn’t do it b4 and he’s doing it now. Get off the podium wld u? LET IT GO!! Hewitt is coaching … and if kids don’t listen and don’t do well it’s frustrating. If they don’t listen and do well u have 2 let them go!
A win is a win regardless of it’s one player or the whole team. Causey has stepped up the last 4 games. But the 1st six wins someone else stepped up. They are winning! BE HAPPY!
U nd 2 let your perspecive go. It’s too negative!
Hewitt IS A GREAT COACH!!
By add me to the list
January 28, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this
as a paul hewitt hater. STILL.
when we get some breathing room i guarantee that hotel hewitt will emerge its uggly head and we will lose games we shouldnt. paul does NOT change his pattern for long because he is gailey stubborn.
it is no coincidence that we started playing better ball when ph slowed down hotel hewitt. (whatever that is supposed to be… i think he is trying to look the part of an nba coach).
when causey is gone i expect ph to go back to his same game pattern next year and we will do all this same crap all over again.
And for the record… does anybody honestly think hewitt would have recruited causey? ever? no way in hell. paul couldnt recognize heart and intangibles in a player if they were smeared in his face.
nope. he prefers long tall athletic an black over all else.
paul hewitt has to go.
By ben
January 28, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this
Great win Hewitt! If we’re going to blame him for losses, we should give him credit for wins. My observation is that Hewitt doesn’t recruit “skilled” players. He recruits athletes. Therefore, at our worst, we miss free throws, can’t make layups or in-bounds passes. But, what we can do is what he coached them to do yesterday- play 40 minutes of tenacious, rough basketball that tires the other team out at the end. What made the Jarret Jack team so good is that they had both, athletes(Muhommed) and skill players(Elder). I believe and many of the bloggers believe that you need skilled players at the end of a game to do the kind of things that Causey has been doing. But, Hewitt doesn’t so much, and it proved right yesterday when the most skilled player on the court (Singletary) couldn’t win the game for his team. Although I get extremely frustrated with Hewitt when he has absolutely no skill on the floor and they look lost, there is a method to his madness, and we should not blindly say “this team is horrible” because there are no JJ Reddicks on the team. I think some of us forget how awful our offense could look the year of our big run. We would go 5 minutes without a basket down the stretch and still win. Final note- I think Hewitt deserves a lot of credit for this team not quitting after that incredible start by UVA. To be on the road after a big win, they could have easily packed it in.
By more
January 28, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this
as far as keepin the comments positive?
i think you need to ask the guys who said ‘where are the hewitt haters now’ the question… wtf were you thinking.
i would have let things slide but for those idiots. idiots btw who wouldhnt know a good coach from a bad one.
as far as why the team is playing better?
causey and the absence of hotel hewitt.
ph has still not (will he ever?) learned that as far as molding a team goes… hotel hewitt and individual instruction are incompatible with team building. it dont work.
teams are built by playing together for extended periods of time. not for a minute here and 30 seconds there. wtf is that? and they certainly dont retain anything via individual instruction alone.
ph can instruct till he is blue in the face and the players will still not do the right things on the floor.
however let em play in a real game with a good point guard (causey) and they learn by doing not by instruction. causey runs the team on the floor. the players are now learning as they play. not by reading what paul writes on the blackboard. duh.
an how hard it must be to have to divide your focus between hotel hewitt waving his arms like a moron and the opponent player your trying to guard. talk about not being able to focus on the job at hand. sheeesh.
rememeber when we lost the kansas game because causey misplayed a dribble? he was looking at hotel hewitt when the pass was made.
paul you need to just stfu an let the kids play. you aint going to coach yourself into the nba. EVER!
and for those who still diss causey…. the kid has had a dislocated jaw… a dislocated shoulder…. a sprained ankel …. and a dislocated knee cap. AND he is still playing.
keep in mind that jerimis smith had a dislocated knee cap a few years back and he didnt play for the rest of the year. THE REST OF YEAR!
CAUSEY IS THE HEART OF THIS TEAM!
By Tech75
January 28, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this
Hey ILuvHewitt: Oh, Rah! Happy days are here again!
You “Pollyanna” types just kill me. Have some pride and DEMAND BETTER.
I bet you thought Whack Hyder was great his last few years too, didn’t you? Nice guy, though.
Let’s remember that Virgina isn’t exactly a powerhouse. So what happened during the first 30 minutes of basketball? Do you think Hewitt turned to Causey after 30 minutes and said “OK, go get ‘em” and that’s great coaching? I don’t think that happened. If Causey had not taken it upon himself to DO SOMETHING we would have lost by 15. At least Hewitt was smart enough to stand back and leave it alone. So he gets points from me for NOT COACHING in this situation.
It’s not good enough for me when we win a game due to the ABSENCE of coaching.
If Roy Williams was Tech’s coach, what do you think his reaction would have been to the first half? Contrast that with what you think Hewitt’s was (Hey guys, you have to play better if you expect to go to The Big Dance). Come up with any differences? If Carolina had done that, they’d have come back to the court in the second half with their hair burned away and their uniforms melted onto their bodies.
Just about every other team in the ACC has about 3 more wins and (lest we forget) 3 fewer losses than this bunch.
Let’s also look at player development for those players that Hewitt has had for more than a year or two ….
Jarrett Jack is about the only one you can name.
A lot of talent coming in the door, a lot leaving with about the same amount of skill/talent, very few developing to their potential. You can say what you want about Cremins, he was a great recruiter, etc. but kids developed under Cremins - they don’t seem to under Hewitt. All they seem to learn is the path from their seats to the scorer’s table.
Player development is a large part of COACHING.
A current example: Jeremis Smith. Go ahead and give me your 79 reasons why this guy is not all-ACC this year. Are you going to tell me he’s uncoachable?
Another: Anthony Morrow. The guy can shoot, but he doesn’t have the quicks to get his own shot. He also couldn’t play defense if his life depended on it.
Other examples: Chris Bosh, Javaris Crittendon, Thaddeus Young. All had some talent, but chose to jump to The League for 2 reasons: 1) They could; 2) They had NOTHING TO GAIN by staying. (if I have to explain #2 to you, please stay off the blogs, you’re just wasting air and taking up space).
We did it with Gailey, we can do it again with Hewitt.
I bet you drive an AMC Pacer!
DEMAND BETTER
By GT55
January 28, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this
Great Blog Tech 75, I agree 110%. Now its up to RADS?
By gtpi
January 28, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this
sorry ben but i put the rise of the team more on causey’s play and heart than hewitt.
remove causey from the nd game and the last 3 games an we are probably 0-4 and 6-13 for the season.
as other posters have noted… causey is willing this team to win. much like clarence moore from our final 4 team.
By GTBALTFAN
January 28, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this
You Hewitt bashers aren’t nearly as smart as you think you are. As for Virginia, they have a good team and with the exception of UNV and Duke, there is much parity in the league.Thus, just about any home team should ordinarily beat any visitor. Thus to get a road win is a positive accomplishment for any of team in the ACC. You talk about what Roy Williams would have done at halftime if he were coaching GT yesterday, yet you forget that GT cut a 10 point lead to just 2 points in about 3 minutes after the break. You rant that without Causey taking it upon himself to make something happen, we would have lost by 15, yet you forget that Causey did very little if anything to help close the gap and if memory serves me, GT took its first lead at 58-57 before Causey scored a single point.I certainly acknowledge Causey’s contributions at the end and in OT but there were five guys, not including Smith and Morrow who were in double figures and the TEAM did what it took to win.Your suggestion that Bosh, Crit and Young left because there was nothing left to learn from Hewitt is BS. They left for the $$$ and Young, in particular, said he was going to be one and done before he ever set foot on the Tech campus. You guys won’t be happy until you get another scalp. Somehow,I suppose, that will make you feel important. However, understand that there are countervailing views and maybe, just maybe you not as smart or as knowledgeable as you think you are.I can certainly tell you that your negative posts are doing nothing to help GT or to help this team turn what looked like a terrible season into one where there is now some promise. Why not just let this play out and see what happens. If Tech winds up 12-18, then scream as loud as you want. In the meantime, however, why not cut everybody a little slack.
By GT45
January 28, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this
Great win, Jackets! Let’s hold the negative comments ‘til the season shakes out.
By Tech75
January 28, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this
One more comment to GTBaltFan and GT 45:
I respect everyone’s right to an opinion. You have yours, I have mine.
If you haven’t figured it out by now, there are some fairly influential people that read these blogs to get a sense of what the fan base is feeling.
I’ve even picked up a few pieces of evidence that the AJC writers read this stuff and some of the content seems to find it’s way into some of their writings, and help them to form their opinions as well.
I’m not willing to wait until the end of the season to state my opinion.
And I am passionate about my opinion.
It takes awhile to position a replacement, and I think the time is NOW to start that process - not in March.
DEMAND BETTER
By GTBALTFAN
January 28, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this
I don’t know what influential folks read this stuff or what difference it makes but I am a 37 year consecutive contributor to the RollCall and to the AT Fund and if that give me any influence, I’m all for asking everybody to lay low and see what happens. College Coaches don’t get fired in mid year nor do AD’s line up new coaches until the end of March madness. I can’t stop you from speaking your mind but I can challenge your opinions and will continue to do so. I too am passionate about Tech athletics and so long as we play well and have a shot to turn this around, I think the negatives are counter-productive. You say demand better and I say we’re getting better.
By GT80
January 28, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this
Tech75, you have no clue. I should just leave it at that but I can’t since your rant went into such detail. DEMAND BETTER! What do you expect out of this program that you haven’t gotten from Hewitt. As I’ve stated and ILuvHewitt stated as well, there are only 2 teams in the ACC that are consistently winning 10 or more games every year. And if you think Tech should be able to be at the same level as Duke and Carolina every year, then again, you have no clue.
Do you really believe that the reason we won yesterday was because the coach just stopped coaching and let the guys run up and down the court. If you didn’t notice, we still had a 10 man rotation, and there was subbing for specific reasons, like getting the right defensive team on the floor and making sure we had good foul shooters on the floor at the end game. There were a lot of good offensive sets and some excellent defensive adjustments. How do you know what goes on in the locker rooms at halftime? You don’t have to scream and light guys hair on fire to get a point across, but I know for a fact (I’ve heard players talking after games) that Hewitt can chew them a new one if need be, hell I’ve seen him do it on the bench during a game. Maybe just telling everyone to keep playing hard, do a better job defending the perimeter was all that needed to be said, since that’s what they did and, hey what do you know, we won!
And about wins and losses, just about every ACC team, no, make that every single ACC team, has had 3 more cupcakes on their schedule than we’ve had. We have losses to the #1(now #4) #3(now #2) #11 and #19 teams in the country. Granted we should have beatent the likes of UNC Greensboro, Winthrop, absolutely the hated Dogs (we just can’t seem to win in Stegman no matter what we have or how retched UGA is) and probably another, but if you watched any of those games you would know that this was a team that was having a hard time figuring out how to play together. And I know that Hewitt feels like he could have done a better job getting them to play together earlier, but sometimes guys just don’t get what they need to do.
And for player development, how about Marvin Lewis, Anthony McHenry, two guys with not much game to start that became huge contributers to the ‘04 team. How about Tony Akins and Alvin Jones, who in Cremins last year were pathetic but under Hewitt made it to the 2nd round of the NCAA. For Gods sake Luke Schenscher actually played in the NBA. What about D. Bell on this years team, who last year could barely find the floor, had next to no offensive game, but this year is our best defender and has developed decent shooting range. Why is Jeremis Smith not ACC? Maybe because he’s just not that good. He’s got a great heart, he plays hard, but he has no shooting range and limited offense skills. Is that Hewitts fault? Hewitt does run plays to get him the ball where he can make offensive plays, but coach can’t make the shots for him. And if you think Morrow can’t play D, well you haven’t been watching. He’s improved dramatically in that area.
Just so you know, we have ZERO McDonalds All-Americans on this team. Yet we ran for 40 minutes with UNC who has 5 or 6 such guys.
And all of the guys who left for the NBA early did so for one reason, MONEY!! I’ll bet you my season tickets that every one of them has the highest regard for Hewitt’s coaching abilities.
We are lucky to have Coach Hewitt. He is a class individual, is able to recruit top players and has consistently competed with national programs with much better resources than Tech.
But if you think we can do better, then please say who we should have. Don’t just keep saying he should be fired if you can’t come up with someone who is better. Otherwise don’t blog and just be happy when we win.
By gt45
January 28, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this
Tech 75, You are entitled to your opinion, and you can give it. You are right about one thing, players and recruits read this crap, also. All these negative comments aren’t helping the program, any. If you got a chip on your shouler about Hewitt, e-mail DRad. You don’t have to be so critical on a three game win streak where two were won on the road. If we go on to have a good season, some credit needs to be given to coaching, so wait til then.
By ILuvHewitt
January 28, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this
Tech75: Guess what?! In case u haven’t heard GaTech beat Va 92-82 on Sunday in Charlottesville. Go JACKETS!! Oh yeah … they also beat NC State in Raleigh. I guess u hadn’t heard the news. They are also 10-9; 3-3 in the ACC. Just thought I’d let u n on what’s going on w/Tech BB.
By Bill
January 28, 2008 6:47 PM | Link to this
GT80…won’t you give some slack to Jeremis Smith. He plays as a starter on virtually every Div 1 school. Rebounding and defense have quite a bit to do with winning,and he has a 10 PPG average and is top 10 in ACC rebounding. He needs to hit those 3 point plays more often when he’s fouled, but he is much better than you seem to suggest.
By GTfor ME
January 28, 2008 6:56 PM | Link to this
Matt Causey has the heart of a LION! He ain’t sweet, he ain’t pretty… neither was Larry Bird. Reminds me of what’s his name, that played for Gonzaga. Causey’s no 40 min. point… but OH MY, he keeps you watching, and he comes through. Go BIG Matt, Go Tech! We’re now in the top half of the ACC bracket. Makes me wanta watch every second… and Paul Hewitt, I think he loves the challenge. Jeremis, Gani, D. Bell, Amo… just to name a few… HELL we got a TEAM! Go Jackets!!! Bust Maryland in the chops!
By Lthl Weapon 3
January 28, 2008 8:18 PM | Link to this
Wow — how uneducated and impatient people fans can be.
Can you imagine this team with Crittendon and Young?
How about the team next year with Shumpert?
You people referencing the Cremmins days — do you remember how underachieving and inconsistent his teams were? The Best and Forrest team that wins the ACC championship and bows out in first round of the tourney.
By cewbee
January 28, 2008 9:46 PM | Link to this
Kami-CAUSEY!
The guy plays out of his mind!
Samurai Jacktes!
By joey
January 28, 2008 10:35 PM | Link to this
If we do get an opportunity to go to the NCAA tournament I actually think we will do some damage. When this team plays like its been playing lately we can beat anybody. Last year I was hoping we’d win one but I know this year we’ll win at least 2 in the tourny because were a much tougher team. Mostly because of Causey and Lawal.
By Clinch
January 29, 2008 8:28 AM | Link to this
How about Clinch finally coming out of hiding Sunday? Where has he been? He hit several clutch shots. The most exciting thing about this team is you can see Miller and Lawal progressing right in front of your eyes.
By GT80
January 29, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this
Bill, you are right. Jeremis is a solid PF, he’s good at a lot of things just not great. Like I said, he plays hard, is a battler and he can run the floor. He’s just not a natural offensive player. All that said, I want him on the floor for us because he is our senior leader. I was just trying to point out that he is not all-ACC because of his natural shortcomings, not because he hasn’t been coached up. Besides, being all-ACC is tough due to the talent level in the ACC. I suspect this year he will be 2nd or 3rd team.
By anthony rosser
January 29, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this
Lawal is becoming the player i thought he could be. He is going to a great one.
By GT2002
January 29, 2008 6:46 PM | Link to this
Jeremis would have made a great tight end on the football team with the size and agility he has. 3 solid wins to build on but all against middle of the pack or lower competition. Let’s take care of home court and steal one or two more on the road and get a bye on the first day of the ACC tourney. Did anyone hear the interview with Causey on 790 this morning? The kid is a true gamer and we need to recruit more kids like him that want to be at the school and want to win. Let’s stay hot this weekend at home and let’s have a full house ready to rock and roll at AMC!!!