Tech

By Buzzed off

February 18, 2008 5:25 AM | Link to this

Tech just doesn’t have the coaching to get it done. Tech can’t afford to fire another coach right now so Hewitt must be forced to hire some decent assistant coaches and find someone who can help people shoot and play defense. Maybe Mark Price would like to come back to the bench.

By RAMBLE ON!

February 18, 2008 8:01 AM | Link to this

…you mean our free-throw shooting was bad? Wow, how rare is that!

WE HAVE THE WORST COACH IN THE ACC!!!

By jaxjacket

February 18, 2008 8:14 AM | Link to this

Mike, when the parts are greater than the whole, I think it points to the guys on the bench in business suits. One good year, otherwise, a string of too many years with the parts greater than the whole. Agree with Buzzed off, try to shore up the staff with some shakeups in the assistant ranks, and when Chan’s buyout is paid off, axe Paul. For goodness sake, no extensions for him at the end of the season.

By Dadgum

February 18, 2008 8:43 AM | Link to this

Folks, you go NOWHERE in college basketball these days without a top notch point guard. Take a look around the nation at any good team.

No disrespect to Miller or Causey but neither of them was projected to start this year and would not play on any ACC team as a starter. So “they are who we thought they were”. Hard workers but we miss Crittendon for sure. Couple that with poor nights from Morrow and Clinch and well “it is what it is”.

GT will have to go 5-2 to qualify for the NIT (15+ wins and a winning record). A murderous schedule might keep that from happening. But hey Duke got trounced, UVA beat BC away, VT is not a world beater. Anything can happen but I am not real sure this team has the chemistry to run off 5 wins.

Go Jackets….NEVER GIVE UP.

By fred

February 18, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this

Band-aids on every small “wound” do not heal the patient(Tech’s basketball ineffectiveness).

That’s what GOOD COACHES are for.

By TechNerd

February 18, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this

It all starts with the point guard at the D1 level. As hard as he plays and he is a fan favorite Causey is not a D1 point guard. Certainly not a starter. He makes too many mistakes to keep Tech competitive. As for Lawal, I saw him in HS and never thought he was a big time player. Most of his scores are on dunks. No make that all of his scores. He has no moves with or without the ball. And he starts. I can’t explain the rest of the disaster but that is a start.

By John

February 18, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this

Anyone can coach a team with great players. A really GOOD coach could take an average group of players and make them winners. Paul can not do this. He is average. Just like Chan was. The year before Bobby came to Tech we were 4-23. Do we have to wait until that happens again to realize a new coach is needed? We deserve better than average at GT!

By Tech75

February 18, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this

A lot of people shouted me down awhile back when I said Hewitt has to go.

In this game, we had a 3 or 4 point lead with 3 minutes left, and essentially we blow that lead and the game.

The only reason it was a 1 point game is because Causey throws up a prayer with 1 second left that goes in.

Somebody tell me how many times we have to blow leads like this late in a game for people to realize Hewitt just can’t get it done?

All you PollyAnna’s can start eating your words anytime now.

Being in the ACC and not being one of the top 64 teams is a complete failure and a DISGRACE.

Hewitt must go.

By buzztrip

February 18, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this

Just not convinced that the parts are greater than the sum. They look pretty equal to me.

By RAMBLE ON!

February 18, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this

I hear you Tech75!!! I predicted all this before the season started, easy to do. If Hewitt is our coach next year, we’ll flirt with the NCAA’s, be a bubble team (probably won’t get in), if we do, one and done, just like last years team with three NBA players on it.

By Gordo

February 18, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this

First off, I will always pull for our Jackets and love the team. that being said, this “team” is hard to watch. I stopped Tivo’ing them as they just are way to frustrating to follow. Paul Hewitt was tabbed as a great coach but I don’t know (I have an autographed picture of him but it’s on the back shelf). He only has 1 recruit signed for next year and we stink right now?!?!! What’s up with that? I say give him 1 more year to turn it around. Hey, LSU just let go their coach who lead them to the Final Four after we went! Nothing is sacred, but we are in a major city in a great hoops conference - get some major talent or get packing!!!

By 3 Rivers jacket

February 18, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this

You have to give hewitt one more year at least. We need a big timer to go with a lot of good role players. At least no one on this sguad will leave early. Miller will be a good point guard and hopefully Dickey can be finally the inside force that we need. We need players and a great recruiting class this year(actually for the 2010 year) is a must. We are so close this yearthat it hurts and maybe it is coaching a little but let’s see how this plays out and in April of 2009 we can see where we are.

By bravesfan79

February 18, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this

I think Hewitt is a good coach, especially a good defensive coach. That said i believe the problem is in the bench, i thought we needed some better assistant coaches last year, and now im finally hearing the same thing being said by others.

I seriously think GT should hire a old retired coach like Lefty Drissel or however u spell his name, to set up a offensive game plan accoring to the opponent and run offensive sets!

Think about how much better this team would be on offense with a special “offensive coordinator” running the offense.
Let Hewitt keep getting the big name recruits and installing that pressure defense, but for the LOVE OF GOD please get some help on the bench!! Just look at the Dallas Mavericks and all the special assistants they have.
Im starting to think GT is putting all their money into football and forgeting how important good assistant coaches are in basketball. Note to Gt: WERE a BASKETBALL SCHOOL, not a football school!! So put more effort into improving the staff around Hewitt!!

By Mike Knobler

February 18, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this

Gordo

You have pointed to a big concern for 2009. This team loses Jeremis Smith, Anthony Morrow and Matt Causey. It’s hard to see that counterbalanced by the return of Ra’Sean Dickey and the addition of Iman Shumpert unless Shumpert is an Eric Gordon-Kevin Love-Jerryd Bayless-Michael Beasley-Derrick Rose-Kyle Singler type of freshman. That’s a lot to ask.

By RAMBLE ON!

February 18, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this

…one more year?

umm, he’s been here for 8 now. I stumbled on my SI college basketball preview for 2005…We were ranked 5th preseason, LOL! We won one game in the NCAA’s and got blown out by Louisville, who got blown out by the next team they faced…yea lets give him one more year so we can return to the Pre Cremins era.

Hewitt has now made it possible to buy a ticket to any Basketball game at what use to be the Thrillerdome. we should rename the court Dwayne Morrison Court.

By bill

February 18, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this

If the team hits 2 more FT’s, they win. My problem is why Causey is leaving McClinton open AFTER a timeout. Why isn’t Bell on him ?? This is ridiculous. I have been backing Hewitt over and over, but this has to be coaching, whether it is Hewitt or the assistants. Players have to make plays, but they have to be told what to do in a crucial situation. Perhaps Causey just screwed up, but Bell should have been on McClinton. THAT was the game, not the missed rebound. I honestly don’t know at this point. For the first time, I am starting to wonder about the head coach.

By bill

February 18, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this

RAMBLE ON…be fair. Tech had serious injuries during that 2005 year….LOUISVILLE did not get blasted the next round. They made the FINAL 4.And the Thrillerdome is sold out this year, there are no “easy tickets”. If you want to bash Hewiit ‘s coaching, it’s your right, but don’t misrepresent the facts.

By nebraskka option faithful

February 18, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this

Why cant anyone just face it that were just not a good basketball team instead of blaming it all on one player or paul hewitt. Stop making excuses, were just bad.

By john

February 18, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this

It may be sold out but that is becuase those that bought, bought BEFORE the season started - and were very optimistic about this season. Even with that, there are a TON of tickets and seats to be had if you want them. Next year’s season ticket orders will be down significantly. Don’t you worry.

By john

February 18, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this

We were a #5 seed in the 2005 tourney and Louisville was a #4 seed - so they should have beaten us based on that. And, Louisville did make the Final 4 that year.

By RAMBLE ON!

February 18, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this

sorry Bill, Louisville got blown out in the final four…my bad.

UNC didn’t have any problems getting those soldout tickets. There is no more waiting list for season tickets, and you can sure bet that won’t change next year.

By john

February 18, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this

The UNC game was embarrassing to watch. All the blue in the stands reminded me of home football games against UGA. That, if nothing else, is the only indication Dan R will need to realize a change is required at GT!

By GT

February 18, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this

Who is the best coach in the country with the least talent? In football it is Wake Forest or App State. I can’t think of an overachiever in basketball. I truly believe Hewitt hurts himself with his substitution of players, but who knows. He did better when he had less to throw into the fray. Causey gets in and when he is barely warm he is pulled. Morrow can not handle the ball in traffic and no one can shoot a foul shot or catch a rebound which seems to bounce off their hands like that is the purpose of the game. Cremins wouldn’t substitute and now we have the polar opposite. I guess 98 percent of college basketball is having the same problem so why should we expect any more. Every time we hire a new coach it is worse than the last, and the crowds get thinner and thinner.

By RAMBLE ON!

February 18, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this

John, I’d say the pathetic display of Basketball we’ve had to endure the last three season is reason enough for a change

By basketball

February 18, 2008 5:21 PM | Link to this

You all have to be the most blockhead basketball fans, coaching do not have anything thing to do with the lack of talent of the players on GA Tech team.

By Dadgum

February 18, 2008 6:07 PM | Link to this

Very few coaches are capable of taking sub-par talent and turning them into an NCAA team. The name of the game is recruiting and that is where great assistant coaches really shine.

People do you honestly think that if Coach K or Roy Williams was coaching the current Tech players that we would be much better. Of course not. Those two programs get the blue chippers and they stay 4 years. That is your difference in the programs. I promise you that neither Crit or Thad would have bolted for the NBA if they had been in either of the aforementioned programs.

Hewitt is not a bad coach but he has to get players consistently coming into the program and make the program one that players want to stick with. Until the NCAA quits allowing players to leave after one year, Hewitt has to play the game of getting players into the program that may only stay one year. No player sees GT as a building block to the NBA right now.

Hewitt gets a big pass this year. Simply not enough talent to compete night in and night out. Regardless though a coach must recruit #1. Unless Hewitt gets the players soon he is punching his own ticket after next year.

By ROCKMAN1

February 18, 2008 9:30 PM | Link to this

Three weeks ago Hewitt was a good coach. Now he’s awful. Look at U.F’s schedule compared to the 2007-08 jackets. Hewitt over scheduled. You don’t get to the Nat’l title game by being a bad coach.

By 2D

February 19, 2008 7:42 AM | Link to this

Actually, I do believe that some like Coach K or Coach Williams would have this exact group of guys playing MUCH better. In fact, I believe both of them, and several other coaches as well, would have this team, with this schedule at 15-18 wins and not even sweating about making the tournament.

The kids on this team were not second rate recruits. Nearly all of these kids were upper echelon HS players that were heavily recruited by other schools.

Hewitt can recruit. He can’t coach.

By WFC

February 19, 2008 8:52 AM | Link to this

Just my opinion. but I think Hewitt got screwed by Crit who I think told him that he would stay at least two years. The plan was for Crit to be J. Jack and Causey to be Will Bynum and Miller brought along slowly for next year. Good plan except that Crit’s mom wanted her new house THIS year.

PH accepted Thad Young as a stop-gap one and done guy in the mold of Brandon Wright at UNC. One guy like that is OK though I hate the mentality. Oden or Durant… OK… but Thad Young?

Lawal was supposed to back up Dickey and be ready to play next year. Oops! I for one am not counting on Dickey for next year. Hope I’m wrong.

By HelluvaEngineer

February 19, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this

Bravesfan,

With all due respect, I could not disagree with you more about your claim of Hewitt being a “good defensive coach”!?!? Apparently we have not seen the same product. Hewitt’s teams cannot defend at all, especially on the interior where teams slice through our soft D like a knife through warm butter. His defenses are precisely why I get nauseaous watching Tech play… they do not even know what defense they are in half the time.

Note how Tech surrenters the highest defensive FG % in the ACC year in and year out. How do you explain teams CONSTANTLY shooting well above 50%!? that is preposterous. There is absolutely ZERO defense.

Hewitt is a nice guy but an absolutely terrible X’s & O’s guy; he really does have to go, but for cost considerations it will take at least a year :-(

By GTinNC

February 19, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this

I agree with several of the points that HelluvaEngineer makes. Hewitt is good recruiter but not a good in-game coach. Let’s look at the Miami game for example; in the first half his defensive line-up with Miller at point guard: GT scores 7 points but Miami scores 18 points. His non-defensive unit with Causey at point guard: GT scores 19 points and Miami scores 9 points. GT goes on a 8 - 2 run and 9 - 3 run with Causey in and both times Hewitt pulls him. No rational for many of Hewitt’s substitutions. He’s a good recruiter, supports his players, and is well spoken but belongs at a mid-major college and not in the ACC. If Tech gets rid of a coach without a losing record for 6 years why are we keeping a coach that will have 2 losing seasons in 3 years? Time for a change - we need a new Bball coach.

By T-Bone

February 19, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this

Hey, all you happy GT fans- First of all, half of you have no clue about basketball (you know who you are). You went to school at GT and now consider yourselves basketball experts. Secondly, the problem is just as much a player personnel problem as it is a coaching personnel problem. Who in their right mind would actually believe that Tech could get to the NCAA this year with Mo Miller and Matt Causey at the point? Anthony Morrow has been and always will be a standstill jump shooter. Jeremis Smith, as hard-working as he is, would not start at any upper echelon school in the ACC. Gani Lawal will be a beast, but he’s like so many young players who lack fundamentals. He’s probably set a record for traveling violations in a season. At this point, Zack Peacock is the team’s most well-rounded offensive player, and Lewis Clinch would be able to teach a great magician a thing or two about disappearing. Now, on the coaching side, there is no doubt that much of the blame has to fall on Coach Hewitt’s shoulders. Why can’t this team win at home? Why has it dropped so many close games? Why did Matt Causey participate in a triple-team of the post, only to give the ACC’s best three-point shooter an open look at the basket? Why does this team average 16 turnovers per game? All of those questions can be answered by looking at the coaches AND the players. As far as next year is concerned, Shumpert is not a one-and-done impact player, but that is good for Tech. From everything that I’ve read, he is one of the best shooters in the draft. So we lose Morrow and Smith, but we gain Shumpert and Dickey. With a more seasoned Miller, a (hopefully) reenergized Clinch, and a much improved Lawal, next year’s team COULD make some noise. In my opinion, if next year falls apart, Hewitt must go. No questions asked.

By Cosmo

February 19, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this

Defensive skills? How many three-point plays do we give up? Not only do we let guys shoot wide open, then we foul them and they add another point. Some great defense!

By kshizzle

February 19, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this

I do not think we want to push Paul Hewitt out of town, so I am always concerned with all the negative coaching comments. A coach is only as good as his players. 2004, that team was a great team. You loose 2 glue men in Marvin Lewis and Clarence Moore and you only have the good team that followed (even with the 5 seniors & Jack as well as the Freshman who are now seniors minus Dickey). The seniors we have are not up to snuff in terms of talent or execution that Elder, Muhammed, Shenscher, McHenry had together, not even close. Elder was a scoring machine. We don’t have that at this time (I thought Clinch could do it, but no). We don’t really have an inside presence who can dominate the middle (without Dickey) and we have inexperienced point guard play. Think if even Young or Critt stayed, we would have no problem. The bottom line is that recruiting those 2 together without anything else (save Peacock and Sheehan, jeesh) we got ourselves in trouble. Next year seems like recruiting is not working out. I think we can be better next year with the “talent” level that will be there and with Shumpert coming. However after that, it will definitely be rebuilding, which pretty much makes me scared for the future. Assuming everybody stays after next year you have M Miller, L Storrs, I Shumpert, G Lawal, B Sheehan, Z Peacock, that’s it right? So 5 to 6 of our top 12 will have to come from Freshman or somewhere else. Looks like we are going to need a Fab 5 of our own.

By Yurtle_the_turtle

February 19, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this

Guys and Dolls, I’m not even sure that Hewett can recruit anymore. Come on, he was supposed to take this program to a higher level than Bobby Cremins, but after 8 years I think of him as a complete failure. Ask yourself, “are we better now than 8 years ago”?? I believe the answer is no. Who is coming in next year to help this squad? Please tell me if you have any answers.

By Yurtle_the_turtle

February 19, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this

Guys and Dolls, I’m not even sure that Hewett can recruit anymore. Come on, he was supposed to take this program to a higher level than Bobby Cremins, but after 8 years I think of him as a complete failure. Ask yourself, “are we better now than 8 years ago”?? I believe the answer is no. Who is coming in next year to help this squad? Please tell me if you have any answers.

By bill

February 19, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this

T-BONE….agree with your column except for couple of things. Smith isn’t a star, but he’s much better than you give him credit for. He rebounds well, has improved his offensive game and does something virtually no other Tech big man does…take a charge. He is also playing inside against players that are 3 inches taller because Dickey had to sit. And as far getting Dickey back, hope you recall he was benched during the NCAA”s and ACC runs for Aminu. He’s lazy for all the skills he has been blessed with. Sadly, I agree with the probability that Hewitt may be gone if this and next year’s teams bottom out. There is very little left after next year unless he gets a huge recruiting class. He really has been missing out the last 2 years on his targets and if you look close, except for Crit and Young, he really has failed to utilize that NCAA final berth into a pipeline. That baffles me. Why would Aminu’s brother not go to Tech??? Especialy after Alade was penciled in as the starting center pre-season.

By Disappointed Jacket

February 19, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this

This ship started sinking when Hewitt lost his top two assistants, Dean Keener and Cliff Warren. I don’t get this current staff he has. Extremely ineffective.

I also don’t understand why we aren’t recruiting a bunch of PG’s each year. Why do we always go for the one stud and then we’re left high and dry when they leave?

I don’t think the head coach needs to change…I agree with others…a shake-up of staff is in order, immediately.