AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2008 > February > 26 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USDoes Tech need to change styles?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
As Georgia Tech gets ready to play a different Duke team than the one the Yellow Jackets last saw, I wonder, should Tech make sea changes in playing style next season?
You have to have the personnel to fit the changes, of course, and that’s another question, not the question for this discussion.
Duke lost to the NBA Josh McRoberts, by far the Blue Devils’ chief post presence, and 7-footer Brian Zoubek has been injured a lot (he’s back, and will play tomorrow). Even when he plays, though, it’s more for defensive purposes and to rebound rather than score.
But K has changed Duke’s basic offensive philosophy in some ways this season, in part perhaps to cover for lack of interior personnel. Also, I think he just fell head over heels in love last summer. After coaching the U.S. team with D’Antoni of the Phoenix Suns, he’s incorporated some of coach D’s run-outs, etc.
When the Blue Devils are in the open court, in transition, they’re more likely to spread the floor now, often sending players to each corner, rather than all filling the middle third of the floor on the break.
One of the results is more 3-pointers. These guys really take a lot of three pointers. They have no standard offensive threats in the post. That doesn’t mean they don’t score in the paint; they get some easy buckets off their spacing.
But they have made distinct changes, and while they’re not going to block a lot of shots, they’re forcing a lot more turnovers than last year, and running off of them. They’re less likely to want to slow down and half-court/screen/roll etc.
They want to move, move, move.
Now, in some ways, that’s what Hewitt wants at Tech — significant reliance on a transition game.
Anyway, if somebody told you change was imminent (and I’m talking about in style), what would you suggest.
I know this is going to fetch some stupid suggestions, some that are off topic, but hey, I didn’t invent the blog concept. I just do as asked.
Matt
Comments
By RAMBLE ON!
February 26, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this
I believe learning how to inbound the ball will be a decent start.
By Concerned
February 26, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this
This is his 7th year, and he has produced ONE winning conference record. I would hope he does something different…anything different.
By Gordon
February 26, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this
Roy Williams talked about hustle and focus a few weeks ago when his team was in town. You always see that out of a North Carolina team, and you always see that out of a Duke team. When they play a less talented team, they pull away as the game goes on rather than playing to their level. They aren’t motivated by who they are playing or where they are playing, they are just motivated because they are playing.
Tech’s 2004 team that went to the NC game played tough defense, and was up almost every game. They were focused. Our problem now is less our style or personnel, and more our lack of intensity and focus, game after game. I do think our game day adjustments could be better (why did we stay in the half court trap so long against Maryland, for example), but that is not our biggest problem.
By fred
February 26, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this
Hewitt—-no one else—-lost control of the team long ago (not one phase,ALL). Ex.: recruitment, retention, excessive turnovers, zero point guards,extreme team “mood swings”, lack of basics (in-bounds for starters), etc. etc.
AD DRad is in control and will make the decision. I trust his judgement.
CPH did not help his cause when he stated to the team, after Gailey’s firing (paraphrasing), “—-the man (AD) has made a move in FB….I suppose he can do the same in BB”.
Yes, he can.
By Ramblin Wrecker
February 26, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this
Can we please talk about football? UGA fans get to blog about football, while we’re stuck here reading some nonsense blog about the basketball team who hasn’t been relevant for 3 years now. Hewitt can be fired. It’s okay. GT fans won’t riot just because he got GT to a national title game one year. He has a fundamental flaw in something he does. I don’t know what it is, but when you ALWAYS have a losing road record, you’re doing something wrong. Time to turn the page on Hewitt, or at least, for God’s sake turn the page to football.
Good grief!!!!
By old gold engineer
February 26, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this
Thanks for asking the question, Matt. As Concerned stated earlier, the same old style has only had one spectacularly successful year and many more unimpressive runs. I hope Coach Hewitt is smart enough to adapt the style of the team to whatever will win more games. I think it’s obvious that patience is wearing thin amongst the fans.
By Matt Winkeljohn
February 26, 2008 6:08 PM | Link to this
Football?
Hey, get hold of the football writer.
I don’t do much football during basketball season, except in emergencies like when Mike is called upon to play another one of his motion picture roles.
Dude is a star.
By razerGT
February 26, 2008 6:21 PM | Link to this
We’re not UGA, Ramblin Wrecker. We actually do care about other sports than football…
On the other hand, you never hear about UGA basketball because no one cares about it and it’s never been relevant.
By WhowontJacket
February 26, 2008 9:27 PM | Link to this
I want to see us run the ball. Mo Miller and Causey can handle the ball well enough and we have a deep enough bench to keep it up tempo. This would at least cut down on our clock killing in half court sets that result in bad shots. Maybe Clinch can get back into some kind of groove, he’s pretty good in the open court. We look best on the drive and finish or kick-out, but we run these half court offenses that don’t really match the type of recruits CPH picks up (athletic, not shooter types).
We ran the ball a lot in the ‘04 season and teams that weren’t as deep showed fatigue down the stretch. It also takes some of the x’s and o’s off of the coaching staff.
If we keep losing, at least it will be more fun and less frustrating to watch that what we’re doing now.
By STL_Jacket
February 26, 2008 9:29 PM | Link to this
Matt:
Basketball season is yesterday’s news. How about some color on Gary Guyton’s ridiculous performance at the NFL combine? He was faster than a lot of the running backs!
By Mister MR
February 26, 2008 9:46 PM | Link to this
“We’re not UGA, Ramblin Wrecker. We actually do care about other sports than football…
On the other hand, you never hear about UGA basketball because no one cares about it and it’s never been relevant.”
——And UGA even beats Tech, go figure.
By Navigator
February 26, 2008 10:17 PM | Link to this
Cremins learned in three years how to win in the ACC, and moved into third place in the conference behind NC and Duke, winning an ACC once in a while. Let’s not forget that the ACC was much stronger as a conference back then. The reason I bring this up, is that Tech geared there style toward playing in the ACC first, anyone else second. Hewitt doesn’t get it, never learning to win in the ACC, seemingly always worrying about winning just enough games to get into the NCAA. People used to get excited when Tech played an ACC game, any ACC game.
By Buzz63
February 26, 2008 10:59 PM | Link to this
Whatever happened to the 6’11” redshirt kid. He played in one game. Is he hurt or in the dog house?
By halfmetaljacket
February 27, 2008 2:53 AM | Link to this
There’s little chance of getting to the Dance. So focus on development of Miller, Lawal, Bell and Clinch.
With Shumpert and Dickey next year, they will be the nucleus. Define their roles clearly. Buoy their confidence. Give particular attention to ball handling/passing drills and team defense rotations.
Start preparing for the first game of next year and come out of the gate PREPARED in ‘08/09. No more floating along and counting on ‘figuring it out’ later in the season, only to be on the bubble yet again.
Ditch highly complex achemes. Instead, simplify, focus and bring a new, tougher and aggressive attitude to every game.
Next year will be a defining one. Hewitt is a great ambassador for Tech and showed that he can coach in his first year with no talent on hand. But he looks like a man in misery. The team has taken on his downbeat emotion, so this year is history.
Plan for October, 2008. Recognize what your team can and can’t do and retool accordingly. Either continue to expernalize blame or choose to own the responsibility for modifying pat formulas to suit the team’s talents and limitations… as the subject of this blog suggests.
By Dre
February 27, 2008 4:10 AM | Link to this
Matt,
Have you heard anything about Hewitt moving on to St.John’s after the season?
By razorjacket
February 27, 2008 6:21 AM | Link to this
I thought we were switching to the triple option offense. Maybe Hewitt should try that. At least it would be “an offense” since today I can’t see that we even have any offensive identity.
By WFC
February 27, 2008 7:01 AM | Link to this
I support Paul Hewitt and will continue to. However, some things need to change, especially recruiting philosophy. I believe that Crittendon screwed Hewitt by leaving after one season. I think that the plan was to have Critt backed up by Causey with Miller the heir apparent for next year. Good plan, didn’t work.
Recruit guys who know how to play and don’t require so much individual “coaching up.” Lawal will be a decent ACC player by his junior year but this ex-coach saw him several times as a high school senior and he dominated because of his size and athletic ability. Guess what, Lani, there are no small, slow, can’t jump forwards in the ACC!
I don’t know what happened to Clinch and whether Hewitt is to blame but whatever, it really hurt.
Don’t count on Dickey next year. Hope I’m wrong.
By bubbac
February 27, 2008 7:03 AM | Link to this
I have always followed Tech basketball, since I was a kid, I’m 56 now, and I don’t even bother to watch anymore. When I do, I become so disappointed or uninterested. They are not exciting, and seem to have no direction. Bobby always gave us excitement, or we felt we had a chance. It doesn’t look like our players even have any plays to run. It just hurry up and make turnovers. Defense under the goal isn’t apparent. Rebounding, never heard of it.
By GM
February 27, 2008 7:33 AM | Link to this
halfmetaljacket: very, very well put.
By Ray Shumpert
February 27, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this
People, don’t throw the baby out with the water. Had Josh stayed, GT and coach Hewitt would have had a great year. He didn’t, he opted for the money rather then staying two years and going higher in the draft. Water under the bridge now. Next season, WELLLL, it’s going to be great. You wonder if Iman is the real deal. Last night, he dropped 30, 9 rebounds, 4 steals, and I don’t know how many lost assist. They held him, pushed him and tackled him to no avail. No calls by the refs either. Guess who’s coming to your town, and it isn’t Santa. You will forget all about this past year when you win the Acc tourney next year.
By RAMBLE ON!
February 27, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this
Ray Shumpert is your son, brother, cousin, whatever better than Chris Bosh?
couldn’t get to the dance with him. If he is then, I’m sure we have another one-and-done player.
3 NBA players from last year’s bubble/one and done team.
By GTFAN
February 27, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this
Some of the bloggers seem to need counseling more than they need blogging!
halfmetaljacket, great post. I love Paul, but he just seems to be stuck in the negativity. I say lead more, react less.
Ray Shumpert, can’t wait to see Iman in a GT jersey! We are rooting for the Huskies to cut down the nets in Peoria (my family may travel up for teh game).
Go Jackets!!
By Ray Shumpert
February 27, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this
Nephew. Is he better then Bosh. Let me see. Number one in Illinois, with 5 stars, number 6 point guard in the country, ranked 26 in the nation as a player. Attending Mcdonald’s and Jordan classic, and a academic all american. It’s not for me to decide, it’s for you to decide that. One and done for him, I don’t think so. Don’t bother to come see him play, the way the refs are calling the games against Oak Park they are not going to make it down state, even if he scores 40 each game. It is what it is.
By Ray Shumpert
February 27, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this
I can’t wait to get back to Hotlanta. It’s been almost 20 years, and nor can I wait to see him in a GT uniform. I also cannot wait for all those people who think Coach Hewitt has lost it or cannot recruit eat their hat. I can’t wait for him to impose his will like he did last night and not let his team loose. I can’t wait for the first game against DUKE. Oh yes, I’ll be flying in quite often.
By buzweiser
February 27, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this
My disillusionment has been growing over the past couple of years to where i really don’t follow our team as closely a I did. Now to this year team, I must say that losing two of our freshman to the Pros hurt this team. This years team and recent past ones have found us in striking distance near game end but unable to bring closure, lacking a critical shot maker or a defense that holds our lead against an opponent. This years losses have four games within 2 points or six within 4 points. Splitting could possibly put the NCAA within reach based upon strength of schedule. I would say consistency, lack of closure, turnovers and coaching are our problems.
By OG-T
February 27, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this
If Hewitt works the inside-out game, AND DOESN’T ABANDON IT, then we have potential to expose their paint defense, and get our 3pt shooters a glimpse of light. They can hit open 3 ptrs, but Clinch, A-Mo, Causey and Peacock need space. Record-wise, we should get destroyed. Personnel-wise, I see a great matchup advantage for GT. I think this looks like an upset. Money-line at Vegas, baby!
Either way, I put the over-under of fans booing Kami-Causey at 90 seconds of playing time.
By Bravesfan79
February 27, 2008 11:24 PM | Link to this
Ray: good to have you on the blog, and im glad hes coming to GT. Hopefully D Favors will follow in 09. All these fairweather fans on here make me sick.
Hewitt is a good coach, the team just makes to many stupid mistakes. I talked 2 games ago on the blog about all the stupid needless fouls we make and tonight that was backed up when ESPN said wed been outshot by 66 freethrows in the past 3 or 4 games. WAY 2 many dumb off the ball fouls!
That might work against some teams like Memphis, but not against NC or Duke!
Hewitt, unlike coack K, dosent recruit big guys that can shoot the 3 and that kills us when we play teams that spread us out, Matt you should know this, so why you would compare to coach K’s scheme is beyond me??
Next year we will have a team that will be VERY capable of being a top 4 team in the ACC, and all you fairweather fans will be back.
Gee… we lost 2 lotto picks…ease up pple… at least we get TOP recruits, were not UGA, or Ga State!
By BobinBuford
February 28, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this
Ray, GTFAN:
As a proud alum of Oak Park-River Forest HS (class of ‘71), I also cannot wait to see Iman here in Atlanta. OPRF has never been a basketball powerhouse, and he has put them on the map. It will be nice to see what he can do when the other team cannot concentrate solely on him - remember, in the last playoff game, OPRF was without their #2 scorer.
For those of you who wonder what kind of kid he is, he has been writing a blog for the local paper (Oak Leaves) during this season. EACH of his columns talk about WE as a team - not what I did.
Go Huskies - beat Fenwick tomorrow!!!
By GTdude
February 28, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this
One thing I have noticed is that Hewitt does not adapt his style to his personnel. We run largely the same offense now that we ran when we made the national championship. Key difference, that year with McHenry and ClayMo running the 4 spot, which gets the ball at the top of the key a lot in this offense, especially to kick things off. Those two could actually handle the ball, and ClayMo could hit a 3 if you didn’t respect him. Now its Jeremis Smith or Zack Peacock, who can do neither of things, and the half court offense immediately grinds to a halt. We need a new half court set BADLY. We haven’t had a good half court offense since those days and everybody we play knows it.