Tech

By Carolina Jacket

January 6, 2009 7:45 AM | Link to this

I fear its going to be a long season. Don’t know if its over rated players or just a complete lack of chemistry, but they surely seem to be lacking and will get eaten up in the ACC. Now I hope they prove me wrong.

By Atlanta Jackets

January 6, 2009 8:00 AM | Link to this

To quote Phil Collins, tonight is the night! Tech’s b-ball team comes to life against the cesspool and rebounds (LOL!) from a slow start. We’ll use this beatdown as a starting point for a run at the ACC title. Mark this date down and remember who told you too!

Come on Derrick “Do me the” Favor! Keep your grades up and join the winning team. The Tech team.

THWG!

By Observer

January 6, 2009 8:11 AM | Link to this

I know I’m beating a dead horse here but if players consistently lack intensity, the blame can only lie with one person - the coach.

With this team, playing hard is the exception rather than the rule. They don’t seem to care about setting screens properly or calling out screens to teammates. They refuse to play aggressively on defense. They are routinely out-hustled and out-rebounded by smaller, less athletic teams.

This team DOES NOT lack talent - there is an abundance of it. What they lack is heart, motivation and a unified focus. Those qualities originate with one person - the coach.

The time has come (and passed) for us to admit this experiment has failed. Paul Hewitt needs to go.

By RAMBLE ON!!!

January 6, 2009 8:28 AM | Link to this

Atlanta Jackets-never, ever quote Phil Collins. If you must, I think “I don’t care anymore, I don’t care!”

It seems no one has noticed but me, but for the last 5 years, it’s always been “too little, too late”.

Tonight’s game could be the ugliest game major college basketball has ever seen. If you are sitting court side, don’t take your eye off the ball, it could hit you in the face.

The only way to give proper credit for this one is which team is not going to lose the game.

By yellowblood

January 6, 2009 8:40 AM | Link to this

I don’t care what formula it takes to beat those thugs from Athens. Just do it!!! Then we can hold a satisfying Tickle Pile, which we haven’t had since we beat the Mutts!!

By Road Scholar

January 6, 2009 8:46 AM | Link to this

Winning combination? What was the free throw % ? About 50%. Not there yet! I had to turn it off in the first half. They did surprise me though coming back to within 10. Hewitt didn’t seem to have a clue in the first half, constantly running his hands through his hair. The assistants sat on their hands.

By Tony

January 6, 2009 9:17 AM | Link to this

I used to be a big Tech basketball fan when Cremins was the coach. I couldn’t wait to watch Tech on T.V.. Now, I never know when or who they are playing and cannot identify anyone on the team. I want nothing more than to get back on the wagon but all I see, when I watch, is a bunch of undiscipined athletes playing street ball. Give me Scott Petway and Craig Neal anyday over these goof offs.

By ggodsey

January 6, 2009 9:30 AM | Link to this

Good morning toolbags. I hope your boyfriends made it to work on time today.

By ACC Fan

January 6, 2009 9:36 AM | Link to this

I watched the entire Alabama game although it was hard to until the last 9 minutes when Tech looked like a different team than they had prior to that time. I can’t remember seeing such sloppy play by a Tech team in all aspects before this last 9 minutes. Hopefully the team and especially the coaches can learn from this if they have the stomach to watch it on tape. I couldn’t stand to watch it again and hope I never have to see such a low level of intensity by any Tech team, especially tonight against Georgia.

By fred

January 6, 2009 9:40 AM | Link to this

I was fortunate to play bb for two very good coaches—-both super strong on fundamentals (defense, passes, rebounds, hustle). NEVER, NEVER did my coaches compliment us for actually “running” back on D.

Same as a Tech prof thanking us for coming to class. Whoa, Nellie, a very bad roundball situation on the Flats.

By Sautee Dawg

January 6, 2009 9:44 AM | Link to this

One thing about tonights game, neither team will get outcoached.

By ben

January 6, 2009 9:48 AM | Link to this

Paul, the natives are restless. And when they get restless, they’re willing to trade one coach with a .600 winning percentage for another with a .600 winning percentage and declare him king (for a season or two anyway).

By Buzzcut

January 6, 2009 10:07 AM | Link to this

Yellowblood,

I’ve read your posts about a Tickle Pile. What, exactly, are you talking about?

By Fundamentals?

January 6, 2009 10:23 AM | Link to this

Ramble On is correct - it’s been nothing but excuses for CPH for the last few years. The team is always “building” towards something big.

However, anyone watching his teams can see that they all lack fundamental basketball knowledge and skill. They are talented - but they lack basic basketball skills. That is a reflection of coaching.

There are few, if any, players in the program that have become significantly better players each year they have played under CPH. Even if they had chemistry, they’ll never win in the ACC without knowing how to pass the ball into the post or even get the ball inbounds.

By Born2Buzz

January 6, 2009 10:25 AM | Link to this

I did turn the game off when down by 30. Just couldn’t stomach watching the pathetic display anymore. This team was playing like a bunch of little girls. And definitely not playing as a team. If they don’t wake up soon I’m afraid coach PH is going to be looking for a new gig at years end.

By ggodsey

January 6, 2009 10:33 AM | Link to this

OK nerds…if you could pick between an undefeated football season in 09 or running your hands through Tom Sellecks chest hair..which would it be?

By CW

January 6, 2009 11:47 AM | Link to this

Just to give some perspective on this juggernaut over in Tuscaloosa that had the Jackets down by 30 at one point, this may finally be the year that Bama basketball fans get Mal Moore’s attention so that he fires Coach Mark Gottfried. I believe the win over Tech was Gottfried’s first over an ACC opponent. Alabama has a deceiving record because they have played mostly patsies and have struggled mightily to beat them. For Tech to lose so badly to a bottom-rung SEC team that really doesn’t even care about hoops is really disappointing and humiliating to the program.

I’ll agree with the comments above, sharing disbelief and horror at a coach who applauds his team actually playing defense for 8-10 minutes of a game.

I know it is always easy to just start yelling to fire the coach, but does anyone really have an example of a player in the last 5-6 years who significantly improved their game under Coach Hewitt’s tutelage? It seems his entire strategy is to recruit 4 star players, hope they can stay in school and then just roll out the basketballs.

It doesn’t appear to be working very well.

By jabster

January 6, 2009 11:56 AM | Link to this

Sautee Dawg:

Ain’t that the truth…

Buzzcut:

Got your tickle pile right here… http://i12.tinypic.com/4vskpl5.jpg

By UGA is so last year

January 6, 2009 12:01 PM | Link to this

We are in dead last in the ACC and we will stay there. Bobby Cremins never got us to the NCAA final - but he certainly had us near the top for many years in a row. Hewitt has not and needs to go. Fire Hewitt Now! Nuff said.

By Navigator

January 6, 2009 12:04 PM | Link to this

The answer is both: some smoke and mirrors, and some good offensive strategy. Let’s hope PJohnson’s success doesn’t follow the Navy pattern. First they got pretty good, but they never got beyond that first phase. Now recruiting should be the answer, since Tech doesn’t have the limitation of 10 years guaranteed military service

By Born2Buzz

January 6, 2009 12:08 PM | Link to this

Fundamentals and CW, Alvin Jones is the only one I can really think of.

I’m so disappointed in Hewitt’s coaching over the last 4 years. When he first arrived on the scene it was a refreshing change from Bobby (who was the ultimate in recruiting stars and rolling out the ball). We actually ran inbounds plays and it seemed that every time coming out of a time out we were able to get a good shot. We played 9-11 guys who constantly ran up and down the court, playing hard nosed pressure D for 94 feet. Somewhere along the line this has gotten lost. I’m not sure if Paul has just lost the assistants who did most of the coaching or if he’s felt he had to change his style based on the talent at hand.
I even have to agree wit RAMBLE that the last 5 years have been too many excuses. But here we are again. Our PG has missed a month with a broken nose. Our only senior leader and best on ball defender is out for the season. But excuses are not going to cut it. Coach better get some order and teach them to man up or this could be it.

By kay

January 6, 2009 12:10 PM | Link to this

Went to the Alabama game with my husband. He left at the half. I stayed and it looked like the team was going to make a come back, but of course, did not. Why can’t they play with intensity the whole game instead of just the last 5 minutes??? The Alabama fans were holding their breath that Tech would come back. As always, I have hope that we will win, no matter what. Seems like our place in life is to make other schools look good and make them happy! So embarrassing and disappointing!

By StingerSplash

January 6, 2009 12:12 PM | Link to this

A mirage, basically because Tech started doing things out of desperation and never really threatened. I mean, simple things like “cover Ronald Steele, because he can play” should be done from the opening tip. I like CPH, but ….

By Navigator

January 6, 2009 12:14 PM | Link to this

My bad, basketball not football.

By Springfield

January 6, 2009 12:14 PM | Link to this

This game is setting up to be a remake of that great Eastwood flick…..

“Two Mules for Sister Turnip”

By TECH FIRST

January 6, 2009 12:55 PM | Link to this

WE GOT THE BEST AD IN THE COUNTRY THE BEST FOOTBALL COACH ON THE PLANET AND NOW THIS BASKETBALLS MY FAVORITE SPORT NEVER WAS A HEWITT FAN BUT I BACKED HIM AND HE LEAD US TO THE BIG GAME GOOD COACH. NOW ITS TIME TO GET SOME BLOOD ON THE SIDELINES MARK PRICE WELL KEEP OUR RECRUITING CLASS AND GO DEEP NEXT YRS AT THIS PACE WE HEADED TO 3 ST8 LOSING SEASONS IN OUR LEAGUE WERE ALWAYS BEEN A BASKETBALL SCHOOL AND ITS TIME TO GET BACK THERE ALL LOVE TECH FIRST

By TECH FIRST

January 6, 2009 1:07 PM | Link to this

ALSO I AM SMART AND LIKE SHINY THINGS

By BLAZER

January 6, 2009 1:11 PM | Link to this

BORN2BUZZ IS RIGHT ON

WHAT HAPPEN TO THE OLD STYLE OF 94”

OF DEFENSE AND RUNNING THE OTHER TEAM

TO DEATH. COME ON PAUL!!

By AlabamaRamblinwreck

January 6, 2009 1:33 PM | Link to this

So hard to watch. It is embarrassing. Our players do not improve, and they do not seem to have discipline. We take terrible shots, and we give up easy scores.

Very frustrating!!

Need a new coach. If we mess up with the recruiting class next year, it may be many, many years before we can ever attract high-level recruits again.

There is very good coach at VCU we could get, and I am sure there are others. The coach at U.South Alabama would be good. How about Belmont’s coach. They do very well.

Something must be done.

Go Jackets!!

By RAMBLE ON!!!

January 6, 2009 1:36 PM | Link to this

Springfield, when we start shooting free throws and can’t inbound the ball, the appropriate movie is GROUND HOG DAY.

By Atlanta Jackets

January 6, 2009 1:44 PM | Link to this

Come on Derick “Do me a solid” Favors! The world’s top program needs to world’s top player. Join Tech. Study hard. Make a million or two or fifty.

By BeamerBall

January 6, 2009 2:02 PM | Link to this

Atlanta jackets..just how big of a dork are you. Jeez.

By T-Bone

January 6, 2009 2:37 PM | Link to this

I agree with most of the comments above, and I used to be a big Hewitt supporter. The last two years, in particular, have been very frustrating as a fan. However, it is completely uneducated to say that Hewitt’s players don’t improve. Here’s a quick list: Jarrett Jack, B.J. Elder, Luke Schenscher, Marvin Lewis, Clarence Moore, Anthony Morrow, Jeremis Smith, Gani Lawal, to name a few. The problem is not that Tech’s players don’t improve, it’s that the improvement doesn’t translate to team success. I look around the country and see these teams that are competitive every year despite losing key players, and it’s very frustrating. Paul Hewitt has done some good things for the Institute, but he has reached the end of his rope. He won’t outcoach anyone this year, and that will cost the Jackets a slew of games.

By drew

January 6, 2009 2:42 PM | Link to this

I’m just as frustrated as most of the other Tech fans commenting here. I turned the Bama game off at halftime. I was surprised when I found out they only lost by ten, and from what I’ve read they did it by being aggressive on both ends of the court, running, denying, pressing and playing tough defense. So my question is: How come they can’t play like this for 40 mintes? Is it the players? Is it the coach? It looks to me like when they play with HEART they’re a good team, but it apprears they only play with HEART for a few minutes a game.

And this is where coaching (or lack thereof) comes into play. As much as I like PH, this team lacks coaching. A coach has to do three things to win:

1. Recruit talent.
2. Teach/coach-up the talent.
3. Motivate players to play hard THE ENTIRE GAME!

PH does a good job of recruiting, but appears to lack the ability to teach and motivate.

Missed shots, turnovers, fouls and even missed free throws I can live with. But lack of effort, especially on defense, is unacceptable. Let’s see if they can do for 40 minutes what they managed to do for about 10 minutes at Bama.

Unless this team decides to play tough defense ALL the time, they will be ACC door mats, and will be watching the big dance from home.

By Atlanta Jackets

January 6, 2009 3:14 PM | Link to this

BeamerBall don’t hate, appreciate.

I know that you’re upset that your team lost whatever sport they play in. But don’t take your feelings of inadequacy out on the winners of the world. Tech fans are supporters and not whinners like you.

The Robot will destroy you. He’s not going pro. Not this year, not next. Nesbitt is coming back.

By By gggodsey

January 6, 2009 3:43 PM | Link to this

Hi i wish i was as smart as you Tech fans thats why i call u nerds. Deep down inside i wish i was a nerd. Since i am not that smart i will just be a mutt fan. Well i got to get back to flipping those burgers.

By GT2002

January 6, 2009 4:27 PM | Link to this

How many times do we have to watch Alade and Gani stand 35 feet from the basket with the ball looking to reverse it or make an entry pass from the top of the key? In the Tennessee State game Alade was the other guard breaking the half court press with Clinch on at least 3 possessions, 2 of which ended in turnovers. If this is a play to break a press the entire coaching staff should be fired immediately. Even if you don’t have as much talent I still expect to see a team that is trying to execute an offense and that plays hard for 40 minutes. Clearly our inside game is our strength and we should continue to pound the ball inside to open up the outside game for Clinch and Shump. Too many forced shots and no identity on offense have plagued GT basketball for too long. If we lose to this UGA team tonight at home, what do you think our prospects for winning a league game are? Imagine what Duke is going to do to this bunch next week?

By jack

January 6, 2009 5:17 PM | Link to this

I don’t know why we keep having these discussions about the Tech BB program. It is what it is and that will not change this year. Tech is not very good and the coaching seems to be even worse. We will be lucky to win three games in the ACC this year so just sit back and relax and watch us take our lickings this year. PH needs to go!!

By Gordon

January 6, 2009 5:34 PM | Link to this

It’s becoming painfully obvious that Deane Keener and Cliff Warren were doing the heavy lifting during the early Hewitt years. They left for head coaching jobs elsewhere, and that’s when the slide began. Georgia is not very good, but we may lose to them tonight.

By westcoast techie

January 6, 2009 6:24 PM | Link to this

You bloggers need to get off CPH’s back. The reason the BB team is playing this current brand of “street ball” is because CHP had to take time off. He took a sabatical to be the yellow jacket’s defensive coordinator against Georgia and LSU. I do see resemblance in the type of “lock down” defense played in both sports.

By GT GRAD

January 6, 2009 6:29 PM | Link to this

We all need to support Coach PH and the current players. We also need to get excited about the recruiting class lined up for next year!!

This year will be tough, but the players will get better and be ready to make a solid run as soon as the new recruits arrive.

Go GT!!

By Jack Brickhouse

January 6, 2009 7:10 PM | Link to this

Did I really just see a Tech player—I think it was Lawal—warming up while listening to headphones?

Can he not forget the tunes for just a few hours and concentrate on basketball?

By ed

January 6, 2009 8:00 PM | Link to this

First this has to be the worst group of player that have ever worn a GT Uniform. Look like they just run up and down the floor shoot at will alot of one on one. What is Paul doing with all this trash on the floor. Lance a silly foul one af the few guys who can play on this team.

By Seriously?

January 6, 2009 8:22 PM | Link to this

T-Bone - Your list of players were good players…but they did not become significantly better under PH.

Anthony Morrow? One dimensional all four years and he couldn’t get an open shot any better his SR year than his Fresh. yr. The same guy puts up 39 in a pro. game after decent coaching. Gani? Great talent, but it’s his 2nd year and all you have to do to stop him is double team and foul (he can’t throw out and can’t shoot free throws).

And the crew that went to the final four (most of your list) was sparked by Bynum and Jack and had incredible chemistry. (By the way…I was also a Hewitt fan until the last couple years).. I’m beginning to think his assitants - two in particular - were the real secret to those first four years. If he doesn’t clean out his first few chairs after this year, it’s time for him to go.

By UGA = Losers

January 6, 2009 9:37 PM | Link to this

45 - 42

67 - 62

At least thay have a good gymnastics team…

By GT93

January 6, 2009 9:38 PM | Link to this

Well, it wasn’t pretty, but GT got the victory over that “unfortunate” other school in Georgia… this time in Basketball, and by 5 points instead of 3. I’ll take it … anyday, anyway … I’ll take it.

Ditto Sautee Dawg … at least no one got out-coached. While I’m happy ‘bout tonight’s victory, I’m fearing another season of mediocrity and under-achievement (especially when we get into the thick of ACC play). Don’t know what the whole answer is … but maybe it starts with MAKING MORE FREE THROWS!!!!!

Go Jackets!!

By IndyGT

January 6, 2009 9:43 PM | Link to this

Let me preface by saying, I’m STILL a CPH fan. That said, you don’t just forget how to coach - maybe some of it has to do with Cliff and Dean, but I still saw good play when we had Thaddeus and Javaris.. we were just young. What CPH is guilty of is making some really bad decisions with personnel. His championship team was stacked with depth, this year we have none. But, I’m willing to give him this year. We lost Dickey, lost our best defender Bell, which has had the added effect of moving Peacock out of position.. so again I’m willing to give him this year. This year’s going to hurt, but he NEEDS to do better next year.

By jacketbacker

January 6, 2009 10:05 PM | Link to this

i’m not a CPH fan but beating the leghumpers NEVER gets old!!…..unfortunately, when we start playing real bball teams its going to get ugly…..

45-42

67-62

THWG!!!!!

By GreenJacket

January 6, 2009 10:09 PM | Link to this

IndyGT,

Don’t forget Miller too. An experienced point guard makes a big difference. Shumpert will be very good in the future. Kudos to Clinch for his hustle despite a horrible night shooting.

By BravesFan79

January 6, 2009 10:37 PM | Link to this

Good win tonight, pretty amazing we can win a game hitting almost nothing but layups! Man my REC team shoots better than Hewitt coached teams.

In the AL game ive never seen a team stack 4 pple in the box like the did and we STILL passed it into the block (turnover) even tho they had a WIDE OPEN jumpshot! And i noticed several times tonight against UGA Shumpert had a wide open shot at the top of the key and decided to AGAIN do a terrible pass to a double teamed man in the post.

BRING BACK THE OLD ASSISTANTS…and make Hewitt the head recruiter.

By AlabamaRamblinwreck

January 6, 2009 11:45 PM | Link to this

How hard would it be for CPH to recruit some long range shooters? This is the worst shooting team I have ever seen at Tech, but I have only been watching since 1982.

Go Jackets!!

By POOR LITTLE MUTTS

January 7, 2009 9:36 AM | Link to this

Awwww…What happened lil’ puppies? LOST in football, LOST in basketball…and later today you LOSE your two BEST players (Matthew “Baby Farve” Stafford..and Knowshon “Hey did you just see him jump over that CENTRAL MICHIGAN Player” Moreno). Keep coming to the tech blog and talking trash. It only makes us know we’re in your heads and that the losing is getting to ya. Is there a reason you guys talk so much trash AFTER you LOSE? Did you talk trash to Florida after they blew your doors off? Anyways, I’m going to have a keg at my house if you want to come by later. It will be to celebrate “Stafford and Moreno’s Choosing Big Money Over Athens Going Away Party”!!! Hope to see all you fleabags there.

By bearcasey

January 7, 2009 11:40 AM | Link to this

67-62… a gutty win… lockdown defense in the second half… congrats to the jackets! The dawgies are defending SEC champs, so this is a good one!

By BC EAGLES

January 11, 2009 9:32 PM | Link to this

Just wondering if LSU is going to get a ring made after they DEMOLISHED GT? No, SEC teams are used to winning. ACC blows and always will. GTs offense is a gimmick and next year they will blow as usual.