AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2009 > January > 16 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USDoes it happen Saturday?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Greetings-
UPDATED, 12:50 p.m.
Two things for you. Just spoke with ESPN analyst Jay Bilas, who called the Duke game Wednesday. Some of his thoughts on Tech:
“They move the ball from side to side well and they push it up the floor well. They’re good defensively. They do a lot of things well and a lot of things well enough to win. But they’re 0-3 in the league because of turnovers and free throws. That’s why. They’re going to continue to get better and they’ve got quality big people, but the margin for error in the ACC is a slim one. You have to control what you can control. You can control the free throw line, because they get there a lot.”
Ken Tysiac, an ACC writer for the Charlotte Observer, answered a few questions about N.C. State. (He also covered Tech-Duke Wednesday) You can read his Friday story about the Wolfpack here.
1) Having just seen Tech play Duke, how do you think the Jackets match up with N.C. State?
I think the Jackets match up fairly well with N.C. State. The Georgia Tech big men, Alade Aminu and Gani Lawal, are athletic enough to deal with Brandon Costner and Ben McCauley, the post players who are the strength of N.C. State’s team. The Wolfpack is really struggling at guard, with leading backcourt scorer Trevor Ferguson unlikely to play much because of injury. So I think Georgia Tech is in good shape there. Georgia Tech’s most difficult matchup could be at small forward, where Zach Peacock is more physical than Courtney Fells but won’t easily guard him on the perimeter.
2) Against Florida State, N.C. State played better when starters Ben McCauley and Brandon Costner went to the bench, and freshmen Julius Mays, C.J. Williams and Johnny Thomas came in, then collapsed again when Costner and McCauley went back in. Could the lineup be significantly different on Saturday?
Ben McCauley and Brandon Costner have been the strength of N.C. State’s team for most of the season, so Sidney Lowe is unlikely to bench them. I think Lowe will stick with a rotation that uses players like Johnny Thomas and Tracy Smith off the bench, but McCauley and Costner have proven over the long haul that they belong on the court when the game is on the line.
3) Are the Wolfpack a little like Tech, in that they’re trying to find an identity? If and when they find one, what do you think it might be?
I think the Wolfpack has its identity, but it’s a flawed identity. This team is solid in the post with McCauley and Costner, and even Smith and Dennis Horner coming off the bench. But the guards as a whole are turnover prone and will continue to make it difficult to win against ACC opponents.
FROM FRIDAY MORNING
Sorry to get this up late. Plans don’t always go like you want them to. Just so you know, I’m working on a story for Saturday’s paper advancing the game against N.C. State about the team’s inability to get the ball to Gani Lawal in the post. It should be up online late afternoon/early evening.
Anyway, a few things. One, a recap of Derrick Favors’ ESPN 2-televised game Thursday night in Birmingham. Since South Atlanta played a Birmingham team (Leflore), which won, the story deals more with that team than South Atlanta. Favors had 39 points and 19 rebounds.
Second, a look at the state of things in Raleigh. You may know, but in the Wolfpack’s last game, against Florida State, they fell behind by three at halftime. According to the story, Sidney Lowe put in two freshmen, including point guard Julius Mays, to start the half. With five minutes left, Lowe put starters Brandon Costner and Ben McCauley back in the game, and N.C. State only scored two more points the rest of the way and lost.
Lastly, a few words from Lewis Clinch about N.C. State: “They’re like an NBA team. They run a lot of sets. They do a good job of running their sets, but I think we can put a lot of pressure on them.”
Paul Hewitt: “As always they run their half-court offense very well. McCauley’s an excellent passer out of the post, Costner’s a good three-point shooter himself, a dangerous, dangerous player. Last year, they had the injuries to the point guard, so they’re young at point guard. That’s been the big thing, squaring away their point guard play.”
This appears to be a good opportunity for Tech to get its first ACC win. They’re fairly similar statistically in a lot of ways, one key difference being, of course, free throws.
But then, N.C. State, which is 0-2 in league play, is probably looking at Tech thinking the exact same thing.
What do you think?
Comments
By Rob
January 16, 2009 10:05 AM | Link to this
State is bad but we are worse…hope GT wins but I think home court advantage pushes Tech to 0—4 in the ACC.
By RAMBLE ON!!!
January 16, 2009 10:11 AM | Link to this
I hope this isn’t on TV.
By ga_tech_92
January 16, 2009 10:18 AM | Link to this
It sounds like one team knows how to run a half court offense. I am going to make a wild guess and say that team wins.
By ggodsey
January 16, 2009 10:21 AM | Link to this
Good morning toolbags.
By toolbags
January 16, 2009 11:21 AM | Link to this
Good morning ggodsey. Slow day at the office?
By ken sugiura
January 16, 2009 12:12 PM | Link to this
Sorry, Ramble On. Raycom’s got it.
By jaxjacket
January 16, 2009 12:38 PM | Link to this
Always hopeful, but we have managed to play to just below the level of our opponent most of the season, if I were betting, that’s the way I would bet for NCSU also.
By Wrecker1
January 16, 2009 12:53 PM | Link to this
Ken skip the story on not getting the ball to Gawal. That’s been the same story at TECH at least since Chris Bosh. The only thing that cahnges is the name of the post player (Bosh, Dickey, Gawal, etc). I remember a game about 3 years ago where we made a concentrated effort to get Dickey the ball and he punished Duke. The next game was back to the same old story. Do a story on no 1/2 court offense, no in-bounds plays, why we can’t reverse the ball out of a double team, or why nobody takes a charge on an opponents drive to the basket. What Hewitt really should do is show his team the Duke film as film study before every game. Don’t show them how it’s done wrong (our game tape); show them a tape of a team that thinks basketball and executes the correct way. I’m really being serious and trying not to be critical. Instead of saying this is wrong show them constantly how it is done right. Early in the game Tuesday I told my daughter that Duke would beat TECH on execution more than on talent.
By sidewalk74
January 16, 2009 1:00 PM | Link to this
0-4 is for sure. I don’t know if a team has went 0-16 in ACC play but this team could make a run at matching the Lions.
5 talented recruits coming next year.
Still a .500 team. Reasons that will be accepted and handed out by Hewitt: 1) We are a really young team. 2) The kids are working hard but we just aren’t making enough plays. 3)Chemistry has not developed yet. 4) ……….
Hewitt actually stated in his press conference after the Duke game , “You may think I’m crazy but, I think we are playing some pretty good basketball.”
Yep, I think your crazy. This team does nothing well consistently except press when they are already down by 10+ pts and we are guaranteed to see another year of it due to the recruiting class.
However 45-42 still makes me smile. THWG
By AlabamaRamblinwreck
January 16, 2009 1:20 PM | Link to this
Can we please quit talking about this team? It has already been said over and over. This team is poorly coached, bottomline!
They will only win if the talent is able to win without coaching.
Maybe our girls team could help the guys with FT shooting!
Go Jackets!!! It will be so good when I am as excited about GT basketball again like I am about the football program and CPJ.
By BLAZER
January 16, 2009 1:30 PM | Link to this
thank goodness for 67-62!!!!!!
if storrs is over 40% from three pt land-
why don’t we let him shoot more than once a game?
By Techy77
January 16, 2009 2:03 PM | Link to this
This is a very mediocre team at best. I agree it is poorly coached and from what I have seen all of Hewitts teams have been. My guess Hewitt is gone after this year and we lose 3 of the recruits. If Favors comes and Hewitt stay’s favors will be a Bosh and gone after 1 year.
By Tech75
January 16, 2009 2:07 PM | Link to this
It’s just NOT POSSIBLE that anyone in the ACC could be worse than us.
Until the players RELAX and start shooting the ball from the field at > 40% reliably and 65% at the FT line, it’s not likely we’re going to come out on top.
I think the individual players are under so much self-imposed pressure that they can’t relax and let the game flow, and this also affects their shooting. They’re thinking too much.
You can press all you want, you’re not going to shut the other team out. You’re not going win 2-0; you have to relax, let the game flow, shoot the rock well but still play effective D.
By BobinBuford
January 16, 2009 2:08 PM | Link to this
Blazer:
It’s simple - Storrs doesn’t shoot because he knows that if he misses a few shots, he’s back on the bench. That is the way Hewitt does it with his subs. It’s been that way since the Hewitt regime began here.
By Tom
January 16, 2009 2:15 PM | Link to this
Tech has a chace Mo Miller is kept on the bench!
If he is on the floor, GT can forget it!
By RAMBLE ON!!!
January 16, 2009 2:27 PM | Link to this
argh!!!
By Zach
January 16, 2009 2:46 PM | Link to this
Paul Hewitt coached some of the best free throw shooting teams in the country with Sienna, and we have never had problems with them before. This ridiculously poor free throw shooting is NOT a symptom of poor coaching. I wish we could just not play the rest of our games, because there seems to be just a total lack of confidence plaguing this team. What happened to Miller’s free throw shooting? Where did Peacock’s solid midrange shot go? What happened to Clinch’s great shooting? Why can’t anyone on this team make a layup?
We certainly aren’t the best coached team in the world. Not close. But poor coaching isn’t killing this team. At some point, the players have to go out and make good decisions and make open shots and make free throws. If you’re looking for a reason to blame or criticize Hewitt, you’ll find it. Doesn’t mean you’re right. We’ve always had problems getting the ball to our big men because we’ve had a lot of inconsistency at the guard positions. Give Miller and Shumpert time and this team will noticeably improve. Shumpert is streaky, but when he’s on, he is very good, like the first half of the Duke game.
Basketball is more about the players than it is about the coaching. We miss Bell’s defense and leadership. We miss Anthony Morrow’s shooting more than we anticipated. We should restock next year. Miller and Shumpert will have another year under them and should be much much better, and they will have more options underneath.
Oh, and Storrs rarely gets in there because he does one thing good, and that is shoot. Everyone complains about how no one moves on offense, Storrs stands in the corner and waits for the ball. That is why he is never in there. He is clumsy and awkward.
Be positive.
By Zach
January 16, 2009 2:47 PM | Link to this
They certainly can beat NCST. They were doing well that first half against Duke. But really, I think Hewitt should use an entire practice on shooting free throws. Something needs to happen to get their confidence back up. Clinch, Miller, Peacock, and Shumpert should be lights out from the line.
By GT73
January 16, 2009 2:56 PM | Link to this
Our current recruiting class is ranked 23rd overall and 7th in the ACC according to Scout. That is not enough talent overall to feel compelled to stick with the current coach. If by the end of the year, coaching has not overcome the problems at the free-throw line and turnovers, Hewitt absolutely needs to go!
By CanHewitt
January 16, 2009 3:01 PM | Link to this
People are worried that some of recruits would change their mind if Hewitt gets fired. But what if Tech replaces him with a former Tech legend, Mark Price? Would they still leave? He’s a proven star who’s well respected around basketball world. I bet he cannot only coach better but would recruit as well or better too. FT % would never be this horrendous under his coaching.
By GT2002
January 16, 2009 4:20 PM | Link to this
The main flaw of Paul Hewitt’s teams is that he never leaves the same group of 5 players on the floor together for more than 1 or 2 possessions before he subs. The one thing that is stressed on every level more than anything is continuity on offense and being comfortable with the other 4 guys who surround you on the floor. If you are never sure who is to your left or to your right, how can you be comfortable in the offense? Secondly, I am sick and tired of seeing Alade and Gani 30 feet from the basket trying to force a high-low pass and being unable to reverse the ball to the other side. They have no business with the ball that far from the basket. If they are setting a high screen that is fine but to have our bigs camped out at the top of the key is hard to fathom. Those two items are the main reason for all of the turnovers this team suffers and until those things change the L’s will keep coming.
PS. The reason Storrs doesn’t shoot more is because he can’t create his own shot in this offense. If he is open in transition he will knock it down but otherwise he can’t get a shot off.
By bill
January 16, 2009 4:36 PM | Link to this
GT73…that Scout report is BEFORE Favors…once he signs, Tech will be Top 5 according to many sources…Espn, Rivals,Hoopmasters among others. This incoming is very good. Favors, Holsey and Udofia will contribute heavily. Don’t be shocked if they all are starting ( with Lawal and Shumpert).
By DAWGHATER
January 16, 2009 5:06 PM | Link to this
Hey UGAy Fans: Your BB team sux, as does your football team. Favors is an awesome player and Hewitt is an awesome coach. We are in the ACC, not the SEC, which is hurtin fer certin in Basketball. The Dawgs are pathetic and will continue to suck. Good luck Dawg fans, as things are changing in football and basketball for a long time to come. Hey, at least your good with gymnastics. “THWG” “LMFAO” Ramble On!
By fred
January 16, 2009 5:22 PM | Link to this
Hewitt, knowing what we now know, would not be hired.
So—-why keep him?
Get ‘er done, and move to the future.
By GT
January 16, 2009 6:11 PM | Link to this
We are the Motown Lions of the ACC. We will lose every game. Question: have we ever lost every game in the ACC. If we are going to this much trouble we might as well be making history. While we are at it what is the lowest free throw percentage in Tech history. I got the feeling we are making some real history here and the AJC is missing it.
By BravesFan79
January 16, 2009 6:51 PM | Link to this
No way this GT team is bad enough to loose EVERY game in the ACC! We have way to much talent for that. I predict at least 3 wins in the ACC this year. Theve got to play smarter tho.
And Hewitt HAS to get some new blood among assistants this summer! Just as bad as Auburn needed a new offensive coordinatior in football. I bet Duke and UNC both have at least 3 or 4 assistant coaches that are better than ANY of ours! That counts more than some think.
By okeefe59
January 16, 2009 7:00 PM | Link to this
Signing Favors is a bad error.He is not the savior of GT BB. This will just be another disruption in our program.He will not be at Tech long enough to make a difference………… As I have said before,I AM TIRED OF THESE ONE AND DONE HEROS. I will not watch GT BB at all next year…..
By okeefe59
January 16, 2009 7:05 PM | Link to this
BravesFan79 you are a dreamer.As long as we shoot free throws like we do ,pass like we do and turn the ball over like we do,we could lose the rest of our games no matter who we play. My high school teamwould do well against this bunch
By UGA is so last year
January 16, 2009 7:08 PM | Link to this
Hewitt stinks. Translates to a LOSS Saturday. 0-16.
By okeefe59
January 16, 2009 7:24 PM | Link to this
What are we thinking? Why waste our time on a guy that we know will not be at Tech more than one year.We have not had any continuity for at least 3 years and we have just added another year.I would rather be competitive every year and win a conference championship every 10 years than go through this crap year in and year out. These guys are disrespecting the reputations that so many of us have worked very hard to acheive.I can’t beleive that CPH does this year after year.
By Todd
January 16, 2009 9:25 PM | Link to this
Leflore is in Mobile, Alabama, some 250 miles away from Birmingham. A longer distance than Atlanta to Birmingham.
By want to Win
January 17, 2009 8:52 AM | Link to this
Hewitt needs to hire him a good assistant coach, that can coach and have the boys ready to play. They don’t execute or defend. He would be wise to let his assistants go now.If he can coach, then let him prove it by himself, the rest of the year, and if they don’t get better, then releve of his duties, or put him in charge of recruiting.
By GT
January 17, 2009 10:42 AM | Link to this
We are too much into defense and physical presence and have forgotten the basics of the game itself. I have never seen a ball go up so many times and never go in the basket. There has got to be drills for this. I wandered into Duke one summer day and went over to the indoor stadium walk right into the door like a high school gym and there in the heat of summer were James and Battier on opposite baskets practicing free throws with some device that had a tarp around the hole of the basket so if the ball did not go in it rolled back down the tarp and was shot out of a machine like a bowling ball and the shooter could just stand there and shoot all day. Hard work on a basketball court pays off more that almost any sport because it is a game of precision. We have tried to turn it into a game of flash and awe the last couple of years but the reason the foreign players are making a splash in the NBA is they have the fundamentals down. Michael Jordon not only could sky he could nail three pointers and never missed clutch free throws. Tech works on everything but the things that win games.
By Techster
January 17, 2009 12:03 PM | Link to this
After being a hard core Tech hoops fan for a couple decades since I was a student in the 80’s, I don’t even pay attention anymore to this program. Hewitt has returned this program to mediocrity (well, on a good night anyway!). I couldn’t care less about another one-and-done big name signing. How much of a difference did Bosh make when he was here? Crittendon? Thaddeus? None of them made this a great team and neither will this new guy. What we need is a new direction for this team, just like the football team did last year. Get a coach in here that knows how to build a winner.
Do we have a firehewitt.com website yet?
By BravesFan79
January 17, 2009 12:59 PM | Link to this
Anyone else notice that Sidney Lowe looks like the Kool Aid man in his bright red fat suite!
By BravesFan79
January 17, 2009 1:11 PM | Link to this
okeefe59 and others: Yall are wrong! Favors is DIFFERENT than the other one and dones! Why? Because hes not a point guard that has to run the team, or a player that often will take terrible midrange shots (Thad Young)
So your telling me that if GT had Dwight Howard for ONE YEAR he wouldnt of made a difference!?
The fact is that we just got the best big man in the country! A guy that would of been a top 5 draft pick in the NBA if the new rules werent in place.
Next year will be on the shoulders of our guards Shumpert, Miller, and Kunta Kenta from little Africa (aka..Decatur)
We already know well have one of the best frontcourts in the NATION with Lawal and Favors! I bet you will watch as we advance to the sweet 16 at least next year!
Lets hope Hewitt dosent sit with his current stagnent group of assistants this summer and gets some more experienced guys in here to help out!
And man, swallow your pride Hewitt, and bring Mark Price in to help with the free throw shooting!
By GT
January 17, 2009 1:29 PM | Link to this
Has anyone seen one thing in person ,not what you have read, that tells you Lawal could be half of any front court that was ranked in the nation? I don’t care if the other half was Garrnett.
By RAMBLE ON!!!
January 17, 2009 2:13 PM | Link to this
4 minutes left in the game, up by 10 points, do you think we burn some time off the clock?
…NOPE
O/T!!!
time to go see who LOSES this game.
By RAMBLE ON!!!
January 17, 2009 2:13 PM | Link to this
4 minutes left in the game, up by 10 points, do you think we burn some time off the clock?
…NOPE
O/T!!!
time to go see who LOSES this game.
By RAMBLE ON!!!
January 17, 2009 2:30 PM | Link to this
GROUND HOG DAY IS OVER!!!
We are not going to make a run for the bubble!!!
By KC Kid
January 17, 2009 2:34 PM | Link to this
WTF!!
Why does Hewitt not call time out before an obvious turnover is about to happen, then call time out when he’s down by 4 with 8.7 seconds to play.
Time to go Paul. I could coach better than you, and I’d be happy to have the million bucks per year.
By Buzz29
January 17, 2009 2:38 PM | Link to this
Go ddamn! FIRE HEWITT NOW! DON’T LET HIS ARSE ON THE PLANE. NC FREAKIN STATE????????????
By patriots75
January 17, 2009 2:40 PM | Link to this
This is just another game that Hewitt let slip away, i don’t care who he brings in it doesn’t matter, he is the worst coach in the ACC, tech has no leaders, no team work and low basketball intelligence. I would trade the whole team and next years freshman for a new start and coaching staff, it reminds me of the old football coaching staff, no player ever gets better or improves their game, it time to bite the bullet and clean house !!!
By Navigator
January 17, 2009 2:55 PM | Link to this
Just two statistics: 1) lose a 10 point lead at the end of regulation. 2) 3 straight turnovers at the end of overtime. Either Hewitt is a dumb coach or he has dumb players. Either way, it comes back to the coach.
By Historian
January 17, 2009 3:01 PM | Link to this
Maybe it’s me, but why are people so giddy about bringing in a one year player, has this program slipped this far? Most Tech fans aren’t looking for championships of any kind, just a team that doesn’t embarrass the school., maybe a team good enough to win eight games in the conference.
By RAMBLE ON!!!
January 17, 2009 3:20 PM | Link to this
Historian it is you, because I don’t know anyone who is giddy about next year or the one year wonder. Except bravesfan79
For all those who can’t read minds, I’ll do it for you.
After our last 20+ turnover with 4 seconds left and they showed Hewitt, this is what he was thinking…”I’m sooooo fired”
Do it now DRAD!!!
If not, the team is going to quit just like they did on Hewitt in 2006, when we should have fired him.
By Are you ready, Mr.Rad?
January 17, 2009 3:23 PM | Link to this
DRad - This game ought to seal the deal. This bball program is way past the Gailey-era level in football. CPH is in way over his head. And don’t worry about Favors. One recruit is not worth the entire program. If he goes, he goes. It’s time to get an ACC-caliber coach in here to rebuild (from the ground up, now) this once great program.
By Techster
January 17, 2009 3:31 PM | Link to this
This is getting embarrasing. Clearly 1 tournament run in 8 years, with the other 7 seasons being duds does not qualify as a success. I love Coach Hewitt but sometimes it’s best to go seperate ways.
By reebok
January 17, 2009 3:36 PM | Link to this
This is a very badly coached team. Well coached teams simply do not honk up a 10 point lead w/ 3 minutes to go in conference play. What has happened to Paul Hewitt???
By AlabamaRamblinwreck
January 17, 2009 4:00 PM | Link to this
The answer to the original blog question is:
NO
I second all of the motions stated to remove Hewitt from his post. He must go now!
I know of at least 2 high school coaches in AL that could do a better job than this guy!!
By Jacketman
January 17, 2009 4:17 PM | Link to this
Paul Hewitt is a pretty fair recruiter of athletes. The problem is he apparently is not capable of coaching them up. Our Jackets cannot shoot free throws, they turn the ball over way too much, they cannot inbounds the ball, and it is apparent by now that they do not have a good grasp of the offensive team approach to scoring. I will say however, our guys play hard. They do not give up and they hustle. I believe they do not know what to do or have not practiced it enough to be able to do it under stress.
A quality assistant,like a Mark Price, should be hired to design and implement strategies to eliminate these issues. That will free up Paul Hewitt to continue to recruit and handle his other duties he has chosen to take on. If our athletes were to receive the proper instruction and coaching they would be much more successful.
Something must be done. This is painful to watch.
By UGA is so last year
January 17, 2009 4:42 PM | Link to this
email the AD and let him know how you feel. don’t waste the ink in here - do some good with it.
drad@athletics.gatech.edu
By CC
January 17, 2009 6:31 PM | Link to this
I can watch only so many train wrecks. This team is in WAAAAAY over its head…. It’s not just the coach. Ain’t even mostly the coach. He’s not dribbling the ball into turnovers.
These guys have something wrong mentally — looking like middle-school big-time wannabes.
By CC
January 17, 2009 6:33 PM | Link to this
Hewitt said they knew Lawal was going to be double/triple teamed and he was.
So- LAWAL — kick the dang ball out to the top instead of muscling up for no shot.
That, folks, is idiot basketball.
By UGA is so last year
January 17, 2009 7:21 PM | Link to this
Idiot Basketball compliments of Paul Hewitt. Tell drad how you feel; drad@athletics.gatech.edu
By HelluvaEngineer
January 17, 2009 8:32 PM | Link to this
Has anyone ever once noticed Hewitt making an adjustment at halftime that actually worked? (or making ANY adjustment at halftime)? It never ceases to amaze me how easy other teams make it look. What the deuce is Bilas talking about regarding Tech “playing good defense”!?!?!? They have one of the softest defenses I’ve ever seen (especially on the interior). There is a reason opponents shoot a very high percentage against Tech and that is because they let them take good shots (absent the Maryland game last Sat. where Tech did appear to play good D, but Gary Williams made adjustments while CPH must have played sudoku at halftime). Conversely, they have no fluidity on offense. No motion at all, and constant confusion. It always looks like defenses are suffocating, when in fact it’s the lack of offense that is making the opposition look brilliant.
Paul Hewitt is in WAY over his head. The NBA-style is not working at Tech, and these one and dones do nothing to solidify a program. He hhhhas to go.
By HelluvaEngineer
January 17, 2009 8:33 PM | Link to this
Hey DRAD… I know it’s easier said than done, especially with CPJ’s contract extension and the state of the economy. But, I’d love for Tech to go after Tubby Smith. His style of hoops is perfectly acclimated for the ACC (especially at Tech), and is a brilliant recruiter. He simply wins everywhere he goes. Just a thought…
By dawgfan1911
January 17, 2009 10:12 PM | Link to this
The two worse coaches in college basketball coach in the state of Georgia, Paul Hewitt and Dennis Felton and the good think about it is that they both will be fired at the end of the year. They both may lose all of their conference games. How sad. The only reason Tecj may keep Hewitt is because of the recruit they just signed, but he is only going to be there for one year so he really is not going to do the program any good. they other four guys Tech recruited are pretty solid, especially that point guard from Miller Grove. Tech dosent hasn’t had a good point since Jack and it’s interesting how Zam Fredrick was forced to transfer because it was said he wasnt good enough to play at Tech but he is better than any guard they have on the floor including this Shumphert kid who looks like he was way overrated and played against inferior opponents in high school. What a terrible program this Tech basketball team is. I actually root for all the teams in Georgia but watching Tech and Georgia is brutal! Tell me where a win comes from in conference for Tech.
By GT2002
January 18, 2009 12:02 AM | Link to this
I have seen middle school teams execute and take care of the ball better than those two teams today. That was a totally embarassing display of hoops. 44 turnovers combined and one stretch of 7 turnovers in 35 seconds. Up 10 with 4 minutes to go and we all knew what the outcome would be. Time for a change. So what if we lose all of the recruits for next year, I know 5 guys enrolled at Tech not on the team that could put a better showing together when coached right than the 4 studs we have coming in to be coached by CPH. Drad, I am done. No more Tech Fund donations for my seats until we make a change. NC State had lost 11 straight conference games coming in. The kids on this team deserve better.
By how to block a shot w/out a foul?
January 18, 2009 12:40 AM | Link to this
Is it possible that a couple of Tech players do not understand you can actually attempt to block a layup without slapping the wrist of the guy doing the layup?(and by that action just give a free throw?)
Does Tech practice dribbling?
That was some pitiful game Sat PM. PS…good free shooting. And threes.
By Born2Buzz
January 18, 2009 8:38 AM | Link to this
It was rumored that Dean Smith would tell his teams to just get to the last 2 minutes of the game with the score tied and he would coach them to victory.
Paul Hewitt, you have done a pi$$ poor job of coaching and have let a talented team get beat by inferior teams 3 times by simply NOT coaching in the last 2 minutes (or just poor coaching most of the game).
Hell, I’d say that with proper coaching we have enough talent to have even beat Duke. I would bet that Coach K could swap squads and win easily with our team. The kids deserve better.
I’ve been a big Hewitt supporter but that game yesterday just turned the tide for me. I hate to see our top 5 recruiting class go away but I don’t think I can stomach watching such a waste of talent any more. There will be some serious soul searching when next years season ticket renewals come around if Hewitt is still our coach.
Man, is it frustrating being a Tech fan.
By BravesFan79
January 18, 2009 8:50 AM | Link to this
DRAD: Keep Hewitt as heach coach (recruiter and face of the program) and go out and hire the BEST Assistants money can buy! Just like what the football program would do for a new offensive or defensive coordinator!
If there is STILL no improvment after that, with all the talent we had, then go find a new coach.
And think about this pple: a great coach alone (without top recruits) rarely wins it all. What did Bobby Knight accomplish at TT? Sure they made the 2nd round a time or to, but they were never serious Final 4 contenders.
However, with the talent that Hewitt can bring in, mixed with smarter play from the guards, and better more experienced assistants… could result in another Final 4 sooner than expected.
DRAD: you put a TON of $$ into assistants for a sport in which 90% of the teams (including GT) have NO shot at a national title!!
Why not spend some of that $$ on BBALL coaches!!
By Born2Buzz
January 18, 2009 8:57 AM | Link to this
Oh, and all you people asking for Mark Price, has he coached ANYWHERE?? Just because the guy was a great player for us does not mean he is the answer. Come up with some real suggestions for a new coach. And Tubby ain’t leaving Minnesota and the Big Ten to come to Tech. I’d rather try to lure Jeff Caple from Oklahoma.
By jpe
January 18, 2009 9:52 AM | Link to this
I have been loving GT basketball for 25 years, and even when the teams were not great, they were great to watch, because on any given night they could beat anyone. Further, we never lost at home. This team is not only bad, they have become an irrelevant afterthought in the ACC. That is painful. No question it is the coach: Free throws, turnovers, Clinch being 0 for 1000, these are all mindset issues and land on the coach. His teams play not to lose, and as someone above pointed out, guys are afraid that one mistake, and you are back on the bench. I played for a coach like that, and no way can you play close to your best when you fear benching. Finally, his teams never have an identity, with each player knowing his role in crunch time. Tech in nowhere with Hewitt.
By GT
January 18, 2009 9:55 AM | Link to this
Tech basketball is like the mortgage market, no one knows where the bottom is. This is historic never have I seen such underpreforming or over hyped players I can’t tell which one. In my memory ,of not only Tech, but sports as a whole. This is a true study in the mass production of athletes in our day. No leadership, no skills, and no pride. Watch College of Charleston and you will see a sport played like it use to be in Atlanta.
By old Tech fan in NC
January 18, 2009 10:09 AM | Link to this
Local paper here indicated that game was like a bakery…so many turnovers! The local guy even hinted that Tech had the talent to play better….not as the last place team in the ACC…and that was directly in CPH’s lap!
By KillerBee
January 18, 2009 10:46 AM | Link to this
Time to put the bags over our heads in the ‘Dome - just like we did in the Duane Morrisson era. Or would that be too subtle for DRad ??
By yellowblood
January 18, 2009 12:23 PM | Link to this
We are not having quality Tickle Piles!!!!!
By GameTime
January 18, 2009 2:11 PM | Link to this
The Caption for the article “Another Stinging Loss”. Sadly, they don’t sting any more. I’ve come to expect them.
By austen
January 18, 2009 7:19 PM | Link to this
I’m begging you to hire Mark Price and bring this program back to greatness. If Favors books, he books who cares. I cannot take this c@#p anymore.
By Good Grief
January 18, 2009 10:18 PM | Link to this
Yellowblood: you’re constant references to tickle piles are, at this point, about as funny as root canal surgery. For the sake of us all, come up with some new material or just go away. Get a life Loser.
By Dennis Felton
January 19, 2009 1:03 AM | Link to this
WHy are you pencil necks not calling for the head of Hewitt? One player Favors is not going to change your fortunes….Hewitt should be joining me in the unemployment line as we both are terrible.
By GT2002
January 19, 2009 9:07 AM | Link to this
Who comes up with these lame poll questions? Does anyone in their right mind think either Tech or UGA could make the NCAA tournament at this point? They would both have to win their conference tournaments. The question should be if either coach will be employed at the end of the year. Or which team will win a conference game first? Give me a break. How many empty seats will there be tomorrow night at AMC?
By GT66
January 19, 2009 12:34 PM | Link to this
Guys the only writing that has a chance of having the effect that most of you desire is to write Dan Radacovich. Here is his e mail drad@athletics.gatech.edu This blogging helps us blow off steam and frustration at the poor coaching, but to have a chance of affecting change we must write the AD and appeal to him to fire Hewitt.