AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2009 > January > 20 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USRadakovich on Hewitt/View from Boston
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Good morning to all. I apologize in advance for doing such a long blog.
On this forum lately, there’s been a lot of grumbling, a lot of fans calling for CPH to be fired.
On Monday, I asked AD Dan Radakovich about CPH and the state of the basketball program:
“Coach Hewitt is our basketball coach and I don’t know how more definitively to say that. We look forward to him working through this with our players to turn around the season. We have yet to win an ACC game and nobody feels worse about that than the players and the coaches, and I have full faith it’s going to turn around.
I want to reiterate that Paul Hewitt is our basketball coach and I look forward to him being our basketball coach for years to come.”
Radakovich said he appreciates the input from fans, but added that decisions on a program’s future “don’t come from Internet chat rooms or email traffic.”
Here’s more of what Dan had to say:
“Paul Hewitt is a very good basketball coach. The games we’ve played in, we’ve played hard. We’ve had some unlucky breaks over the last few weeks. Things haven’t gone our way. I don’t see any lack of effort from the players or coach Hewitt. Basketball is a funny game, things can turn on a dime…Certainly we want to start that process on Tuesday night.”
I asked Dan if his opinion would change if Tech finished, say, 2-14 in the ACC.
“No, not at all. I want to be real emphatic that Paul Hewitt is our basketball coach, I have a lot of confidence in Paul. This year there have been some bad breaks starting with the injury to D’Andre Bell…Some of those things are out of the control of the head basketball coach, Moe (Miller) breaking his nose…My goodness, we haven’t been blown out in any of those games. Even given all of those circumstances, the team has been very, very competitive. There’s nobody walking around who’s more disappointed than Paul.
“I have a lot of confidence in him and the players, and that we’ll continue to improve throughout this season.”
Finally, Dan noted that Wake Forest, the nation’s new No. 1 team, finished 11th in the ACC two seasons ago.
“Basketball fortunes can turn quickly.”
I know that’s not what some of you want to hear, but there it is.
On to tonight’s 7 p.m. game at AMC. Both teams enter with zero momentum.
The Jackets (9-8, 0-4) have lost three straight, while Boston College (13-6, 1-3) has dropped four in a row since upsetting North Carolina in Chapel Hill.
B.C. is led by senior guard Tyrese Rice, who ranks 5th in the ACC in scoring (17.6 points).
The Eagles are pretty good offensively — they rank 2nd in the ACC in assists and 5th in scoring — but they’re not strong defensively. They’re giving up 69.4 points per game, 10th in the ACC.
Jerry Spar, the B.C. beat writer for the Boston Herald, answered three questions about the matchup:
What’s happened to B.C. since the 85-78 win at UNC on Jan. 4?
It has become apparent that the upset of North Carolina was an aberration. The Eagles have reverted to the team that was picked to finish 11th in the ACC and had trouble putting away far less superior talent in December. Against UNC, everything clicked. They hit some incredible shots, they were fired up and played by far their best game of the season. Since then, they have struggled to find the same rhythm.
Swingman Rakim Sanders was a sparkplug vs. UNC — with his scoring, defense and overall energy — and teams have focused on keeping him under wraps since then. After scoring 22 vs. the Heels, Sanders has scored 7 (Harvard), 18 (Miami), 4 (Wake) and 14 (Virginia Tech). And in his last two games, Sanders is 2-for-11 on 3-pointers. That limits BC’s options, and there aren’t that many left.
What makes Tyrese Rice so tough to stop?
Tyrese Rice is that type of player who, when nothing else is working, can find a way to create some offense. He can drive, he can dish and he can drill the 3-pointer, so you can’t slack off anywhere on him. He’s lightning-quick and changes speeds very well. The main criticism of him is that he doesn’t always go hard or he takes some plays off, mainly on defense. But considering how much of a burden he has to spark the offense, his all-around numbers are that much more impressive.
Can B.C. handle Tech’s inside strength?
After playing well against inferior competition prior to the ACC season, Joe Trapani (6-8 forward) has been inconsistent. He has been overmatched on defense — not big enough to defend the post and not quick enough to get out on the wing. Offensively, he scored a career-high 23 points Saturday at Virginia Tech and he had impressive spurts, but he hasn’t been as reliable vs. ACC opponents.
Corey Raji, a 6-6 forward who is coming back from a groin pull, is solid, and the key is 6-10 center Josh Southern, their only true post man with length. If he can be a defensive presence — he has shown occasional flashes — it gives the Eagles a much better chance.
So which team ends its skid tonight?
Comments
By btgt69
January 20, 2009 7:25 AM | Link to this
DRad said it best very clearly. He is and will be our coach. Rainbows always follow thunderstorms; hang in there; don’t be a fair weather fan. THWG
By Mike
January 20, 2009 7:34 AM | Link to this
Let’s just hope DRad says something slightly different to Hewitt in private. If we go 2-14 (as I expect us to do) and nothing changes, this program will continue to sink in terms of attendance and revenue next year, in spite of the superb recruiting class.
By Gordon
January 20, 2009 7:56 AM | Link to this
The key to all this to me is what Hewitt does with his staff. I don’t think any coach is great at everything. Hewitt teams do play hard, generally play good defense, and he can recruit very well. He also represents the Institute well. But on offense there is something very wrong. This includes free throw shooting, inbounding, turnovers, and having an organized half court set. I watched the UConn women play last night just to remind myself what a well coached offense looks like. If Hewitt doesn’t bring in someone that can coach offense, then I don’t think things will get better. Wake Forest may have gone from 11th in the ACC to #1 in the nation, but it didn’t happen with the same coaches. It is not a coincidence that our problems started when Keener and Warren left.
Radakovich can say what he wants, but the fan base is not amused. Tech basketball is just not fun to watch right now. More and more empty seats will change his mind very quickly. If Hewitt can’t do anything with next year’s team (make the NCAA’s), he will be gone. There will be only one year left on his contract at that point. I hope he does what’s necessary to turn this around.
By Observer
January 20, 2009 8:06 AM | Link to this
DRAD says he hasn’t seen a lack of effort from the players. I guess he hasn’t watched them play half court defense yet. I guess he hasn’t watched them run their half court offense either.
This team is fairly good in transition, but that’s it. When forced to play traditional half court basketball, they stand around and show no effort at all - on both ends of the floor.
This team needs a coach that stresses fundamentals. A fundamentally sound team can still be competitive against a team with superior talent. Tech, on the other hand, has superior talent but isn’t competitive due to a complete lack of discipline and enthusiasm. That comes from poor coaching - period.
By A True Politician
January 20, 2009 8:58 AM | Link to this
Hopefully, in this case DRAD is like a typical Democrat and will tell you everything you want to hear, without speaking a word of truth.
Surely this is a case of avoiding the race card. Maybe he is being intimidated by the Black Coaches Assoc., Jesse Jackson style.
How can you fire Chan Gailey and not Paul Hewitt?
This is a huge double standard!!!
By Dadgum
January 20, 2009 9:09 AM | Link to this
Watched the BC/VT game Saturday. BC is a bad basketball team, no doubt. Rice is, however, extremely good with the ball and mediocre without it. If GT had Bell this game would be a joke. As it stands the jackets must force someone besides Rice to beat them and BC has nobody that can beat you other than Rice.
That said I would play a matchup zone against BC and keep Rice from penetrating. GT has nobody that can play Rice head up and he can go off for 40 on you if you aren’t careful.
I dare say that GT would or could have easily been 4-0 simply by making foul shots at a 70% clip and keeping turnovers to around 12-14. That’s not asking too much really. They have played hard. When you shoot sub 60% from the line and have 20+ turnovers a game you won’t beat anyone especially in the ACC. We’ll see against BC.
Also everyone get off Hewitt’s back. It’s not his fault that this is teh 4th straight year GT has started a freshman point guard. Injuries to Bell haven’t helped ditto Miller. If GT goes 0-16 he will be back. Next year bodes well obviously as they will be picked near the top right out of the gate.
Rock on…..
By Techster
January 20, 2009 9:23 AM | Link to this
Who cares?? I agree with Gordon, fans are losing interest in the team and the program altogether. I am an alum from the Price/Hammonds/Ferrell days and this program offers nothing to get exited or even interested about anymore. Every year it’s, “we’ll be a lot better next year….” blah blah blah Hewitt must have some dirt on someone that helps him keep this job.
By RAMBLE ON!!!
January 20, 2009 9:24 AM | Link to this
Very disturbing article Larry looks like we are still stuck in Ground Hog Day for couple of more years.
What will Favors do for us next year, the same thing our savior Chris Bosh did…nothing. 4th overall NBA pick and we couldn’t go to the big dance. WOW!!! Cremins always got us into the Big Dance with a first round pick playing on the team.
Thanks for at least asking Larry, but I agree with Politician, you should have asked him how he can fire Gailey and keep Hewitt. As far as win’s and loses, Gailey’s record was/is better.
By Rob
January 20, 2009 9:27 AM | Link to this
If 2-14 is okay how about 0-16? Disappointing but not unexpected comments from Drad…what else can he say at this point in time? We’ll see if he gives Hewitt an extension after this disastrous season. If so, he will join Dave Braine in the “Hall of Shame”.
By ramblwrk68
January 20, 2009 9:45 AM | Link to this
IMHO …
By Phildo
January 20, 2009 9:55 AM | Link to this
Let’s hope that D-Rad’s “Vote of Confidence” is typical of those by most athletic directors. Hewitt is a super nice guy, but so was Gailey. Double standard say some. You bet. Cremins left on a higher note than Hewitt is now performing. And, Favors may prove to be Hewitt’s Marbury, a one year wonder that ultimately hurts more than helps. Give me a 4 year steady, solid player anytime. I want players (like Dennis Scott, Brian Oliver, Mark Price, John Salley, etc.) that I am proud to call a brother Techman, not a flash in the pan that uses my school for a year.
By BILL Mc
January 20, 2009 9:58 AM | Link to this
I’m all for giving Hewitt a chance, if in fact, the problem was an injury here or early departure there. It seems to be much deeper than that. When I see an incredible lack of fundamentals such as free throw shooting or working the ball inside, I blame the coach, not the players. What do they work on in practice ? I wouldn’t let them begin practicing until they have made an acceptable amount of free throws. In the games, we seem to pass the ball back and forth looking for an open fifteen footer. If you can’t make a free throw, what makes you think we can hit a jump shot which is tougher in comparison ? Do we have any plays that result in a lay-up or dunk? You don’t have to be a big guy to cut towards the basket. If we’re short of big guys, run the smaller quicker guys in and out. Someone will eventually shake their man with better speed ( or God forbid a pick from a teammate). I wish the team luck. With Hewitt as coach, that’s what it will take to win, luck.
By fred
January 20, 2009 10:05 AM | Link to this
I trust DRad’s judgement.
Have……and will continue to do so.
THWG!!!
By GT66
January 20, 2009 10:08 AM | Link to this
With all due respect the best thing we can continue to do is to write e mails to Dan drad@athletics.gatech.edu and push for Hewitt’s firing. Also, I stopped buying season tickets several years ago and the more people that do will definitely get their attention.
By PJ
January 20, 2009 10:08 AM | Link to this
Bill Mc hit it right on the money! I have been totally disappointed that these (pretty good, I think) players have no clue what to do in most situations… that is coaching. They clearly do not work on the fundamentals… evidence TURNOVERS & Free-throw percentage. I see no reason for Tech to continue with this “coach”.
By wreckmaniac
January 20, 2009 10:09 AM | Link to this
You can count on Favors to pull a Marbury which is what chased Cremins, in my opinion, out of 1-A basketball. A competitive team must have depth. The comments above about Tech offensive performance are spot on. Offensive discipline is non-existent on this team and has been for years. Anyone who wants to see a great team in action should watch Wake Forest which is tall, fast, and under control.
By Jack G
January 20, 2009 10:16 AM | Link to this
Did you ever notice how losers always have a ton of excuses including injuries and bad luck. Not just one year, but year after year. Well coached teams dont need excuses.As long as CPH is at tech, who cares.
By the sage
January 20, 2009 10:20 AM | Link to this
Apparently this show of confidence is the atypical endorsement of a program gone awry. The AD has no other choice. The fact remains that the GT BB program is need of new leadership.
By Charleston Chump
January 20, 2009 10:21 AM | Link to this
Let’s see…….
No more than 9 conference wins in a season
No conference championships
58-75 overall conference record to date.
As Seinfeld once said “And you want to be my latex salesman…..”
By BigTimeGaTechFan
January 20, 2009 10:25 AM | Link to this
Tech plays well and coached well this year, they just miss to many easy shots. Every game I watch I can’t beleive the shots they miss., shows coach is putting them in right offense but our player just can’t shoot the rock. I seen pu-back afet put-back missed, open jumpers from the wing missed all the time. I can’t tell if they are cool or just not that good.
By Miserablehoopsjunkie
January 20, 2009 10:33 AM | Link to this
Jack G is right on folks!!!! Excuses…excuses…excuses…and more excuses. Excuse next year will be…”we are so young it takes time for the guys to come together as a team”. I refuse to believe that we can not attract a big time coach here. If you can’t even fill up a 9,000 seat facility for a hated rivalry game and then against DUKE??? I can remember Duke games years ago I tried scalping tickets for 4 hours. I love GT and GT hoops and it just sickens me where this program is right now!
By UGA is so last year
January 20, 2009 10:35 AM | Link to this
He (DRAD) can say all he wants. The empty seats will speak volumes!!!!! NC State had 14,000 at the game the other day. We’re lucky to get 5000 at ours. The attendance they list at our home games are tickets sold - NOT how many are actually in attendance that night.
By CrowderGT
January 20, 2009 10:35 AM | Link to this
GT66, why would you have stopped buying season tickets years ago? It wasn’t that long ago that GT made it to the NCAA tourney 3 out of 4 years and was looking pretty bright for the future (until Young and Crittenton left).
In other news, don’t act like losing the team’s best on-ball defender (Bell) wouldn’t have a huge impact on the season. And if you’re willing to accept that, and you’re willing to accept the reality that our team wasn’t looking to be all that great anyway, then you should know exactly why we’re not playing well at all right now.
Also, free-throw shooting is only so much on the coaches. It’s also on the players. See: Shaq. Dozens of years of practicing free-throws endlessly with dozens of coaches providing help, and he still hits them at a meager 50% clip. Our guys aren’t much better.
The point is, give Hewitt some time. You’re not going to accomplish anything firing the guy and scaring off his very promising recruiting class (which has much more than just Derrick Favors).
By George P. Burdell
January 20, 2009 10:44 AM | Link to this
I think part of the drop in ticket sales has to do with the way they have changed the A-T fund. In the old days, when we had a mediocre team, people kept their tickets because they didn’t want to lose the points. Now, some people are making the choice not to pay the annual seating fee assuming they can come back when there is a better product on the court. You can call them fair weather or whatever, but the fact is when Tech changed the A-T fund, they basically screwed a lot of the long time fans. It cuts both ways and the only way that you get the fans back is to put a better product on the court. DRad can say whatever he wants, but if they continually offer the 8 ACC home games and one big out of conference game in package deals, he is going to further tick off the fan base and there is no way Hewitt remains the coach at GT. They have put a system in place where you have to put a team on the court that people will pay to see. If Hewitt doesn’t turn it around and make that happen all the affirmations from DRad won’t mean anything.
By daddryich
January 20, 2009 11:06 AM | Link to this
It amazes me how impatient fans are today! Yes, this year’s GT team is bad. I wont even watch them this season. We have horrible guard play right now. Why? Mostly injuries. Bell is out for the season. Miller was out for a couple weeks. Clinch missed the beginning of the season. Shumpert isnt even supposed to be playing PG but he has to. Crittenden bolted for the pros with Young. This team will probably finish stronger than it has started due to the simple fact of continuity and chemistry being built. Hewitt is a good coach or he wouldnt have gotten the team to the nat’l championship game years back. Chill out folks! GT will probably win about 5 ACC games this year and probably at least 8 next year.
By BILL Mc
January 20, 2009 11:11 AM | Link to this
Let’s assume for a second that our basketball woes are not caused by coaching. Some say it is because our “star” player gets hurt or leaves early.
First of all, we haven’t had much success when our stars have been healthy. Our most successful season came when we had a “team” of players and not one star. The stars that leave early seem to have successful NBA careers. Quite frankly, in contrast to what they accomplished at Tech rather than as a continuation.
All right. Let’s say we have been the victim of the “one and done” athlete and the injuries to our major players ( we won’t mention academically ineligible and whose fault that is), then why our our hopes pinned on just the one player every year ? Our best success came with a team of very good players not just one guy. Are we recruiting wrong then ? I want some star players to come to Tech but not if we suffer in the long run. If our results are so tied to the fate of one player, something is wrong. Where else can we look, but at the coach ?
Kind of reminds me of the Falcons up until this past year. The concept of team first not only produces results but makes it easier to root for them. Maybe we can make some stars out of previously 3 and 4 star recruits instead of bringing down the play of the team to accomodate the game of one 5 star.
Oh well. My rant is over. Go Tech. I’m behind you no matter what. Can’t wait til football season though, lol.
By Born2Buzz
January 20, 2009 11:16 AM | Link to this
I trust DRad’s judgement as well.
But I do know that with better coaching we would be 3-1 in the ACC instead of 0-4. And I do know that if empty seats become the norm a change will have to be made. I’ve said it before on here, we are not in a financial position to have another big buy out of a coach. So Hewitt will probably be here through next year.
But coach needs to step his game up. There comes a time when you have to tell a player to slow it down and control the ball. A coach cannot just let his freshman PG continue to play the same as earlier in the game when the game is on the line.
And FT shooting has nothing to do with it. That is not a coaching fault..hey, they were much better against NCSt. That is just players concentrating.
Well, if we can’t win tonight then it’s going to be tough to win at all. Hopefully we start the turn around tonight.
By 3 Rivers jacket
January 20, 2009 11:22 AM | Link to this
Next year is the key for Hewitt and he knows it. You have got to give him the next season with the talent level that he has coming in. Even if Favors is one and done next year xcould get Tech back as the rest of the players are prpbably four year guys who are good and if they get the right chemisty could be really something. That being said it does seem that this team and last year have not had that something you have to have to win close games- maybe it i leadership maybe it is coaching but do not give up on this program now. The fair weather fans can go stick it as far as I am concerned.
By Rob
January 20, 2009 11:22 AM | Link to this
Hey daddyrich…of course they will finish stronger than they started, how could they not since they are winless in the ACC so far! Win 5 games in the ACC….hmmm, don”t think so.
By UGA is so last year
January 20, 2009 11:45 AM | Link to this
0-16 in ACC … . for sure. Count on it.
By ben
January 20, 2009 11:45 AM | Link to this
“Dennis Scott, Brian Oliver, Mark Price, John Salley”…only one of those guys would stay for four years now. The football team lost 4 games and everyone acts like we were national champions. It’s Tech- get used to mediocrity…Dave Blaine.
By daddyrich
January 20, 2009 11:47 AM | Link to this
The ACC is weak enough this year we can win some home games and maybe 1 on the road. I may have to take this statement back though if we cant beat BC tonight. If you want to see a basketball program that needs to fire their coach, check out UGA hoops. They arent even competitive and have nothing coming in recruiting!
By UGA is so last year
January 20, 2009 11:59 AM | Link to this
You think we’re going to beat BC tonight? OMG!
By UGA is so last year
January 20, 2009 12:10 PM | Link to this
There once was a team from Tech.
They played basketball - ah what the heck.
They went to the line.
We thought they’d be fine.
They hit everything - except the dang-on net!
By TECH FIRST
January 20, 2009 12:12 PM | Link to this
TECH FIRST AD SAYS HEWITT THE GUY I BELIEVE IN HIM HEWITT’S OUR GUY LETS PRAY THAT THE KIDS WE HAVE GAIN ALOT OF EXPERIENCE AND WE CAN BE MORE COMPETIVE NEXT YEAR CUZ THIS YEARS IS OVER!!!!
By GTSteve
January 20, 2009 12:18 PM | Link to this
I say give him more time, this class coming in is supposed to be guys that will stay all 4 years, except for Favors. I think consistency at point guard will really help.
By SlimG
January 20, 2009 12:19 PM | Link to this
How many years removed from the championship game? All this talk about tech’s curriculum, how many nba players really care about class? That’s the real problem. The good players only stay for 2 years maximum.
Hewitt is the best coach for tech. He gets more out of this depleted talent than most would.
By louisville slugger
January 20, 2009 12:20 PM | Link to this
I’ve said it before on this blog, the problem for this team is turnovers, and that’s a result of poor coaching. Period. If CPH stays (and I’m OK with that based on his recruiting results) he needs to overhaul the assistant coaches and find some that can coach guard play!!
By TECH FIRST
January 20, 2009 12:21 PM | Link to this
ITS COLD IN HERE WHAT IS THE DEAL WITH HEWIT HE CANT COACH PAUL JOHNSON IS GOOD I LIKE SNOW
By GTSteve
January 20, 2009 12:25 PM | Link to this
Anyone know of a good place to get my legs waxed?
By GT97
January 20, 2009 12:29 PM | Link to this
Like I said in another post, forget Hewitt’s recruiting class. Fire the SOB now. My patience with him was put on hold after the 2004 run. However, that passed about 12 months after that team. Remember, we had pretty much the same team the following year, but Louisville kicked our as*.
Hewitt stinks, free throw shooting is on the coaches, running an organized offensive scheme is on the coaches. How about a few white boys that can shoot a consistent shoot from time to time.
Furthermore, look at the player development. Zach Peacock was awesome as a freshman, but has he improved. I thought Smith was going to be an absolute beast in his Junior and Senior years, but he played about as well as he did as a freshman which wasn’t bad but never the Charles Barkley type that I thought he would have become.
You see the same mistakes over and over. If the players are not listening, then bench em. We can lose with subs as well as with starters. It is one thing that we are losing, but losing the way we do with missed free throws, turnovers, et cetera, just makes one not care to watch em.
By Vespidie
January 20, 2009 12:41 PM | Link to this
DRad makes mention to Wake being 11th in the ACC 2 seasons ago. Unfortunately, that was a bad comparison to use because 5 years ago GT played in the National Championship game. It looks like 2 divergent programs at this point.
By SammyK
January 20, 2009 12:51 PM | Link to this
HEY DRAD
I want to work for you someday. With those kind of job performance standards, life would be a blast.
I’m a white guy,though. Does that make a difference?
By blackprix
January 20, 2009 2:15 PM | Link to this
This is one time I do not agree with DRad.
Hewitt’s been here 9 seasons - he’s had one good one, that does not make him a very good coach.
Very good coaches have multiple good seasons on a consistent basis.
Even AD’s can be wrong, and Rad is wrong with regard to Hewitt.
By BravesFan79
January 20, 2009 2:34 PM | Link to this
Lets hope that DRAD has the balls to FORCE Hewitt to can his terrible 2 black assistants, and bring back the 2 old white guys that knew wtf they were doing!!
Im a fan of Hewitt, but common man, its CLEAR the assistants have been doing a TERRIBLE job of game planning the past 3 or so seasons.
Its not that the 2 assistants are black, but just young and inexperienced! And i believe that they should perfect their trade at a smaller school before joining the big dogs of the ACC!!
Just imagine if we brought in someone like ol Left Drisel (Ga States old coach) to be the head assistant. I bet UNC and DUKE each have 3 or 4 assistants that are better than ANY of ours.
By Scott
January 20, 2009 2:55 PM | Link to this
Same old story year after year after year. What a joke D Rad. Hey D Rad I am the guy out there supporting this team and GT sports! I talk about this team to everyone around me. I am the one who is embarrassed! You obviously could care less about me. How about the 3 tickets a home game that I purchased for the BBall tickets last year. I did not have season tickets. I took alumni of other ACC schools to see what it is like! Also, I spent $$ on 3 tickets a home game in football plus a game at Clemson. Yet chat groups and emails don’t matter to you!!! Guess how many games in BBall this year DRAD NONE, NADA, Zilch. I don’t even talk about our BBall program any more. You know why? It is a JOKE and people laugh about GTech and the program. HEY DRAD who was at the Chick Fil A game with my Dad (GT Alumni 53’)support our football program! I was there at 5:30 when the gates opened. BTW 38-3!! An embarrassing game but I still support PJ! Hewitt sucks, the team sucks, the players suck! This is not basketball, this is street ball to the nth degree. You might as well recruit the Professor or ilk like him!!! You have now lost my respect DRAD and my future support.
By Dub
January 20, 2009 3:05 PM | Link to this
What’s with all of the “losing D’Andre Bell” talk? I think the guy is a class act but I’m not sure if all of you have been watching the same player the last few years. He is mediocre at best. Yes he’s a good defender (and probably our best defender) but he doesn’t solve the problem on offense, which is where GT’s problem is. Losing D. Bell is NO EXCUSE! Our free throw shooting is absolutely horrible! I can handle missed free throws from the big men, but not from guards. It’s ridiculous and has cost us games this year and in years past. You don’t see guys from Duke, Wake, etc. missing free throws like a GT team does. I believe the 2004 runner-up team won in spite of Hewitt because of the mature players and the fact that they actually played as a TEAM and not a bunch of individuals running around passing the ball 10 times per offensive set. The fact is, this problem falls no where except squarely on the coaches. Hewitt gets paid to produce good basketball teams and GT does not have a good team and has not had one since 2004. Until he is gone, GT will be average at best and seats will continue to be empty.
Oh, and as for the long time fan comment regarding the Tech fund, I believe it’s good that the Tech fund was created. Maybe people that actually come to the games will get a chance to have season tickets instead of all of the blue chairbacks being eempty night in and night out.
Go Jackets!
By Navigator
January 20, 2009 3:19 PM | Link to this
Let’s say it one more time, David Braine did this out of spite, and I blame the administration for allowing the outgoing AD to sign coaches to long term contracts. It’s usually left to the incoming AD to establish whether he wants the coaches or wants to find new ones. Tech has had such bad administration for sporting programs for so long, their affect on the program gets lost. Of course Hewitt will be here until his contract expires, because there’s no money to fix the problem. It’s sad the Hewitt at least doesn’t have the dignity of Bobby Creamins, who left without being fired.
By RAMBLE ON!!!
January 20, 2009 3:21 PM | Link to this
here’s my over-and-under on GT turnovers tonight 18. River boat gamblers take the under.
Makes for exciting Basketball…NOT!!!
By CanHewitt
January 20, 2009 3:45 PM | Link to this
Does everyone know that this team still sends 4 top 50 players in the country of their class to the court every game according to Scout.com? Clinch was #17 in 05 class, Aminu #50 in 05, Lawal #20 in 07, and Shumpert #18 in 08. I think Miller was close to being in top 100 in his class too. It’s still hard to believe that this team keeps losing to teams like UIC, Alabama, UVA, and Penn State.
By UGA is so last year
January 20, 2009 4:00 PM | Link to this
CanHewitt, add Maryland, NC State and after tonight - BC.
By CanHewitt
January 20, 2009 4:54 PM | Link to this
Sorry about that. I didn’t mean to omit them by the way. I just got tired of typing all the less talented teams Tech lost to. We might as well add USC too. Anyway, who else in ACC has that many top 50 players in the country of their class? UNC, Duke, and I believe Wake. And what do they have in common? They all look like legitimate Final Four teams right now. I’m not saying this group is necessarily as talented as those big 3 but everyone will agree that their record shouldn’t be 9-8 (0-4 in ACC). It’s Hewitt. There’s no other way around.
By Techy 5
January 20, 2009 7:10 PM | Link to this
I would like to inform all of you “tech” fans who claim to know something about tech sports that CPH has a automatically renewed contract at the end of each season. Now with the current economic situation does it seem like a smart idea to owe this guy over 6 mil…. So if any of you people who are constantly complaining about CPH you can go ahead and send DRAD a check. You already have his email I am assuming so just go ahead and give him the good news that he now has that money to fire CPH like all of you people are asking. To Hell with Georgia
By UGA is so last year
January 20, 2009 8:22 PM | Link to this
Well you can do the math Tech5. Are you really a Tech student or grad? You are only talking debits to the GT bank. You forgot one big item - CREDITS!! What are credits? Let me school you. Nearly 10000 seats times how much each seat costs times how many games. Add that the huge checks we get for each round of postseason tournaments we aren’t playing and those are all lost credits. Didin’t even mention the concessions and donations that pour in when the team excels or is ranked. So it all evens out basically. Pay Hewitt whatever it takes to get rid of him and we will recover the costs.
PS: going for 0-5 in the ACC tonight I see. You’re a true visionary!
By BravesFan79
January 20, 2009 8:43 PM | Link to this
Our coaching problems can be summed up in that last play before the half. We have the ball, with like 4 seconds left…. and we do what? throw it in the post!?? Where the ball is easily batted away until the clock expires. Escuse me… .02 seconds were left.
As a guard…. WTF are u thinking!! Do you think Steve Nash would give the ball up with 4 seconds left?…. especially to a guy double teamed in the post!! HELL NO!!
I like Hewitt for recruiting, but he needs to be like a head football coach, and be the “face” of the program, get recruits, and hire Assistants that can TEACH Offensive sets and free throw shooting!!
And our full court press has never been as NASTY as it was when those 2 assistants were here in 2004-5.
And can we please get someone in here to help teach tthese kids how to play SMART!??
Hewitt swallow your pride, and admit that your expiriment of wanting to have a mostly black coaching staff because your the head of the BCA has been a TERRIBLE decision! Wierd…. i never thought id see a similarity between Clayton county leadership, and GT basketball leadership.
By GT student
January 20, 2009 9:08 PM | Link to this
3rd overtime game this year wtf???
By dissapionted Tech fan
January 20, 2009 9:44 PM | Link to this
even with three of theirs on the bench…still cannot play without turnovers.
Pitiful.
By brian
January 20, 2009 10:03 PM | Link to this
sorry, but have you seen this team? the offense consisting of shumpert dribbling it for way too long - mostly because the other 4 guys stand there - then after 20 seconds burn off the shot clock, make a desperation dump off pass to peacock, who drives erratically and hoists a prayer shot. Can’t inbounds, can’t shoot free throws, horrific turnovers, can’t figure out what to do on a screen, can’t manage the clock at the end of the game, can’t hold a 10 point lead with 7 minutes to go (with players shooting with 25 seconds on the shot clock and not benching them immediately). I’ve had enough. Hewitt only had one good season. Time to move on.
By brian
January 20, 2009 10:05 PM | Link to this
sorry, but have you seen this team? the offense consisting of shumpert dribbling it for way too long - mostly because the other 4 guys stand there - then after 20 seconds burn off the shot clock, make a desperation dump off pass to peacock, who drives erratically and hoists a prayer shot. Can’t inbounds, can’t shoot free throws, horrific turnovers, can’t figure out what to do on a screen, can’t manage the clock at the end of the game, can’t hold a 10 point lead with 7 minutes to go (with players shooting with 25 seconds on the shot clock and not benching them immediately). I’ve had enough. Hewitt only had one good season. Time to move on.
By Look Up DRad!
January 20, 2009 10:29 PM | Link to this
DRad says that program decisions don’t come from internet chat rooms. That’s good - seriously. HOWEVER, you do need to open your eyes and watch the “team” that Hewitt puts on the floor every night. They lack fundamental basketball IQ, can’t shoot, can’t pass to the post, can’t hold leads, can’t inbounds the ball, can’t find the other teams shooters in crucial situations, etc. In short, THEY’RE NOT COACHED AT ALL!
If you simply watch ANY game objectively - your answer as to whether or not Hewitt should be fired will become even more clear than your decision to get rid of Gailey.
By IndyGT
January 20, 2009 10:53 PM | Link to this
Look, no one’s happy with our record.. but you all need to look at the facts. To the person who says DBell was mediocre?? Are you nuts? He was our best defender, and played quality ball every game.. that injury forces Peacock to play out of position, along with Moe going out forces a freshman (Iman) to play out of position. Forces a walk on to play more minutes then he should be playing.. And Storrs and Clinch just aren’t ACC players . We’re decimated at the 1 and 2, and that’s one of the main reasons for all the TO’s. CPH had some bad luck this year, part of it is his fault.. but I’m willing to give him this year, not next year though.
By JD
January 21, 2009 2:42 AM | Link to this
So I’m hearing that next year is Hewitt’s last chance. With the incoming class, he really shouldn’t have an excuse. Time to give Pete the reigns.
By Kurt
January 22, 2009 7:14 PM | Link to this
Chan Gailey underachieved with insane talent. Hewitt hasn’t had much to work with this season.
D-rad hired Paul Johnson. He knows what a good coach looks like. If he supports Hewitt, so do I. He’s more of an expert than any of you are.
Those of you who cancel season tickets and stop coming, please never renew them. Fair weather fans are not needed, nor wanted. Don’t come back. Go to UGA and boo Felton and get him fired.
By Eric
January 23, 2009 10:27 AM | Link to this
Those of you who don’t like Hewitt need to wait one more year. If the Jackets fire hewitt then my guess is that several of the recruits that are coming in will go away too. If you think 9-9 is bad just let those guys decommit and you will really see what bad is. I think you give Hewitt another season to right the ship. Bring in Favors and the boys and see if we can make some noise next year. If things don’t get better next year (assuming Lawal stays in school) then Hewitt should be fired. There are only so many Mike Kryzewski’s walking around and most of those guys aren’t looking to come to Tech. Be patient with Hewitt for one more year and I think they will be a contender next year with the class they have coming in to add to Schumpert, Lawal and Co.
By snapshot
January 24, 2009 8:26 AM | Link to this
Let the man coach. Give him another year.
By JB
January 24, 2009 7:05 PM | Link to this
snapshot,eric? are you morons?? another year?? This man is 17 games below .500 in the acc in his career?? Worst of most all acc coaches! wake up and smell the coffee. I mean, make some sense when you post please!! Another year to set the program futther back. Do you think george washington said, lets let the british further advance for another year, or rise up now!!! being a winner, believing in victory, are with the ones who believe in it the most! I think a simple history lesson proves that theory. D-rad better act now if he intends on getting this thing right! program is in the tank now people! it will be the same turnovers like always with hewitt’s teams. the man just is not a very good coach. any dummy who watches this team, caN SEE THAT!