AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2009 > February > 11 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USMemo to Storrs: Shoot it
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Jackets (10-12, 1-8) visit the Hokies (15-7, 5-3) in a 7 p.m. game on ESPNU.
The teams split last year’s games, each winning at home. Virginia Tech leads the alltime series 8-3.
Georgia Tech’s first challenge will be slowing down point guard Malcolm Delaney, who is averaging almost 25 points in home ACC games. He’s one of three Hokies, along with swingman A.D. Vassallo and forward Jeff Allen, who have scored 30 points in a game this season. No other ACC team has done it.
Maybe the Jackets’ best chance is to dominate the boards. Georgia Tech has a plus 4.6 margin in ACC games (second to UNC), while Virginia Tech is minus 1.9. (ninth in the league). The Hokies have been outrebounded in each of their last four losses.
Offensively, things can’t get much worse for the Jackets, especially from the perimeter.
Lewis Clinch is shooting 26.7 percent on 3-pointers (28 for 105), while the team’s best outside threat, Lance Storrs, isn’t shooting enough. Storrs has hit 26 of 63, or 41.3 percent, from beyond the arc. In ACC games he’s only tried 25, hitting 10.
Storrs needs to start shooting even if there’s a hand in his face. The only other options are Iman Shumpert, who is 23 of 76 (30.3 percent), and Moe Miller, who is 7 of 43 (16.3 percent).
Storrs hit two of three 3-pointers in the first half against Maryland on Sunday night. In the second half, he missed one three and a shorter jumper. So he took five total shots in 28 minutes. Storrs is a good defender, but shooting is his biggest asset and he’s not letting it fly enough.
Comments
By UGA is so last year
February 11, 2009 8:27 AM | Link to this
Who really cares!? This season was over almost before it even started. The same will be said year after year as long as Hewitt is still coach. Did you watch the Kansas / Missouri game the other night? Wow! Probably about 20,000 fans crammed into that arena and it was so loud and energized. We are not even remotely close to that in atmosphere. The ‘Thrillerdome’? Not really.
By yellarjacket4life
February 11, 2009 8:50 AM | Link to this
Storrs is by far the best outside threat on the team. I know when he was recruited out of Columbia HS, he was known as a shooter, but he really struggled shooting the ball last year as a freshman. He has really improved and he definitely has more confidence in his shot this year. I agree with Larry. Storrs has to look for his shot more often, because Clinch and Miller just aren’t getting it done.
If Storrs can hit a couple outside shots, it will loosen the interior defense and give Lawal, Aminu, and Peacock more room to work inside. As it stands right now, any opposing team can play a simple 2-3 zone, clog the lane, double team our post players, and dare our guards to beat them from the perimeter. So far, we have yet to make a team pay for double teaming Lawal because we have no legitimate outside threat other than Storrs.
Storrs has really picked it up defensively, but he seems very uncomfortable handling the ball. He is always looking to get rid of the ball, instead of trying to create his own shot, or driving to the basket. I can’t remember seeing him shoot free throws this year. You would think with his outside stroke, he could probably shoot free throws. He can’t be any worse than the rest of the team that’s for sure. I would like to see him start in place of Clinch or Miller. Hewitt needs to play him, because I think he will be a signficant contributor next year, if he continues to improve.
By Rob
February 11, 2009 9:03 AM | Link to this
As long as PH and his mediocre staff of clowns are coaching Tech hoops will be more of the same. PH apparently has no shame..an honorable man would simply resign.
By ND
February 11, 2009 9:36 AM | Link to this
A loss tonite, and that is likely, guarantees a sub .500 ACC season. Since CPH doesn’t seem to work on things in practice maybe he should work on them during games.
By E
February 11, 2009 10:18 AM | Link to this
Predictions for tonight………
Team Stats 20 turnovers 10 assist 10-19 free throws 3-14 from three 39% FG pct
Individual Stats Lawal 17 pts 10 boards, 5 turnovers Aminu 12 pts and 10 boards Peacock 4-10 shooting, 4 turnovers Clinch 3-14 shooting 1-9 from three, 5 turnovers Storrs 2-5 shooting 2-3 from three
Shumpert 4-9 shooting, 6 turnovers, misses tying 3 pionter at the buzzer
Tech losses 61-58 despite out rebounding VT and holding them to 35% shooting. Tech is done in by 20 turnovers and poor free throw shooting.
Can you say Groundhog Day…..
By GT2002
February 11, 2009 10:21 AM | Link to this
Larry, FYI the link on the Roddy Jones story says “Q & A with Roddy White”.
By heydummy
February 11, 2009 11:27 AM | Link to this
Hewitt has his thumb in all the kids backs, at the beginning of the season they played like robots. What you dont see is Hewit barking out commands in the middle of plays. Disrupting the flow ..thus the kids look like they havent practice.
Then he gets real emotional and starts erratic substitution patterns searching for this miraculous combination , rather than trusting his players and allowing them to play through there mistakes. He did a better job against Maryland. I have to geive him some credit for that.
Hewitt doesnt rule the same across the board either. He allows Shumpert to get a way with murder but then he will reprimand Miller for turning the ball over on an effort play. If Storrs misses a shot which he does so infrequently for fear of being pulled from the game, he gets pulled. But Shumpert can turn the ball over 7 or 8 times a game. To many inconsistencies. Its almost like he is trying to get rid of Miller because he picked up Mfon which is a head case in his own right.
At the end of the Maryland game Storrs was wide open on the wing with his feet set. Clinch choose to drive and be the hero by taking an ill advised shot. This team works hard but the basketball IQ is lacking. I cant blame Hewitt for all the downfalls but I think it starts with managing his player relationship better and eliminating the superstar status from individuals and have them play as a unit. The superstar thing doesnt work well especially when your superstar is flashing back to his high school days and makes multiple mistakes but u stand by him anyway.
Again, let the kids play…Season is over , chance of winning ACC championship is slim to non…Lets get players ready for next year.
By Mark Badley
February 11, 2009 12:06 PM | Link to this
I truly feel the Jackets have the raw material to make some noise in the ACC tournament and perhaps go deep into the NCAA tournament. Paul Hewitt is my kind of guy.
I also think the Braves will be in first place by July 4th.
By BravesFan79
February 11, 2009 12:07 PM | Link to this
This team would be pretty good if we had some better outside shooters, and of course better, more experienced assistants. Bring back the old assistants!!!
How come well spend the $$ for assistants in football, but overlook how much good assistants could help us in basketball!??
I have supported and liked Hewitt since he got to GT, but its hard to support a man that seems to put his secret agenda of promoting black coaches, ahead of the best interest of the program!
By Kurt
February 11, 2009 12:12 PM | Link to this
Storrs can shoot, but struggles at doing much else.
Paul Hewitt isn’t a fantastic coach for sure, but this season is not completely his fault. This is NOT that talented of a team, as far as offense goes. No one on this team can shoot that well. Shumpert can at times, but he’s streaky.
At this point, though, we’re preparing for next season. Here’s hoping our fanbase doesn’t kill next season before it even comes.
By UGA is so last year
February 11, 2009 12:35 PM | Link to this
Kurt, not his fault? This is not a talented team? Who recruited this team? I think that would be Hewitt. So the fault lies where then?
By sidewalk74
February 11, 2009 12:54 PM | Link to this
Hey Kurt, didn’t Hewitt recruit all these poor shooting Guards? If we had not lost Bell to injury we would still be poor shooters because he could not shoot the 3 either. Of course it is Hewitt’s fault that we don’t have any shooters, he gives out the scholarships. The buck has to stop with the Head Coach. If the team can’t win a game it is his fault. 9 seasons with him here and only 1 with a winning ACC record. How many second chances does Hewitt get? 7,8,9, 10,11?
By ND
February 11, 2009 3:11 PM | Link to this
Pat Summitt would have this team at 5-4 at the worst. E, how bout a prediction on the number of inbounds plays being a heave to the back court. The only realistic chance for a win the rest of the way is at home vs NCSU. Sad.
By BravesFan79
February 11, 2009 3:48 PM | Link to this
So tonights game is on ESPN U? Dont they know 80% of people in Atlanta area cant even get that channel?
Owell probably not missing much anyways with this terribly undercoached team.
By GT
February 11, 2009 4:20 PM | Link to this
The gang that can shoot straigh. If you cannot shoot freethrows what makes you think they can do anything else. I have given my tickets away but someone check and tell me if the layup line is missing every other shot, wouldn’t surprise me.
By ms
February 11, 2009 6:19 PM | Link to this
Although there are a lot of things I like about PH as a person, one cant help but be disturbed at the lack of intensity, confidence, and grasp of situational play which his players show game after game. Although this team has weaknesses and expectations shouldnt have been high, it’s the coaches job to bring out the best in what he has to work with, and create a system where those players can succeed at what they do best. Lesser opponents have outplayed us. Other ACC teams with weaknesses a great are performing better than we are. PH’s recruits often seem to have major holes in their game, and he’s constantly trying to make chicken salad out of lesser players.
By Jimmy
February 11, 2009 7:20 PM | Link to this
Anyone heard from Ggodsey lately? Man, I hope ‘The Nation’ hasn’t caughten up to him yet. Scary stuff.
Ggodsey, I have some advice for you. If youre out in public in a crowded area and you hear someone yell, “Get yo hands outta my pocket!” you best run like the wind!
Anyway, what do yall think of Tarrant being cleared of those rape charges and being reinstated back to the football team?? I bet that blowhard BuLLdawg wouldn’t even think to appologize to the young man. I think Tarrant should sue that girl for defemation of character. Not for the money, just for the principle.
By GreenJacket
February 11, 2009 7:31 PM | Link to this
Was at the game vs. Maryland and noticed that either Miller cannot penetrate a defense (not a treat shooting the ball either) and/or CPH’s system does not want him to try. They would do better if one person would dribble up the court and heave a jump shot up ( before turning the ball over) and hope for the big men to grab a offensive rebound.
By jacketbacker
February 11, 2009 8:05 PM | Link to this
Al, I know is that Lewis(No Shot) Clinch grauduates this year and I am sooooooooooooooooo glad. What a shooter. 1-11 against Maryland. He can flatout stink up a jump shot!
By can't shoot...is still the problem
February 11, 2009 9:33 PM | Link to this
Even missed a couple of lay-ups tonight.
VT had one guy go 15/16 for free throws….wow….not the guy to foul perhaps?
A bad thing….get the ball into GL….VT double teams….turnover….how many times did it happen?
But I’m still a fan pulling hard for the team!
By BravesFan79
February 11, 2009 10:21 PM | Link to this
Well any GT fan would be proud of the way we never gave up tonight. Our guys played hard, but VT seemed to hit every 3 they shot. We have got to be one of the worst teams in the nation at closing out the 1st halves tho……i know part of it could be blamed on being so young with Shumpert, but a large part of it HAS to be put on the coaching staff!
I believe in this team tho, and next year well be a tourney team. Especially if Lawal stays!
But Hewitt must put aside his pride, and hire back one of the old assistants for this program to once again reach its potential! GO GT!!
By bearcasey
February 12, 2009 8:18 AM | Link to this
BRAVESFAN79 hit the nail on the head about closing out halves and the game. I wish that stats were kept on the last 4 minutes of each half. Hewitt thinks coaching consists of talking to the refs! GT trailed by two to VT with about 2.5 minutes to play in the first half and Hewitt simply fumes while the Hokies extend the lead to 10. I did that as a 23-year old 9th grade coach. I learned better very quickly. On the plus side, the Jackets are shooting free throws much better.