Ramblin' On

By The Truth Hurts

January 25, 2007 12:32 AM | Link to this

Wow. Now that was a bad loss. One begins to wonder about the chemistry on this team, perhaps extending to issues in the locker room. And despite the talent and athleticism, GT looks remarkably soft at times and, worse, lost. That speaks to two things for me: heart and coaching. Or read: leadership and communication. I think Hewitt is a fine coach, but I also think that the younger guys on this team would be well served to stick around for a few years to match their heads with their skills. I liken this team to an as yet un-matured wine not ready for consumption.

By Tech Rex

January 25, 2007 12:46 AM | Link to this

It would have been nice to hear Hewitt’s comments on that joke of a postgame show but he apparently was crying in the showers.

It looks to me as if they have **no coaching”” out there—just a bunch a guys who want to play some ball.

By ConyersDawg

January 25, 2007 12:48 AM | Link to this

A lot of you tech folk like to come over to the dawg blog and talk junk about you BB team. The truth is you have an ok team that played well against us and will watch us go to the big dance while hewitt figures out how to win on the road.

Next year would probably be more promising if you could keep young and criterrion. Hewitt needs to develop his talent better though and not rely on a big talent that only stays a year to help his win totall look good. Honestly where will you team be next year without the 2 studs?

Good luck though we need you guys to win for our rpi.

By BuzzTime

January 25, 2007 12:49 AM | Link to this

WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR!!! If we can get Young to come back we should be good to go next season. I agree we seem clueless at times on the court. First its like “Are we going to be able to get the ball inbounds?” and then its like “Are we going to beat the press?”. Then we go out and shoot 1-17 from 3 and Bricks from the line. Not Good. We really are struggling the most with ball movement right now. I am just looking forward to next season where we should be back in the hunt.

By OG-T

January 25, 2007 2:55 AM | Link to this

Tonight’s game was the worst performance from a Jackets team in years. A total insult to the fans and the program.

It was so bad, even Hewitt missed his post-game radio show because he was letting the team have it. NO HEART, NO PRIDE, NO PROPER PREPARATION, AND NO ADJUSTMENTS. This game was a total failure, and it all starts at the top. I’m sorry Hewitt, but we’ve heard way too often lately that “it falls on the coaches.”

Losing is part of sports. Fans can accept a losing “effort.” Playing with no heart or soul is unacceptable. Get your act together, or dismiss yourself from the team for poor performance.

By where is Bobby C?

January 25, 2007 5:50 AM | Link to this

Gosh he has beautiful white hair! Man, that was a horrible game, at times it looked like we were playing a pick up street game. Twice in the first ten minutes i saw JEREMIS SMITH throw up threes and MORROW….Down on the blocks banging trying to get rebounds. There is something wrong with that picture! We have no motion on offense, and no clue on defense. And I dont wanna hear tech fans talk about how Maryland outplayed us and thats why we lost! I mean are our kids that dumb? Or is Hewitt that bad? cant figure out which.

By KneeJerk

January 25, 2007 6:21 AM | Link to this

Is there a confirmation that this team actually practices? This performance was pathetic. It seems we are outcoached in every game. Hewitt jst sits there and sniffs his fingers. That being said, I can’t believe p UGA fan is on here gloating after a win against a very overrated UK team. Tech will get in the big dance wih a 9-7 conferenc record. That means we must win at least 1, probably 2 road games

By theedge56

January 25, 2007 6:35 AM | Link to this

What is amazing is how the turnovers never seem to go away. I like Hewitt but it seems as if turnovers are a trademark of his teams. Tech is a pressing team, but by the way they did against a press you would think they never see it in practice. These guys gotta value possession of the ball and move without it. Still way too much standing by four guys and dribbling by one.

By WFC

January 25, 2007 6:39 AM | Link to this

GT misses Clinch far more than I thought they would. Both UNC and Marylnd pressured Crittendon with double teams and GT couldn’t make them pay often enough on the “4 on 3” situtions that resulted when there wasn’t a turnover. Young did this in the second half to a degree in the second half but it was way too late by then. GT looked like a “pick-up” team at the rec center in the first half.

By jocko

January 25, 2007 6:50 AM | Link to this

Come on Jacket apologists, admit Hewitt is an overrated, stumblebum, non-motivating, no fundamentals,bum of a coach. He had a team that made it ton the finals a couple of years ago in spite of hm, not because of him. Other than the freak year his teams have been mediocre at best, great recruiting with absolutely no clue of how to mesh the talent. As long as Hewitt stays there the Jackets will remain the whipping boy for any good teams, especially the Teprs.

By GUPPY

January 25, 2007 7:49 AM | Link to this

I don’t think we will be dancing this year!

By GVH

January 25, 2007 8:20 AM | Link to this

I was surprised that this game was shown in Columbus as it’s usually off to a sports bar to catch anything GT happens be playing. After watching the first half, I began to wonder, have these guys ever been coached in any of the fine points of playing the game of basketball. They looked worse than awful! I watched UNC soundly defeat Wake Forest Wednesday night and Wake appeared to be head and shoulders better than this pityful excuse for a Yellow Jacket band of pick up players. They were playing “street ball” and not doing a very good job of that! I’ve read all the articles as to how great a recruiting class coach Hewitt had, but they must have stayed at home. These guys committed turn over after turn over, stupid passes which were intercepted, travelling turnovers and the list goes on and on. All of those miscues and then they had no concept of playing defense and couldn’t hit a shot had they been guarded by a high schooler! If this is all Hewitt and Tech have to offer, then our basketball program is in serious trouble. I’ve spread plenty of ink on the Gailey situation and this is the first occasion that it’s been so glarring to me that maybe Paul Hewitt isn’t the man either. Last night was the worst excuse for our bunch of guys to call themselves a team that I’ve ever witnessed.

By Ralph

January 25, 2007 8:21 AM | Link to this

Andy,

I was able to attend the game last night since in live in NoVa. This is the first Tech game I have seen in a couple of years and three simple things came out as the reason we lost by 15 and why we are 13-6 (2-4):

1. Turnovers. Not out of execution, but out of stupidity. I think a lot of it has to do with concentration.

2. Free Throws. We give away too many points at the charity stripe. We foul (stupidly) and Maryland makes its free throws. We get fouled and miss ours.

3. Substitutions. I like Coach Hewitt, but we are continually running folks in and out of the game. I think this hurts the team chemistry and rhythm. I would have to think about how to measure it, but it seems to me the Basketball Jackets sub more than the Football Jackets.

Need to learn from this one…fast

By Rags

January 25, 2007 8:23 AM | Link to this

For all those who said Hewitt could coach offense and just wait until we got a point guard, for all those who said Tech could play defense and just wait until we got our recruits, for all those who said just wait because this was the year, and especially for all those who criticized us when we pointed out that Hewitt is not a good coach, this is YOUR team. Enjoy.

We may win some more games this year, even another Duke-sized upset, but this is a bad team led by a bad coach who appears as lost as his team.

Usually I favor moderation over trauma, but I hope every @#$%^ one of them declares for the NBA draft, so we can find some kids who want to play at Tech and represent our school. And I hope Hewitt finally gets his ‘dream job’ with the Knicks (they cannot get any worse, right?).

God bless them all, yank their contracts and their scholarships,and good riddance!

There might have been a worse stretch of Tech athletics then the one that began with the football team in Athens this fall, but I cannot remember it.

By 2D

January 25, 2007 8:34 AM | Link to this

This team has talent. This team is not well coached. I could rattle off a dozen coaches that would take this set of players and make them top 10 material.

Coach Hewitt reminds me of another great recruiter, less than stellar teacher, less than stellar game coach who was chided and run out of Alexander Memorial not that long ago. The difference between the two… The first guy had more and consistent success at relatively the same point in their Tech career.

At what point does the media put Coach Hewitt under the same scrutiny as Coach Gailey? I’m not sure why, but my gut tells me that the football team is actually progressing better than the basketball team.

By Jim O

January 25, 2007 8:36 AM | Link to this

Have to agree with most of the comments. It puzzles me why we cannot seem to get the ball over the half court line. If being double and triple teamed in the backcourt, somebody has got to be open (IF they are moving around and not standing there with the heads you know where). A couple of times we tried long passes but they were to somebody who was being defended.

Thank God for Young - still blown away, but at least he kept us from losing by 30+.

And agree, why is Smith shooting 3’s - Morrow has always found a way to tip in a miss, but Smith should not be handling the ball outside like he does.

Still hope but starting to fade unless they start playing like a team.

By Rags

January 25, 2007 8:50 AM | Link to this

I am sorry but I do not care about how talented they are now, and what a great recruiting class they are, and how they will grow up because the ACC is such a tough conference, and just give them time because they are young, and all the other misplaced hope. They are a bad basketball team with a bad coach, and half-measures will not get their attention, unfortunately. We have heard that drivel for too many years now. I would put Hewitt’s contract, and each of their scholarships, on the team bulletin board under a huge question mark, to remind them that they had all - as a team - better get their heads and bodies in the game or they are toast on April 1st. Fear the turtle my butt. Fear the AD.

By Thaddeus

January 25, 2007 8:58 AM | Link to this

Anyone have any thoughts about YOUNG coming back?

Is there a chance?

This team is young and needs a year to mature. Remember how big a difference there was betwee 2003 and 2004 with all that talent

By Road Scholar

January 25, 2007 9:08 AM | Link to this

Smith shoots from outside to be able to miss 3 foul shots versus 2. What was Morrow doing on offense? Will someone set him a pick? Can they? He was lost when out from under the basket. Faye was intimidated and lost all night.

Maryland ran an in bounds play for a layup under their basket while we stand around an watch. This was the worst game I’ve seen Tech play in almost 20 years. I had to turn it off because I have seen it all before…this was the condensed version.

How can they come out so flat knowing their road record and the need to actually lead early?

By Scott Case

January 25, 2007 9:16 AM | Link to this

Our half court offense sucks. The fast break is fine and good if you are able to run it, but once it is stopped we look like a bunch of guys playing 5 on five down at the courts in Kirkwood. It looks like a high school offense with a bunch of streetball players. There is a reason Italy and Croatia beat the so called best players in the world. They play team ball. Try an offense that works. Motion, Princeton, Lipscomb. Something. I’m not saying don’t fast break, just have a plan when it is stopped. Also, are there no white boys in the state of Georgia deserving of a scholarship. Maybe a mix of different style of players would help instead of having all street ball players. I’m sure I’ll be called a nazi but Black and White players are different and I think a mix would be good. It’s the same with Brazilian style soccer and English style soccer. Different but both effective.

By bh

January 25, 2007 9:20 AM | Link to this

We just keep our mouths shut and see it for yourself how WELL they are coached.

By SouthGAGTFan

January 25, 2007 9:29 AM | Link to this

You guys are pathetic!! Do you really call yourself GT fans? I agree with everyone that last night was horrible showing, down right ugly. However, let’s talk about how we can turn this thing around instead of throwing our team, coach, and student athletes under the bus. If you feel so negatively about the team, don’t watch the games.

By HelluvaEngineer

January 25, 2007 9:50 AM | Link to this

The problems of the last two games are too many to enumerate. It was bad all around. I don’t even know where to begin. Granted, playing @UNC and @Maryland is one of the toughest back-to-back road games there is to be played. That said, they were simply befuddled. Even Miami won @ Mary. I have neither the time nor the energy to begin with the Jackets performance of late.

Regarding Hewitt: he seems like a great guy; like the kind of guy you want in your poker game. But the question of how good of coach he is depends on the tradeoff between being (a) a great recruiter and motivator and (b) a great X’s and O’s coach.

Hewitt is certainly the former, and I really do not think the latter. Regarding the latter, inbounds plays are essentially nonexistent, offense consists of Critt bringing the ball up the court with no movement away from the ball; taking low % shots on offense while surrendering high % shots defensively; lax interior defense, etc.

I’m not calling for his head by any means. The team’s youth and brutal schedule so far are understandable. But if they execute as poorly as they have the remainder of the year, I think I may reconsider.

Big game Sunday… a must win.

By GT Fan Jeff

January 25, 2007 9:54 AM | Link to this

SouthGAGTFan…

I am taking your advice and will not watch another road game until after we finally win one. I love GT and have supported them in all sports for over 40 years, but I can not take another episode like last night. At this point in the season, Hewitt’s “coaching” makes Chan Gailey look like Vince Lombardi. As disenchanted as I am with Chan’s coaching, I have to admit that the football program, overall, is improving. I can not say that about the current men’s basketball program, and, sadly, I have lost my hope for the future. I am ready for GT baseball to begin so I can have some positive thoughts again about GT athletics.

By INcredibility

January 25, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this

Let’s try to practice something that most UGA fans are not so good at: being graceful winners AND losers. In being losers, let’s try and figure out what the heck is going on and how we can fix it insted of pointing fingers. It was painful, and OUCH! It hurt. But … what our team does with this and where it goes from here is the important part.

By INcredibility

January 25, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this

P.S., I jumped off the Chan bandwagon a long time ago. I’m not ready to jump off the Hewitt one quite yet!

By GTracy

January 25, 2007 10:05 AM | Link to this

I can’t believe what a poor showing that was. What happened to the intensity they had earlier in the season? Can they inbound the ball? The basics of basketball are all out of whack and they have enough talent to correct that. It was hard to watch and a little embarrasing at that. Are these guys not prepared enough? Where is their heart and motivation? Something isn’t right here. They have fallen apart. We need the team that beat Memphis. Come on now, play to your level, play as a team, or prepare to be blown out every time.

By Problem with GT

January 25, 2007 10:12 AM | Link to this

GTech basketball teams are always young. Why? Because the student/players don’t want to hang around a program that has little upside potential. UNC & Duke players know that going to the NBA early could mean missing out on an ACC or National title. At Tech, you can leave for the NBA and leave nothing on the table. Until Hewitt figures out how to build some positive sustainable momentum over the course of years, GT’s program will always be a pass-through.

By ga_tech_92

January 25, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this

Let’s see: If you “try to be a graceful looser” and “figure out what the heck is going on”, then you will point out the things that are wrong, which have been enumerated for two years now: we can’t inbound the ball, we don’t have heart, we seem lost on offense, we play like individuals instead of a team. OK, so now I’ve listed those things again. When we list these things, then we are called “bad loosers” because we are being “negative”.

Then we are told “support your team, you guys are horrible fans”. OK, so which is it? Do we point out the OBVIOUSLY GLARING ISSUES in order to identify them and hope they will change at the risk of being called bad fans? -OR- do we say nothing but positive things and keep our heads in the sand like blind homers, which will in no way improve things? It seems like a catch 22 to me.

The bottom line, I think, is that times have changed. ATL is not a gem of GA, it’s the crime center. GT has never been dominate in sports, though we like to think we were because of Heisman, Dodd, and the success the football team had years ago. In order to be dominating, you MUST dominate recruiting AND be a hell of a coach ALSO. So, our expectation is to be dominating, if we have heart and aren’t just “doing this for fun and an outlet”. So to be dominating you must dominate recruiting and have great coaching. I don’t think we will ever dominate recruiting. GT (whom I love) is NOT the big state school…we are the little specialty/tech school. We have far fewer students, far fewer fans, which adds up to far fewer financial resources and far fewer fans cheering, add to that far fewer majors which appeal to athletes and girls…then finally add to that that ATL has more crime than any place in GA (so how many mothers want their son here?). We will NOT be dominating at recruiting against UGA. Call me negative if you want, but it’s reality for all the reasons I listed. I mean, if you were a big name athlete and liked attention and girls and having a packed 90+ to come see you play football, why would you ever choose GT? We are at a decided disadvantage and the reality is we will never be dominating. Negative?…no…realistic…look at the history…when have we ever been dominating against our instate rival (thus dominating in recruiting)? We are going to have to be happy with an occasional lucky year when everything comes together. We set ourselves up for disappointment, because we expect to be as good as the UNC and Dukes in BBall…but they have the similar advantage of UGA in Football…they dominate the ACC recruiting…and they have the BEST coaches for in game also.

So…unfortunately, we are damned if we are passionate about sports, because we are likely to be only a flash in the pan every so often, which isn’t acceptable if you are passionate and despise mediocrity. You are also damned if you are ok with just “win some” or “it’s no big deal, it’s just a game”, because that sort of attitude is accepting of mediocrity…..thus will not demand more.

In short, it’s hard to be a GT fan if you like to win. So, when we come on here and vent about all this loosing, please give us a break! Either loosing is ok with you, which you are entitled to feel, or loosing is not ok with you, which is ok also. Either way, don’t criticize fans who ARE PASSIONATE AND HATE LOOSING….and in return….we won’t criticize you for accepting mediocrity and being average.

Personally, I cannot STAND loosing, unless loosing happens with us out-working the opposition. I rarely see us outwork the opposition. SO we don’t have heart, which is inexcusable to me, heart is not based on talent. Talent, without heart, is a waste of my time. I would rather be short on talent and long on hard work (Mario West). To be a GT fan, you have to deal with mediocrity and taunting in state and a decided disadvantage recruiting (and coaching…we are a stepping stone…not a destination for the best coaches).

Sorry to break it down…but it’s reality.

By GT Will Be OK

January 25, 2007 10:30 AM | Link to this

It’s hard to see but things are not as bad as they seem right now. Yeah, the team looked like total crap last night but they will bounce back and end up 21-9 (9-7). They will win their next five games and this mess will be past us. Unfortunately however, I don’t see us winning more than one game in each the NCAA and ACC tournies. UGA thinks they are good now b/c they beat an average UK team? Are you kidding me? They will not make the dance. Keep dreamin suckers…

By SavTechIE

January 25, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this

Not EVERYTHING…. the incredible absence of shooting in this particular game reflects on a lack of concentration and expectations - - just the opposite of their attitudes when they come out on their home court. Hewitt and staff need a quick course in Psy 101, even if they have to go to Athens to find it.

By J. Byron Flanders

January 25, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this

Does anyone besides me get the impression when watching GT athletics that you are watching the movie Groundhog Day?

By INcredibility

January 25, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this

ga_tech92, it is not a catch-22. I don’t think that pointing out the mistakes that need to be addressed makes you a sore loser, and that’s definitely not what I meant. Being a sore loser is going on and on about how much the coach sucks, complaining to the conference and the media about the officiating, and generally not accepting the fact that it was the FAULT of the PLAYERS and COACHES that something like this happened, and the only way to fix it is ACKNOWLEDGING that there is a problem and getting on the court to FIX it. Like I said in my previous post, “what our team does with this and where it goes from here is the important part.” Do you not agree?

As far as your tirade on domination…what are you talking about? What crime rate are you citing? I’m very confused as to what that has to do with anything. Some people choose Tech BECAUSE it’s in an urban location. You’re right, we are not the big state school. I would not have gone to Tech if it was the big state school, because that isn’t what I wanted, and I don’t think that’s what anyone at Tech ever wants it to be. It’s fans like you who ARE negative and don’t get what Tech is about. I don’t really enjoy losing, but, I know it’s a game. JUST a game. Let’s put things in perspective here. If you wanted a great athletic program, knowing everything you wrote about Tech, and that was one of the things you fervently wished for in a university, WHY did you choose Georgia Tech?

P.S. - It’s “losing” not “loosing.”

By KneeJerk

January 25, 2007 10:47 AM | Link to this

GT92- I just left my son’s elementary spelling bee. There’s no doubt in my mind that EVERY 3rd grader there can spell “L-O-S-I-N-G”. If for some reason you did graduate from GT in ‘92, please change your screen name. It’s embarrassing.

By Go Jackets!

January 25, 2007 10:54 AM | Link to this

I know everyone loves Paul Hewitt - I do, everyone I know does. He’s a great guy and wonderful representative for the school and college athletics. He’s charismatic, great with the media, above average recruiter. HOWEVER, the teams problems at this point must be blamed on poor, undetailed coaching. I am surprised that he hasn’t already been getting the heat from local talk radio and the like.

Let’s be honest, taking a timeout in the Clemson game 18 SECONDS into the second half tells me somebody didn’t do his job at halftime. That’s not the only poorly timed timeout. The guys come out of timeouts often and execute what should be a well-executed play like they were doing drungs during the timeout. This should fall on coaching!

Also, how is it that Paul Hewitt’s teams are always “young” when Coach K and Roy Williams have great, mature-beyond-their-years, disciplined, focused “young” players. That should fall on coaching!

He’s recruiting the kind of players now that when he doesn’t win, somebody is going to have to answer for it. The home win against Duke was a total embarassment for both teams. We beat Duke at home with 28 turnovers! That was the JV from Durham that Coach K brought into Atlanta. We started the game with what 13 turnovers in the first 10 minutes last night - somebody help me, THAT’S CRAZY and very characteristic of Paul Hewitt coached teams.

He better get this thing turned around. His players look just as lost as Bobby Cremmins’ players looked in the late 90’s. By the way, it was Bobby’s players that he rode to the final four.

Somebody tell me - they’re starting to see what I see.

Sincerely, Jacket Fan

By Joe L

January 25, 2007 10:54 AM | Link to this

Hewitt needs to take a lesson from hockey after a game like this. When a team lays a complete stinker the next practice is without pucks. For every game where the effort isn’t there Hewitt needs to run the next practice with no basketballs and make it more hellish than any game effort could ever be.

As far as our problems with the press and moving the ball he should run practices with 6 defenders so every time you touch the ball a double team is quick in coming. Players will have to learn to make decisions faster, catch and shoot, break dts, and pass, pass, pass.

By Scooter11

January 25, 2007 11:03 AM | Link to this

Y’all ought to leave this blog to gatech92 and INcredibility. They have positive passions for their differing opinions (and spelling preferences), and provide the most cogent presentations I’ve seen on any blogs. Not that you care about my opinion, but congrats to both of you.

By INcredibility

January 25, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this

Hey Scooter11, thanks for the recognition. I’m just trying to be realistic. I’m not expecting a national championship or anything out of my school, and no true & honest Tech fan should be either. I do like Hewitt and I think he’s got potential. I also don’t think you can force kids to have heart when there just isn’t any there. So, let’s see where the road takes us next.

By ga_tech_92

January 25, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this

I had zero doubt someone would bash me for some reason, instead of addressing the specifics. I don’t blame you really, because there is no response to my post, which will change the reality of this situation. Yes, spelling is easily my worst subject; however, I’ve been the top one or two students in every math class I’ve ever had. People have strengths and weaknesses. I can live with that.

Why did I go to GT? That’s easy, because I’ve always been logical and good with math, so a Tech type school seemed best. Additionally, I had not lived in GA long enough to know the dynamics of the two schools in terms of demanding excellence on the field and having resources to be consistent. Finally, I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life, but I knew I wanted to graduate from a good college.

I have read and posted on these sorts of blogs for more than two years and consistently the same things happen. People who want to win point out things that are wrong, then they are chastised by the people who don’t mind loosing (but demand proper spelling) for being “bad fans”. People who don’t mind LOSING are chastised by the people who demand excellence (including athletics, but apparently not in spelling). Obviously, we are a divided fan base, let’s face it.

GT has enough disadvantages without you guys coming here to attack me for misspelling a word. Get a grip!! Please just accept mediocrity and get on with it. For my part, I’m washing my hands of athletics, because we simply are not going to be good enough for my taste consistently. It’s a hard lesson to learn for me, but I should have figured it out when I was in school. It’s like the music program. I love music and am passionate about it; however, at GT it’s like a minor hobby and not taken seriously at all. How can you do ANYTHING and not give it 110%? Our sports are taken as (non)seriously.

So, in the end, this is entirely my fault and I’ll take the blame. How so? Well, it’s about expectations. If I didn’t have expectations of passion, victory and working harder than the other guy, then I wouldn’t be disappointed. I have no control over these kids or the coaches, who do not embrace my view that 110% is the only acceptable effort level. So…I’ll take the advice given earlier, “if you don’t like it, don’t watch.” Hey, that’s great advice. I’ll have MUCH less heartache, because I personally cannot STAND clearly being out worked and thus beaten consistently in anything. Also, I’ll have more dollars in my pocket. I’m sure few of you will be heart broken at the thought of loosing someone who doesn’t embrace mediocrity and the feeling probably would be mutual. Count on this as one less passionate fan to get in the way of your mediocrity.

Enjoy the space.

By INcredibility

January 25, 2007 11:28 AM | Link to this

ga_tech…”I don’t blame you really, because there is no response to my post, which will change the reality of this situation.” What? Does that even make sense? And if your response is to a) get mad about being critiqued for your spelling, and then b) saying “For my part, I’m washing my hands of athletics, because we simply are not going to be good enough for my taste consistently”… you know what? Good riddance. You act like you are on some morally high ground because you “demand excellence” but “accept reality.” Hello! In this siutation, these are two totally different things. Expect something that is actually attainable! I take offense to the fact that you say I am settling for mediocrity, when in fact, I am accepting reality. This isn’t a national championship or ACC championship kind of team. We knew that. I accept that. You, however, seem to think that the more you yell and scream and hope for something like this to happen, the more chance it has. Well, that’s not how life (or sports) work. I’m very sorry that you are bitter about your college experience, but don’t hate those of us who love our school and accept its flaws.

By South Ga Dog

January 25, 2007 11:38 AM | Link to this

For Gt will be OK- Don’t worry about what UGA does pal, you clowns have your own set of problems over there.Losers lose, so what’s new. Tech is Tech and that’s the problem. Go Dogs!

By ga_tech_92

January 25, 2007 11:44 AM | Link to this

First off, I was not trying to attack you directly. If there is some truth to my words, which perhaps hit close to home, then that could be why you are reacting so defensively.

I believe what I said was, “my view that 110% is the only acceptable effort level.”

I don’t have any problem defending the expectation quoted above. Effort is something anyone can give. It’s a measure of pride and hard work. That is sorely lacking for years now and I personally witnessed it in the extracurricular I participated in. Somehow, I convinced myself that it was the exception to the rule. How wrong I was. Now I’m getting hammered for saying something as fundamental as expecting to work harder than the other guy. If it’s not acceptable to expect hard work, then I can see why we are consistently mediocre.

The thing I’ve always loved about Basketball is “you can make up for lack of skill with hustle and hard work”. Mario West is a perfect example. I would take a team full of Mario’s over a team full of more talented, yet less motivated guys. Sorry if this is somehow viewed as negative in your eyes; however, I was raised to believe you succeed by working harder than the other guy………….NOT by resting on your talent and clearly being out worked consistently.

I have no regrets for giving or expecting to out work the other guy. I think that expectation is what made America great. I guess I’m old fashioned for believing in the value of hard work.

By the way, I don’t hate any of you. I don’t hate Incredibility and I did not mean to single anyone out. There is a large faction of fans at GT (majority?) who are perfectly content with just showing up. I however, am not one of those people. I expect anyone on my team to work harder than anyone on the other team. If you don’t’ agree, then we can agree to disagree.

By to Scooter11I

January 25, 2007 11:49 AM | Link to this

You are correct…we do not care about a dog opinion.

By ga_tech_92

January 25, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this

Scooter11I, we can all agree on that point :)

By INcredibility

January 25, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this

There’s a difference between working hard and being #1. I never condemned you for expecting hard work; I was simply stating that you shouldn’t expect the absolute greatness that you seem to because it’s just not realistic. Honestly, you seem to get bitter when we don’t win.

My problem with you, and people like you, is that you seem to think you are better than everyone else because of this viewpoint. Comments like “I guess I’m old fashioned for believing in the value of hard work” are so condescending it’s not even funny. I’d bet money that many fans from other schools would agree that this is a huge problem with Georgia Tech fans in general: the superiority complex. You say you aren’t singling me out; yet, you are. You are talking down to me like I am a lesser person because I understand our weaknesses as a team, a school, and a fan base.

John Dewey once said, “Failure is instructive. The person who really thinks learns quite as much from his failures as from his successes.” It’s been said, but … this is a young team. They are learning. I’m willing to give them the benefit of the doubt and hope that they, and Hewitt, learn from this experience. I don’t believe that they went out there and purposefully played lazily or sloppily. I don’t believe they are sitting on their haunches right now waiting for the next game. I’d like to think they are practicing, learning, preparing, and reviewing. And I’ll be there for the next game, ready to see what unfolds.

By INcredibility

January 25, 2007 12:07 PM | Link to this

There’s a difference between working hard and being #1. I never condemned you for expecting hard work; I was simply stating that you shouldn’t expect the absolute greatness that you seem to because it’s just not realistic. Honestly, you seem to get bitter when we don’t win.

My problem with you, and people like you, is that you seem to think you are better than everyone else because of this viewpoint. Comments like “I guess I’m old fashioned for believing in the value of hard work” are so condescending it’s not even funny. I’d bet money that many fans from other schools would agree that this is a huge problem with Georgia Tech fans in general: the superiority complex. You say you aren’t singling me out; yet, you are. You are talking down to me like I am a lesser person because I understand our weaknesses as a team, a school, and a fan base.

John Dewey once said, “Failure is instructive. The person who really thinks learns quite as much from his failures as from his successes.” It’s been said, but … this is a young team. They are learning. I’m willing to give them the benefit of the doubt and hope that they, and Hewitt, learn from this experience. I don’t believe that they went out there and purposefully played lazily or sloppily. I don’t believe they are sitting on their haunches right now waiting for the next game. I’d like to think they are practicing, learning, preparing, and reviewing. And I’ll be there for the next game, ready to see what unfolds.

By ga_tech_92

January 25, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this

There’s a difference between working hard and being #1. I never condemned you for expecting hard work; I was simply stating that you shouldn’t expect the absolute greatness that you seem to because it’s just not realistic. Honestly, you seem to get bitter when we don’t win.

My problem with you, and people like you, is that you seem to think you are better than everyone else because of this viewpoint. Comments like “I guess I’m old fashioned for believing in the value of hard work” are so condescending it’s not even funny. I’d bet money that many fans from other schools would agree that this is a huge problem with Georgia Tech fans in general: the superiority complex. You say you aren’t singling me out; yet, you are. You are talking down to me like I am a lesser person because I understand our weaknesses as a team, a school, and a fan base.

John Dewey once said, “Failure is instructive. The person who really thinks learns quite as much from his failures as from his successes.” It’s been said, but … this is a young team. They are learning. I’m willing to give them the benefit of the doubt and hope that they, and Hewitt, learn from this experience. I don’t believe that they went out there and purposefully played lazily or sloppily. I don’t believe they are sitting on their haunches right now waiting for the next game. I’d like to think they are practicing, learning, preparing, and reviewing. And I’ll be there for the next game, ready to see what unfolds. team?”. This is an opinion based on years of being pretty logical in terms of conclusions. You and I agree there are significant limitations which are prohibitive to consistently being no.1. In fact, no one is consistently number one, even the schools which have the advantages in question. If these advantages were the ONLY issue, then I would not be of the mindset that I am today. The problem is, that I’ve felt one too many times “we gave up” or “we are flat getting out hustled” or “why can we not inbound the ball consistently like other teams” or . Sadly, I have to conclude that the sports, music, extracurricular activities are simply not important enough to give 110% effort. I have gotten heart broken one too many times over WHAT I (and others) PERCEIVE AS A LACK OF EFFORT. That’s my right, just as it’s your right to conclude something else.>

By ga_tech_92

January 25, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this

Sorry for the double post, but the editor apparently ignores comments put in angle braces.

There’s a difference between working hard and being #1. I never condemned you for expecting hard work; I was simply stating that you shouldn’t expect the absolute greatness that you seem to because it’s just not realistic. Honestly, you seem to get bitter when we don’t win.

-That I “SEEM” to expect. That is an incorrect assumption, though understandable. In fact I pointed out all the disadvantages that GT has, which will insure we do not ever consistently dominate. I also thought I made it pretty clear that the issue is heart and effort, which is inexcusable. So, in summary, I absolutely do know that GT has serious limitations and thus will not ever be a consistent NC powerhouse. My issue is not this last game…it’s the trend that has been for years…half hearted effort. I’m not the first to point this out or acknowledge it is a significant factor.- My problem with you, and people like you, is that you seem to think you are better than everyone else because of this viewpoint. Comments like “I guess I’m old fashioned for believing in the value of hard work” are so condescending it’s not even funny. I’d bet money that many fans from other schools would agree that this is a huge problem with Georgia Tech fans in general: the superiority complex. You say you aren’t singling me out; yet, you are. You are talking down to me like I am a lesser person because I understand our weaknesses as a team, a school, and a fan base.

-Again, I was NOT singling you out; however, I think based on your reaction you are responding to me as an amalgam of every fan you’ve ever disagreed with. I did single you out when I put your handle in the post. I am also singling you out this time, as you are directly addressing me. Effort: If this team were an exception to the effort rule, then that would be one thing. It is a trend though, not an exception to the rule. There are individual players who work hard, but the team just doesn’t seem to day in and day out year after year. This is a product of many things, which I’ll not elaborate again (obviously it doesn’t matter what I type, you will respond anyway you want.)- John Dewey once said, “Failure is instructive. The person who really thinks learns quite as much from his failures as from his successes.” It’s been said, but … this is a young team. They are learning. I’m willing to give them the benefit of the doubt and hope that they, and Hewitt, learn from this experience. I don’t believe that they went out there and purposefully played lazily or sloppily. I don’t believe they are sitting on their haunches right now waiting for the next game. I’d like to think they are practicing, learning, preparing, and reviewing. And I’ll be there for the next game, ready to see what unfolds. -Sounds nice. Again, you act as if I saw one game and made a rash decision. That is completely false. This is an opinion based on years of watching and supporting. This is an opinion based on years of debating “what’s wrong with the GT team?”. This is an opinion based on years of being pretty logical in terms of conclusions. You and I agree there are significant limitations which are prohibitive to consistently being no.1. In fact, no one is consistently number one, even the schools which have the advantages in question. If these advantages were the ONLY issue, then I would not be of the mindset that I am today. The problem is, that I’ve felt one too many times “we gave up” or “we are flat getting out hustled” or “why can we not inbound the ball consistently like other teams” or . Sadly, I have to conclude that the sports, music, extracurricular activities are simply not important enough to give 110% effort. I have gotten heart broken one too many times over WHAT I (and others) PERCEIVE AS A LACK OF EFFORT. That’s my right, just as it’s your right to conclude something else.-

By INcredibility

January 25, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this

P.S. Sorry for the double post!

By ga_tech_92

January 25, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this

Incredibility, I truly believe you are as entitled to your opinion as I am. I however think it’s significant that I’m attacked for my opinion, simply because it differs from yours. Why can’t we all just get along 

By INcredibility

January 25, 2007 12:38 PM | Link to this

OK, well, I agree to disagree. There is apparently nothing I can say to change your mind. You say you are done with Tech sports because of the heartbreak they cause you, so be done with them! It’s OK by me, and many other Tech fans as well.

By ga_tech_92

January 25, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this

I’m sure it is OK with you and others. That’s why I said “I’m sure few of you will be heart broken” in my first post.

Did you ever think that maybe I’m just frustrated as hell and venting?

Unfortunately, there is a lot of truth to my words, which is a hard pill for me to swallow. It’s like beating my head against the same wall, but expecting different results.

Anyway, it’s brutal watching the BBall team the past two years…sorry but that’s my opinion. I guess I’m the only one who feels there is a trend, more than an exception going on here.

By 91Wreck

January 25, 2007 1:04 PM | Link to this

gatech92 and INcredibility both have good points. There is nothing wrong with two members of the GT family having a brotherly fight over something that both men are passionate about (GT sports).

I am upset as well with the effort (or lack thereof) our players have put forth. It appears that we have been physically dominated in the last two games. I wouldn’t mind that so much if we were shorter and slower than UNC and Maryland, but that isn’t the case. Hewitt is the one who raved about this team’s size and athleticism. After the last two games he must admit one of two things:

1. We aren’t as athletic as he believed us to be.
2. We are that athletic, and our players aren’t giving the effort they should.

If #1 is truly the problem, then I can forgive the play of late. All the major recruiting services said this freshman class was great. I wouldn’t blame Hewitt for believing the hype given to these players and erroneously offering scholarships to guys that are too slow to defend, and don’t have the size, strength, and explosive power needed to rebound.

However, it appears that #2 is the real problem. Yes, UNC has great basketball players and their freshman class was ranked higher than ours. Yes, we should have lost to them on the road. But does anyone really believe that UNC’s players can out-run, out-jump, and out-muscle our guys? It sure appeared that way watching the game. But I believe we are just as big, strong, and quick as almost any team that we come up against. So again I have to conclude that lack of effort is the real problem when we are physically dominated in a game.

Lack of effort is something that coach Hewitt must be held accountable for by the administration and the GT fan base. He must get the attention of his players and quick. This season can be turned around, but it has to happen now.

By GT55

January 25, 2007 1:05 PM | Link to this

How much time does Coach Hewitt have to turn GT around? I believe its time for Hewitt to produce or hit the road. Radakovick expects better and so do the fans.

By 91Wreck

January 25, 2007 1:18 PM | Link to this

GT55 - I am not sure that it is time for Hewitt to go. However, I believe that both he and Gailey should be held to the same standard. If people want Gailey gone for his lack of coaching skills, apparent lack of preparation for big games, and because of the inconsistency of his teams - well we should hold Hewitt to the same standard and send him packing as well.

I am not advocating that we fire either one. I want both to stay at this present moment. However, my opinions of both men are going downhill quick.

By GT55

January 25, 2007 1:55 PM | Link to this

91 Wreck, I agree 100% and I believe Radakovick will hold both to the same standard. He Better!

By Fear theTurtle

January 25, 2007 2:10 PM | Link to this

Good God is this the Oprha Show..

WHAAAAAA.

It’s spelled LOOSER because every 16 road game loses you add an O. It will soon be LOOOOOOSERs. That which YECH FANS are.

By GT Fan Jeff

January 25, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this

As I said (wrote) earlier today, I do not plan to watch another GT road basketball game until they break the losing streak. I just get too frustrated, and it ruins my entire night and next day to endure watching what has been taking place recently. While I am obviously a very frustrated and disappointed GT fan, I am encouraged by the passion shown on this and other sports blogs by the REAL GT fans. While we may be a small group in numbers, I do believe that our message will eventually become the “pulse of the public” for Radakovich, and that low expectations and athletic underachieving will ultimately not be tolerated at GT. To hell with Georgia!!!

By Rags

January 25, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this

Jeez, guys, it’s really pretty simple.

There are coaches, and there are players.

On any given night, if you lose, either the coaches did not coach well enough, and/or the players did not play well enough.

Some nights you win, some nights you lose. Better players and better coaches win lots more often than they lose. This is particularly true once you leave behind the tune-up games and play with the big kids.

We don’t.

For the past few years, we have all heard the exact same excuses for why we don’t, and we keep waiting for next year. You could pull a blog from two years ago or last year, and it would sound almost exactly like this one.

Right now, we are a bad team, coached badly. To say anything else is to ignore reality. Possibly we have talent, and possibly the playing and coaching will improve, but right now they are not good. Period.

If you think we have talent (have you REALLY seen very much this year) then the burden falls on the coaches. If you think we have good coaches (and have you REALLY seen very much of that this year) then the burden falls on the players.

The only questions are - will the players change, will the coaches change, how do we accelerate that change, and will the rest of us wait around to see what happens?

Other than the Georgia bloggers - that is what most everybody is saying, one way or another.

I think I am a real GT fan (for over 50 years) but personally, I am tired of excuses and tired of being embarassed, and if I was DRad, I’d seriously tell every one of them that their contracts and their scholarships depended solely on the next 45 days, but that is an emotional reaction, not a reasoned response.

On the other hand, reasoned responses have not worked too well for the past 2 1/2 years. Maybe it’s time to try something different.

I want them to get better, but I also want some serious, genuine, personal accountability (imposed from the outside if necessary) and I do not want to wait another two or three years before something happens.

That’s my $0.02.

By 91Wreck

January 25, 2007 4:12 PM | Link to this

Rags - good post.

We may disagree on whether or not we have talent. We have great athletic ability, but our kids are not great players.

We do agree on the coaching - IT IS BAD!

I HAVE been a fervent Chan and Paul supporter, but my patience has about run out with both.

By ga_tech_92

January 25, 2007 4:32 PM | Link to this

GT Fan Jeff, I’m not sure if “REAL GT fans” was intended to not include me, but trust me…….I’ve spent many years blindly sticking up for GT in company filled with about 800 SEC fans. I take lumps all the time as the lone supporter of the team. Just because I vent on a public blog, doesn’t a non-fan make. You may not have even meant for me to zoom in on that comment.

Rags, it’s hard to argue with those points.

91Wreck, right. Look at Duke. Are they loaded with talent? Not appreciably more than GT. However, look at the coach…look at the players…you can see in their eyes that the absolutely will NOT accept loosing for long. That’s attitude, effort, desire, heart and a CHOICE. It has nothing to do with talent. I see most coaches taking every opportunity to coach up guy in the game. Kneeling on the floor in front of the player to coach and explaining the subtle things they could do differently next go round. Or getting up and being brutally passionate about the play on the floor. I’m not sure I see all these important things going on. Not last game…not for the past few years.

By Rags

January 25, 2007 4:43 PM | Link to this

91Wreck - thank you.

I agree. I think it is important to see the difference between raw talent and skill. I also think that both are irrelevant without character. And that applies to the coaches as well as the players. Hewitt appears to have raw talent, but his skills - particularly offensive - are obviously lacking.

I remain unconvinced about the true level of our athletic talent, because we do not see it often, but it is clear that we lack skill. And unfortunately I don’t see a lot of character either.

People can certainly change - coaches and players - but sometimes it requires outside motivation, and it always requires character and leadership.

I don’t want to ‘kill the kids’ or ‘throw the coach under the bus’ but I do want to see some hustle, some desperation, some movement without the ball, some in-your-freaking-face defense, and some seriously motivated players getting in their teammates (one m or two?) faces when that doesn’t happen.

If the coaches and players do not want to do that, it is their choice. Just please choose not to do it somewhere other than Tech. And choose soon.

By 91Wreck

January 25, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this

Rags you said :

I don’t want to ‘kill the kids’ or ‘throw the coach under the bus’ but I do want to see some hustle, some desperation, some movement without the ball, some in-your-freaking-face defense, and some seriously motivated players getting in their teammates (one m or two?) faces when that doesn’t happen.

Perfect statement. I couldn’t agree more. I think what this team lacks is a Clarence Moore type player. He really was the impetus that led us to the NC game because he would get in everyone’s face. The entire team was scared of him (I would have been too!). He kept the team focused and playing hard. While his individual statistics were never great, when he left we went from being the NCAA runner-up to having a 20-12 record and getting bounced out of the tournament in the second round. We haven’t had that type of player since he left, and I believe that is one of the reasons why our teams have underachieved since that season.

By Jacket Fan for real

January 25, 2007 5:06 PM | Link to this

Everyone is now jumping on the “kill the coach” bandwagon like they have for football! You guys expect Tech to be killing everyone in the ACC in hoops? Idiots! The ACC is tough. You want to see standing around on offense, check out an Alabama game. The cement could dry around their feet! I am so sick and tired of everyone bashing the Jackets b/c we loose. The ACC is tough. Maryland has a lot of experience. They have a ton of upper classmen. We had no recruits ranked to speak of before thsi year and you expect us to kill everyone? I admit the team has not jelled as much as I’d like…..but “Let’s Fire Hewitt” is not the answer. Even our breakout year we were 9-7 in the ACC! 1 game above .500. That’s how tough the ACC is. It is a tough league. Its no WAC, PAC-10, Conference-USA or MEAC. Its tough. Get over it. Supporting the program is the best thing you can do if you are a Tech fan. Who do you want as a coach who would be better? Tubby Smith (‘cause he’s done wonders at Kentucky!)? C’Mon. They missed freethrows and 3’s bottom line. Maryland did their homework. They knew to foul Jeremis and A-Mo cannot shoot well off the dribble or penetrate. So yes we miss Clinch in my opinion (he created more driving). But just hang in there. Maryland was supposed to be good and they have a lot of talent too. It takes years to build a consistent program to compete in the ACC and Hewitt is on his way. It is also happening with Scholarship sanctions/limits and yes guys do leave early. But the guy who said Cremins had more success early….he’s right. But the game’s different now. Anderson was the first player to go after 2 years. Now, we have hurt guys leave after 1 year and one year in a cast (Dieon Glover). And they are not superstars. You cannot compare our program to Duke and UNC yet. I’d like to get consistently better. But we are still a young team. It was a loosely called game the first half and we could not hold on to anything inside. But look at the numbers. 1-19 3’s. 10-15 points left on the foul line. A couple of baskets and free throws and its a game. So, don’t say its the worst game you have seen ever! These guys move much more than Cremins coached teams! Have realistic goals. I thought we would be in a better position than we are. I thought our defense would be better. But it is not. Keep supporting our team. We still have 6 home games and 4 road left in the ACC. So that’s good. We will have to crack that road losing streak but we can win some of those and still dance in March. Our main problem is that noone can penetrate with regularity. That’s it. And because of it, we cannot get open for 3’s from the right people. Hang in there Jacket fans. Remember that the recruits who went to the final four were Jrs. So, just relax. I think this team reminds me of Ohio State a couple of years ago. Now that their really good players are upper classmen, they are a top 10 team….2 or 3 years later.
Remember, this is the first set of recruits that put us on the recruiting map. Give it time. If you pull Hewitt now, we will never get to the NCAA elite 8 before 2010

By GT Fan Jeff

January 25, 2007 5:25 PM | Link to this

gatech92…

Yes, you are DEFINITELY included in the “REAL GT FANS” that I was making reference to. I think you may have gotten a little defensive after your long and passionate exchange with INcredibility today, and were “looking” for other comments to be directed at you. You and I are much closer to seeing things the same way than you realize. I KNOW you will continue to support GT in every way possible, and I KNOW you will continue to EXPECT and DEMAND better from the GT coaches and athletes than we have received since November 25. Keep the faith!!!

By move w/o the ball

January 25, 2007 10:01 PM | Link to this

Hate to say it, but it looks like 4-7 the rest of the way, maybe 6-5 at best. Not enuff to dance.

By Where's the hustle?

January 25, 2007 10:24 PM | Link to this

Is it just me, or does J. Crit. look slow and in over his head? Maybe it’ll just take some maturing (It wasn’t until Jack was a Jr. that things took off). I think the PG is key to why we are struggling.

By ga_tech_92

January 26, 2007 12:25 AM | Link to this

GT Fan Jeff, thx - I did vent a bit and over-react. Everyone has a bad day now and again =p

By Pat

January 26, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this

I was at the Maryland game. Of my many years of Tech sports, I have never been so embarrassed for the basketball program!

You could see it in the players eyes and their attitudes……..They did not want to be there! Mentally, they are not prepared any longer.

I agree that we have the talent BUT we do not have a TEAM environment! It is the coach’s responsibility to get the players prepared to play. If Hewitt spent more time managing the game instead of yelling at the officials or burying his head in his hands, then maybe there would be a better team on the floor. Something that really puzzled me as I set in very nice seats across from the Tech bench (unfortunately I was with a Maryland fan and in his seats), was the way that the players responded to Hewitt. It was as if they were teenagers ignoring the nagging parent.

For whatever the reason, he has lost the team! They are not responding to him! Hewitt needs to look in a mirror and ask himself some difficult questions. Until he does, it could be a long season and we will have another couple of years of players leaving and average recruits.

By INcredibility

January 26, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this

Why is Verizon advertising “get instant UGA scores” on the Tech AJC page? And why is our name in red and black? Come on, AJC…what the heck is the deal?

By bill bakerf

January 29, 2007 7:25 AM | Link to this

As a 60 year fan of GA Tech sports, I think that the current AD has done an excellent? job of hiring and retaining coaches, by far the best coach at Tech is the golf coach.