By TheBlogger

July 24, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this

What a great recruiting class! Good job there coaches. The only addition that would make this class unbelievable is a 7-footer (or taller).

By gt81

July 24, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this

Great job Coach H! We look forward to the entire recruiting class making Tech their home for the next 4 years! Sounds like we are only a big athletic body away from a great incoming class!

If we can build on what we have started here we can make some noise and actually live up to what we believe we should be. If we do not grow to this level over the next couple of years then it is time to look in another direction.

By 3 Rivers jacket

July 24, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this

Things are looking good for 09. We need to get back to the top of the Acc and get back to the sweet sixteen level. If Favors commits it will be something.

By wes

July 24, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this

It has taken us a while but looks like we’re gonna be back in a big way!!!

By TONY SHUMPERT

July 24, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this

To think they were calling for Coach Hewitts job not long ago. WELLLLL, how you like him now. Go see Iman at the pro-am games and see his point guard for this season. I’m thinking already the elite-8. Yes, I did say that, but I’m hoping Coach get’s the ring this year.

By TONY SHUMPERT

July 24, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this

To think they were calling for Coach Hewitts job not long ago. WELLLLL, how you like him now. Go see Iman Shumpert at the pro-am games and see his point guard for this season. I’m thinking already the elite-8. Yes, I did say that, but I’m hoping Coach get’s the ring this year.

By Tron5000

July 24, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this

Coach Hewitt has bought himself a bit of breathing room, and I mean just a bit. This season is still, in my opinion, a make-or-break season for Coach H. Tech basketball the past few years has not lived up to the standard that Coach H set for the Jackets in his first few seasons. I feel this is a huge year, both for the team and for him. If we miss the tourney again this season, Coach H may not be around to coach this great recruiting class. Better step it up, Coach.

By Bloppy

July 24, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this

gt81 sure sounds optimistic: “We look forward to the entire recruiting class making Tech their home for the next 4 years!”
I can only hope a FRACTION of these recruits will stay the full 4 years. The college game is changing big time. You have to produce with what you have immediately. No more development and experience for the youngsters. Just a year in and then they’re most likely gone. I like Hewitt a lot, but it’s going to be harder on him if we can’t get things going with the incoming freshmen. There is no more banking on, “well we have a bunch of young talent. With a few more years under their belt we could have something special.” Hopefully the freshmen can piece things together quickly and efficiently. Anyway, enough of me ranting. Welcome aboard Glen. GO JACKETS!

By who cares

July 24, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this

Hewitt is a used car salesman that wears nice suits.He is a terrible gametime coach. This clown couldn’t win with 2 1st round draft choices 2 years ago, what makes people on this blog think he can win with these guys, which are not as good as the 2 one year players that left for the NBA. And if you think this guy can coach them up,dream on. Tech has been a non factor in the ACC for quite a while, and until they get rid of this fast talker, they will continue to be on the same level as FSU, and Clemson.

By lakerat

July 24, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this

It doesn’t mean squat if Coach continues his stellar job of “coaching down” all this talent!

By lightonthehill

July 24, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this

The sad reality these days is that the recruits that turn out to be very good usually leave early, while those who fall short of expectations stay for four. For me, this takes much of the fun out of what should be a very exciting recruiting class.

By gt6974a

July 24, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this

Another 1 year and done player. Great job!

By REF

July 24, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this

Another 1 and done player? Rice Jr. is a top 150 player (3/4 star) but he’s no where near ready for the NBA. With Commits from Mfon Udofia (4 star), Kammeon Holsey (4 star), and Brian Oliver (3/4 star) this has been a solid class… If Hewitt can somehow get Derrick Favors, then I will be really excited.

By Hot Sauce

July 24, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this

Good Class, thus far, Coach Hewitt. Maybe they will stay the following year so a new coach can lead them to victory. Good Riddance.

By NorCalGT

July 24, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this

CPH has put together a nice class…The next couple of recruiting classes have the potential to look like a combination of Hewitt’s first (Elder, Muhammad, McHenry, Schensher) & second classes (Bosh, Jack, West). I think we remember where those players took us during the 2003-2004 season

By SteveO

July 24, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this

What they really need is Jerry Rice’s son (or daughter.. hell, anybody decent) to commit to the fottball team! Good luck with that quadruple option nonsense…

By SteveO

July 24, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this

What they really need is Jerry Rice’s son (or daughter.. hell, anybody decent) to commit to the football team! Good luck with that quadruple option nonsense…

By SteveO

July 24, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this

What they really need is Jerry Rice’s son (or daughter.. hell, anybody decent) to commit to the football team! Good luck with that quadruple option nonsense…

By GTsince62

July 24, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this

Hey SteveO I’ll have extra cheese on my pizza. You must be a Ugag boy cause you only have to post once.

By jim

July 24, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this

this good only if he stays for 4 years, these 1 and done guys have ruined our program and yu would think that all the money we pay coach hewlitt he would have seen that by now

By tech

July 24, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this

Who cares-

Please don’t compare us to Clemson and Florida State. How many NCAA tournaments have they been to in the last 10 years? My guess is 1 each, maybe. Tech’s been to at least 5 since then and 1 final four. We’re more like Maryland and NC State, not Clemson and FSU.

By Eagle Fan

July 24, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this

Hey, way to go TECH. Geat job CY. I see your still handling business on the hardwood like you did at GSU back in the day.

By Mike

July 24, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this

This sounds encouraging. Last year was a major embarassment to GT fans.

Coach H needs to learn to coach during practice and let the team play during games. The players actually constantly watch him waving his arms and shouting on every play during games. Teach the players what you want them to do and please don’t distract them during the game by trying to micro manage. I’ve never seen another college-level coach do such remedial acts during every game, during every play. Watch all the other ACC coaches. Coach H’s micro managing is counter-productive and needs to be stopped.

Coach H needs to get his act together.

By SteveO

July 24, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this

Hey GTsince62 - don’t despair (that means “lose hope”).. you’ll probably graduate this year… I hear they’ve eliminated the PE requirement….

By JEWELL ROLLEN

July 24, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this

I AGREE WITH “WHO CARES” TERRIBLE GAME TIME COACH. ALL THOSE SUBSTITUITIONS…PLAYERS ON THE FLOOR FOR 1-2 MINS, HOW CAN YOU GET INTO PLAYING RYTHUM LIKE THAT???? WHICH IS WHY I THINK THEY AVG 15-20 TURNOVERS PER GAME!

By StudLeoni23

July 24, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this

Hey Jewell, I guess bad coaches these days are taking their teams with only one nba caliber player to the national championship game! I hate people who post and don’t have a spec of an idea of what they’re talking about…you’re a DA Jewell, you too SteveO. Original name by the way get that from the first johnny knoxville movie or did it take you watching the sequel to come up with it?

By I hate GT, but attend there anyway

July 24, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this

Now SteveO don’t be mad cause you are at Georgia now…. what are you majoring by the way?

By I hate GT, but attend there anyway

July 24, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this

Now SteveO don’t be mad cause you are at Georgia now…. what are you majoring by the way?

By DICK ESKEW

July 24, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this

I say we get a big man. These recruits don’t mean diddly without a big man. Maybe we can get that Schping guy. Hewitt is a horrible coach without a big man. DUH!

By lay off

July 24, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this

Most college teams struggle without an experienced PG and a legitimate big man. Hewitt hasn’t had either since Jack and Schensher left. We are getting some big time guards, now we need Lawal, Peacock, and Aminu to step up and also recruit another big man. Favors would be a nice addition.

By dawg

July 24, 2008 5:29 PM | Link to this

too bad you will still lose to georgia.

By GT fan, UGA hater!!!

July 24, 2008 6:12 PM | Link to this

I am loving the recruiting class we have this year, seeing as though I’ve been a way from Ga Tech since 2003, but I still read about my Yellow Jackets and watch the sports teams play. All I can say to all the haters (UGA, etc..) is just wait an see. With the way things are going for both football and basketball, GA Tech may be the team to beat, so WATCH OUT!!

WHAT’S THE GOOD WORD? TO HELL WITH GEORGIA!!!!!

By MatchPoint

July 24, 2008 7:05 PM | Link to this

Congrats Glen. Looking forward to watching you play.

“…who has one of the highest basketball IQs”

This is what has been lacking in past recruits, all athleticism and no bball IQ.

By GT Fan but,

July 24, 2008 7:30 PM | Link to this

OK class so far, but I’m not too excited. For those of you predicting Final 8 etc., these guys will be FRESHMAN. For a reality check, look at Carolina’s 2009 class, so far. Even if Favors commits what makes you think CPH will be able to coach them to anything special. Look at our ACC record under him. We have NINE scholarship players this year and exactly ONE recruit coming in. I’m tired of CPH talking about this mysterious player coming in, doubt if he is a difference maker. I’m tired of hearing about how the “defections” hurt CPH. Sorry, good/great coaches plan for the great players leaving early. I don’t know if DRad will pull the trigger on him, but I for one, am tired of CPH’s game.

By basketball fan

July 24, 2008 7:39 PM | Link to this

i don’t know if any of you have actually watched glen rice jr play in a competitive arena, but he’s actually not that good playing against talented players, he only shines when facing marginal talent . when all the chips fall you will all see this class is a collection of mediocre players at best, unless they add another premier recruit who plans on staying for longer than a year. and good luck finding one of those to commit to gt

By Ghetto Blaster

July 24, 2008 7:59 PM | Link to this

Welcome to the Ghetto

By jimmy

July 24, 2008 8:43 PM | Link to this

The GT coaches have seriously screwed up. Unless a player has SIGNED, a school can not discuss a PROSPECT’s status. Not smart. Shows how many 4-5* recruits GT has signed, shouting their successes from the roof top.

By bill moore

July 24, 2008 8:44 PM | Link to this

steve—-zero if anyone from this class leaves early,it will be to the NBA.C’mon ,are you so angry that Ga players playing in Ga pis-es you off!! Get a life , you a—hole!

By VT = GT-lite

July 24, 2008 8:52 PM | Link to this

09??? Ah….what about 08 - this year!!!???

By VT = GT-lite

July 24, 2008 8:55 PM | Link to this

09??? Ah….what about 08 - this year!!!???

By jason

July 24, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this

Everybody please shut up. If GT lands Favors and Johnson we are going to be sick. We will return 4 of 5 starters in 09 and probably will add the best player in the nation. Unlike other years GT finally returnes their starting pg since jarrett jack!!!!

By bubble burst

July 24, 2008 10:14 PM | Link to this

Most of you are a bunch of whiners. CPJ and his staff are working their tails off to make us competitive by giving us a top 10 class (if Favors committs). And all you folks can do is WHINE!

The recruits probably read some of this stuff so keep up the negativity and lets see whee it takes us. NOT TO THE FINAL 4!!

Regardless, this is a good class and I commend both CY and CPJ for a job well done. Now lets keep the coaching to a minimum and win some games.

On a football note: An optimistic prediction of the Coastal Division: Tech finishes 3rd in the Coastal behind Va Tech and Miami and Maryland upsets Clemson to win the Atlantic. NC State plays spoiler in the Atlantic while Tech surprises folks w/ a solid D and an improving offense as the season progresses.

By JG 66

July 24, 2008 10:26 PM | Link to this

Great job by the coaches. Coach Hewitt is a class guy that GT is fortunate to have. He is still learning how to deal with the one and done, much like Bobby Cremins got hurt by. I think everyone will be surprised by what he has learned and adjusted to this coming year.

By GT fan

July 24, 2008 10:58 PM | Link to this

Coach Hewitt will not win till he learns how to Coach or get better Asst. Coaches.We have been there and done that. Just wait and see. I hope he proves me wrong.

By WFC

July 25, 2008 7:25 AM | Link to this

I understand that the purpose of blogs is to give EVERYONE a chance to offer an opinion. However, “enough is enough!”

How many of you have even coached at the high school level? If you had, you would understand just how difficult it is to create a TEAM from a collection of individuals, even talented individuals.

I’d be willing to bet that Coach Hewitt expected Young to bail after one year. I’d also be willing to bet that Critt promised to stay two years and then went back on his word (after all, his mom needed a house.) GT would have been at least 20-12 last year with Critt and would have made the dance. What could any coach have done about that? Critt is paying the price now… glued to the Memphis bench. Who cares? Welcome too the stupid NBA! At least mom has a house!

Hewitt seems to be learning from his mistakes with the current recruiting class… good players but no “one and dones.” If he gets Favors, it will be a “one and done” gamble (he’s undersized for his position) but worth it. Check and see if his mom needs a house!

By Verbal Kent

July 25, 2008 7:31 AM | Link to this

Kudos to Coach Hewitt and GT. I hope Derrick Favors commits to Tech as well and we will really have something special on our hands… best lineup that Tech would have in quite a while.

By Mike

July 25, 2008 7:55 AM | Link to this

Phil Gramm was right, we have become a nation of whiners.

By Jack

July 25, 2008 8:56 AM | Link to this

Too bad we have the worst game coaches in the history of sports. Maybe all of these recruites can play in 45 second spurts as “Coach” H likes to play them. Honestly, if we had a decent coach that could coach an offense or out of bounds play, we would be at the top of the ACC every year. Instead, we get beat by DII schools when we have TWO!! lottery picks on our team. Great job recruiting, but it is almost a wasted effort.

By Eric

July 25, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this

Jimmie - Nowhere in that article is there a quote from a GT coach about a player. Goydish is Rice’s HS coach at Walton, and can talk all he wants. The other quotes are from Rice.

Hewitt has 5 star recruits in the past including, Critt, Young, and Bosh. Clinch and Jack where also highly rated.

By UGAFan

July 25, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this

Hewitt is a heck of a coach and a better man. Congrats to the tech fans and to Coach Hewitt for getting that great talent. Hopefully Felton can grab a few more guys for our bball team.

By Ernest

July 25, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this

Great job CPH! Looks like you’ve got a solid recruiting class. If they all sign during the early period, you can relax and concentrate on the following year’s recruiting class.

What about Noel Johnson in Fayette County? Is he still on the radar for the 2009 signing class. Per Scout, he seems to have Tech high on his list.