GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Georgia Tech coach Paul Hewitt said on Tuesday he feels no pressure other than the usual pre-ACC tournament jitters.
Hewitt's job status is unsettled after a season that saw the Yellow Jackets finish 11th in the 12-team conference with 13-17 record while attendance lagged. Tech's average home attendance of 6,095 was third-lowest in the conference and the school's lowest in at least 12 years.
Athletic director Dan Radakovich has said he will evaluate Hewitt's performance after the season, a process he follows with every coach.
"I don't think there's any more pressure, no" Hewitt said.
Asked what that meant, Hewitt laughed and said, "I don't know."
Hewitt has been a much happier coach the past two weeks, which he traces to his team's improved play. Tech has won their past two games heading into Thursday's 9 p.m. meeting against Virginia Tech.
Players said there hasn't been much talk among them about Hewitt's future for two reasons.
"We're always playing for coach, we want to keep him around," center Daniel Miller said. "But it's about playing for Georgia Tech."
If Radakovich decides to make a coaching change, Hewitt would be owed $7.2 million per his contract. The contract also dictates that Hewitt be notified of any changes within 30 days of the automatic rollover date of April 15. That means a change would likely be announced by next Wednesday.
Shumpert's future
Iman Shumpert said he will decide after the season if he will return for his senior year.
Asked who will participate in the decision-making process and what factors he will consider, he said, "I haven't even got that far. I want to win this tournament. That's the only way I can go back to the NCAAs."
Shumpert, a second-team All-ACC performer, is trying to become the seventh player in ACC history to lead his team in scoring (17.5), rebounding (6.1) and assists (3.5) in the same season.
He's projected as either a second-round draft pick or undrafted free agent, according to NBA draft websites.
Oliver back
Brian Oliver said his broken hand feels better and he's ready to face the Hokies.
He suffered a small fracture in the base of the thumb on his non-shooting left hand against Clemson on Feb. 5. He had surgical wires taken out of the hand last week and was able to participate in a shoot-around prior to the regular season finale against Miami on Sunday. He said the hand felt fine after the session.
Hewitt said they won't put a limit on how many minutes Oliver plays. Much will depend upon his conditioning. He said he only feels awkward on his left-handed dribble. He tried to get clearance to play against the Hurricanes, but was denied by team doctors.
"It's tough to sit and watch," he said.
The Yellow Jackets could use him. He torched the Hokies' 2-3 zone for 28 points on 11-of-18 shooting in their Jan. 25th meeting. He wasn't able to play in the second game. Oliver is averaging 10.9 points on 36.8 percent shooting.
Practice OK
Hewitt said he was mostly pleased with the team's first practice on Wednesday. Because each team is limited to less than an hour of floor time at the Greensboro Coliseum, Tech practiced earlier in the day at nearby UNC-Greensboro. They used their allotted time at the Coliseum for shooting. Virginia Tech ran through sets during its practice time at the Coliseum.
"They are antsy," Hewitt said of his team. "They are ready to play someone else."
Udofia honored
Tech point guard Mfon Udofia (Miller Grove) was named to the All-ACC Academic team on Wednesday. Another Atlanta native, Clemson's Tanner Smith (Wesleyan), was also honored.
To be eligible, a student-athlete must have earned a 3.00 grade-point average for the previous semester and maintained a 3.00 cumulative average during his academic career.
