Is Jackets’ season a success, or are you waiting for more?
Georgia Tech created excitement -- and expectations -- in the ACC tournament. (AP photo)
The NCAA selection committee got it right when it made Georgia Tech a 10th seed in the tournament. Higher would’ve ignored the sense of underachievement in the regular season. Lower would’ve ignored the run we just watched in the ACC tournament.
But should just making the tournament field as a 10th seed define success for the Jackets?
Loading ...This is not a fire Paul Hewitt referendum. Fact is, I’m not sure I would’ve supported Hewitt’s exit even if Tech had failed to make the tournament. But this is about grading a season, relative to expectations. Tech’s year is still an incomplete.
In the last four games, we saw the Jackets’ upside. So let’s see where they go from here. It was a great run in the ACC tournament: three wins and a narrow loss to in the title game to Duke, one of the team’s top four teams. But the performances in Greensboro is what we expected most of this season.
So here’s the question of the day: How many NCAA tournament games does Tech need to win for you to consider this year a success? Or is it already a success?
The Jackets don’t have an easy draw. The first game is against Oklahoma State, which has beaten both Kansas and Kansas State this season. Then possibly Ohio State. Then maybe Georgetown or Tennessee. And the reward for three wins? Kansas.
Given the high ceiling projected for Tech, I personally believe one-and-done would be a disappointment. A let down. Do you agree? I’ve posted a poll, but given Hewitt has been such a lightning rod all season, I’d like to see your reaction to what the Jackets have accomplished. Thanks. I’ll check back later.
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159 comments Add your comment
coachx
March 15th, 2010
11:22 am
I actually want Tech to get blown out so that they can find a real head coach.
How can you expect your players to play with any composure when their coach has no composure ?
Its going to be bad when Favors averages a double / double in his rookie NBA season.
italian_29
March 15th, 2010
11:34 am
I just wanted to make an outside observation, I thought GT had a pretty good season. They were 22-12, There are teams in the country that would love to be 22-12. They had a good run in the ACC tourney which is a tough BB conference. I know that everyone wants their team to do better, but in reality with their strength of schedual the season was pretty good and will just be better once the NCAA starts and they get a few more wins. Just an outside observation. One serious question, if you GT fans got your wish and CPH was fired, who would you hire to replace him? There aren’t alot of Coach K’s on the market looking for a job.
dawg1967
March 15th, 2010
11:35 am
How does head coach Mark Price sound, bet they could make an inbound pass with a field general on the floor.
T-Bone
March 15th, 2010
11:43 am
I’ve been a GT fanatic since 1989 when I first saw Dennis Scott play. I want Tech to succeed and become a perennial force in college basketball, but at the same time, everyone needs to be honest about this situation. CPH’s teams have had the same problems EVERY SEASON with the exceptions of 2001 and 2004. In both seasons, Tech was picked to finish near the bottom of the ACC, but veteran leadership at the guard position made it possible for them to perform beyond expectations. Eight of Hewitt’s 10 seasons on the Flats have been disappointing, with the most egregious being ‘05 and ‘07. Granted, the Jackets have been hurt by early defections to the NBA, but that can’t be an excuse because ALL of college basketball’s elite schools have been burned by them. The problem is that CPH doesn’t prepare for the inevitable. Take next year for example. There is a possibility that Favors and Lawal will both declare for the draft, and we know that Peacock is finished. Whom do we have waiting in the wings? Daniel Miller, Brad Sheehan, and Kammeon H. When a coach recruits blue chippers, he has to have backups for when those blue chippers bolt. We lost Jarrett Jack, and he was replaced by a shooting/scoring guard in Zam Frederick. We lost Javaris Crittenton, and he was replaced by a far less capable Mo Miller. Why is it that teams like Butler, Gonzaga, Xavier, etc. are competitive year after year? They have continuity in their programs. They have upperclassmen leading the team. Tech relies on freshmen every other year. In ‘04, we had Marvin Lewis, Clarence Moore, and even Robert Brooks who had spent four years in the program. It is the coach’s job to recruit intelligently so that there is consistency in the program. Hewitt is so concerned with recruiting the best athletes that he’s forgotton to recruit basketball players. Duke’s players pale in comparison to Tech’s as far as athleticism, but as far as basketball IQ, we get smashed year in and year out. After 10 years, it’s clear that Hewitt does not understand this, so if he stays, we can look forward to the same expectations (high) and the same results (disappointment).
JIMV
March 15th, 2010
11:44 am
They’re now calling them the “Twilight Zone Team” (Tim Brando et al) because of Tech’s penchant for wierd turnovers and sudden inability to play basketball. Let’s just say “one and done”.
Speedy G
March 15th, 2010
11:46 am
Hewitt back next year? I say…eat the money and get a decent coach. We are losing our top three big front men (Favors, Lawal and Peacock) after the season, so dont expect much from Tech next year folks. Why not use the year to get a new coach and re-build? So far Hewitt has proven only that luck sometimes carries you a long way or that is not only how well you play but how poorly your opponent shoots….GT does not have a hint of a formal offensive game, poor free-throw shooting and a turnover rate thats the highest in the ACC…how can GT justify keeping him? Eat the money and hope for the best! Go Jackets!
jimmy62
March 15th, 2010
11:46 am
All that tournament run showed me is that if this team was well coached, they would have dominated the ACC during the regular season. Cut the stupid turnovers in half and make some free throws, and they can beat anyone. But we see the same stupid mistakes every year from Tech players, so either Hewitt recruits klutzes, or he can’t coach his team to be smart. Either way, it comes down to Hewitt. You can’t blame anyone but the coach for the same problems every single year.
Tech75
March 15th, 2010
11:48 am
I agree with others that whether the season is deemed a success or failure should be a summation of the season, not just the last few games. BUT….
There are two GROSS failures this season, one of which was apparent LAST season, and has not been corrected – FREE THROW SHOOTING. Guys, they’re called FREE THROWS for a reason! There is really no excuse for any player to shoot less than 66% unless they don’t care or have not had decent coaching.
Turnovers are a different story. We’re seeing a lot of turnovers because the players are playing too carefully. They’re playing too carefully because they believe what’s been written about them – they read these blogs, you would be a fool to believe otherwise.
Early in the year, they were reading that they were a Top 5 team – and their heads got big. Later, they started getting worried about their play and the bad losses, then all the hoopla about Hewitt, and started playing “tight”. When you play tight, you make mistakes, your reactions are just a shade slower because you’re thinking too much, etc.
But ultimately, it comes back to Hewitt. I was thinking about this last night. It sure is interesting that they won these tournament games AFTER hearing DRad’s comments… do you think maybe a fire got built under Hewitt?
Tech First
March 15th, 2010
11:49 am
Congrats Jackets Let’s make another tourney run like this past weekend Its not about Hewitt or the coaches at this point. How bad do the players want it tough draw on friday Ok St. haven’t seen an ACC Press we have the Bigs down low. Were a deep team we lost by 4 to a 1seed we beat two months ago. Next year we’ll be fine and exp. THIS YEAR WERE IN GO RAMBLIN WRECK!!!!!
Speedy G
March 15th, 2010
11:51 am
I say…eat the money and get a decent coach. We are losing our top three big front men (Favors, Lawal and Peacock) after the season, so dont expect much from Tech next year folks. Why not use the year to get a new coach and re-build? So far Hewitt has proven only that luck sometimes carries you a long way or that is not only how well you play but how poorly your opponent performs….GT does not have a hint of a formal/designed offensive game, poor free-throw shooting and a turnover rate thats the highest in the ACC…how can GT justify keeping him? Eat the money and hope for the best!
CraZyTRaDeMaN
March 15th, 2010
11:53 am
Maybe between now and the first game we can come up with a few more inbound plays.
sporty black
March 15th, 2010
11:54 am
It’s simple… Just like Tubby in Kentucky, Hewitt won too many, too fast. No all these dumb a$$es out there think winning 25/30 games per year is the norm. Hewitt is doing a fine job. When you get top-notch recruits, you have to play them. In GT’s case, too much talent is on the floor. Shumpert, Lawal, and Favors are all go to guys. One of them need to get selfish, demand the ball more and becomer the offensive leader. I think Lawal should take this role since he is more polshed than Favors on the inside. Let Shumpert close the game out since he is a big guard and decent FT shooter. End of Story.
AlabamaRamblinwreck
March 15th, 2010
11:55 am
Italian: Coach K wasn’t Coach K before Duke gave him his first big job. You never know, but there are a lot of guys out there that have the seeds planted to be successful. Ultimately, when you hire a guy or gal for their first big job, it is risky, but we can take a risk or continue to see our teams underachieve and play a brand of basketball that is not fun to watch. I vote for the 1st of these 2 options. Of course, I realize he is going to remain as coach most likely, due to the stupid contract he has.
Diablo69
March 15th, 2010
11:58 am
Final Four talent with NIT coaching. There is not doubt that Hewitt can coach effort, but his inability to teach fundamentals is dumbfounding. Sweet 16 or bust!
the real Old Gold
March 15th, 2010
12:00 pm
Anyone want to be in my Turnover Pool? I got dibs on 15 against OKSt. 1-20 is up for grabs.
Arthante Lafleur
March 15th, 2010
12:11 pm
Gordon @ 6:20am – “He went from an F to a D for this season with the ACC run. He can bring it up to a C with a sweet 16 run. The trouble is, this is his highest grade of the last 5 years.”
Couldn’t have said it better myself.
I don’t have a problem w/ Hewitt on a personal level, but I can’t point to any coach in any sport at any level who has consistently had less success with as much talent. The numbers (esp. his record in the ACC) are atrocious, and no matter how you apportion the blame this year, Hewitt has been the common denominator through the past several seasons.
Two first round NBA big men, and no scheme to get them the ball (until the ACC tournament). Team can’t inbound. Can’t win on the road. Coach habitually mismanages the game and finds himself w/ no timeouts in key spots down the stretch. These are all COACHING problems.
I appreciate his service to the school but given the cold hard numbers we’re just long overdue for a change. That being said, I applaud Hewitt and the Jackets’ surprising ACC tournament run and wish them best of luck in NCAAs.
Time Out
March 15th, 2010
12:25 pm
Steak “FAT FACE” Shapiro said Ohio State is an easy win in the 2nd Round. Oh yeah, and visit STATS.
Yurtle_the_turtle
March 15th, 2010
12:29 pm
I was dissapointed Thursday night when we won. Pulling for UNC was tough but I figured that a loss to them would give DRAD the excuse he needed to finally rid GT Basketball of the plague called “Hewitt”. I’m afraid that, with the run we had, we’ll be seeing Hewitt back for next season. (Of course, he’ll have his typical exucse for why we’re lousy next year too). Then, after the end of next year Gailey will have one year left on his contract. This will mean another year of Hewitt. So, I see us having to put up with him for two more years.
Miss Me Yet - Signed Bobby Cremins
March 15th, 2010
12:30 pm
Jeff,
This team’s going no where. This teams turnover stats are an embarrassment and show a lack of solid coaching. I’m not behind Hewitt’s staff and a change is needed. This program’s going NO WHERE!
PMC
March 15th, 2010
12:36 pm
They’ve got the Front Court to make the Sweet 16 easily if they play well and hit thier freethrows.
Unfortunately the Backcourt may not be worthy of the NIT. They turn it over like it’s their job.
HUH?
March 15th, 2010
12:38 pm
They didn’t play a good team in the ACC tourney till Duke. They haven’t played that well all season. The expectations were sky high for this team and they haven’t delivered. I don’t see how you could argue that this season hasn’t been a disappointment.
Jesse Stone
March 15th, 2010
12:47 pm
Lawal must wear a size 6 shoe. He has horrible balance and is always falling over. I don’t blame Lawal for shooting fadeaways. The worst think that could happen is him going up strong and getting fouled. Lawal shooting 2 = turnover.
In Pollack We Trust
March 15th, 2010
12:49 pm
David Pollack just tweeted that Norman Dale is coming to coach Tech basketball next year. He said it’s a “done deal”.
drew
March 15th, 2010
12:53 pm
Let’s not start thinking this team has turned a corner or something…they are still the same schizophrenic team they’ve been all season. They beat UNC and Maryland because both of these teams stunk it up offensively. And yeah, some of this can be attributed to defense, but what I saw was a ton of good looks that simply wouldn’t go down. If UNC or MD make even a fourth of their threes, they win. Their other victory over a much less talented NC State team was also unimpressive. I think their best game in the run was probably the one they lost to Duke. The defense looked better than it has all year.
How far will they go? With the draw they have, my guess is they’ll win no more than one.
Or they could make it to the final four.
Schizophrenia’s a beeatch!
GTBuzz85
March 15th, 2010
12:54 pm
Gordon’s comments ditto’ed mine. Well said. Just looking at wins/losses and the ACC run don’t tell the real story. I liked the result of coming so close to winning the ACC Tourney. I am happy for the players. But it was painful watching each of the games this weekend. We happened to win. But the end doesn’t justify the means. Tech played bad basketball – turnovers, free throws, offense, … ACC run nor an NCAA run will replace the dismal performance and lack of entertainment watching Tech play this year. HS teams are better at fundamentals than we were this year.
Jack Worley
March 15th, 2010
12:59 pm
This team will come together in the big dance, just wait and see… and as for the comments from all the georgia folks, it will always be that way..they just dont know better!
shawn
March 15th, 2010
1:00 pm
Gordon, are you out of your mind? How can you give a D to Hewitt after making it to NCCA? Not to mention, they almost beat Duke. Come on, be realistic.
GT2002
March 15th, 2010
1:00 pm
Get a good look at that picture Jeff has posted at the top of the article because at least half of them will be playing significant minutes, if not starting in 2010-11. How many ACC games will we win with what we have returning? And we thought 09 was bad.
Bobbi Dud
March 15th, 2010
1:07 pm
Bottom line…Tech’s doesn’t win National Championship or State Championship. If you can’t win them all..how can you be happy! Hewitt keeps lifetime job!!!
Jesse Stone
March 15th, 2010
1:39 pm
shawn- with the talent Hewitt has, a “D” is appropriate. This team was penciled in as a Sweet 16 team before the season started. you think it’s a great accomplishment that we are a 10 seed?
Stinger
March 15th, 2010
2:02 pm
Final Four here we come !!!!!!!!!!!!! NIT – here come da dawgs.
poof!!!
March 15th, 2010
2:16 pm
I think two games should do it. And for next season I hope the light switch on for Mfon Udofia as it did for Jarrett Jack. Many people don’t remember the high expectations and the horrible season Jack had as a freshman.
DNice
March 15th, 2010
2:21 pm
Why do people keep sayig they have the most talent? Lets be honest here. You have a 1 and done player who cant get the ball (Favors). A fringe prospect (Lawal) and what else? Would any of the guards play on the other Tech teams. This team is flawed and its flawed because of the sorry early entry process. You should go Pro out of high school and if show up to campus then you have to stay 3 years like they do in baseball and football. I bet you Javaris Crittenton would not be in trouble if that had happened. All these players think they can leave early but hey Magic and KennyAnderson stayed 2 years Bird 4 years. So basically I think Hewitt would benefit with a real backcourt to remedy the TO problem and make this a better team instead of this unfounded hype based on the top rated high school player (Wall aint rated #1 and I dont think is that good).
DNice
March 15th, 2010
2:34 pm
Why do people think free throws are so easy? If they were so easy and it was just a coaching thing then why has Shaq not corrected his yet. I mean he was coached by 2 of the all time greatest coaches in the NBA (Riley and Jackson) plus a college great in Dale Brown. If “free throws” were so easy then every team would average 85-95 percent but that is a number that has never been achieved. For that matter the great MJ only shot 77% from the line in his career. There was a player for Central Macon in the early 90s (Marco Grant) who shot like 75% from 3pt range but less than 50 % from the line. Please explain?? exactly, you cant explain. Free throws are a work of art that coaching can only help you better by 1-5% if at all.
HugoStiglitz
March 15th, 2010
2:47 pm
Yes DNice, free throws arent easy. But we rank 302nd in free throw shooting. There are very few teams in all of college basketball who are worse then us, and the notion that you cant coach free throw shooting is ridiculous.
JUST NO READY
March 15th, 2010
3:10 pm
It seems like Hewitt coaches great defense than has the team play NCAA on xbox to practice offense. I just could not believe how many shots GT missed from inside the paint and the horrible foul line %.
Paul Hewitt Nation Is Dead
March 15th, 2010
4:48 pm
I didn’t realize David Braine had so many supporters. Going to the NCAA 3 out of 4 years is good enough? Huh? Finishing with an above .500 record is a success? Huh? The ACC is hard so it’s not a big deal that we win it? Huh?
If CPJ did anything for GT, it made us realize what a real coach can do. Everyone gives CPH so much credit for recruiting. The fact of the matter is GT is in Atlanta, a mecca for basketball players. I could recruit the same level of talent he does. Do you really think Favors looked at Hewitt’s resume and decided to come here? No, he wanted to play near his family for a year before he goes to the NBA. Anyone who watched this year and is happy with what was “accomplished” has extremely low standards. I had to turn off some parts of the Duke game this weekend because it was too painful to watch.
DRad, for better or worse, has shown us that Braine was an idiot (just look at statements about our football program and the contract he set up for Blewitt) and that GT is a real team. Those who think otherwise are just holding us back. I say DRad needs to talk to our big boosters, get some contributions, and pick us up a young excited coach. Let’s make Tech basketball not only what it can be, but what it should be…
Atlanta Jacket
March 15th, 2010
4:50 pm
Sweet 16 at a minimum to be called a very good season.
Things that can be fixed by coaching...
March 15th, 2010
4:59 pm
Not sure how anyone can argue this, but here are the problems (in no particular order) with CPH’s coaching that some of you are missing:
- Running set plays. We saw a couple in the ACCT so we know they’re possible but why is it that we never see a decent screen or play that looks like someone made a game plan?
- Free throws under 70%. It’s one thing if you’re a center that’s used to shooting 2 footers. It’s another when you’re entire team, from point guard to shooting forward can’t shoot above 60%. It’s true you can only coach so much when it comes to free throws, but does it look like CPH put in any time?
- Inbounding the ball. We have no scheme other than run around and hope you get the ball. We don’t even do the “run around” part sometimes. There are numerous ways to fix this problem but no one seems interested in figuring it out on the flats.
- Losing road games and turnover problems. CPH needs to find a way to instill some basketball toughness and IQ in these players which is what both these issues stem from. If it is truly the player’s fault then CPH is recruiting poorly.
- Timeout management. How often do we have a timeout in the last 3 minutes when we need one? Enough said.
- Substitution management. How often do we pull out a player right as he gets hot? Go back and watch some film. The answer is a lot! Why, why, why, why?
sc jacket
March 15th, 2010
5:14 pm
Sweet 16 because would have been my criteria at the beginning of the season, but they have a couple of tough games ahead of them. If they play like they did the last 37 minutes of the ACCC final, they could go a long way. They’ve done a great job so far, hope for more…
go jackets!
GT:
March 15th, 2010
5:34 pm
Does anyone know when UGA is playing? I can’t seem to find them in the brackets. hmmmm………I thought with a SOS of 90th and a tuff schedule and RPI with an overall losing record and cellar dwellars in the SEC, they would at least get an At-large Bid.
OG-T
March 15th, 2010
5:37 pm
With this squad (2 possible lottery picks, 2 other potential pro players), we either hang a banner, or we hang our heads. This is the most talent on one team this school has ever had.
Middle D
March 15th, 2010
5:52 pm
Tech’s season was a huge success!!! Getting to the ACC title game and going to the NCAAs—-nothing like it!! Hewitt will get a big raise and be around for a long time!!!!
Ben
March 15th, 2010
5:53 pm
A fan – “Does anyone know what kind of recruiting class is coming in next year?”
Only 1 commit so far…
4 star 18th SF Jason Morris
(Hotchkiss School)
Lakeville, CT 6-4/190 Committed to Georgia Tech
We also have 4 star PF Kammeon Holsey that got hurt before the season and 3 star C Daniel Miller who was redshirted.
If Lawal leaves, I don’t think he has improved his stock from last year, we are going to be very soft down low next year! From Favors, Lawal, and Peacock to Sheehan, Holsey, and Miller. Yikes!
I have a feeling that we might have reduced scholarships again for next year due to poor academic performance. Maybe we will really suck next year, so we can finally get rid of Hewitt!
Ol Skool
March 15th, 2010
6:04 pm
Man, what a bunch of Basketball Gurus in this blog. Mark Bradley got it right in that if this team had Jarrett Jack we would be at least a number 2 seed in this tournament. As I stated in another blog yesterday neither Cremins or Hewitt have fared well when they have suspect talent at the point guard position. Udofia may be good in a couple of years. But he is not a ready made talent at the position as a Kenny Smith, Stephon Marbury, Mark Price, Derrick Favors, Tyreke Evans, or John Wall. He will have to grow into the position as did Jarrett Jack (remember him as freshman?). Here is Techs post season with key players from those eras. Does not matter what you have inside at the at forward positions you are not gonna be successful in college basketball. You keep talking about talent but it don’t matter because it ain’t at the critical position. Cremins had arguably the best backcourt in college basketball in the mid-eighties. Stop kidding yourself that Tech is supposed to be a year in and year out Sweet 16 basketball team. Heck the National Champs aren’t even in the tourney this year.
1982-83 (Home) – Mark Price, John Salley
1983-84 (NIT 1st Round )– Mark Price, Bruce Darymple, John Salley, Yvon Joseph
1984-85 (NCAA Elite Eight )- Mark Price, Bruce Darymple, John Salley, Yvon Joseph, Duane Ferrell
1985-86 (NCAA Sweet 16)- Mark Price, Bruce Darymple, John Salley, Tom Hammonds, Duane Ferrell
1986-87 (NCAA 1st Round) – Brian Oliver, Bruce Darymple, Tom Hammonds, Craig Neal, Duane Ferrell
1987-88 (NCAA 2nd Round) – Brian Oliver, Dennis Scott, Tom Hammonds, Craig Neal, Duane Ferrell
1988-89 (NCAA 1st Round) – Brian Oliver, Dennis Scott, Tom Hammonds
1989-90 (NCAA Final Four) – Brian Oliver, Dennis Scott, Kenny Anderson, Malcolm Mackey
1990-91 (NCAA 2nd Round) – Kenny Anderson, Jon Barry, Matt Geiger, Malcolm Mackey
1991-92 (NCAA Sweet 16) – Travis Best, Jon Barry, Matt Geiger, Malcolm Mackey, James Forrest
1992-93 (NCAA 1st Round) – Travis Best, Drew Barry, Malcolm Mackey, James Forrest
1993-94 (NIT 1st Round) – Travis Best, Drew Barry, James Forrest
1994-95 (Home) – Travis Best, Drew Barry, Matt Harpring, James Forrest
1995-96 (NCAA Sweet 16) – Stephon Marbury, Drew Barry, Matt Harpring
1996-97 (Home) – Matt Harpring
1997-98 (NIT Quarterfinals) – Matt Harpring, Alvin Jones
1998-99 (NIT 1st Round) – Alvin Jones
1999-00 (Home) – Alvin Jones, Clarence Moore
2000-01 (NCAA 1st Round) – Alvin Jones, Clarence Moore
2001-02 (Home) – Luke Schenscher, Clarence Moore
2002-03 (NIT 3rd Round) – Luke Schenscher, BJ Elder, Marvin Lewis, Mario West, Chris Bosh, Jarrett Jack
2003-04 (NCAA Runner-Up) – Luke Schenscher, Clarence Moore, BJ Elder, Marvin Lewis, Jarrett Jack, Mario West, Wil Bynum
2004-05 (NCAA 2nd Round) – BJ Elder, Jarrett Jack, Mario West, Wil Bynum, Luke Schenscher, Anthony Morrow
2005-06 (Home) – Mario West, Anthony Morrow, Zam Frederick, Ra Sean Dickey, Jeremis Smith
2006-07 (NCAA 1st Round) – D’andre Bell, Anthony Morrow, Ra Sean Dickey, Jeremis Smith, Thaddeus Young, Zach Peacock, Javoris Crittendom
2007-08 (Home) – D’andre Bell, Anthony Morrow, Ra Sean Dickey, Jeremis Smith, Zach Peacock, Gani Lawal
2008-09 (Home) – D’andre Bell, Ra Sean Dickey, Jeremis Smith, Zach Peacock, Gani Lawal, Iman Shumpert
2009-10 (NCAA Tournament) – D’andre Bell, Zach Peacock, Gani Lawal, Iman Shumpert, Mfon Udofia, Glen Rice, Jr., Brian Oliver, Derrick Favors
All I'm Saying...
March 15th, 2010
6:07 pm
Tech is not a perennial top 16 basketball program and anyone who thinks otherwise is smoking something. The best Tech can be expected to do each year is play .500 ball in the ACC, make the NCAAs, and win their opening round game. Anything beyond that is gravy.
That typed, I’m pulling for them to play out of their collective gourds and make the sweet 16. Probably won’t happen, though, if OSU plays like one of the few team to beat both Kansas (only 2 losses) and K State.
jojatek
March 15th, 2010
9:09 pm
A Sweet 16 appearance would save the season, in my view, and allow Favors to head to the NBA with something meaningful to talk about from his brief appearance in the college game (and Hewitt something nice to add to his resume as he heads back north to St. Johns…). Anything short of that and I think Favors will wonder why he didn’t just jump straight to the NBA from high school. That said, I really don’t see how they get past Oklahoma State given the turnovers, spotty free throw shooting, and generally sloppy/out-of-sync play on the offensive end of the floor. Coaching matters now… fundamentals matter now… OSU won’t be caught sleeping Friday night… the Jackets are “one-and-done” and the Hewitt era will come to an odd and fitting close…
Bradley… let’s start talking about the Lady Jackets… they’re over there putting together one helluva season with hard work, sound fundamentals, and an overachieving attitude and style of play. Joseph has done a great job with those girls…
Marta Alum.
March 16th, 2010
5:29 am
They don’t play together. I watched as the ref handed the ball to Peacock to throw in. Instead of handing it to the designated in-bounds player. He put the ball on the floor for the other kid to pick up. It was obvious they don’t have any mutual respect. That problem is basic management. Business, Military, Fraternity, etc. etc. Hewitt is the CEO if he can’t make them get along he is failing in his job.
satchmo
March 16th, 2010
7:08 am
I have been hooked on G T Bball, since the days of R D Craddock Big Jim Caldwell, coached by John “Whack” Hyder. We upset a very good Kentucky team coached by Adolph Rupp, when they were #1.We can go deep into this thing, if we play with heart and passion of the old guys. Craddock hit the wall, under the basket, no back stop in those days, cut his head and played on in what was one of Tech’s finest hours. This team is capable, if we take care of rock, make our free throws, Craddock was about 85 to 90 % from there, and believe me good things will happen. Our defense is the best I have seen, very quick hands, but the inside guys have to take advantage of their opportunities, at the stripe, because every game we play going forward, will be also a physical test.
GTFanz?
March 16th, 2010
9:10 am
My message to all the haters – my girlfriend and I were 2 of 13 Jacket fans at the G’boro Coliseum during the tournament. If our “fans” loved GT B-ball as much as they criticize, the Dookies wouldn’t have had such a home-court advantage. Get off your ATL hunches and support your teams (we have a football program too, ya know) and maybe THEN and only then can you critique Hewitt or CPJ. GO JACKETS!!!!