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
Gt4ever
March 16th, 2010
9:35 am
It’s a team that could go all the way, IF they would decide to play a FULL game of basketball…. At this point, it is basically the players that need to produce….. The coach is getting way to much credit or in this case, critique…. If these players do what they are capable of doing, then they will be VERY hard to beat.. Time will tell… Go Jackets and THWG!
Reality
March 16th, 2010
10:57 am
When is the ajc going to report on the type of game Ok State has?
why I wasn't there
March 16th, 2010
12:27 pm
GTFanz? I weighed the odds and wanted to come. I was in Charlotte two years ago for the ACC tournament. The tickets on Stubhub were too costly to sit in the upper level seats where noone is going to hear me yelling for GT. I thought maybe I could sneak down and sit behind the GT band or close to the GT area but figured in an ACC tournament game, they watch those kind of things so I didn’t. If there was another available avenue for GT fans to be there close by the band and team, it wasn’t advertised.
why I wasn't there
March 16th, 2010
12:28 pm
by the way ahole, I was in Tampa and Miami for the football team
Helluva Engineer
March 16th, 2010
12:45 pm
It all comes down to leadership on the court and a capable point guard to run the offense and limit turn overs. Bobby Cremins was not a great game coach but he was smart to recruit very good point guards. Smart coaches in college ball know that a point guard is the key to a winning season. I fault CPH for not finding great point guards in his time at Tech. We needed another Jarret Jack this year (not a Javaris Crittendon…ever). Give CPH credit for putting in Mo Miller during the ACC tournament and KEEPING him in. Although not spectacular, he knows how to control the offense and understands the position, something Iman Schumpert doesn’t seem to be able to remember for 40 straight minutes. Mfon? I have to fault CPH here for playing him at 2 guard too much this year, he would have been better off with limited minutes concentrated at the point.
Born2Buzz
March 16th, 2010
12:56 pm
I think anyone who has watched this team all year knows that they are capable of winning two games in the tourney or losing the first game. It all depends on which team shows up, the one that destroyed Wake back in early Feb or the one that got smoked by VT (or the one that played the first half against Maryland vs the 2nd half). If they make it to the Sweet 16 they just might get on a roll and who knows where they will end up. The talent is obvious.
The key will again be Shumpert, this time for 2 reasons. 1) he has to play controlled on offense and move the ball, his problem throughout the year, and 2) he will be counted on to guard both OK St and OH St’s best players, Anderson and Turner. He is capable because he is an excellent defender. We shall see.
At the beginning of the year we would all have been happy with a Sweet 16 appearance. I still will be.
eggguy
March 16th, 2010
1:08 pm
Me thinks we should all congrat ourselves…..because of our truthful comments over the past few weeks, we are responsible for shaming this coach and his staff into winning a few games.
Were it not for us, they would have surely been one and done in the ACC Tourney.
Blewitt still needs to go. I’ve been saying asst. coach for the Nets, his dream job….. for $75K per year…..I think now maybe $85K per year should do it!
Good luck Paul….you gonna need it!
GT
March 16th, 2010
1:26 pm
Udofia is a great PG u wouldn’t know it by the way Hewitt lets Shumpert(not a PG at all ) command the offense!
Gt4ever
March 17th, 2010
11:24 am
Ol Skool, They have abundant talent at every position. I have NO idea what your talking about when you say they have NO PG….. That’s silly, this team is as talented in every position!