Tech falls to KSU: The Wizard of Techwood dazzles us again
It's a brand new season, but it's the same old outcome. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
If Paul Hewitt isn’t the worst basketball coach in the country, it’s only because ours is a mighty big country. And now, having said that, I ask: At this late date, who needs convincing?
There are no real Hewitt defenders. There are a few excuse-makers, but nobody seriously believes this is a first-tier coach anymore. I could cite his record yet again, but here’s all anyone needs to know: In the spring of 2004 he won five NCAA tournament games in 15 days; in his other nine seasons at Georgia Tech combined, he has won two.
On Monday his Jackets took a ride up I-75 and showed us they aren’t even the best team in Metro Atlanta. They lost 80-63 to Kennesaw State, which has only recently become a fully vested member of the NCAA’s Division I. Tech never led. It trailed by 20 points after 15 1/2 minutes, by 15 points at the half. It was one of those games that was shocking and yet not surprising at all.
Afterward Hewitt was his usual serene self, noting that KSU “out-toughed us” and trotting out the boilerplate: “It’s just a matter of showing more maturity.” And thus did the Owls join the list of Hewitt conquerors, a n array that includes IUPUI, Winthrop, UNC Greensboro and Illinois-Chicago (twice).
Tech made nearly as many turnovers (19) as baskets (21) Monday. This from a team that essentially starts four guards. This from a team that lost two McDonald’s All-Americans to the NBA early but still boasts one more McDonald’s All-American than Kennesaw State will ever sign. (Although the Owls do employ what coach Tony Ingle called “our Wendy’s offense — get it to go, cheese on the fries, let it fly.”)
Afterward Ingle was asked if Tech had recruited any of his players. He said, “No.” But somehow the Owls, who were 13-20 last season when Tech was underachieving its way into the NCAA tournament, were much the better team. They didn’t have the better players, but they were the better team. Which is the story of post-2004 Georgia Tech basketball.
The biggest excuse for Hewitt — I heard it from longtime acquaintance Charles Barkley last spring — is that he’s always losing players early to the pros. And that’s true: S ix Jackets have left eligibility on the table to declare for the NBA draft, Derrick Favors and Gani Lawal most recently. But it’s not as if Hewitt has accomplished much with his one-and-dones: Chris Bosh, Thaddeus Young, Javaris Crittenton and Favors managed a total of one NCAA tournament victory.
And it’s not as if the guys who stay fare any better. Hewitt had Anthony Morrow for four seasons, after which Morrow wasn’t able to persuade an NBA team to risk even a second-round pick on him. He landed with Golden State as a free agent. This summer he signed a three-year contract with the Nets for $12 million.
This month Alex Raskin of the Wall Street Journal wondered if Morrow is the greatest shooter in NBA history. (Not just in the NBA now. In the NBA ever.) And here was a quote from Steve Kerr, the former Phoenix general manager whose status as the league’s all-time leading three-point shooter is being threatened by Morrow: “I saw him a couple of times in college and he didn’t really light it up. He got a little lost on his team. It just didn’t seem like he really blossomed there.”
Who does blossom under Hewitt? Bosh and Favors didn’t get the ball enough. Apart from Jarrett Jack, no point guard has ever really directed a Hewitt team. (Moe Miller, who saved last season after being relegated to the end of the bench, is again not starting.)
But enough. You know what’s going on. Hewitt is a lousy coach, but his golden contract makes him untouchable. Dan Radakovich, the Tech athletic director, sat behind the bench at the KSU Convocation Center last night and looked pained. The man with the $7 million buyout was losing to a school based in the county where Radakovich lives — by 17 points.
Oh, and if you haven’t seen my take on Kennesaw State and its coach … that post can be found here.
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496 comments Add your comment
PaulieOldSchool
November 16th, 2010
12:53 pm
I’ve got to wonder, again, as I did last year, on whether it is not worth the money to Tech to get this bum on the ‘Hound and out the door. I mean, at what point do you admit this is a horrible mistake, the alums have started forgetting their checkbooks, or your address, and the recruits just aren’t coming in anymore? You know? At what point can the AD just swallow big and say, that’s way past enough? I’m a GA fan, but this is embarrassing to the whole state at this point. Maybe Hewitt and Richt can put up a billboard together for future employment and split the cost.
Knowing how much a 3 point shot is worth=UGA degree
November 16th, 2010
12:53 pm
UGA Athletic Department…I would think it would be wise for ugump to save their 7 million on bail and attorney’ fees.
VJacket
November 16th, 2010
12:54 pm
FIRE CPJ AND FIRE CPH – STOP ALL SPORTS AT TECH
dap01
November 16th, 2010
12:55 pm
Hewitt is bad.
PaulieOldSchool
November 16th, 2010
12:55 pm
Oh, and BTW, my comments were in no way intended to denigrate the great job that KSU did in embarrassing Tech. Fantastic coaching and quality, opportunistic play from his team. Kind of like you would want your team to play like. Best line, MB, is where you queried what the KSU coach could do with Tech’s talent. Indeed.
Tech75
November 16th, 2010
12:57 pm
sableman – these are not personal attacks.
No one has said “he’s ugly”.
This is all performance-based.
ArkyTech
November 16th, 2010
12:58 pm
sableman
November 16th, 2010
12:49 pm
Think this will be the biggest upset of the NCAA basketball season? Probably not.
———————————————————————–
Ummmm, upset? Who says this is an upset?
The Truth
November 16th, 2010
12:59 pm
The actual cost is not $7M. We are going to have to pay CPH whether he stays or goes. The actual cost is what we would have to pay his replacement. Assuming we hire a mid-major guy, he probably starts at $0.5M which hopefully goes up the some $1M in 5 years due to performance. Thus the real cost is some $3 to $4M.
The money was ther last year to fire CPH. However, you cannot fire a coach who ha sjust taken you to some 23 wins, 2nd place in the ACC and the second round of the NCAAs. If we go 5 – 25 this year, things will be different.
GoJackets!
November 16th, 2010
1:01 pm
A fact of matter is any coach could have had a better result than 80-63 loss to KSU. I’m not discrediting KSU’s effort. They played better and most of all coached way better. But with the talent Tech has, no other coach could have lost this game by 17. So where’s the value in keeping him. Is he really a good recruiter? How hard is it to get players like Favors and Lawal to come to Tech? They live in the area and get exposed being in ACC. Now he can’t even bring guys in GA. It’s now or later.
Hayseed Dixie
November 16th, 2010
1:03 pm
Mark,
Although I enjoyed your roasting, Hewitt’s suckitude has been on obscene display for awhile now.
A couple questions I have for you:
What do you think Radakovich’s conversation with Hewitt, post-game, was?
In your estimation, what would have to happen for Hewitt to go?
What is Radakovich’s ‘nuclear option’? And what do you think is the most likely outcome?
Dave Braine- it’s the AD equivalent of: he gave us herpes before he skipped town.
_HD
GT71
November 16th, 2010
1:06 pm
Look, Hewitt Fan, we realize you are his mommy, but please, for the good of the school and our athletics program, go stand in traffic with a bucket and start doing something to collect the $7mill we’ll need to end this nightmare.
Wait till we get to January and you see a 1/2 full T!T and more 20 point losses.
And if you think this team will make the Dance, you need new peepers.
A disorganized, un-motivated and un-together team – and all of those are COACHING. There may be talent there, but no one in this state outside of Mark Richt gets less with more.
There, dawgs, a complimentary bash for you!
UGA Athletic Department
November 16th, 2010
1:08 pm
Didn’t Kansas pay you guys $7 Million to go out to Lawrence to give their football team a guaranteed out of conference victory???
EagleDawg
November 16th, 2010
1:09 pm
Why are so many Tech sport fans fair weather fans?
Golden Rules
November 16th, 2010
1:09 pm
Top 10 things that the UGA Athletic Department could spend 7 million on:
1) Trash collection services for the North Campus after home game
Breeding fees for uga IX, X, XI because those overbread mutts only last a season or two.
2) Hazzardous material clean-up for the North Campus after home game
3) Human waste clean-up for the North Campus after home game
4) Extra shuttle services beginning at the third quarter for fans who give up in the dawgs.
5) Legal fees
6) Multiple uniforms in various colors to fire-up the dawgs to try and beat Florida or Alabama or just because they are in a “mood”
7) Activities for the football team to fill in the time that would normaly be spent with two-a-days.
9) Larry Munson’s cryrogenic capsule
10) DUI school
GTBob
November 16th, 2010
1:10 pm
sableman, almost completely a new team? Udofia (SO), Oliver (SO), Miller (SR), Shumpert (JR), and Rice (SO) are the main contributors on the team. All have ACC and NCAA tournament experience. The new team argument is garbage.
Tech75
November 16th, 2010
1:10 pm
The Truth – I beg to differ. Hewitt has historically done less with more than anyone in the country.
I don’t think we can get anyone on the level of a Coach K or Roy Williams, and but let me tell you – Seth Greenberg is kicking our *ss too. So are the coaches at FSU and Miami.
Do you think that Roy Williams would have done better with our players than Hewitt? What about Greenberg? Coach K certainly would have. Why should we accept less?
You’re not going to get a coach into this position for less than a million, more likely 1.5, because the alumni are going to want someone who has been proven at a number of places – not a one-shot-wunderkind…
Just my opinion, of course.
DBH
November 16th, 2010
1:10 pm
I’m a die-hard Tech fan and have been a loyal Hewitt supporter from day one but, I’ve gotta be honest – this team is terrible! I mean, seriously. We have NO shooters on this team. NONE. We’ll be fortunate to win 10 games this season.
Buzz
November 16th, 2010
1:13 pm
Hey maybe Colorado will send us the check for their game and guaranteed win against an alleged (and that is a word used often with UGA athletics) mighty SEC school.
papadawg
November 16th, 2010
1:15 pm
Glad he’s your Coach and not ours
Vespidie
November 16th, 2010
1:15 pm
The worst thing that can happen to any program is indifference and that is what GT basketball is has become. The supposed shock value that comes with a loss to the likes of KSU is non-existent. It makes no difference what so ever because NOTHING will be done regarding the man in charge of the circus on North Avenue. I’m afraid it will get much worse before it gets better.
UGA Athletic Department
November 16th, 2010
1:16 pm
Yes, Kansas definitely paid you Techies $7 million to come out. Then they paid Colorado to come over and lose.
I am on the phone right now trying to convince KU’s AD to pay us $13 million and save the combined $14 million they would pay Tech and Colorado.
That is good business.
jfreak13713
November 16th, 2010
1:17 pm
7 million dollar buyout? This coach isn’t going anywhere I’m afraid. A once good program now a shadow of its glory days. Thanks Paul you’ve done a bang up job!
Bill Stanfill
November 16th, 2010
1:18 pm
Watching the game last night in the first half, I kept thinking GT’s full-court press and superior athletes would eventually wear Kennesaw down. But Kennesaw played smarter, hustled more, had more heart. Does Tech run an offense? I saw no rhyme or reason in their offense.
Also, my fellow UGAers, if you watched the Bulldogs play Mississippi Valley State, surely you’ll acknowledge that the team didn’t look much better than Tech did last night. MV State was better prepared and almost stole a victory from the UGA on its home court.
UGA Athletic Department
November 16th, 2010
1:18 pm
Those black helmets don’t grow on trees…there’s another $7 million. Totally worth it though.
Tech75
November 16th, 2010
1:18 pm
Vespidie – “Circus”?
That implies the animals are trained to perform. This is no circus…
PTC DAWG
November 16th, 2010
1:18 pm
Glory Glory..you’re a joke…let it go.
PTC DAWG
November 16th, 2010
1:20 pm
2ndly, a simple registration and moderator on these boards would make them MUCH more enjoyable to read.
What say the others?
I'm just saying
November 16th, 2010
1:22 pm
Actually UGA AD it was only 6 million to go to Kansas. To get 7 million we would of had to have gone over one more state to the west.
My bad….I forgot who would be reading this… for you UGA alumni that would be the state of Colorado.
alphadog
November 16th, 2010
1:23 pm
MARK, stop pulling punches. Tell us how your really feel about Coach Hewitt
dawghater
November 16th, 2010
1:25 pm
It will take more losses like this one to get D Rad to make a move. I’ll put up with the pain if it means finally getting rid of Hewitt.
Bill Stanfill
November 16th, 2010
1:26 pm
Whoever gave final approval on Hewitt’s contract should be fired.
Ted M
November 16th, 2010
1:29 pm
Wow Mark you actually said it…”But enough. You know what’s going on. Hewitt is a lousy coach, but his golden contract makes him untouchable.”…it is certainly true, I’m just surprised you came right out and said it.
BTW Lawal leaving after his Jr. year doesn’t really constitute leaving early in this day and age. Anyway if you can’t win with 1 and done’s (you can) then why recruit them.
Hewitt’s comment “It’s just a matter of showing more maturity.” is his BS way of crying about being too young.
Mark, just curious, is Charles Barkley a GT fan at all?
reebok
November 16th, 2010
1:32 pm
Spot on, Mark. Tech is going to have to have a 9-win season before we will finally be rid of ‘Coach’ Hewitt.
WMD DAWG
November 16th, 2010
1:35 pm
Wonder if that kid from Milton wants to change his mind and go up to Athens to play for Coach Fox. Do this former Eagle a favor and leave the TECHIES in the dust. You can get an engineering degree from UGA, the women are prettier, the campus has more security, the bars are better……….Oh, and did I mention the women are prettier?
Tech Lifer
November 16th, 2010
1:35 pm
This is almost as embarrasing as Georgia’s football team this year.
Tech75
November 16th, 2010
1:35 pm
reebok – I think another sign will be if players start transferring.
Any player who really thinks he has NBA potential should read the tea leaves; you’re going to get worse, not better, at GT.
MassDawg
November 16th, 2010
1:39 pm
Maybe you can get St. Simons to come and Coach?
Fire Paul Bewitt
November 16th, 2010
1:39 pm
Just watched game again and its really funny how PH jumps around and shows his butt but no coaching. KSU did as they please with no GT ajustments…Fire the D A Coach today and eat the money. He is killing our program and school. PR with Hewitt is crap.
Mark Price is waiting for the call…………….
Fire Paul Bewitt
November 16th, 2010
1:40 pm
Maybe, Massdawg you can get Pulpwood Smith to take Richts job.
Richard Dawson
November 16th, 2010
1:42 pm
Hewitt and Mark Richt should team up and coach something. Perhaps “The Underachievers” would be a good name for that team.
Walker, Texas Ranger
November 16th, 2010
1:44 pm
The answer to your first question…….The AD, that’s who and if he can’t be convininced then fire him too
Jesse Stone
November 16th, 2010
1:44 pm
Coach Matt Harpring has a nice ring to it.
SWGADAWG
November 16th, 2010
1:46 pm
DO NOT FIRE HEWITT !!!! Don’t forget he’s a great recruiter.
SID
November 16th, 2010
1:47 pm
This affirmative action thing has gotten out of hand!!!!
Jesse Stone
November 16th, 2010
1:49 pm
Thank you, sir. May I have another?
BreakingNews
November 16th, 2010
1:49 pm
In other news – a body was found on Tech’s campus today and a group of students were stripped, tied, and robbed.
You Techies can’t say ANYTHING about UGA’s campus, our stadium, or the city of Athens in general.
Big Ol Stinger
November 16th, 2010
1:52 pm
Brad Stevens – Butler University
Mike Anderson – University of Missouri
Get it done Drad. Enough already.
“Hewitt Fired” should have been the AJC headline this morning.
BreakingNews
November 16th, 2010
1:52 pm
oh, and Tech Lifer – you mean that embarrassing UGA football team that is going to WEAR OUT your pathetic football team in 10 days?
juvenal
November 16th, 2010
1:52 pm
if they fired all the coaches(or at least kept them away from the players) & let them play playground, they would be better-at least then they would be playing for steet cred……..
gdawginkalamazoo
November 16th, 2010
1:53 pm
Nice suit. On a more serious note, what do you do to him when you beat UCONN?