Yet another chapter in the bleak tableau that is Tech hoops
The Tech student section Wednesday just before pregame introductions. (Photo by M. Bradley)
College basketball is supposed to be fun. What’s happening at Georgia Tech is not fun. It’s sad.
After Virginia beat the Jackets 62-56 Wednesday, players from both teams spoke of the difficulty in playing before such few fans. (Attendance was announced at 5,537. It seemed rather less.)
It didn’t feel like a basketball game between members of the conference that takes basketball the most seriously. It felt like one of those September games back in the middle ’80s when the Braves were in last place and there were 5,000 folks in the old stadium and you could sit anyplace you liked and you wondered, “Is anybody in the world watching this on TV? If so, why?”
As for this game: Tech didn’t play all that horribly. It outscored Virginia from the field and took 13 more rebounds. The Jackets made only 10 turnovers. There was no reason to lose, but they did. They led 46-43 with seven minutes left. When next they scored, the basket came inside the final two minutes and cut the visitor’s lead from nine to seven.
To its credit, the Jackets made a little rally. They usually do. Glen Rice Jr., who hadn’t played much due to a disciplinary intervention, stole the ball on the press and fed Moe Miller for a three-point play. Rice scored — his only hoop — to cut it to three. With fiveseconds left Mfon Udofia picked up a loose ball and hoisted a wild three-pointer while drawing a foul, and if the shot had dropped he’d have had a chance to tie the game. As it was, he had three free throws. He missed all three. (Only the last, presumably, on purpose.)
And so: Another Tech loss, this in a game in which it was favored. Another Tech loss, this to a team no more talented than the Jackets. (Virginia had lost eight of 11 games.) Another Tech loss, and at its end there came no cascade of boos. There was only more of the numbness that has come to enshroud this once buoyant program.
I feel for Tech fans. I feel for Tech players, who are trying hard with not much to show for it. I feel for everyone involved in this bleak tableau. There’s nothing fun here.
By Mark Bradley
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285 comments Add your comment
James
February 24th, 2011
3:17 pm
Bring back Bobby Cremins after the season.
jarvis
February 24th, 2011
3:24 pm
Yes. Quite daft.
GTBob
February 24th, 2011
3:26 pm
I wish people would quit suggesting Cremins or Price. I love both of them but neither one is the answer that we are looking for.
jarvis
February 24th, 2011
3:31 pm
What about John Robic?
He and Calipari win everywhere they go.
Tom
February 24th, 2011
3:40 pm
Why not just shut down the program, fire the assistant coaches and send Hewitt his monthly check. The $7 million would be better spent on science programs. He is clearly wants to be fired so he can walk about with the money.
Einsteindawg
February 24th, 2011
3:41 pm
Who is the DA functioning as Tech’s AD? All he needs to do is hire a couple of UGA matriculated lawyers and Hewitt would be gone with a modest severance (which is more than he deserves). I’m sure there is a “very best coaching effort” clause in his contract, and what part of the past three seasons substantiates this? Of course, Tech may be trying to be politically correct, and in that case, you’re getting what you deserve, not what you’re paying for. BTW, how can Mike Hamilton keep his AD job at Tennessee?
ArkyTech
February 24th, 2011
3:44 pm
How can anyone defend a 6-41 ACC road record? How can anyone defend having the worst ACC record over the past 6 years? We are seriously the worst program in the ACC – and the conference hasn’t been this weak since the early ’80s.
K
February 24th, 2011
3:45 pm
This is destroying any fan base Tech may have had.
Will be hard to recover, even if that opportunity ever exists.
Disappointing and disgusting.
jarvis
February 24th, 2011
3:48 pm
Don’t laugh, Tommy Amaker is doing a good job at Harvard.
He failed at Michigan, but he was hired coming off of their Fab 5/ C. Webb scandal.
Calab
February 24th, 2011
3:50 pm
Games at “The Tit” are no fun these days. Coach Hewitt’s days are numbered. Go Jackets!
Skeezix
February 24th, 2011
3:54 pm
Mark: Watching Tech is like watching paint dry or maybe more like chinese water torture; drip, drip, drip, drip,drip………and then you go insane. Teams like Tech and Wake are killing the strength of schedule ratings of other teams in the ACC. Every Tech game is hard to watch and boring. College basketball is suppose to be a blast for the fans/students/players–especially the home games. Man, it looked like there were less fans there that at a 2009 Bobcats game.
When in the world are the Tech decision makers going to put an end to this misery?? I suspect even PH would welcome an end to this nightmare.
All the Other ACC Teams
February 24th, 2011
3:56 pm
To the Leadeship of GT: You should keep Hewitt. We think he is doing a great job!
Skeezix
February 24th, 2011
4:02 pm
Amaker walked into a terrible situation at Michigan. The program had been hit with every sanction/punishment short of the death penalty. For example, he couldn’t compete with other conference schools in terms of # of scholarships, not to mention Moms who didn’t want their son going to a program with a tainted reputation and Dads/recruits concerned about when the program would be able to win again and play in the postseason tournaments.
jarvis
February 24th, 2011
4:03 pm
Amaker inherited nothing at Harvard and has steadily started to win there. They’ve beaten Colorado at home and George Washington and BC on the road this year with no scholorship players, and they only lost at Michigan by 2.
They got ablsoutely crushed at UCONN, but other than that Amaker has really done well.
Skeezix
February 24th, 2011
4:05 pm
Mark: How come my posts are getting blocked?
Einsteindawg
February 24th, 2011
4:09 pm
I can’t believe that Hewitt has so little integrity and character that he won’t do the right thing. Wash my mouth out with soap for taking up for these Nerds.
Skeezix
February 24th, 2011
4:10 pm
After all, what kind of blog are you running here? I try to spell correctly, use proper grammer, write in complete sentences and avoid the use of profane language; and, what do you do?
Block me.
jarvis
February 24th, 2011
4:11 pm
Maybe he doesn’t like the constant bitching.
40Capt
February 24th, 2011
4:16 pm
used to live in Atl and loved going to Tech games, not as a Tech fan but just loved hoops and the atmosphere AMC. I was horrified by the picture and the estimated attendance of 2500-3000. That is a disgrace and should not be tolerated. Tech bball heritage is too proud to have to suffer thru this.
Gov. of Wisconsin
February 24th, 2011
4:16 pm
The reason Ga. Tech can’t win is because of the unions.
Sarah Palin
February 24th, 2011
4:18 pm
Hey Paul Hewitt: WTF. Do what I did when the people started expecting results. Quit.
John Locke
February 24th, 2011
4:22 pm
Regarding Hewitt, methinks it should be blank tableau…
Arthur Redding, Jr.
February 24th, 2011
4:30 pm
If UGA can go out and sign a good young coach to turn the program around, then certainly GT can do the same.
The spirit around GT’s basketball program has gotten so low that I’m wondering if Tech will be able to hold on to its primary recruit for next year, Julian Royal.
There are so many nails in Hewitt’s coffin that there’s no place to put one for the loss to Virginia. UGA kept Dennis Felton at least 2 years too long; Tech has made the same mistake with Hewitt. I at least hope that Tech has learned its lesson about signing a coach to the kind of unbelievable contract they gave to Hewitt.
For godsakes, end the agony–fire Hewitt yesterday.
Jo Bling
February 24th, 2011
4:38 pm
Hey, HEWITT FAN, got any more “facts” for us? I can’t wait to see what’s next. Maybe some facts about how the good teams (Duke, UNC, etc.) steal all the good recruits? It’s just not fair!
Dawghater
February 24th, 2011
4:46 pm
Hewitt has successfully driven the program back to the days when I was at Tech and could walk in at half and pick a seat. Soon there will come a day when D Rad is left with no choice. I’d tell Hewitt’s he’s now an assistant coach and let someone else be the head coach. Yet, Hewitt has no pride he’s just holding out for his big payout when he’s fired. St. John’s doesn’t realize how lucky they really are.
Jay
February 24th, 2011
4:46 pm
I catch part of the Paul Hewitt show on sports talk on my lunch break. It’s always the kids aren’t shooting well, the kids didn’t make their freethrows, the kids aren’t communicating. He can point out the problems but can’t get through to the kids to help them fix them. If he won’t go away, for the love of god please hire some assistants that can help the kids perform or execute!!
Big Ol Stinger
February 24th, 2011
4:48 pm
Be careful Jo Bling. Don’t piss him off or we’re not going to get any more CELTICS at Tech. Then what are we going to do?
Dawghater
February 24th, 2011
4:50 pm
Defending Hewitt is like defending a dictator in the Middle East!
Bark Madley
February 24th, 2011
4:50 pm
I am really shocked by this article, you’ve been so positive about Coach Hewitt for so long. What happened?
UGA REALLY STANDS FOR JOE DIRT
February 24th, 2011
5:20 pm
@dawg in lex
I hear you on price and wojo but our program is in the dumps and most GT fans do not want an assistant!! We will need a guy who has turned a program around from crap to respected! The Gaily buyout ends next year and blewitts will begin is the bad news. Money will be a factor. I like price but our program is in ruins now. I admire price and i’m sure wojo possibly would be a nice hire for somebody but we need a HC who has PROVEN himself in these desperate times for our hoops program.
We need coach rose at BYU who we could afford and he turned around a team that won 8 games in 1 year to 24 the next and has won 20 plus 5 straight years! He would likely leave for an ACC job and he is well respected among his peers and in all college basketball. He also can recruit! Fire this BOZO we got and get a proven winner DRAD before we call for your job next! This is ridiculous with how our program has fell to the level of EPIC FAILURE! I have heard for months that GT does have the money to buy blewitt out so why continue the carnage of watching this idiot ruin the program further with each pathetic showing???
Coach Hewitt...
February 24th, 2011
5:22 pm
Y’all need to chill… I’ve got a plan mapped out to win the ACC Tourney. That’ll get me another year. After the season me & my boo & my baby girls are vacaying in the Bavarian Alps for a month. You know the ole coach has to unwind from this season IYKWIM.
Oh yea… My good friend Dave Braine & my UGA law grad agent said hello & thanks again for my contract. Still can’t believe we pulled that one off..LMAO…
Quit complaining… $7.1 million or STFU…I own this school…. LMMFAO… Later, Paul…
FSU ACC
February 24th, 2011
5:33 pm
LOL tech is pathetic
Coach Paul Johnson
February 24th, 2011
5:38 pm
How you like me now biotches?
GR82BAG8R
February 24th, 2011
5:40 pm
Hewitt fan, Tech was competitive in the ACC for 13 straight years – - from 1983 – 1996. By competitive, I mean no worse than 6 – 8 or 7 – 9. Show me where Hewitt has even approached that level of consistency. Show me where other coaches in the ACC performed as well. That is why Tech named their BB court after Cremins.
If Tech’s fans have no belief that the team has a chance to win they will not show up.
Apathy is much worse than booing.
FSU ACC
February 24th, 2011
5:43 pm
I know originality is in short supply at the north avenue trade school, so I’m offering this idea to my brethren in the ACC.
Every ga tech student that buys a ticket to see the skeeters play hoops gets a free blow up doll. It’s a guaranteed sell out.
NoDawgsAllowed
February 24th, 2011
5:47 pm
@ FSU ACC — we’ve already got a mannequin on the bench, the blow up doll would almost be a fitting compliment to that.
blazer
February 24th, 2011
5:54 pm
sad,sad, sad-but hey only about three more weeks! call the movers!
Just Saying...
February 24th, 2011
5:57 pm
Covering our eyes.
Hewitt fan
February 24th, 2011
6:21 pm
@Reality Check “Hewitt Fan, if you have any pull with the Atlanta Celtics, please put in a good word to send them to UGA”
Oh no doubt about it..our kids hated how the refs called the game for Gani and Derrick….we have 3 guys on our 17u team who will end up at UGA..Nick jacobs is really leaning towards UGA he signed with ALa but might change…He is from the same high school as Favors.He is a beast..He has ruled out Gt regardless of who they hire..Nick and Derrick our very close and Nick hated the way the refs called cheap fouls on him over and over again…Also a kid from the Georgia Blazers Caldwell is on the way.fox is not a better coach than Hewitt but the SEC lets those kids play, it is not all about the coach in the SEC.Either you have good players or you dont..Kevin Ware is another Celtic but he is going to UT..Uga had a good shot at him.i was suprised uga didnt get chris Daniels off our 17u team..a real sleeper headed to Georgia southern…
Hewitt fan
February 24th, 2011
6:23 pm
@Reality Check “Hewitt Fan, if you have any pull with the Atlanta Celtics, please put in a good word to send them to UGA”
Oh no doubt about it..our kids hated how the refs called the game for Gani and Derrick….we have 3 guys on our 17u team who will end up at UGA..Nick jacobs is really leaning towards UGA he signed with ALa but might change…He is from the same high school as Favors.He is a beast..He has ruled out Gt regardless of who they hire..Nick and Derrick our very close and Nick hated the way the refs called cheap fouls on him over and over again…Also a kid from the Georgia Blazers Caldwell is on the way.fox is not a better coach than Hewitt but the SEC lets those kids play, it is not all about the coach in the SEC.Either you have good players or you dont..i was suprised uga didnt get chris Daniels off our 17u team..a real sleeper headed to Georgia southern…
Hewitt fan
February 24th, 2011
6:30 pm
@Reality Check” Hewitt Fan, if you have any pull with the Atlanta Celtics, please put in a good word to send them to UGA. They have a decent coach and would love to start getting some of the instate talent. Coach Hewitt has taken GT to the NCAA touranment at least 40-50% of the time which most UGA fans would die for.”
Oh yeah UGA is in the picture for 3 or 4 of our kids…The SEC is a waayyyyy better conference than the ACC..They let the kids play over there…who the coach is does not decide who gets the calls in the sec…Caldwell from the Georgia blazers is already coming..he is the truth..but yeah After how Derrick and Gani were treated and the GT fan base, none of our kids our really considering GT regardless of who they hire…
Hewitt fan
February 24th, 2011
6:31 pm
@Reality Check” Hewitt Fan, if you have any pull with the Atlanta Celtics, please put in a good word to send them to UGA. They have a decent coach and would love to start getting some of the instate talent.
Oh yeah UGA is in the picture for 3 or 4 of our kids…The SEC is a waayyyyy better conference than the ACC..They let the kids play over there…who the coach is does not decide who gets the calls in the sec…Caldwell from the Georgia blazers is already coming..he is the truth..but yeah After how Derrick and Gani were treated and the GT fan base, none of our kids our really considering GT regardless of who they hire…
Hewitt fan
February 24th, 2011
6:35 pm
@GR82BAG8R..Man Cremins had 6 winning seasons in the ACC in 19 years..
@Big Ol Stinger ..done deal no player off the celtics is going to the ACC period..We have one going to UT,one signed with ALA but uga is trying to flip him Nick Jacobs
macarolina
February 24th, 2011
6:37 pm
GA Tech athletic dept is partly to blame as well. I’m an ACC fan who used to buy Tech mini-season plans for several (losing) years (and cheered loudly for Tech during all but one game). After their one successful season, I was given no credit for being a multi-year season ticket holder, and squeezed out of getting tickets that year. The verbal “we don’t care” response I got from the ticket sales folks put a long time sour taste in my mouth– and I have only gone back for about 2 games in the last 5 years. They dropped fan loyalty for short term bandwagon, and are paying for it big time.
Hewitt fan
February 24th, 2011
6:43 pm
@Reality Check oh yeah most of our 17u team have spoke with Fox or have offers from fox, Also UGA has took good care of Trey, in the SEC they let the kids decide the game..it is not about the coaches….Caldwell from the Georgia Dream is on the way..he is a beast…UGA will own this state for the next 15 years..
Hewitt fan
February 24th, 2011
6:50 pm
@Reality Check
Oh yeah, Fox is about to have a loaded team..he already has Caldwell from the Georgia dream committed..the georgia dream are not sending any more to the ACC either..you noticed how Marcus thornton swicthed to UGA..He played for the Dream also..We have alot of kids interested in UGA
Hewitt fan
February 24th, 2011
6:54 pm
@Outside Observer No UGA is the best program in the state..hope you can read that
Veteran Fan
February 24th, 2011
7:07 pm
Coach came on the radio after the game last night and described how they were doing so well getting the ball inside to Miller and Holsey and we had a nice lead and then he didn’t know what happened except we missed open shots! I am not kidding about this at all! What happened coach is that we settled for threes and you didn’t tell them to continue to feed the guys inside! Enough is enough! Mark, the Tech fans are here. They are voting with their absence for a change! As I have stated before I and all my friends will buy season tickets the day after Coach Hewitt leaves. We don’t need a remodeling of Alexander to fill it, we just need a NEW coach! Make no mistake this is not about a black or white coach. This is about putting a competitive team on the floor that the Tech community is proud to support! Oh and we never boo the Jackets, it is a Tech tradition! Unlike our friends 50 miles out in the boonies! And lets not even get into the crooked AAU programs like the Atlanta Celtics who fix the Georgia tournament every year!
Wes In NC
February 24th, 2011
7:09 pm
GT Trumpet is right RACE does not matter in a coach
NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! 5,537!!!
February 24th, 2011
7:20 pm
NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! 5,537!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! 5,537!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! 5,537!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! 5,537!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! 5,537!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! 5,537!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! 5,537!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! 5,537!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! 5,537!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! 5,537!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! 5,537!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! 5,537!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! 5,537!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! 5,537!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! 5,537!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! 5,537!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! 5,537!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! 5,537!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! 5,537!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! 5,537!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! 5,537!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! 5,537!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! 5,537!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! 5,537!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! 5,537!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! 73-72!!! 14-7!!! 5,537!!!