Daily Swarm

First, let me say that I cannot keep up with all the articles on the team and the game. No possible way. With that in mind, I'll try to give you a complete picture.

HOW ABOUT THIS?
GT's all time highest win total for one season is 28. We currently have 28 wins and there is one more left to play. HHHHhhhhhhhmmmmmmm. 'Nuff said.............. Wouldn't it be sweet to give UConn both their first loss of the season and their last???? Forty minutes separate dream from reality..... Fans certainly want just one more win.

MONDAY BLUES? NOT FOR CALHOUN AND HEWITT
Today could be the greatest day of one of these coaches lives (story here). And what did Calhoun have to say about Hewitt - "I'll tell you what I don't like about him. He's young, good-looking and comes across as being not competitive. I've talked to some of his former players and he's one son of a [bleep] at practice. I do think that should be revealed. "They were putting makeup on him today [before a CBS interview]. Why? They should've saved all the time for me. ... He's everything that [ticks] me off." I am sure all said in jest and good fun............ More on Hewitt and his compelling story................ Meanwhile, Coach Calhoun will not go to the HOF this year.......... Here' more on Hewitt.

HOW MUCH DOES COACH HEWITT LOVE THE KNICKS
Read this article to find out............ Here's a nice article about Hewitt with quotes from his college buddies at Fisher.

WHAT ARE THE MEDIA PICKS?
Well, most of the talking heads are going with UConn. Phil Martelli said that UConn will lead wire-to-wire. As a bad omen, Mike Jarvis has picked GT to win for once - crap........ More no-name writers pick UConn............. Las Vegas has installed us as 5-point underdogs though, fantastic!!!!............. This guy at PennLive.com gives us as much chance of winning as Spinx against Tyson.............. This article compares this game to the 1983 title match-up, when NCST shocked Houston - that is giving GT way too little credit. However, you can see a lot of comparisons with that game. Would love to see nothing more than Marvin Lewis to shoot an air-ball and Luke grab it, stuff it home for the W, then watch Hewitt run around trying to find someone to hug.

On Jim Rome's show today, he gave major props to G-Tech, talked about how they deserve to be there, how they beat a great OSU team, and how you don't "fluke" your way to 5 tourney wins. Talked about classy Hewitt and how he just looks destined to be successful. Having said that, he picked UConn, saying that just like Carmello last year, Okafor will not let his team lose - he will will them to victory.

THE INEVITABLE VS THE IMPROBABLE
That's the theme of this season - and here it is in print. Keep writing us off I say - one more game and that's it!!

THE ACC LOVES THAT GT IS IN OVER DUKE
... at least except Duke fans. From this article - "Flight from Atlanta to San Antonio: $932. Four nights at a decent hotel: $817. Souvenirs from Hoop City: $114. Average cost of a routine margarita anywhere on the Riverwalk: $7. Buying tickets to the NCAA Tournament championship game from Duke fans before they leave town on Sunday?.................... Priceless."

BIG EAST AND ACC GO TO BATTLE AGAIN
Good article on the teams going to war. A chance for the Big East to win back-to-back titles. A good chance for the ACC to win 3 of the last 4. Coach Hewitt sure does defend the ACC with a passion............ Also note in the article that Ed Nelson came and spoke with the team. I hope it was all business............. and you can tell at the end of the story about C-Moore's leadership - strong!!

JACK DOES IT ALL FOR JACKETS
Major props to JJ's mom (story here) - "To tell you the truth, I was leaning towards committing to Michigan State," he said. "They really sold me on their success over the previous couple of years. My mom was kind of the one and said, 'Wouldn't you like to be a part of rebuilding a program?' She told me that I would be looked at on such a greater plateau for doing that. "I thank her for that every day." .......... I see a lot of comments over at the Hive from fans who have spoken with his mom at games and they all express what an incredibly proud mother she is - a strong woman.

BYNUM A FINAL FOUR HERO
Did you know Bynum's left arm has a tatoo of an NBA logo? (story here). Have any doubts where he wants to be? Awesome quote from Jack - "We're like sharks in the fish tank,".......... and from Bynum's mother - "There's just something about Coach Hewitt that everyone likes," Bynum said. "My mom is on me the whole time: 'You have to trust him. You have to trust him.'........... Evidently Bynum's mom was crying the whole night after he made the game-winning shot against OSU (story here). Don't tell me a mother doesn't have an influence on their sons. You can see it in articles on Jack and Bynum. At the McDonalds AA game, Morris's mom said it would be a plus to have Randolph closer to home - no doubt that will carry considerable weight.............. It is obvious that Coach Hewitt does an incredible job of building trust with his players. He has built a team around "family", a group of guys that trust him and want to win over and above reaching personal accomplishments. Bynum is the perfect example.

THE BATTLE STARTS IN THE MIDDLE
Who says the true college center is dead - the game tonight starts right in the middle (story here)............ Luke has become "chic" as this article puts it. Nice to see Luke's girlfriend's mom packing a care package for him............. Another story about the battle in the middle....... Yet even more on our man Luke.......... And yet another one with this quote from Coach Dean Keener - ""He taught us a valuable lesson," Tech assistant Dean Keener said. "Never give up on a big man if he's willing to work." .......... Here's more on Okafor and how special he is as a person........ No to ping-pong back and forth, but here is more on Okafor............. and back to Luke again............. And back to Okafor............... Even Luke's Aussie papers are talking about him.

EVEN BOB RYAN OF THE BOSTON GLOBE GETS IN ON THE ACT
.... with this article on big men. From the article - "Luke Schenscher is an official work in progress (WIP), but at 7 feet 1 inch and 250 pounds, the Georgia Tech center is a charming throwback to the days when a young man who ducked through doorways didn't automatically harbor a secret ambition to become the next Isiah Thomas. You young-'uns may have a hard time comprehending this, but back in the day, as they say, tall people were taught to play basketball with -- pay attention, now -- their backs to the basket. People called them centers, or pivotmen, and they were the focal point of the team, offensively and defensively."

On that note, this article talks about how the Final Four has been college hoops at its best and for the NBA to take note of how the game should be played............. And here's more on this team being like the "throwback" NBA teams of past............. Here's even more on the throwback match-up.......... Here are more comparisons with the NBA, but please drop this re-seeding crap. If GT wins, I don't want to hear it again, because it will mean that GT has beaten EVERY team in the Final Four, and one of the twice. They deserve to be there - get over it.

DOES LUKE KNOW WHAT A POSSE IS???
Hilarious comments from Luke when asked if he knew what a posse was - "'I know what a posse is,'' he said. ''But I've never had one before -- not that I know of, anyway.''

GET LUKE'S FAMILY A SATELLITE HOOKUP AND BIG-SCREEN TV!!!
... or better yet, fly them here to watch the game. From Luke in this article - "It's funny," he says. "My big games this year, most of them have been when my parents and family are watching. That gives me an edge, helps me get motivation. All I think about then is making my family proud."........... Luke, can you fathom how proud your family will be if you show up big tonight????

NAME ONE STAR AMERICAN-BORN CENTER UNDER 30 YEARS OLD?
Interesting article on the fact that the US is not producing the center talent these days.

ELDER FRUSTRATED BUT KEEPING HIS HEAD UP
Nice story on BJ as he gets ready for the game.

FIVE KEYS OF THE GAME
For the Huskies - story here.
For the Jackets - story here.

DEEP JACKETS SWARM TO THE CHALLENGE.
Story on depth....... Even Robert Brooks is ready to step in and is ok with his role as long as the team is winning.

ON SUTTON'S SOUR GRAPES
When asked about Sutton's comments on OSU being a better team and being able to beat GT in a 10-game series, Jack responded - "We're the team that's moving on and they're going home," Tech point guard Jarrett Jack said. "That's pretty much what it boils down to. We're the team playing on Monday night." ..............

COACH HEWITT LOOKING AT THE BIGGER PICTURE
Also note that Coach Hewitt took the team to Carver Academy to meet with David Robinson (story here), and the team was impressed. (another blurb here).........

SORRY, BUT UCONN CALHOUN'S STATEMENTS ARE WEAK!!!
He basically says that the Big East will not be in better shape with addition of Louisville, Depaul, Marquette and Cincy, because the teams might "beat each other up too much". Give me a break. So you want a weak conference so you can look good on top every year. No doubt you would be scared to join the ACC if that is your attitude.

MORE EX-PLAYERS TO ATTEND MONDAY
On top of all the players mentioned already (Price, Salley, D-Scott, Dalyrimple, Barry, Domalik, Harpring, Kaiser, Babul, Cremins, Cantwell, G.Felton,etc), both Chris Bosh and Kenny Anderson will attend on Monday night. Stephon Marbury is a possibility. Also looks like Dion Glover, Bosh's teammate will attend (story in bottom notes)................ Don't tell me Kenny Anderson doesn't care about GT even though he only was here two years - (story here) - "Kenny Anderson was so nervous at the end of Georgia Tech's NCAA tourney win over Oklahoma State on Saturday that he couldn't stand to watch. So he left his hotel room and headed down to the lobby, missing the final five minutes. "I ain't going to lie," he said before Sunday's game against the Pistons. "I was a little nervous." Anderson, who played two seasons at Tech before entering the NBA draft, saw the highlights of its two-point win later. He's fully confident his former school will beat Connecticut for the championship tonight. "Oh, yeah, no doubt," he said. "They've opened the floodgates. They're playing with a lot of confidence."

WHAT!!!!!!!!!!
Look at the bottom of this article - "Together, they've matched the school record with 28 victories, and tonight they become the first Tech basketball players to wear the old gold, white and blue in an NCAA title game. If they win, they'll become Tech's first NCAA championship team in any sport, because the football national titles Tech won aren't official NCAA championships." If that's not the biggest load of crap I have ever heard, I don't know what is.

COACH HEWITT AND TEAM TO THROW OUT FIRST PITCH FOR BRAVES
Tuesday night is the home opener for the Braves and Coach Hewitt, with his team behind him, will throw out the 1st pitch. CONGRATS!!!! (story here).

UCONN READY FOR THE REMATCH
As you can see, the Huskies are ready. They have Okafor healthy, Villineauva in the line-up, Gordon playing better and a RED-HOT Rashad Anderson (hitting 53% of 3pt shots in the tourney).... while the Jackets have added Bynum and Tarver and a better playing Luke............ Here is "the book" on Ben Gordon, a tough match-up for Jack.............. Here is talk of Gordon going pro after this season........Another "UConn getting ready" article............ Here is a story about UConn's chance for revenge from the early season trouncing by the Jackets.......... Of course that Pre-Season NIT game seems lifetimes ago, even to the coaches.

COACH HEWITT BELIEVED FROM DAY ONE
No doubt his confidence sets the tone. It is not arrogance - it is genuine belief. (story here).......... Coach Hewitt also is a builder, as evidenced in this story.

INJURIES HOBBLE THE JACKETS
We all know about Elder. Isma'il is also nursing some tendenitis in his knee. (story here).Neither will be 100%. Remember the missed dunk by Isma'il against OSU - here is what he said about it - "That would have been a relatively easy dunk for me, but I wasn't able to get up because of the knee." Sounds like both guys will be around 80%. Jack also bruised his elbow, but that is not expected to be a factor.

POSTCARDS FROM WES
Interesting off-day notes from Wes Durham.

GO TO THE NBA YOUNG MAN - NOW!!!
Per this writer, he likes the game better with all the best players leaving. No doubt it blurs the lines between the top programs and the rest of the pack.

HOW'S THE MOOD ON CAMPUS
Getting more intense - as this article says.