Tuesday, December 07, 2004

Hoops getting some props

Ok, the readers of the site seem to be more up-to-speed than me - and THAT's GREAT!! Always check the chatterbox for the latest articles that I might not get to. With that in mind, here is a summary of some stuff on TV.


First, Coach Hewitt was interviewed on IMAX on Fox Sports Net. Here was the way it went (paraphrased):


IMAX: Early on it seems maybe GT isn't getting the same respect as teams like Illinois or Wake Forest. Do you feel GT gets the respect it deserves? Do your players talk about it?
PH: Some of the guys talk about it, there's no doubt. But we are just focused on being a better team. It's so early in the season that we are just focused on getting better. The guys just try to get better so that when they get a chance to make a statement in an important game, they do it.


IMAX: You hear so much about Felton and C.Paul and not as much about J.Jack. Do the players talk about that?
PH: This group of players is really a lot more focused on the group and team progress. The just don't focus a lot on individual recognition.


IMAX: Is Jarrett Jack the best PG in the ACC?
PH: Well, I'm glad I have him, I'll say that. I've been telling people close to the program that since our first practice he has been as focused and has been playing at as high a level as any player I've ever been around.


IMAX: Should GT be the favorite to win the ACC?
PH: I can't say that. You look at a team like MD that won the ACC tourney last season. Wake looks very good on paper, UNC, etc, etc (continued slobbering over other ACC teams).
IMAX: Well if you won't say it I will - "YOU'RE THE BEST IN THE ACC".
PH: Well thanks Max.


IMAX: What do you think are you chances for the national title?
PH: We feel we are one of the teams that is capable of winning it all. We have to get the freshman more involved. I think this team can be better defensively than we were last year. However, we lost two talented guys - C-Moore and M.Lewis - that were important leaders on the team. We have to replace their offense and to win it all we have to get better offensively.

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Meanwhile, Andy Katz has GT in his "Weekly Watch":

SUPPORTING CAST:

B.J. ELDER, Georgia Tech: Elder lit up Michigan for 27 points, making 7 of 9 3s and hitting 10 of 12 shots overall in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge. He followed up that effort with 19 points in a Sunday win over Georgia.

JARRETT JACK, Georgia Tech: It was hard to differentiate between these two players this week. Jack was just as superb as Elder. He scored 16 points and had 11 assists and no turnovers in the win over Michigan. Then on Sunday, he lit up Georgia for 18 points, making all seven shots, including three 3s, while dishing out two assists and committing just one turnover

OTHER TEAMS TO WATCH:

Georgia Tech: The scare at Illinois-Chicago is behind them and the Yellow Jackets are looking like they did a year ago when they won the Preseason NIT. Georgia Tech crushed Michigan and Georgia last week at home to continue their torrid start.



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The polls are out - GT ends up #3 in both - Illinois jumps over us to take the #1 slot. USAToday


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Seth Davis give our team mention here:
I'm not saying Georgia Tech will make it all the way to the championship game again, but the Yellow Jackets are definitely better this season than they were last year. Remember, Will Bynum didn't even become eligible last season until late December. (He had transferred from Arizona mid-semester the previous year.) And if you want to argue that Jarrett Jack is the best point guard in the ACC (including Chris Paul), I'm not going to put up a fight.