Hoops - Watch the Game Online

Cool stuff watch Tech online - details here............ watch here.

Hoops - the Paul Hewitt Rosters Updated

UPDATED
I did a little more work at lunch today and made the chart even more useful by color coding the various recruiting classes. I also added Austin Jackson and put a column at the end showing each player's status. Note that EVERY Paul Hewitt recruit NOT in the current program is currently playing professional ball. Some NBA, some NBDL, some Europe and one MLB, but EVERY recruit that Paul Hewitt has brought in is playing professionaly in some part of the world. Pretty amazing.


Click the image to see the larger version

Hoops - The Paul Hewitt Rosters

I put this together at lunch and thought it would be an interesting way to look at the change in Coach Hewitt's rosters since he has been here. You can see where he's had to deal with adversity. In studying this chart, it becomes clear to me that this season is year 1 of a new era. We knew that already, but having the current crop of soph's on last year's team doesn't really count. The core of Luke, Ish, BJ, T-Mac and Will was out and this is the first full year of a new crop. You also notice that only 1 of the 4 signed in the class of 2002/2003 actually made it to their senior season - the other three all went pro prior to reaching senior status.


So once again, it only visually highlights what we already knew - this is a new era for Coach Hewitt. This is a brand new team with individual talent learning what it takes to play as a team. They didn't quite "get it" this season, but there glimpses of something more. So don't jump ship and prepare to jump back on the bandwagon next season if you're off for the moment.


Another interesting point - Coach Hewitt has yet to figure out how to actually have 13 guys on scholarship in a season. He's varied between 10-12 and actually only had 12 one season. So while everyone's wondering how the numbers are going to work out, just know this - they will. He may be working closer to the line than years past, but that's a good thing. His first class consisted of all 4 year guys. His next class consisted of 1 4-year guy, 2 NBA players and a Swedish all-star. Where is the Dickey/Fredrick/Smith/Morrows class? Probably mostly 3-4 year guys again - to stock the cupboard, then next year's class - about half-and-half with 1-2 year guys and 3-4 year guys. It seems to me Coach Hewitt is figuring this thing out (after getting burned a few times) and he'll carry closer to the limit and he'll recruit to reload.


Click the image for the large version.

Hoops - News on Thursday?

Well, there were rumors first circulated by Justin Young at Rivals (that were posted on public boards) that some big news was coming Thursday. Now we know that recruit Lance Storrs will announce his college decision on Thursday between GT and Tenn......... and actually Rivals is now showing that he is committed to the Jackets............Thing is - nobody is aware that he has been officialy offered a free ride. It is well known that Storrs has the Jackets on the top of his list, but has been patiently waiting for that offer. Since the Jackets got a commit from Gani Lawal the priorities seemlingly shift to the Point Guard position, but Storrs plays the 2/3. What does it mean? Well, if Storrs now has an offer and announces for the Jackets, then it's safe to say there are some players leaving the squad prior to their eligibility running out. Coach Hewitt is still after another top notch PG and that seems to be either Mo Miller or Tyrel Reed. So who's leaving? Of course a recent AJC article hinted at this fact saying that Theodis Tarver wasn't the only scholarship player that was playing his last game. No need to speculate about transfers or anything like that - totally counterproductive at this point. Of course don't forget that there are a myriad of potential NBA prospects that could leave after next season as well, so stay tuned.............

Hoops - ACC Tourney Schedule

Ok folks - here's how it breaks down:

2006 ACC Men's Basketball Tournament Central

March 5, 2006

GREENBSORO, N.C. - Duke's Blue Devils will be the No. 1 seed in this week's Atlantic Coast Conference Basketball Tournament. The league's 53rd annual tournament will get underway on Thursday, March 9, with four games scheduled in two sessions.

Wednesday, March 8 - Team Practices
ACC Tournament practice sessions are open to the public and the media. The practice schedule will be announced on Monday.
Thursday, March 9 - 1st Round
#8 Miami (7-9, 15-14) vs. #9 Clemson (7-9, 18-11)	RJ	noon
#5 Florida State (9-7, 19-8) vs. #12 Wake Forest (3-13, 15-15)	RJ	*2:30
#7 Virginia (7-9, 14-13) vs. #10 Virginia Tech (4-12, 14-15)	ESPN	7:00
#6 Maryland (8-8, 18-11) vs. #11 Georgia Tech (4-12, 11-16)	RJ	*9:30
Friday, March 10 - Quarterfinals
#1 Duke (14-2, 27-3) vs. #8/9 winner	RJ/ESPN2	noon
#4 NC State (10-6, 21-8) vs. #5/12 winner	RJ/ESPN2	*2:30
#2 North Carolina (12-4, 21-6) vs. #7/10 winner	RJ/ESPN2	7:00
#3 Boston College (11-5, 24-6) vs. #6/11 winner	RJ/ESPN2	*9:30
Saturday, March 11 - Semifinals
Game 9 (Winners of games 5/6)	RJ/ESPN	1:30
Game 10 (Winners of games 7/8)	RJ/ESPN	*4:00
Sunday, March 12 - Finals
ACC Championship Game	RJ/ESPN	1:00
*denotes tentative start time

Here are gametracker links for round 1:

1	#8 Miami vs. #9 Clemson	12:00 p.m.	Gametracker | TV: RJ
2	#5 Florida State vs. #12 Wake Forest	*2:30 p.m.	Gametracker | TV: RJ
3	#7 Virginia vs. #10 Virginia Tech	7:00 p.m.	Gametracker | TV: ESPN
4	#6 Maryland vs. #11 Georgia Tech	*9:30 p.m.	Gametracker | TV: RJ

Softball - Props to the ladies

Our softball team played and won THREE games on Sunday to take home the Buzz Classic Championship for the first time. CONGRATS!!!

Beesball - Sweeps Rutgers

Well the boy of summer swept another series, taking 3 games from Rutgers in dominating fashion. Thrown in a weekend loss by Clemson to their rival SC and you should be looking at the new #1 team in ALL the polls this week.

Hoops - Luke's 1st NBA Game

The stat line for Luke Schenscher - 12:19 minutes, 4 pts (2-2), 1 rebound, 3 fouls. Hey, it's his first game. Here's what his new head coach had to say:

Overall, coach Scott Skiles said Schenscher's defensive instincts were "as good as anybody else's," and liked his touch around the basket.

In addition, he said this:

"Luke's legitimately over 7 feet tall,'' Bulls coach Scott Skiles said. "He's got good hands. He has some nice moves around the basket, a hook with either hand. He plays hard.


"The 10-day thing is always a difficult thing because you want to bring a guy up and give him a legitimate look. Because of the 10-day contract start [in January], you're so late in the season that your practice time is limited. So the game is when you want to look at him.''

Here's what Luol Deng had to say - remembering his match-ups with Luke in his one season with Duke:

Schenscher went undrafted last June after four years at Georgia Tech, where Bulls forward Luol Deng remembered the 7-1, 265-pounder as a formidable foe when Deng was at Duke.


"He gave us a lot of trouble with our shots,'' Deng said. "Every time he played us, he played great. He's long, very good around the rim.''

Now Luke himself sees a niche for himself with the Bulls:

"Obviously, they don't have too many true centers, so I think I can slip in and do something," the 23-year-old Australian said.

And I kid you not, here is what Luke said about his newly grown curls:

"[Skiles] just said he likes hard workers and just go out there and do what he asks,'' said Schenscher, who likes his long locks. "I always said, 'The curls get the girls.' That's why I've got them.''

Hoops - Mark Price will have to wait....

.... if he has plans on wooing Luke Schenscher back home to Australia, because Luke just signed a 10-day contract with the Chicago Bulls. He'll be on the bench tonight... Cool!!

Hoops - More state titles

Well, Zach Peacock got his state title tonight, as his Norland team beat Winter Park 55-48 for the title. Peacock had 18 pts / 10 boards, was 4-10 from the floor and 10-12 from the charity stripe as he led his team to victory. FYI - the Winter Park team is led by Jeremiah Rivers, the PG prospect that Coach Hewitt went after and also is the son of Doc Rivers.


In addition to that, after Javaris Crittenton and his SACA team won their state title, opposing Whitefield Academy head coach Tyrone Johnson had this to say about JC:

"We did everything to stop him, but at the end of the night, he is the best player in Georgia — bar none," Johnson said.

Hoops - A Fitting Way to end the Regular season

A microcosm of the season all wrapped up in one game at Clemson SC. I don't even feel like commenting much. The Jackets just almost gave up 100 points to Clemson to seal a winless year on the road. Amazing as the Jackets lose 95-82. This in a game where GT shoots 52% from the floor, 54% from 3pt range and 71% from the FT line, and they outrebounded Clemson 35-29. So what happened? Same old same old. Turnovers everywhere - 19 total. Points off those giveaways - 27 by Clemson. Just a terrible performance. Oh yeah, the defense. Uhhh. Not good. Not good at all.

Hoops - More state Titles for Recruits

Well, Gani Lawal and his Norcross mates got their state title last night. Gani had a slow 1st half, but ended with 18 points and 12 boards. He and Jodie Meeks were quite a 1-2 punch.


Today, Javaris Crittenton and his mates also got their state title. In a tight battle all the way, Javaris was the difference down the stretch, as he had a key assist, a key steal and a key dunk to put the game away for SACA. So the SACA boys and girls won state titles on this day. Congrats to Javaris who wanted that title without the help of Dwight Howard.


Congrats to the winners!!!

Hoops - Jon Barry Released by Rockets

Time for journeyman Jon Barry to find a home with another NBA team. He was released by the Houston Rockets........

Barry (6-5, Georgia Tech) was in his second season with Houston after joining the Rockets in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks on Dec. 23, 2004, in exchange for Tyronn Lue. He played in a total of 73 games with two starts for the Rockets, averaging 6.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists. Barry was also 72-of-165 (.436) from 3-point range in his stay in Houston. This season, Barry was averaging 4.3 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 20 games. He recorded his best scoring performance as a member of the Rockets with 24 points (8-10 FG, 2-3 3FG) vs. Sacramento (11/2/05), topping his previous high of 19 points vs. Orlando (1/24/05) and marking the first time he ever led the Rockets in scoring. Barry's 24 points against the Kings also marked his first 20-point game since scoring 20 with the Denver Nuggets at Dallas (11/22/03). He also missed a total of 28 games this season with foot and calf injuries (3 games: 11/26/05-12/3/05, bruised left foot; 12 games: 12/8/05-1/3/06, right calf strain; 13 games: 1/10/06-2/1/06, right calf strain).

Hoops - Aussie Aussie Oy Oy

Guess who's the new head coach of the Australian South Dragons? How about our own Mark Price? That's right - check it out............. Congrats - I think. Hard to imagine that Price's interest in finally getting back into the coaching game (as his kids got older) would result in a relocation down under. But we wish him the best................ This is the same team attempting to sign Luke Schenscher back to his home country. Most "local" Aussie papers have been very kind to Luke, although I did see one recently reference him as an "NBA wannabee". Well, technically I guess that's what he is. Here's an article linking the two.

Hoops - Recruiting Winners

Well, there's something to be said for having guys on your team that are winners. Guys who come from winning programs. Guys who understand what it takes to win. Guys who have done it. Witness your Georgia Tech basketball recruits and their recent accomplishments


THADDEUS YOUNG
BadThad got his regional title, beating Hillcrest 75-71 last night. Thad dropped 23 points in the victory. This after scoring 33 points as his Mitchell team beat Washington in a state semi-final game the other night. They play for the sectional title Monday and a victory will send them on to the state tourney. There have been plenty of superlatives thrown around about this young man. Here are more.... Not only that, there are plenty of honors, including being named to the McDonalds AA team, and being named to the Hoop Summit team.......


JAVARIS CRITTENTON
Guess who's playing for a state title. Javaris has one state title already, but he got that one as a sophomore with Dwight Howard down low. Javaris is determined to get one as a senior and prove that maybe he was just as important on that Howard team. Well, Javaris has practically single-handedly willed his team to the state finals, which will be held Saturdy. Look at some of the stuff he's had to endure.....His SACA team knocked off Randolph-Clay the other night, ending their 90 game winning streak. JC scored 27, most in the 2nd half as they came from behind to knock off the favorite. That is the same team that knocked Crittenton and team off in the state finals last season. So now they will face Whitefield Academy in the finals Saturday. Locals to ATL can watch the game on GA Publich Television. As a treat - non-locals can actually watch the game online at 12:45 - right from the GAPT website. No kidding - check it out


ZACH PEACOCK
Guess who else is headed to a state final? Yes, that would be Zachory Peacock and his Norland squad. They beat Palm Beach Lakes 55-43 in a semi-final game and Peacock had a team high 13 points, 10 rebounds and battled foul trouble most of the way. His team will play Winter Park (ranked #1) for the state final Saturday night.


BRAD SHEEHAN
Well, things can't all be roses. While Brad's Bison squad won their region, they were upset in the state playoffs by Albany 64-62 in OT, it wasn't for lack of effort by Sheehan. Brad ended up scoring almost half his team's points, with 28. He was a force down low but his guards just kept turning the ball over. Sheehan passed the 1000 point mark for his career in that game.


GANI LAWAL
We're not done yet. There's another guy playing for a state title. Gani and his Norcross team beat Redan 65-47 in his state semi-final game. Gani hit the double / double at 15/14. The surprise is that Norcross will not be playing favorite Wheeler, as they were upset by Beach. Wheeler had a 50+game winning streak going. This game will be played tonight on GA Public Television for the locals and again, I think you can watch it online (see link above). If you want to see what kind of kid Gani is, then check out this nice article from the AJC.........


Not only that, but there are other guys being recruited by the Jackets who have either won state titles or will be playing for them. So you can see one thing - these guys that Hewitt is bringing in are winners. That's an outstanding quality for sure. Don't forget that guys like Anthony Morrow, Jeremis Smith and Buck Fredrick were also from winning programs.


There's another guy that needs to be discussed - Mouhammad Faye. The legend of Mr.Faye just continues to grow. In fact it's gotten to be a running joke between Jacket fans over at the Hive. We hear comparisons to Mike Dunleavy and Thaddeus Young and others yet nobody has really seen him play. Here are some of the latest snippets when someone said they got a chance to play pick-up ball with Faye and he said he reminded him of Luol Deng. Brace yourself, because there's some funny stuff there.

- I saw Muhammed Faye this morning. He was pullling several elderly folk and their pets from a burning retirement home. The firemen were standing back in amazement. I heard one of them say that Faye looked a lot like Lebron James


- That's impossible because I saw him fighting off the UFO mothership with Jeff Goldblum. He pretty much saved the world this morning.


- I'm surprised you could see him - I've heard he's got chameleon-like qualities that allow him to blend in to his surroundings. He should get a lot of steals next year.


- I saw Faye this morning and he was able to save me a Lot of Money on my Car Insurance.


- Isn't he scheduled to fight at the UFC PPV on Saturday?


- I thought he was in LA and going to be on American Idol.


- Is it possible that Faye is multiplying and could play all 5 spots at once?


- He was in LA to help Jack Bauer track down terrorists. It had absolutely nothing to do with American Idol, but don't repeat this because it is classified.


- Don't worry...he'll be back on campus next semester. He's teaching a class I signed up for: Math 7100: How to divide by zero


- When he's done with all the work described above, he's going
to save the "2 Live Stews" radio show.............yeah right...


- don't be ridiculous. Everyone knows only Chuck Norris can divide by zero. That being said, I saw Faye this morning in Charlottesville singlehandedly killing and eating the entire UVA men's basketball team. He washed it down with a nice cool glass of blended popped-collar-fratboy (of which there is a ridiculous abundance around here, its like a natural resource!)


- That's not possible, because at that same time I saw him at the stadium personally removing the chairbacks.


- I saw him at the courthouse being a character witness for Bill Campbell.


- Did anyone notice how you may see him holding a glass of water to his lips or cutting his meat into bite size pieces, but you NEVER actually see him ingest anything? Never uses the restroom either. Oh and what's with that thing behind his ear that looks like a battery recharge terminal?


- I think this is just a rumor, but my cousin's friend's girlfriend has a class with Faye and said she overheard Faye telling someone that he administered a lie detector test to Shane Olivett and he failed.


- Muhammed Faye Taught me how to scold a child and make love to a woman.


- Muhammed Faye is Reuben Houston's attorney.


- I saw Faye coming out of Taco Bell....... He said he was full.

Hoops - Javaris Crittenton Ends Streak

His SACA team beat the reigning state champs and ended their 90-game winning streak by beating Randoph-Clay 69-65. Javaris Crittenton had a slow 1st half, with only 9 points, but came alive in the 2nd half, ending with 27 and taking home the victory. By the way, Randolph-Clay is the team that beat Javaris's squad in last year's state final. Javaris had set a goal to win a state championship without the help of Dwight Howard. He will get his chance, as they will now play for the state title Saturday against Whitefield Academy. These two teams split games this past season. For those in the ATL you can watch the game on GA Public Television. Here's an idea - someone record it - TIVO, whatever, turn it into an uploadable file on the web somewhere. How about it - any locals out there want to do that?

To Cuss or not to Cuss

Well now, isn't this the height of irony. Chan Gailey was on TV the other night in a story run somewhere in Tennessee about the benefits of running a sports program without the use of cursing. It was sort of a point / counterpoint piece. On one side there was a guy talking about how selective use of cursing is a motivational tool and a constructive way to get your point across. Arguing the counterpoint was none-other than Chan Gailey, saying that foul language had one purpose - to tear people down. It is not meant to build-up. They had a clip of a Tech game on the sidelines and another clip showing Coach Gailey addressing the team in a very positive and non-foul mouth way.


Evidently the piece really cast Georgia Tech in a good light, but here's the thing. Obviously the reporter never spent time with the defense. If he had, he would have seen that you can run a successful top 20 defense with LOADS of cursing and potty-mouth talk. See, our man Jon Tenuta isn't a choir boy when it comes to the words he choses to get his point across. And he really doesn't "save it" for the locker-room either. And interestingly enough, he seems to get his points across pretty well.


The irony is that the least "offensive" side of the ball is evidently the offense, where we also happen to have the least offense. So truthfully, we need to be more offensive, but Coach Gailey just choses not to get there by being more offensive. Are you confused? Well, you shouldn't be..............


Oh yeah, in case you were curious, Coach Hewitt does find value in a few choice words, but he is very careful about using them when outsiders are watching.


Personally, I don't think cursing is the answer. Teaching is the answer. Maybe some guys have to have things "beat" into their head or maybe there is some military type value in "breaking" these kids once they get to college - so they stop getting used to being "the man" and get used to being part of a team. However, I still think a coach can do it just as effectively without the off-colore language.

Wes Durham - YOU DA MAN!!

Congrats go out to Wes Durham, who was given the Furman Bisher Award for Sports Media in the Atlanta area. Of course when you call both the Falcons and the Jackets, you almost have the market cornered................ Wes, you know I'm only kidding (and I know you read the Blog).


I will go on record (as I have before) stating that you are a treasure to the Georgia Tech community. We're blessed to have you calling our games. You have a lively voice and a livelier spirit. Fans always wondered how anyone could replace Al Ciraldo. We don't wonder any longer. Truth is, you don't replace a guy like that. You build a new legacy - and you have.


Thanks for what you do for Georgia Tech sports, and may your path always be paved in old gold................

What's Happening to Ted Roof?

All that enthusiasm at Duke when he came in. All the improved recruiting classes. What's going on now? His assistants seem to be leaving for other progams. His players seem to be transferring out, including the team captain and team-leading senior wide receiver Ben Patrick. You're a senior, the leading receiver, and you want to play for Delaware? Obviously there are some issues within the Duke program. Is this carry-over from older players not recruited by Roof? Hard to imagine. But he better start posting some W's sooner rather than later.

"His biggest concern is that there have been a lot of changes," said Patrick's brother, Freddie, a former Chattanooga running back who has helped advise his younger brother. "There have been some starters and some backups leaving and some coaching changes, so he just wasn't sure of the direction of the program."

Hoops - Zam Senior

Very interesting article about Buck Fredrick's father, who will be honored by USC. There are interesting comments about Junior and in-state SC schools losing the best talent. I also found it highly ironic that Zam Senior played high school ball at St.Matthews High School? Why..... because their nickname was the YellowJackets............. and now we come full circle.


UPDATE
Buck Sr was honored Tuesday, and his alma mater managed to misspell his name on the video board. Nice......................