Tech Hoops: The truth!

[Mr. X]

It is utterly amazing to continue to read post after post after post after post about how and why TECH is not good at basketball.

Let me introduce myself - I am really "The Bitter Gus" - Tech alum and supporter.

Let's stop and look at "the big picture".

Since 1986 (Price and Salley's senior year) TECH has not finished 9-5 or 10-6 (or better) (note: 9-5 and 10-6 being the line where you have a good regular season or not) except once 1995-6 (Marbury's year). So, think about that! In the last 24 years TECH has had only 1 good regular ACC season. Without hyper-analyzing this - there are many reasons for this (some having to due with TECH's ineptitude / some having to do with the relative strength of rest of the ACC). The bottom line (without ANY QUESTION) - when you have this kind of sustained lack of success - CLEARLY those who "steer" the program really don't care if TECH has a winning basketball team - DUH!!!!

Note: I have many, many other TECH stats of "ineptitude" here are two more:

1. How about the recent one when we just started 3-2 in the ACC (first time we started 3-2 or better since 1995-6). That is just INCREDIBLY BAD!
2. From 1996-7 through 2006-7 we were 4-53 on the road vs. the following 5 teams (UNC / Duke / Wake / NC State and Maryland). And 1-51 if you eliminate the 2003-4 Final 4 season. OK - yes, those are typically 5 good teams - but, my god, how BAD (make that PUTRID) is that.

You see, those of us who read and post here, really are true ultra- die-hards who no matter how bad it is - we continue to follow the team. Call it a disease. How else can you explain investing so much time ("Tech Hoops") for so little gain.

Lastly, college hoops is 98% offensive guard play - (OK I am exaggerating just a bit - for those of you who are unable to decipher some sarcasm). When TECH went to the Final 4 in 2004 - we had GREAT GUARDS. In 1995-6 when we went 13-3 and made the Sweet 16 (we had GREAT perimeter play (Marbury, Barry and Harpring). In 89-90 - we had Lethal Weapon 3. It is all about GUARD PLAY!!!!

When Duke beat us last week - most people here were complaining about the refereeing and foul trouble we had. TRUE! How about the fact that Duke's 3 S's (perimeter 3) out-scored our starting perimeter starting 3 (Shumpert, Udofia, Bell - who played a combined 70 minutes) 65-11. That's right 65-11. So when analyzing the game - we had to overcome a 54-point margin right there!!!

Where does that leave us...

Bottom line: Our guards are simply not good enough offensively to consistently win. When you think about it - maybe Hewitt is doing a very good job considering how "offensively-challenged" our starting guards are playing. Not saying Hewitt is good or bad. Why is Maryland good this year? Their perimeter play is good. Why is Virginia good this year? their perimeter play is good. Why is UNC bad? Their perimeter play is no good. There really are almost NO EXCEPTIONS.

As for Hewitt - OK, his lack of success is well-documented. My only question: who else is going to coming here and start up a true winning program? I am not saying it is impossible, but tell me who? No "big time" coach is coming here - where the Hawks play / where are fans don't show up unless we are doing REAL well. So, we are left with hiring another Hewitt type.

Conclusion: Accept the cards dealt in life: Tech will never, ever, ever be "consistently good" in hoops. (And , when I say "consistently good", all I am talking about is going 10-6 / round of 32 team). Note: the football and baseball teams routinely have finished with .600 or better regular season winning percentages. The Golf team is good. Hoops not so good.

Thank you for your time.......

I can go away now.

The Ever Bitter Gus!