Men's Basketball Preview

Analysis

Head Coach Paul Hewitt pointed out many times last season that several players on the team are capable of scoring upward of 15 to 20 points per game. However, the problems Tech had last season stemmed mostly from the defensive side of the ball. Their inability to keep opponents from finding a soft spot on the defense was well documented in bad losses to UCLA, Maryland and Wake Forest in the ACC tournament.

Teams had their way with Tech's defense last season; Tech ranked 10th in the conference in field goal defense, allowing opponents to shoot 47.5% from the floor. Tech was excellent at securing offensive rebounds, but ranked very low against the conference at securing defensive rebounds. The Jackets averaged just 19.88 defensive rebounds per game, 11th in the 12 team conference.

Tech also turned the ball over more than a team of their caliber should have. The Jackets turned the ball over a whopping 25 times at Vanderbilt last season, 18 times at Clemson and 21 times at North Carolina. If the trend seems common, it is; Tech averaged 16.6 turnovers in nine road games and won just one. For Tech to find success on the road, it starts with not turning the ball over. In contrast, Tech turned the ball over an average of 17.75 times against conference opponents and won one out of eight games, which proves how important turnovers are on the road.

For the third straight season the Jackets will be breaking in a new point guard. Both freshman Maurice Miller of Memphis, Tenn. and Matt Causey, a senior transfer from Gainesville, Ga. will share the point guard duties. Tech has enough experience and depth between the other positions that serviceable point play will be enough to give the Jackets success. Both of the point guards on this team are distributors of the ball, which contrasts to Javaris Crittenton's scoring play at the position. Miller and Causey will be guards that average between five and 10 assists per game and around 10 points per game. Both guards have great poise and will be tested quickly with a road game at Tennessee State this Sunday as well as one later this month at ninth-ranked Indiana.

From the Coaches

"People who look at our roster are surprised at how deep we are. We lost three guys, including Mario West, who was a significant part of us getting to the tournament....We have enough depth to overcome it. I don't think about it much, don't talk about it much, because it's part of college basketball now....You feel fortunate to be able to recruit those types of players. They encourage other kids to come. It's a positive. We have enough depth."