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October 22nd,
2006
By Joel
Welser
Broadcast Basketball
Georgia
Tech Yellow Jackets
Overall
Rank: #22
Conference
Rank:
#4 ACC
2005-06:
11-17, 4-12, 10th (t)
2005-06
postseason: none
 Youth
and inexperience were the problems last year at
Georgia Tech. The squad is still young with just one
eligible senior on the roster, but the inexperience excuse won’t
work anymore. However, Coach Paul Hewitt hopes there won’t be
any need for excuses. With six of the seven top scorers
returning and a stellar recruiting class, the Yellow Jackets are
ready to make a big turnaround in the ACC.
Who’s Out:
Zam Fredrick averaged 10.6 points before opting to transfer to
South Carolina. Big man Theodis Tarver started 13 contests,
averaging 3.1 points and 3.0 rebounds. His departure will leave
the depth up front mostly inexperienced. Seldom used Keith
Jones has wrapped up his career for the Ramblin’ Wreck.
Who’s In:
Thaddeus Young and Javaris Crittenton are the big pickups for
Coach Hewitt. Young is a super talented small forward who can
hit the outside shot and get to the basket. The 6-8, 215 pound
Memphis, Tennessee native is tough enough to battle inside, but
has all the skills of a shooting guard. Crittenton can break
down anybody off the dribble and, at 6-4, has great size for a
point guard. He won’t knock down the outside shot with
consistency, but it will be hard to match up with his size,
speed and strength. With so much talent returning, Young and
Crittenton might start out on the bench, but they’ll both get
their shot to earn starting roles. Mouhammad Faye will have to
wait a little longer to suit up for the Jackets. After
redshirting last year, the 6-8 forward is expected to be
sidelined with an injury until December. Faye, who can play
both forward spots, has a decent stroke and is developing into a
solid athlete. Zach Peacock and Brad Sheehan will add more
depth to the frontcourt. Peacock is a great rebounder and can
face up and hit the mid-range jumper, while Sheehan has good
size at 6-10, but needs to get stronger before making a big
impact.
Who to Watch:
Former walk-on Mario West will have to battle with Crittenton
for minutes at the point. West won’t put up big numbers, but he
is a solid floor leader and a tenacious defender. By the end of
the year Lewis Clinch was coming into his own. Despite being
slowed early in the season with a stress fracture in his leg,
Clinch averaged 8.9 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists on the
campaign. Anthony Morrow is an excellent shooter from
everywhere on the floor and should once again lead the squad in
scoring after averaging 16.0 points per game last year.
However, Morrow is battling a back injury and is expected to
miss most of the practice time leading up to the start of the
season. Paco Diaw is a versatile backcourt player who can
provide depth at every spot on the perimeter. D’Andre Bell
showed plenty of promise on the wing as a freshman and, after
earning 11 starts last year, should battle for a starting gig.
Final
Projection:
Jeremis Smith
struggled at the very end of last season, but the 6-7 forward
earned nine double-doubles on the season and has the potential
to average a double-double on the season after nearly missing
out last year with 11.0 points and 8.2 boards. Ra’Sean Dickey
will be by his side. The 6-9 Clio, South Carolina native is an
underappreciated post scorer and a solid offensive rebounder.
Alade Aminu saw limited minutes backing up the four spot as a
freshman. Experience and strength were his major issues last
season, so with another year to build on, Aminu could develop
into a solid contributor off the bench. Jumping from tenth to
fourth in the ACC is no easy feat, but if the talent comes
together Georgia Tech can easily meet the expectations.
Projected
Post-season Tournament:
NCAA
Projected
Starting Five:
Mario West,
Senior, Guard, 7.8 points per game
Lewis Clinch,
Sophomore , Guard, 13.5 points per game
Anthony
Morrow, Junior, Guard, 3.8 points per game
Jeremis
Smith, Junior, Forward, 14.8 points per game
Ra’Sean
Dickey, Junior, Center, 2.0 points per game
Also:
Complete ACC Preview & Ranking
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