Georgia Tech Basketball Finding a Niche

The Yellow Jackets (14-4, 3-2 ACC) are coming off two straight wins over ranked opponents in UNC and Clemson, and they seem to be headed toward the success that people expected from the beginning. Although they were preseason #3 or 4 in the ACC, they had arguably the best incoming freshman class in the conference, and returned a couple of big-time leaders in Gani Lawal and D'Andre Bell.

Last weekend Tech nearly blew a 20 point lead against the Tar Heels and Tuesday night they held off another late comeback from the Clemson Tigers. But this team has over the past few years had a tendency to come up with unexpected wins and follow them up with ugly losses. That has been the case so far this year. They lost to UGA, probably the worst team in the SEC, then beat Duke. They followed that with a loss to Virginia and the last 2 big wins.

Hewitt's team has a lot of talent and a lot of playmakers. They can shoot and they play a good physical defense, but where they have struggled - and where the Yellow Jacket's teams have typically struggled under Hewitt - is in turnovers. Against Clemson, they still turned the ball over 16 times, but it was still the first time in several games that they had more assists (17) than turnovers. Hewitt likes to have a fast-paced game and move up and down the floor in transition a lot so that probably contributes a lot to the turnover problems, but it's also a sign of a weak coach. Keeping possession of the ball, making good passed and good decisions with and without the ball, is what the coach really has most control over. It's the most mental part of the game, and good coaches teach their players to make good decisions on the court. Whether you get rebounds and make shots is largely physical ability, and no one is doubting the ability on this team.

Tech will look to keep the winning streak alive on a trip to Tallahassee to take on the Seminoles again on Sunday. The Seminoles beat Georgia Tech in overtime at Alexander Memorial Coliseum back in December so Tech will be looking for some revenge on FSU's home court.