As Paul Hewitt enters his third season as head coach at Georgia Tech, he inherits a young team with tremendous talent that looks to gain experience while establishing themselves as a strong presence in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Last season's strong finish, combined with the reputations of the seven returning letter winners and one of the nation's top recruiting classes, has created a lot of buzz around the Yellow Jackets.
"It's a good thing to be thought of highly," Hewitt said. "I think it helps our players to believe that the work they put in is recognized. But, that said, we need to go out and do it."
"This is such a young team to me," Hewitt said. "The only guys I can count on to play solidly, consistently like veterans, night in and night out, are Marvin and Robert. They've been to the [NCAA Tournament]. They know what it takes to win."
Lewis, the ACC's top returning three-point shooter, averaged 10.9 points per game and started in all but one of Tech's games the past two years.
Brooks started 12 games last season, averaging 3.4 points and 4.3 rebounds.
Another key component is ACC Rookie of the Year, forward Ed Nelson, who averaged 8.5 points and 6.9 rebounds last season.
"Ed's one of those guys who's gong to play regardless" of position, Hewitt said. "He's going to get his rebounds, he's going to bang, he's going to score in the low post."
The key to Georgia Tech will be the point guard spot as the Yellow Jackets lost Tony Akins. Akins, who averaged 17.0 points and 5.7 assists per game will be missed, as Tech seeks to fill the point guard hole.
"Tony was an experienced four-year point guard who knew everything about the ACC," Hewitt said. "The biggest question mark this year is leadership, since losing Akinsis big."
Lewis recognizes that he has big shoes to fill.
"Last year the vocal leadership was all Tony's job, but now I have to be the vocal leader," Lewis said. "I have to take the team on my shoulders and play hard."
McDonald's All-American forward Chris Bosh, and point guard Jarrett Jack highlight Georgia Tech's touted recruiting class. Both of them are expected to see "considerable minutes," according to Hewitt.
"Chris, like Jarrett, has been up and down," Hewitt said. "He's a pleasure to coach. If you're looking for someone who's going to be instant coffee, he ain't going to be instant coffee."
Georgia Tech is sure to provide a new energized challenge for the rest of the ACC, and hold great promise for future seasons thanks to Hewitt's coaching and strong younger players.
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