Where did Jeff go?
He’s moved to a new location. Check him out on the new blogging platform and let him know what you think.
Home > Jeff Schultz > Archives > 2009 > January > 06 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USGa. Tech wins, but, man, was it ugly
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There is a general understanding going into any basketball game between Georgia and Georgia Tech that it’s not going to remind us of Duke-North Carolina or Syracuse-Georgetown.
As regional rivalries go, you just hope it turns out better than Kent State-Toledo.
Unfortunately, nothing unfolded Tuesday night to raise expectations for March. The teams combined for 34 percent shooting and 34 turnovers (and that total might’ve been held down by a scorekeeper covering his eyes like everybody else for fear of going blind).
But say this for the Jackets. If Tuesday’s come-from-behind 67-62 win was any indication, they at least have the ability to overcome themselves. That might be the most discernible difference between the programs right now.
“That was kind of ugly,” said forward Gani Lawal, whose dunk following a Zack Peacock miss with 20.6 seconds left put Tech ahead 64-60, its largest lead of the game. “We came out kind of shaky, but we wanted to stick it out.”
It helps to get demoralized, even when jump shots are making those sounds usually reserved for old Chevys hitting lamp posts.
But what’s worse: The team that starts the game making only four of 20, (Tech), or the team that can’t pull away from the one shooting only 4-for-20?
The latter, as it turned out. The Jackets led 2-0 and not again until 54-53 with 5:44 left after a steal and jumper by Zach Peacock.
“The way we shot today was like we shot in practice the day before,” Peacock said. “But coach was preaching, ‘I don’t care if you miss the shot, run back down the court like you made it.’ “
Tech jumps into conference play in earnest Saturday at Maryland. As a general rule, teams that shoot 26-for-72 from the floor (1-for-11 from three-point range) don’t win a lot of games in the ACC.
But there is this: The Jackets swept Georgia in football and basketball for the first time since 1998. Tech ended the Dogs’ seven-game series win streak that season, just like this year.
It’s such a monumental achievement, maybe the Jackets should engrave the score on a ring. Again.
“It might not be a bad idea,” Peacock said, laughing. “Seize the moment.”
The Jackets might not have convinced many that they’ll pose a threat to many in the ACC. But losing this would’ve been a crusher. The last time the Bulldogs played at Alexander Memorial Coliseum, they were celebrating an implausible SEC championship in March, after the tournament was displaced from the tornado-wrecked Georgia Dome.
Coach Paul Hewitt realizes he has a skilled but unpolished team. The idea is to keep getting better, get a consistent effort and become a mentally tougher bunch than the Jackets of recent years.
Tech gets points for that. The Dogs led by as much as 13 in the second half at 45-32 before the Jackets started to will themselves to a comeback. They crashed the boards. They dove for loose balls. They got tougher inside. Eventually, some shots even began to fall.
A three-pointer by Lance Storrs caught Georgia at 51-all. Peacock put the Jackets ahead to stay at 62-60 with a drive with 1:20 left. With less than a minute remaining, Lewis Clinch missed a jumper but dove on the floor for a rebound. Lawal’s dunk followed moments later.
Hewitt didn’t like everything he saw, but at least there were a few seeds for something better.
“We have to create an identity for ourselves,” he said. “We’ve got to have an identity that we’re a team that’s going to hustle and scramble and get loose balls.”
You take what you can get. Finesse will have to wait.
Permalink | Comments (58) | Post your comment | Categories: Tech/ACC, UGA/SEC
Services »
Comments
By Flag Boy
January 6, 2009 11:33 PM | Link to this
Can’t wait for the rings to come out! Shuperrrr!
By 3 Rivers jacket
January 6, 2009 11:39 PM | Link to this
It was ugly but as a Tech fan ungly wins are better than pretty losses. For some reason this team cannot shoot at all. I think we have good talent but maybe not. The coaching sometimes looks supect but i like all about Hewitt. But he has to win. Tech has been at the top with Duke and NC and it can happen again. There is too much talent in this state for Tech not to be power every year. Let’s see what the next recruting class brings. A sweet sixteen had better happen pretty quick. As for Georgia is thre anyone who can build a program there. Dennis Felton is a quality guy but he has not gotten Georgia even to the NIT level. Lasy year as thriiing as the SEC run was was really a bad year and this one will be worse. Do not blame it on football. There is plenty of talent in Georgia and with the liberal acedemic they have they can rfecruit everyone so who knows. It will be impossible to get an established coach but maybe they need a young firebrand. Evryone wants A bruce Pearl and maybe that is what will happen.
By TheItalianDawg
January 7, 2009 12:02 AM | Link to this
I think its about time to bring a big time coach to Georgia, its enough already how many chances Felton needs, he cant win any game against respectful opponent, Ark just beat Texas
By Zach
January 7, 2009 12:19 AM | Link to this
This team cannot shoot. Do we lead the NCAA in missed layups??
Missing Bell really is hurting our defense, and the loss of Anthony Morrow is hurting more than expected, because we have no real outside threats. Clinch is way too trigger happy, and should never take the ball down the floor.
Shumpert has a lot of potential, I think, but he’s very unpolished and can be streaky.
I think we need to do everything we can to get the ball inside to Aminu and Lawal when running our half-court offense, because we just cannot shoot the ball very well from outside. Whatever happened to Peacock’s midrange shot? He’s been clanging those all year.
I think we should be a decent team by the end of the year, if Shumpert and Lawal continue to improve and Miller comes back and heats back up. But we’ll see.
By Hairy Dawg
January 7, 2009 12:25 AM | Link to this
Until one of our point guards seizes control, we’re going to struggle mightily against pressure. If we hadn’t won the SEC Tournament last year, Felton would be in big trouble. As it is, he’s got a freebie this year. I just hope that some of these talented young guys (Thompkins is certainly really good right now) will take advantage of their opportunity to play big-time college ball and step their games up.
By AfroDawg
January 7, 2009 12:28 AM | Link to this
I consider myself a big Dawgs fan, and I know what coach Felton’s trying to build over there. With that said, this edition of the Dawgs are truly awful. It’s going to be extremely hard to win a single SEC game, every team they’ll face has athletes that are better than ours. There isn’t a reliable scorer on this team, and it’s too late in the season to develop one. Thompkins will be a player, but he can’t carry them yet, Woodbury might show up, but mostly he’e a no show when they need him. I hope coach felton realizes how brutal it is for fans to watch this train wreck.
By Larry
January 7, 2009 1:08 AM | Link to this
Good coaching down the stretch and great control to not have Gani and Shump and Aminu foul out. By the end of the game, did all of the Tech starters have 4 fouls? Also 80% FT in the second half to go along with the pressure and intensity. Need to build on this and go get 7 or 8 in the ACC. :)
By GTC
January 7, 2009 1:36 AM | Link to this
Football and basketball wins for GT over UGAg this year. It doesn’t get any better than that! To HELL with Georgia!
By **YELLOWJACKETS REQUIRED**
January 7, 2009 2:31 AM | Link to this
jeff, was te tech win as UGLY as you are? no wonder COX makes you continue to write. you haven’t the voice for radio and you sure don’t have the look for TV. so tell us jeffie, are you uglier than the tech win? moreover, hoops are just a filler till football starts back again and we (TECH) open a brand new can of WHUPA$$ ON THE DAWGIES. TECH…we are football BABY
By Mark
January 7, 2009 5:32 AM | Link to this
it going to be messy after 15 straight ACC games mercy..messy, Lord have Mercy on the Bees
By Papa
January 7, 2009 6:36 AM | Link to this
… And the Lady Jackets beat the Lady Dogs 57-42. So far, so wonderful.
By BravesFan79
January 7, 2009 6:57 AM | Link to this
Good win for GT.
But can Shumpert not shoot? he was left WIDE open at least 2 or 3 times that game and instead forced (another) bad pass into the post that resulted in a turnover.
I guess this is what happens when we recruit all athletes and no pure shooters. Hewitt theres a reason most programs have WHITE players!
And WTF were we thinking not offering Steph Currys little brother a scholarship? Hes the top freshman scorer in the nation now at some small college. Liberty i think.
At least the Penn State loss isnt looking as bad anymore as they knocked off #14 Missouri last night. And Alabama is picked to win the SEC West.
Maybe we can still make a run for the NIT. Only if Miller comes back hot tho and is hitting outside shots.
By reebok
January 7, 2009 8:04 AM | Link to this
Both teams looked awful. Tech will be lucky to win 2 games in the ACC this year. When does spring football practice start?
By RAMBLE ON!!!
January 7, 2009 8:16 AM | Link to this
Jeff, you are correct, but still sux. Please move back to California.
Over heard by a dawg fan, “thank goodness GT ain’t got no equestrian team!”
By KneeJerk
January 7, 2009 8:18 AM | Link to this
I’m a Tech backer, but not many cheers from this game. Let’s all be honest…this was a game not to see who the better team was, but which team was least crappy. I guess it’s Tech. It’s going to be a looooooong college basketball season in the state of Georgia. Over-under for Tech ACC wins is 5
By mitch
January 7, 2009 8:24 AM | Link to this
In person the game was even worse! Neither team will be above .500 in league play. Tech couldn’t hit 3s, free throws, mid-range, or layups. I was surprised Lawal didn’t clang a dunk or two. Tech’s big men are little more than sticks and get pushed aside by a good breeze, let alone a bruising center. Matador defense, a complete lack of movement without the ball on offense, and a general lack of hustle. And, this is from the team that won! God help Georgia if they can’t win when the opponent is so poor. The state of Georgia can wait for spring football practice because the winter months will be painful in the ACC and SEC.
By SALTYDAWG IN N.GA
January 7, 2009 8:27 AM | Link to this
good god, look at all the tech moron’s. ga will always suck with felton in charge. watching us try to handle any pressure makes me want to puke. hewitt is just as bad. home court the diff in this game.
By stingger
January 7, 2009 8:39 AM | Link to this
Mr. Schultz, I know it kills you when Ga. Tech does anything that deals with us winning. It was not a pretty game by no means but it was a win. You never give us any credit for anything we do. When we win, You always find some kind of neg. remark about us and bring down our victory in some kind of way. You are a first class jerk and have a sour grapes type attitude. I hope you choke on those juices one day. I hope this is the start of that.
By stingger
January 7, 2009 8:40 AM | Link to this
Mr. Schultz, I know it kills you when Ga. Tech does anything that deals with us winning. It was not a pretty game by no means but it was a win. You never give us any credit for anything we do. When we win, You always find some kind of neg. remark about us and bring down our victory in some kind of way. You are a first class jerk and have a sour grapes type attitude. I hope you choke on those juices one day. I hope this is the start of that.
By Tech82
January 7, 2009 8:55 AM | Link to this
FOOTBALL: 45-42
MEN’S BASKETBALL: 67-62
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: 57-42
SILENCE IS GOLDEN!!!
GO JACKETS! THWG!
By Dawg Fud
January 7, 2009 9:04 AM | Link to this
…and “speech is silvern and of time,” Jacket82.
nice Thomas Carlyle Sartor Resartus reference…
By Ben
January 7, 2009 9:11 AM | Link to this
Note to Felton: PLEASE RUN PRESS BREAKERS IN PRACTICE THIS WEEK!
What a disaster. Felton may have won himself a stay of execution with last year’s SEC tourney run but this is the season he earned and he has shown no improvement. That tourney run masked a really bad season last year. Not being able to break a press with the game in balance is UNACCEPTABLE (see also: Missouri game) not to mention that TERRIBLE play that was drawn up at the end. It has been 6 years since the Harrick debacle. It is no longer an excuse for being mired in mediocrity. Case in point: Baylor Bears. They had MUCH worse sanctions on their team recently and are currently 11-1 and went 21-9 last year with an at large bid to the dance.
It’s time for UGA to start throwing money at this program so UGA fans can have something to cheer for outside of August-December and don’t get me started on that pit that is Stegeman.
By gt in sc
January 7, 2009 9:15 AM | Link to this
i hate not being original, but what the hell;;;JUST LIKE FOOTBALL JUST LIKE FOOTBALL JUST LIKE FOOTBALL
By Mike
January 7, 2009 9:16 AM | Link to this
OK….it’s going to be a long winter for Georgia Tech and Georgia fans. What has happened to basketball in this state? Any common basketball fan knows both teams are bad.
By Rick S
January 7, 2009 9:20 AM | Link to this
There is really one word to describe Georgia Basketball and that is “pathetic”! It continues to amaze me why Georgia Basketball (Mens & Womens) is not one of the top programs in the country with all the in-state talent. Ridiculous!
By UGA Basketball
January 7, 2009 9:30 AM | Link to this
Outside of a broken pipe miracle at the Georgia Dome.
What exactly has Dennis Felton done that makes him worthy of continuing to coach the UGA basketball team?
Are there not better coaches available who might be able to recruit some better talent in this state?
By HelluvaEngineer
January 7, 2009 9:33 AM | Link to this
There is a reason GT does not shoot well, namely, under Hewitt their shot selection is no more existent than a U[sic]GA fan’s neurological activity. Hewitt’s offenses are putrid; they generally rely on two skip passes around the perimeter a drive of about 2 feet and a 13 foot jumper. While I am thrilled they are not taking as many 3’s this year, they are doing even worse: namely taking long 2’s just inside the three point line. They rush their passes and have no motion offensively. They rely on garbage points, which they were immensely successful last night. Their defense is even worse. I have neither the time nor the energy to talk about how lax their defense is.
Tech is simply miserable and will win no more than four ACC games. U[sic]GA appears to be even worse, which is a profound statement. Both Hewitt and Felton are in over their heads.
That said, I’ll take a win over U[sic]GA any day of the week, and love the way this team at least fought back. Sadly this could be the apex of the season.
By Raist
January 7, 2009 9:46 AM | Link to this
YELLOWJACKETS REQUIRED….. I’m sure a lot of basketball players and fans really appreciate being called “filler”. And thanks for embarrasing the rest of the tech fans with your Oh-so-mature name calling. sheeesh.
By Mac
January 7, 2009 9:47 AM | Link to this
Can UGA not finally see that Dennis Felton is a mediocrity. Sure, UGA basketball has been mostly mediocre or worse since Durham and Tubby. But shouldn’t the university strive to do better? Felton will never get them there.
By Bill
January 7, 2009 9:51 AM | Link to this
I pull for both teams when they don’t play each other. (GT when they do) * Both Teams need to fire their Coach. Not much up side to either. Paul and Felton both jokes.*
By E
January 7, 2009 9:53 AM | Link to this
I hope we enjoy the win, it might be the last victory, maybe of the season…. Look at the schedule,…I don’t see a W until at least Feb. 14th against NC State and that’s not a gimme. The next three home games are #2 Duke, #17 B.C. and #4 WF. With road games at MD, at NC St., at Clemson and at Fla St…. our ACC road struggles under Hewitt are not worth mentioning… Its going to be a miserable next 2 months…….
By TONY SHUMPERT
January 7, 2009 10:18 AM | Link to this
GT has a much better team then the way they are playing. I was to upset to finish watching the game even though I knew they would come back and win. For some strange reason they sleep the first half away and that’s not good. Guy’s, pull this team together in a hurry because all is not lost “YET”. Turnover’s and missed freethrows are driving us crazy watching. Next up is Maryland. Just go in, play good D, get physical, put the ball in the basket and go home with a win. By the way, WAKE UP, before the game starts. See you in Baltimore Iman, so get the boy’s ready to burn down the house.
By paul hewitt
January 7, 2009 10:24 AM | Link to this
I think we need more black coaches.
By DirtyDawg
January 7, 2009 10:28 AM | Link to this
Having tried to watch the Dogs play a couple of times this year, it’s pretty obvious that they ain’t a very good team. Having said that, and having watched as much as I could stand of last night’s game (does anybody else out there believe that that ‘a-hole’, Larry Conley, has had a thing against Georgia his entire life…and it shows every time he does one of our games?), I’d have to use the description my Daddy used to describe a game like this - ‘One of ‘em was sorry and the other was ‘glad of it’!
By ben
January 7, 2009 10:59 AM | Link to this
College basketball is all about the point. No one runs our team from the point and hasn’t really since Jack and Bynum. A point guard’s job is to drive and dish. Our bigs could be dominating with a decent point. Cremins understood this and made point guard his top recruiting priority. Maybe Moe will right the ship.
By ben
January 7, 2009 11:00 AM | Link to this
College basketball is all about the point. No one runs our team from the point and hasn’t really since Jack and Bynum. A point guard’s job is to drive and dish. Our bigs could be dominating with a decent point. Cremins understood this and made point guard his top recruiting priority. Maybe Moe will right the ship.
By gdawg
January 7, 2009 11:07 AM | Link to this
Woodbury was a disgrace. His lack of effort, hustle and overall defense should have him on the bench. If he puts more effort the dogs win. Felton is done because he allows that to happen and he is not coaching, just lets these players go up and down and play street ball. It looks like Felton is more concerned with his clothes looking good.
By the bull
January 7, 2009 11:13 AM | Link to this
I think it’s pretty obvious that both teams are bad. The “better team” in this yearly game is the one playing on it’s court. Hewitt has outrecruited UGA, so Tech fans have to be bothered that they won a game over lowly UGA b/c the Dawgs just stunk a little more. UGA fans have to be ready for a coaching change at the end of this season. Felton is in year 6, Harrick is long gone, and his team literally looks like they don’t practice, just show up for games. Both programs can do better.
By Tech75
January 7, 2009 11:22 AM | Link to this
I enjoy watching well-played basketball.
I do not enjoy watching undisciplined athletes play playground-quality ball, even if they do (by some small miracle) win every so often.
This looked like two mediocre HS teams, not teams from two of the better basketball conferences.
Hewitt risks his job allowing this style of play to persist, and reinforces the comments that he can’t coach.
I love the Jackets, but with this kind of undisciplined performance they may win only one game in the ACC (we only play VA one more time, right?)
By Tech on top
January 7, 2009 11:38 AM | Link to this
45-42 57-42 67-62
Tri-fecta baby!!
GT owns the dawgs!!
By DAWGHATER
January 7, 2009 12:00 PM | Link to this
Hey UGALY: A win is a win is a win is win. 45-42 was sweet and 67-62 was sweet. At least you have the Gym Mutts that are good in athletics. hey, maybe next year you will win it all! LMFAO! “THWG” RAMBLE ON! GO JACKETS!!!!
By Butt Ugly
January 7, 2009 12:54 PM | Link to this
This game was BUTT-UGLY and neither team should be poud of their play. If this is an accurate representation of collegiate basketball then the game now is void of all fundamentals.
I would rather have watched a YMCA pick-up game.
By Jared
January 7, 2009 1:55 PM | Link to this
bottom line is that GT has no point guard play. lewis clinch cannot run the game well and he cannot shoot the ball well either. I think he was 0-for-7 from 3 last night.
we dont get the ball to lawal down low and for some reason, peacock can penetrate and score but he just won’t. he’d rather throw up bricks from 14’.
the only reason I’m still giving hewitt the benefit of the doubt is because of the predicament crittenden left him in when he left for the nba, basically without telling a soul. it was too late to recruit a pg that year and we’ve been struggling ever since. causey was just a stop-gap. we need moe miller to come back healthy and strong.
By Too Easy
January 7, 2009 2:03 PM | Link to this
Maybe the gt b’ball team will get 10 wins.
By CarterS
January 7, 2009 2:46 PM | Link to this
Wow! Tech wins after hitting only ONE 3-pointer all night?
And for any UGA players reading this (and I know those who can, are), a 3-pointer is, in fact, worth 3 points.
Later!
By Don
January 7, 2009 3:31 PM | Link to this
I love the raw talent on Georgia’s team but in the second half of every game this year we have seen just how raw the talent is. At times the Dawgs have looked like they could beat anybody and then somebody flips a switch and they look like they have never seen a basketball. Hard to describe this years group. They have looked bad handling the press every time a team has used them against them. They better figure it out because that is all they will season now that conference play is about to start. It is unbelievable how many times they just throw the ball out of bounds. Trey Thompkins dribbling the ball at the top of the key like he is the point guard and getting stripped of the ball? Where was the point guard? Dribbling into the corner or along the base line into double coverage? Missed free throws. Would have beat Missouri and GT if they could have hit a few more of the freebies. Four Georgia players standing flatfooted under the basket why Lawal and Peackock snatch 20 straight offensive rebounds?
Besides Woodberry this is a very young team with lot of talent. Hopefully they will pull it together.
Go Dawgs!
By TONY SHUMPERT
January 7, 2009 3:43 PM | Link to this
Message for Jared. Iman is a great point guard and he is logging to many minutes, that’s why his shot is off. Remember now, he’s only a FRESHMAN. He has to go through a few growing pains. He’s playing lock down defense the entire game, chasing the opposing point guard, getting rebounds, assist and steals. Don’t be to quick to jump ship because I still believe they will win the ACC tournament to get a bid, because they will have jelled by then. After watching last night, it can only get better.
By BobinBuford
January 7, 2009 4:17 PM | Link to this
Tony:
If anyone wants to see what they will be getting in Iman for 4 years, check out the drive he had in the 2nd half where he faked the pass and drove right past UGA for a layup. As a proud alum of OPRF, I turned to my son and said “how’s that from my homey?”
Also, Iman is still learning the college game - in HS, he had to play some small forward. Once Moe Miller gets back, he should get more comfortable in his role.
By JSS
January 7, 2009 4:44 PM | Link to this
Hey Schultz,
Benny the Beaver called and said for you to stop posting that picture, it is copyright infringement!!!
I’ll take a bottom rung MAC game any day of the week over the crap you consider “high quality!”
Now ask Uncle Woody to let borrow some balls little girl…
Jeff Schultz Sucks!!! Atlanta’s under seige!!!
By RAMBLE ON!!!
January 7, 2009 5:14 PM | Link to this
CarterS…now that’s funny!!!
By IndyGT
January 7, 2009 5:57 PM | Link to this
Well said Jared, we’re getting killed bc of PG play. But, I’m not willing to give CPH the benefit of the doubt bc of Critt, he should have better depth at the 1-2 position.. when we did have good depth there, we went to the NC game. I really hope Moe comes back strong.. at the end of last year I had some hope that Moe would develop like Jack. Jack’s freshman year was not great, but he really picked it up at the end of the year.. we all know what happened his Soph year.
By BullDawg79
January 7, 2009 8:18 PM | Link to this
We have a lot of talent in Georgia, but our real blue-chip hoopsters head seem to head out of state. Both UGA and Tech need to establish programs that make our in-state top notch hoopsters want to stay. UGA needs to hunker down and concentrate on beating Tech in tennis and baseball, because that’s all we have left. Then again, last year we made the dance and Tech stayed home. We can only dream similar miracles will occur this year.
By George
January 8, 2009 6:19 AM | Link to this
“Whipped ‘em again, huh Josey”. “Yep, we whipped ‘em again boy.”
By Not Disappointed
January 8, 2009 12:20 PM | Link to this
Go Jackets!!!!
By Serendipitous Stipend
January 8, 2009 1:19 PM | Link to this
Basketball 101: Not in the paint? Winner you aint.
By Jacketman
January 8, 2009 7:51 PM | Link to this
It is apparent that Hewitt cannot get his team to play smart team basketball. They play disorganized, frantic street ball. In addition to that issue, our players cannot shoot free throws. Our problem is not an athlete issue, it is a coaching issue. It is time for a change.
By GM
January 8, 2009 9:47 PM | Link to this
Nice to beat UGA, but that’s about the only thing nice about this game. I was ready to leave at the half; not because we were down; it was just that ugly.
Shumpert showed promise early in the year, yet Hewitt has somehow managed to push him to mediocrity already. Gani Lawal? Should be a powerhouse. Clinch? He was twice as good his Freshman year. Inbounding the ball, free throws, calling timeouts with someone wide open in transition.
Hewitt is just plain awful.
By College Sports Fan
January 14, 2009 12:15 PM | Link to this
“Georgia Tech wins, but man was it ugly!”
You are talking about the Tech cheerleaders, right?