AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2008 > March > 13 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USDuke better watch out for Jackets … seriously
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mark Bradley
Charlotte — You’re going to laugh, so get it out of your system. Laugh for 30 seconds. Laugh for a half-hour. Laugh until you hyperventilate. I won’t be offended. Neither will I change my mind.
I can see Georgia Tech beating Duke Friday.
I can see the 16-loss Jackets playing on Saturday in the ACC tournament.
I can see the team that cannot reach the NCAA tournament as an at-large invitee giving itself a fighting chance to get there as an automatic qualifier.
I can see all these things happening. Maybe you see none of the above. I understand if you don’t. I’ve watched Tech all season, same as you. But what I’m seeing now isn’t the team I watched lose those seven home games. What I’m seeing now is something close to the team I thought this could/should be.
Not a great team, no. Not a Top 10 fixture, a North Carolina or a Memphis, but an 11-loss bubble team at absolute worst. A team that can get points from a lot of guys, not just Anthony Morrow. A team that can defend at a major-college level, as opposed to the amateurish bunch that kept neglecting to guard anybody.
Too many times the Jackets have left us with the impression that they lack talent, but those were false clues. They have enough players to run with the most talented aggregations in the land. (Kansas and Carolina would make anyone’s top five of probable NCAA titlists, and Tech took both to the wire.) The wonder isn’t that a 16-loss team won its ACC tournament opener by 18 points Thursday night; the wonder is that a squad capable of such a powerful performance lost 16 times.
But that’s the cracked beauty of these postseason congregations. Everybody gets another chance. The sixth seed has won this ballyhooed event five times. (Tech did the deed itself on a snow-blown weekend in 1993 in this very city, beating Duke and Clemson and Carolina en route.) These Jackets entered as the seventh seed and had to win a tiebreaker with Florida State and Wake Forest to manage that, but here they are.
Here they are, not that you’d recognize them if you knew them only from those six losses before New Year’s or from that five-game losing streak of February. They’re different, bolder, better. To see them dissect Virginia — which had, as we know, won in Atlanta only last week — was to focus not on any inherent limitations but to glimpse instead the potential.
“Everyone has a clean slate now,” said Anthony Morrow, who scored 18 points but was, significantly, only one of five Jackets to break double figures. “And Georgia Tech has historically been a great tournament team.”
The Jackets led by two at halftime, having made 56.7 percent of their shots. Six minutes into the second half they trailed 56-51 and you wondered if that early offense was going to dissolve into late-game sludge. But the freshman Moe Miller made a huge trey, and Zack Peacock scored off a curl, and the next thing you knew Tech was ahead by six, and then by 10, and then it was over. Said Morrow: “Nobody was looking at the scoreboard [when the Jackets fell behind]. We just kept playing.”
When they play like this, they’re really good. That, see, is the catch: It has taken them four months to play like this. The 18-point victory was their third-biggest of the season, trailing only December thrashings of Centenary and Tennessee Tech. But if a team is ever going to find itself, the ACC tournament is as good a venue as any.
“This season has not been a fun ride,” Paul Hewitt said, “but we know we’re just a few bounces away from being a much better team.”
The next round of bounces comes tonight against the nation’s No. 7 team. Call me crazy, but I can see a team lugging 16 losses toppling a team coached by the best in the business. I can see Tech winning.
Permalink | Comments (62) | Post your comment | Categories: Mark Bradley, Tech / ACC
Comments
By Sting'em!
March 13, 2008 10:49 PM | Link to this
It was great to get a win in the tournament. The second one will be even better!
Go Jackets! Sting’em!
By fg
March 13, 2008 10:55 PM | Link to this
GO Jackets!!!!!!!!!!!
By RAMBLE ON!
March 13, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this
OK You’re crazy, but so am I!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’d love to eat some crow!
By JG
March 13, 2008 11:00 PM | Link to this
Great win for the Jackets tonight. Jeremis and the crew played tough all night and were able to contain Singletary. The big key for tomorrow night is shutting down the Duke 3 point machine and staying under control. They hung with Duke for 35 minutes up in Cameron, and they could definitely pull of the upset. They’ll need some strong post play from Smith and company, and if Clinch and Morrow can make some jumpers, the Jackets will be tough to beat.
By bravesfan79
March 13, 2008 11:01 PM | Link to this
I’ll always believe in my team… GO GT!!
By fathead
March 13, 2008 11:06 PM | Link to this
Oh man, we had a shot…but now the Bradley Kiss of Death!
By dig003
March 13, 2008 11:07 PM | Link to this
Wow, Bradley…. you had an opportunity to sincerely praise the Yellow Jacket’s resurgence and the job that Paul Hewitt’s done at salvaging this season and keeping GT’s confidence up when the campaign seemed lost.
But, true to your sour form, you undermine the entire conversation by claiming the thought of Tech beating Duke is nearly laughable [if not for your bold and unique prediction]. You act like you’re the only one who thought GT had talent, that only in your mind they “could/should” [way to go out on a limb] have been a good team.
But, they personally let you down Mark Bradley with inconsistency and lack of focus [and I’m sure you think CPH didn’t help matters]. Now, the talent your keen eye spotted is starting to emerge and, carefully not to choke on your dessert, this team — that lost 5 games by a combine 8 points in the ACC (incl UNC), and lost to kansas and @ind by a few points during a top10 schedule — could ACTUALLY KNOCK OFF DUKE!
Bradley, you are a complete joke of a writer, and I regularly expect more insight and courage in these blog posts than the column that precedes them…
By 3 Rivers jacket
March 13, 2008 11:15 PM | Link to this
One of the keys will be to put some pressure on the 3 point shooters whne the penetraing guards kick the ball out. That is what Duke does. Tech must block out and keep the athletic Devils off the o glass. I like our ball move,ent. We must be patient and make the extra pass. I think that having this game go so well will insure that we get off to a good start and if we are close with 10 minutes left anything can happen. Playing on Saturday would be great and if we went no further would give us something good going into the next year.
By ROCKMAN1
March 13, 2008 11:28 PM | Link to this
As much as I hate to say it this team will play Duke close and lose at the end. No Go To Guy. Bradley leave the moonshine alone. You are not in Kentucky.
By JacketFan
March 13, 2008 11:44 PM | Link to this
Mmmmm…I’m not so sure we have a fighting chance.
This team is too up and down to know which one will appear.
By GT Athletic Supporter
March 13, 2008 11:48 PM | Link to this
dig003 — Give it a rest! Nice supportive column by Bradley. Give him credit for his positive, supporting comments and analysis.
By Gee Tech
March 13, 2008 11:59 PM | Link to this
Who cares? Tech won. They are playing hot right now and that’s what it takes to win a tourney. They can beat Duke on neutral court any day of the week. Aside from stopping the 3 bombs, they have to settle down defensively and not let the refs dictate this game as they have in many Duke/ GT games in the past. Don’t think the refs and powers at be want to see at Duke / UNC final. I’m crazy for assuming but if you look at the stats from the game at Cameron, we didn’t take ONE free throw until 9 minutes left in the freaking game!! Coach K is the best in the business…..at working the men in stripes. Paul has to tell his kids to keep playing aggressively and not let the refs get in their heads. This includes Mr. Hewitt!!
But nice job guys. You made us proud tonight and congrats on your win. Savor it and rest up. Let’s go get those dookies!!
By Duke Fan
March 14, 2008 12:00 AM | Link to this
Tech beat Duke. Are you kidding? Duke will blow Tech away by 20 points. Mark it down. It is going to happen.
By dougmo
March 14, 2008 12:02 AM | Link to this
You’re kidding,right?
By shane
March 14, 2008 12:44 AM | Link to this
Paul Hewitt is a terrible coach. Duke wins by at least 10.
By Fred
March 14, 2008 2:24 AM | Link to this
yawn.
By Tech can Hoop
March 14, 2008 4:17 AM | Link to this
Yeah DUKE by 20?? I doubt that. DUKE is at the top of college hoops again but they have fits with Hewitt’s teams. Taht was coach K a few years ago curled up on the court in the featile position he was so irritated with the game and passed out. So, don’t think your coach is invincible. I agree with other bloggers, a little more evenly called game and its DUKE that may have trouble. For you to say that we don’t belong on the court and lose by 20 is crazy.
GO JACKETS!!
If Jeremis Smith and Gani Lawal do not get in foule trouble early, it will be anything but a blowout.
We jsut out-shot a “live-by-the-3” team last night. So I like having to play another.
By Jim
March 14, 2008 6:33 AM | Link to this
My bet is Duke by 15. Did you not see the Duke/UNC game last week!? The Devils are ready to play…
By malibuGT
March 14, 2008 6:55 AM | Link to this
Great game Jackets! Anything can happen in these tournaments, and I hope Duke is as overconfident as some of these bloggers. It will be a different story today with Causey back and the admittedly inconsistent Jackets brimming with confidence. That was a beat down last night on UVA.
By Big ED
March 14, 2008 7:16 AM | Link to this
This is too easy. The ACC is very weak this year. If Duke were in the Big East or Pac 10 they wouldn’t have as many wins. They play passive defense and live or die by the three point shot. Tech can beat them if they front the three. I don’t see Duke getting out of the sweet 16.
By Erin
March 14, 2008 8:15 AM | Link to this
I think Tech may have a shot. They have a strong history of playing to the level of them team they areup against. My only concern is the fact that they’re going to be tired. The VA game last night was like watching a track meet! I think if we stay strong underneath, can pull some 3s and keep the ball away from Diondre Bell, we have a chance. Plus, they way we’ve been hitting free throws (Jeremis last night anyone??), that could help us too. It’s going to be a great game either way. I’ll just be interested to see which Tech team shows up- the one who plays hard, in control or the team that plays slopp y and makes you want to put your foot through the TV. Go Jackets!!!
By MisterT
March 14, 2008 8:18 AM | Link to this
BIG ED…you are an IDIOT! It’s a little early to be hitting the bottle, besides, you are underage.
By elvis
March 14, 2008 8:21 AM | Link to this
duke is not uva. tech’s problem is at the point. causey plays hard but can’t play hard enuf to overcome his physical limitations. tech is at a disadvantage in protecting the ball and guarding the ball. duke will get the shots they want and tech will wear down and turn it over. i’m sorry to say you are crazy.
By mike
March 14, 2008 8:24 AM | Link to this
you are right. UGA could beat Duke tonight. The big teams could care less about these stupid conference tournaments. Duke is looking forward to the real tournament. Do you think anyone will care in 2 weeks when Duke is in the sweet 16 that they lost their 2nd round ACC conf game??? The conf tournaments are a joke.
By jay jarrell
March 14, 2008 8:29 AM | Link to this
Go back to the other side Bradley and talk about firing the uga coach.
By jeffc
March 14, 2008 8:50 AM | Link to this
Mr. Bradley has been watching “Hoosiers” again: Duke wins tonight by at least 15. Not one Tech player would be offered a scholarship at Duke. Is Paul Hewitt on the hot seat yet?
By Christian Brooks
March 14, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this
Tech played a tough schedule obviously because they are playing in the ACC, but after keeping with kansas, and the 1 point loss to UNC, Tech hung its head for a while and won a few big games here and there, but none bigger than the 5 point win a week and a half ago over clemson. That was a real spark and wake up call for these guys on senior night. They are a team, and now they are a team with HEART, the jackets absolutely dominated UVA last night late in the second half, the key was holding Singletary, and they did, tonight they need to hold Singler along with Scheyer and Paulus. And they will, Good luck to the seniors Jackets, Tech by 8.
By bpitt23
March 14, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this
GT beat a Virginia team that was 15-15 on the year with a 5-11 record in the ACC. Not saying they can’t beat Duke, but a solid win over the “mighty” Cavaliers would not give me a whole lot of confidence if I was a GT fan.
Of course last fall, GT fans were confident they would beat UGA after “trouncing” mighty UNC by two points on a last second field goal. That gives some good insight to their perspective on things I think.
By Jack G
March 14, 2008 9:33 AM | Link to this
I dont know what Bradley is smokeing, but i sure would like to know his source
By Kendall
March 14, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this
I thought a few months ago you wanted Paul Hewitt fired? As you see the team is a work in progress with so many young players and are finally hitting their stride. Patience is a virtue Mr. Bradley, the team will be better next year
By clthurman
March 14, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this
Yeah right Duke gets all the calls(sarcasm)that’s why they’ve won the National Championship 3 years running(more sarcasm) . How about another myth..all Georgia Tech athletes come to the school to graduate and give back to their alma mater. Envy I get, calling a pretty girl a slut because she won’t go out with you…unfair(That would be an analogy)
By DP
March 14, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this
Way to go out on a limb there Bradley. GT “can” beat Duke, not GT will beat Duke. So if it happens you can say you called it, if it doesn’t you didn’t say it would happen, you said it could happen.
I guess when a columnist has had as many predictions blow up in his face as you have, you start to pull your punches.
By BUSHWACKER
March 14, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this
Duke has won the national championship the last 3 years???
I could have sworn Duke got knocked out in the first round of the tournament last year!!1
By Dan
March 14, 2008 10:36 AM | Link to this
Mark Bradley, once again you continue to rag on Duke. You’re a huge Kentucky fan and you hate Duke. You always have. 1992 is over, man! Let it go.
Duke 85, Tech 69.
By clthurman
March 14, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
Bushwacker you are a genius…more sarcasm!
By jayhock
March 14, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this
Tech beats Duke, so what?
By BigMike
March 14, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this
CL Thurman,
You have no game and no facts. Anthony Morrow was recruited by the “hallowed” Dukesters. Get back to your glass of buttermilk and cornbread, you c**-eyed loser.
BigMike
By Mick Stranahan
March 14, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this
Great to see the jackets playing well down the stretch! Jeremis Smith has been a wonderful leader this year and he deserves to end his career on a good note.
No matter what happens tonight, the team has played better down the stretch. They’ve proved their fortitude by playing hard and competing, even when the losses piled up in Feb.
By clthurman
March 14, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this
Big Mike I meant nothing other than to expose a tired cliche that Duke gets all the calls. The inference that Georgia Tech athletes do not have the best of intentions when enrolling is a cliche as well that I only stated to compare stupid statements. I mean how many teams in the ACC have had a game where all 5 of their starters fouled out…I cannot recall one. I love Tech and Paul Hewitt and wish he had those players he lost to the NBA. Implying I am a redneck for liking Duke was a quick trigger don’t you think without thinking that perhaps you misinterpreted what I was trying to get across. I think you made an analogy and ran with a racist interpretation…you might want to think who is indeed missing their buttermilk and cornbread. And if I’m not wrong is it not hard to recruit for both Tech and Duke because they are academically demanding and ethical to a fault. Gee…I sound like I do like both schools. Again my apology if you took my post for what it wasn’t.
By George Burdell
March 14, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this
Not a bad call. Mo Miller is vastly improved at the point, and Tech seems to have figured out its defense. They have more scorers than Duke.
It may depend on whether the refs let them play, or call every ticky tacky hand check. Duke won up at Cameron mainly on the foul line.
By Mick Stranahan
March 14, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this
to state the obvious, Duke had all 5 starters foul out of the Wake game this year. The refs must not have gotten the memo about giving Duke all the calls that day.
Also funny that UNC went to Cameron (where Duke gets every unfair advantage) and only got whistled for 4 fouls.
By ben
March 14, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this
Bobby Knight said he didn’t give a damn about the conference tournament. The sooner he was out and could rest for the big dance, the better. Let’s hope that Coach K feels the same way. No, Duke isn’t as good as they have been in past years. But, that’s the difference in a great coach and an average one. He’s only lost 4 games this year with no inside game and a less-than-great squad. Hewitt, on the other hand, has lost 16.
By clthurman
March 14, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this
Amen Mick!!!
By Son of a Gun
March 14, 2008 12:13 PM | Link to this
dig003 is my hero.
By Wilson
March 14, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this
I’m a Duke fan, and I wanted UVA tonight. The Jackets played us very tough in Cameron, and their athleticism is one thing that can really give us fits. Their biggest problem is discipline, but a hot night can easily overcome that. Agree with the above poster(s) who said Bradley’s qualification of his “prediction” (though he didn’t have the stones to actually say the Jackets will win) is a backhanded compliment. Gotta love MB’s perpetual negativity. Once a schmuck, always a schmuck. Hey MB, 3rd or 4th for the Braves this year?
By Yurtle_the_turtle
March 14, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this
We beat a mediocre Virginia team and everybody has us beating Duke?? Come on, did any of you actually watch this lousy team play this year? Is Hewitt a better coach than he was 3 months ago? Come on. Duke wins by 11 and tomorrow all of you “wonderboys” will be making excuses for Hewitt.
By GT Fan Jeff
March 14, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this
To me, it simply comes down to the fact that GT is playing very well right now as a TEAM (past five games), and Duke is not. I have never seen Jeremis Smith as confident and relaxed during his entire career at GT, and he is playing GREAT basketball at the moment. When GT lost to UNC by only one and Kansas by only five earlier this season, GT was not playing nearly as well as they are today. Given that, anyone who does not think GT can beat Duke or win the ACC tournament this year is in college basketball denial. GT CAN DO IT, and here’s hoping they they will. Go Jackets!!!
By Larry Tate
March 14, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this
The season wouldn’t be complete without a “here come the Jackets” story from the first guy in the press buffet line every game—Mark Bradley!
By Brock
March 14, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this
Well, I don’t know about some of these turds on here but I’m a GT fan. I will root and cheer and scream and curse for and at my team until the fat lady sings. Some of you fn people make me sick with your “tech will lose by 11” or “they beat a 15-15 Virginia team” who gives a s**. We are fans. Look the word up. What are you fans of besides a turtle and Brad Pitt(God I hope your a woman, if not that’s just a sad user name)Tell me you’ve never blocked out the stats, facts and records and just simply cheered for your team. GO Jackets, Bust their a*!!
By Timus
March 14, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this
You Hewitt haters are nuts!!! You’re not going to find a better coach. The struggle they’ve had the last two years are the results of have so many good guys leave early and having stiff competition for recruits.
By College Fan
March 14, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this
Gee, why play the game? Bradley states that Tech can beat Duke and everyone knows that he and Terence Moore and Jeff Schultz know everything. If you don’t know it, just ask them. None of ‘em could coach a team of 5 year old girls’ softball, but they know ho to coach college and professional football and basketball. AJC writers are weiners. They are not even good writers. If they were, they would be at a better publication than the AJC, and they would not be grown men writing about 19 and 20 year old college players. The AJC guy who writes their headlines sucks too.
By bravesfan79
March 14, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
Brock: right on man…glad to see im not the only non fair-weather fan!!
As long as GT can keep from making all the stupid off the ball fouls like slapping at the ball when your behind the player, or off the ball fouls, we have a GREAT chance of winning this game and the tourney for that fact. But you cant put Duke with all their shooters on the free throw line time after time and expect to win.
I for one, have faith in Hewitt and think this program is still one of the top programs in the SOUTH, not to mention ACC.
By Bravesfan79
March 14, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this
CollegeFan: im guessing your from NC or SC? I know neither of those states have a better newspaper than the AJC…in fact i bet the paper u get has a sports page that consists of 3 pages, and 2 of the pages are adds, and the other page talks about the local football team that isnt even in season right now… haha… Thats how all the newspapers in AL are, i know because when i go to relatives houses out of state all their newspapers BLOW!!
In fact i dont think any other newspaper in the south is curculated like the AJC is.
I wouldnt be surprised if you also think the BCS is a good system for football. That would make u about as bright at Terrance Moore.
Im ready for Baseball to start… Go Braves!
By Bravesfan79
March 14, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this
JUST IN FROM LAST NIGHT:
Iman Shumpert
By Bravesfan79
March 14, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this
THIS JUST IN:
Georgia Tech beats Duke for the ACC crown behind the clutch shooting of sophomore Iman Shumpert and the Monster presence of Derrick Favors(the ACC rookie of the year). Junior Gani Lawal and Senior Zach Peacock also chipped in big time.
This Folks is what i predict exactly 2 years from now! Ahh thank GOD i was born a GT fan and not a UGA basketball fan!
By RamblinWreck
March 14, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this
Like Gandhi said, “the most dangerous weapon is the man with nothing to lose”. Clearly the Jackets have nothing to lose and I see them playing well - but ultimately falling short tonight. They had a great shot to beat Duke last time they played in Durham given Duke’s cold shooting from beyond the arc, but Tech had no answer against K’s defense. I do not see Duke (who is a vastly overrated team who is destined for a second round collapse in the tourney) having another bad night from downtown.
Hope I’m wrong… Go Jackets!
By True Blue in Smyrna
March 14, 2008 5:21 PM | Link to this
And Kentucky is going to the Final Four……right Mark!?!?!?!!?
By Jim D**
March 14, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this
Mark, I’m a Georgia Tech grad who has two sons who went to Duke! I always enjoy your columns, and appreciate you positive thoughts about our basketball team. Thanks. Jim D**
By TechSucksTonight
March 14, 2008 7:31 PM | Link to this
24-10 Duke after 8 minutes, game over “A” hole
By DP
March 14, 2008 9:23 PM | Link to this
Attaboy Mark.
By Mork
March 14, 2008 9:29 PM | Link to this
Does anyone recall the last time Mark Bradley was right about anything?
Once again, his serious man crush on the Georgia Tech basketball team and their talented players has made him look very foolish.
By Son-in-law
March 14, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this
Mark,
Please predict that my mother-in-law remains in great health.