AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2006 > February > 13 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USA game worth cloning
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s about time.
If you didn’t see Georgia Tech play N.C. State Sunday, you may not know what I’m getting at. Finally, players didn’t just take to what coaches have been preaching, they “did it for 40 minutes, not a half,” as Ra’Sean Dickey said after the Jackets won 71-68.
Zam Fredrick was most obvious in the way he selected his shots. Almost every one of his 12 (he made nine) was relatively prudent, something coaches have been working (and working) on with him lately. He said seeing it on film finally drove the points (play on words) home.
The only one I can remember that was borderline was when the shot clock was running out on Tech’s next-to-last possession, and Fredrick made that one — a 14-foot jumper from the right side of the lane for Tech’s final points. That was proof the old Zam is still in there, but if he continues to go to that score-score-score mentality ONLY in times of desperation, like when the shot clock is running out or a half or the game is about to end, Tech’s better off.
And although there were still some sloppy passes, the Jackets were far more careful with the ball, making 15 turnovers, five in the second half.
They made plays off the ball, too, either to get open or get over to N.C. State shooters. That’s not easy against the Wolfpack, for they move very well without the ball and almost all of them can shoot. The defense was far from flawless, but better in that regard.
A couple other keys to the game that went somewhat un-noticed: N.C. State center Cedric Simmons, a talented player who’s averaging more than 12 points and six rebounds, fouled out with five points and three rebounds with nearly half a period to go. That helped.
Also, at one point the Jackets tried a long, lazy inbounds pass in the backcourt and N.C. State’s Cam Bennerman chased it down before Lewis Clinch could. He was headed for a layup.
Clinch, though, hustled back, contested the shot, forced a miss, and Tech rebounded. That was a big play.
Back to Zam. He’s scored back-to-back career highs of 19 and 22 points while playing 23 minutes each game off the bench. He’d been averaging about 30. Coach Paul Hewitt said he thinks the reduced minutes might make him fresher, and he sure had fresh legs a couple times when blowing by defenders.
Coming off the bench seems to help him mentally, too. He said he gets a chance to watch the way things are unfolding for one thing. That helps him get a feel for the game. Also, when starting, he said if he misses a shot or two he starts to feel like he’s at fault. Perhaps that messes with his psyche. There may be more pressure — although Hewitt loathes that word — when he starts.
Anyway, it’ll take a lot more of the same Wednesday at North Carolina, where Tech will need Anthony Morrow to re-join the offense and probably will need a little more offense inside from Jeremis Smith.
Later.
Matt
Permalink | Comments (12) | Categories: Basketball
Comments
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By Steve Barton
February 13, 2006 04:15 PM | Link to this
Nice write up.
By James Wilson
February 13, 2006 04:22 PM | Link to this
Great game. They played sloppy, and Tech just took advantage of it (i.e they played sloppy, we played good). Maybe this win will put GT basketball back on track. Or maybe give the team confidence for next season. GO JACKETS!!!
By WaCoJacket
February 13, 2006 05:02 PM | Link to this
Great to have you on board Matt.
Super effort by the team on Sat night. I was glad to see a W for the better play over the last few weeks.
Morrow needs to move better on offense. He does to much standing around if the ball isn’t coming to him. He doesn’t run off screens as well as he should either.
Matt, how about seeing more of the following lineup. Zam, Clinch, Morrow, Tarver, and Dickey. When in the game together, the offensive flow was EXCELLENT!!! Clinch will be very good for GT.
By ND
February 13, 2006 05:13 PM | Link to this
I live in NC and all I have heard is that NCSU had no business losing that game. No one here is giving GT any credit at all. A win Wed at the Smith Center would be mighty sweet. I did not go to GT but have been a life long fan living in NC. So where many of you despise UGA, I feel that way about Dook, Weak Forest, the Tarholes and the Wolfpups. Anyway, this team can make some noise down the stretch and I really like where the program is headed.
By old Tech Fan (in NC)
February 13, 2006 07:23 PM | Link to this
Fun game against NCSU. If you watched UNC last night, you noticed they made their first eight shots and Mia had a hard time getting going. Hopefully, Tech will not be timid against UNC and jump on THEM early and keep them on their “heels”…
By George
February 13, 2006 10:58 PM | Link to this
Matt, you’re doing a great job covering Tech so far. I’ve enjoyed reading your work. Keep it up!
George P. Burdell
By Ty
February 13, 2006 11:27 PM | Link to this
Matt,
I agree with the consensus….write-ups are well thought out and clearly communicated. (I do disagree on Zam’s last shot…I think he took a shot that HAD to be taken with the clock running down and nailed it vs. the ‘old’ Zam. Tech needs guys who WANT the ball in crunch time — and can deliver, of course).
One could argue that NCSU got ‘robbed’ (as we all feel happens to our team on the road in the ACC). However, the Jackets played well enough to win and did so at home (two critical pieces in the ACC). Tarheel country will be tough, but this team knows they have the talent to pull off the upset.
As for Dook…just take comfort that they usually find a way to lose in the tournament (is it coincidence that this happens to them when they end up on a neutral floor with officials that don’t understand Duke ‘mugging’ is really ‘tough defense, baby’?….)
We’ll be looking forward to your UNC review…
By Matt Winkeljohn
February 14, 2006 10:09 AM | Link to this
Ty, thanks for chiming in.
My point on Zam’s last shot was the same as yours: that was a shot more like the ones he was taking previously in it’s nature (tough defense, semi-off-balance, not really squared to the hoop), but in that instance — with the shot clock winding down — the difference was that it ALSO was a shot that he had to take.
So actually, there’s no disagreement in our theories in this instance. Maybe I didn’t write it very clearly in the initial blog.
Anyway, thanks for throwing in.
Matt
By Ga_Tech_92
February 14, 2006 10:28 AM | Link to this
GO JACKETS!!
By Mike
February 14, 2006 10:57 AM | Link to this
First of all, well analyzed article, Matt, and glad tohave you covering the Tech beat! You know, this may be slightly off target, but all through the losing streak, I never got too down on this team or coach. I continued to think they needed better play at point and more maturity and experience, but that there was and is a lot there to build on and watch. Football however, I have a different reaction to. I lost my feelings of support and confidence for the team (not the kids)-the coaching staff and administration.
While I can give you the rationalizations I give myself to explain the varied reactions, I wonder if it is really more about me and how I react than it is about the coaches and the administration and how they handle these situations? Just a thought in passing…
By ben
February 14, 2006 11:33 AM | Link to this
Matt, you are already light years ahead of your predecessor. They looked better. Still not sold, but they have enough time left to sell me. If Hewitt molds them into over 1 win in tourney, I’ll be very impressed.
By OG-T
February 14, 2006 01:48 PM | Link to this
Matt, Great work in such a short time. You’re assessments are quickly up to speed.
The one item you didn’t touch on was the growth of Lewis Clinch. His confidence has grown in the last handful of games. It shows by Hewitt’s use of him later in the games. And it’s not just his shooting (which has improved after injury and through increased confidence). It’s his movement and ball-handling on the perimeter. He seemed shy when dribbling earlier in the year, but now he has a bit more swagger and assertiveness to his penetration up the gut or through the lane. And I think he’s an underrated defender. His feet are a tad slow for quick guards, but his aggressive arm play helps.
With continued improvement, he may find that he’s NOT plattooned at the end of games between offense and defense.
We upset #16, hopefully #23 on national TV. Do you know if Vitale is working the game?