AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2006 > February > 14 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USHeels have an Achilles
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Hi everybody.
Sorry to be brief today, but I’m toiling on the story for tomorrow’s paper, and I’ve got to get humping.
Tech hasn’t won at UNC since Feb. 10, 1996, and although the Tar Heels are a much cooler version of themselves with considerable youth this season upon losing every starter from last season’s national championship team, they’re going to be tough — but not impossible to beat Wednesday night. They’ve got the best freshman in the conference in Tyler Hansbrough, and they’re moving the ball around better all the time for coach Roy Williams
Tech has more than a fighting chance, in my opinion, if the Jackets keep moving the ball well, compete from whistle to whistle, and continue taking care of the ball the way they did Sunday against N.C. State.
Coach Paul Hewitt commented Monday on how much Ra’Sean Dickey has improved in setting screens, and the Jackets will need several in the Dean Smith Center because other than Zam Fredrick (and occasionally other players) they don’t have perimeter players who routinely create solid shop opportunities for themselves.
“He’s starting to understand the little things that you have to do,” Hewitt said on the ACC teleconference call. “He’s a gifted scorer and can rebound well. [Sunday], he did the little things that really helped us. We talked about keeping Cedric Simmons and Andrew Brackman off the boards, and one of the key stats was that those two guys didn’t get any offensive rebounds.
“The thing he did better … than at any point this year was screening. He did a nice job of finding the guys that were guarding Anthony Morrow and Lewis Clinch, and using those screens to create good post opportunities for them. He’s enormously talented, but as he improves and does more of the little things, he has a good chance of becoming one of the star players in this league.”
Dickey needs to answer Hansbrough in some fashion, for Tech to have a real shot.
More from Hewitt:
“This is a talented basketball team, and we shouldn’t be 3-8 in the ACC, but we are. We have to try to do something about it down the stretch, and fortunately, I’ve been in this situation before when we won seven of our last nine league games three years ago. Hopefully, our coaching staff can draw on that experience and try and keep these guys moving forward. We have a great opportunity on Wednesday night to play in a great venue against a great team, so we’ll see what happens.”
Permalink | Comments (15) | Categories: Basketball
Comments
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By Hairy Dawg
February 14, 2006 04:47 PM | Link to this
Matt, the mere fact that you think this is a “brief blog” is why I wish you were covering my Dawgs.
In any event, I was stuck with my sister and her Tech-attending boyfriend Sunday watching Tech play the Wolfpack and I have to say that I was really impressed. I know Tech has a lot of talent, but it looked like Zam Fredrick was able to do what he does best: score. As long as a team has good spacing and collectively moves the ball around well, it doesn’t necessarily have to have a great point guard. Of course, it never hurts to have one.
By WaCoJacket
February 14, 2006 06:52 PM | Link to this
Sorry Hairy, I’m really glad we have Matt. He’s the best of the AJC.
We really need this UNC game to start some positive momentum and hopefully wins enough games for some type of post-season (NIT or NCAA)
By toemeetsleather
February 14, 2006 06:53 PM | Link to this
who cares about b-ball…we got coach curry coming back to lead the ‘a’ dept….nothing but blue skies and green lites with bill and chan….GOOOOOOOOOOO JACKETS!!!
By SteveO
February 14, 2006 07:01 PM | Link to this
Never give up hope. GT still has that chance to make some noise. They win two of their next three, they start getting their attention back.
By WaCoJacket
February 14, 2006 07:06 PM | Link to this
If Curry comes with other rumored changes for Football, I’d really be in GT heaven.
By Ricky
February 14, 2006 07:32 PM | Link to this
Here’s the contrast of these two teams. Both are extremely young. Yet UNC has continued to win, while Tech has struggled mightily. Why is this? Probably a couple of reasons. Hewitt is no Roy Williams and UNC probably has better players. It should be an interesting game though
By old Tech Fan (in NC)
February 14, 2006 07:56 PM | Link to this
If we start the game pressing UNC and do not let them easily make their first few shots, we have the opportunity to somewhat control the remainder of the game, and win…but if we do as Mia did and let them have so many early/easy shots, the crowd at the DDome will make it hard on the visitors! As Matt said, they also are young…let them fear the swarm!
By David Duncan
February 15, 2006 03:05 AM | Link to this
You have got to be kidding. In Chapel Hill, Tech has no chance. The Heels will blow them away by 25 points. The win over NC State was a fluke. Tech will not win again this basketball season.
By jonathan jones
February 15, 2006 08:48 AM | Link to this
david stay off this blog moron. tech will win 75-71 momentum is on there side
By Rick
February 15, 2006 08:54 AM | Link to this
These two teams are the near future of the ACC. UNC has turned it over nearly as much as GT, so ball control is essential for GT along with solid D. We need a repeat of Sunday’s effort.
Go Jackets!
By Stan
February 15, 2006 08:54 AM | Link to this
If the Yellow Jackets continue to play from the inside out they will continue to see sucess. Zam Fredrick has shown now on two occasions that he can be an effective point guard that can handle the ball and score. The scoring comes natural and the point guard stuff will follow. Dickey should be the first option for the Jackets, if his shot is not there he kicks it back to Zam or Morrow. I think that the Jackets will upset the Tarheels tonight and another era of great players will take their place in the Yellow Jackets rich history.
By O'Rourke
February 15, 2006 09:31 AM | Link to this
You Tecn fans are reaching. Hansbrough will destroy Dickey. Tech does not have enough ball handlers to compete against UNC’s defensive pressure.UNC 78 GT 63
By ND
February 15, 2006 10:33 AM | Link to this
The boys down low have to stay out of foul trouble. I hope like crazy Re’Sean doesn’t get whistled for his second foul with 17 min to go in the first half. Also, just like NCSU, there are a couple of Tarholes that will hit more 3s than they will miss if they aren’t contested. I have faith that PH has the boys ready and that they will be able to shut that irritating blue crowd up. Lets keep an eye on how many walks Hansbrough gets away with too.
Lets Do This!!!
By Ga_Tech_92
February 15, 2006 01:15 PM | Link to this
As I’ve said from early on: If we out hustle the opposition, we can beat anyone. This certainly includes UNC. GO JACKETS keep the pressure on tip to buzzer…take good shots…be PROUD WARRIORS ON THE COURT!!!
If we out hustle them, I don’t see how UNC can win. Basketball is 90% hustle imo.
By old Tech Fan (in NC)
February 15, 2006 09:17 PM | Link to this
How can Tech be so non-timid to start the game and be soo timid starting the second half???? Makes we wonder what was said during halftime (by both coaches)!