Tech

By johnny

February 15, 2006 04:01 PM | Link to this

please remember fans that paul hewitt has been to the championship game of a final four, Along with that It’s interesting that dennis felton frowns against or for fan support. remember dawg fans it’s about winning. Tech simply has a young team and is learning how to play in the tough acc.Once he has some experience and adds a few players, tech will be back.I’m more into who will be tech’s new ad at this time than other interests, thanks for this forum!!

By Chris

February 15, 2006 04:27 PM | Link to this

I think GT still has enough weaknesses and youth that a road game against a quality opponent has the potential to turn ugly. However, GT is building a team for the future and they are finally looking like they are making progress towards getting better rather than taking steps backwards.

With this season being mostly a write-off at this point, I am glad we have some opportunities to learn how tough the road is in the ACC and try to build off of it. It will only pay off in the future as this team begins to mold into what potentially could be a very good club.

Matt, great job on your posts and keep them coming. Go Jackets.

By GM

February 15, 2006 04:44 PM | Link to this

Maybe so. Youth makes this team inconsistent (I know, sounds like a broken record). Don’t know how else to explain two Top 20 wins (almost 3), and all the horrible losses. Most games have been close lately, and play has been better, which is encouraging. But, with the exception of NC State, we seem to always find a way to snatch defeat away from the jaws of victory. Tech is not as far from being good as the record would indicate, but I’m not ready to say that a huge winstreak is in the making yet, either.

By WaCoJacket

February 15, 2006 05:03 PM | Link to this

We need to get this 2nd consecutive win before I start to think about the possibilities. That being said, we will cause some problems for teams going in the ACC touney. I wouldn’t want to face GT if you need another win to get onto/off the NCAA tourney…

Let’s give Duke revenge in the ACCT Finals

By Ty

February 15, 2006 08:18 PM | Link to this

To all (so far)…..Amen, brother!

It’s all about Youth at this point (especially the ability to snatch defeat). If we see this next year…uh oh (but I don’t expect it).

As I’ve said in other posts, all I ask is they keep playing relaxed and all-out.

By nowomengototech

February 15, 2006 08:26 PM | Link to this

i’m glad my name is not winkeljohn.

By ND

February 15, 2006 09:22 PM | Link to this

Gosh dangit. Really sucks to blow that lead but what can you do when the shots stop falling? Add that to the fact that the whistle blew every time Hansbrough touched the ball and it would be tough to hold that lead. I will not make a excuses. GT simply didn’t hit the shots they hit in the first half. MOTHER ———!! I wanted this win more than any since the FF run.

By GreenJacket

February 15, 2006 10:36 PM | Link to this

What a tough loss tonight. Tech only scored 20 in the second half and once again broke the 20 turnover barrier. The good news is there seems to be improvement (except for the turnovers) from the beginning of the year. I am confident in Coach Hewitt and next year. If next season’s squad can take care of the basketball the Jackets can turn it around quickly.

By Ty

February 15, 2006 10:55 PM | Link to this

Sadly, I missed the game (other than hearing about 20 minutes worth on the radio coming from work).

Questions (really!)

1) Number of fouls? (First half: GT = 16 / UNC = 7: Second half: GT = 15 / UNC = 9)

2) Why does a team with a 20 point lead end up fouling so much?

3) Is it possible for a team to play such great defense that they can come from 20 down with numerous steals / pressure without any fouls?

I noted that of the 42 points in the 1st half, UNC had 16 at the line. Also saw where UNC was in the bonus six minutes into the second half.

My question….was the defense by UNC that good and by GT that bad? (statistics seem to indicate otherwise, but as I said, I didn’t see it and maybe it was a collapse, maybe it was an incredible comeback…)

Help?

By Ben

February 16, 2006 12:04 AM | Link to this

Tech obviously did not play very well in the 2nd half, but the refs were brutal on our guys. They were blowing the whistle when we barely brushed Hansbrough, but letting UNC slap us around with impunity.

By Stan

February 16, 2006 07:54 AM | Link to this

The Yellow Jackets gave the game away in the last few minutes in the first half when they had a 20 point lead. Why in the world would you put Diaw and Aminu in the game when you are on the road and have 20 point lead. At that point you turn up the heat and try to increase the lead to 30 points. You let Dickey play with 2 fouls,keep the players on the floor that got you the 20 point lead. A few quick turnovers by young players and the momentum shifts to the home team. At some point you need to let the players play and ease up on some of this un-needed strategy. Too much coaching cause that lost last night and if things do not change we will suffer the same faith in the future. Someone please inform Morrow he can take most defenders off the dribble and once he establishes that the jump shot will be wide open. The Jackets must focus on an offensive strategy, the defensive strategy is also over coached, that is why we are in so much foul trouble so early. Fredrick and Morrow must be encourge to take the ball to the hoop and if that shot is not open pass the ball to Dickey or Smith. The last few minutes of the game the Jackets did not have an offensive strategy to regain the lead and close the deal. Fredrick and Morrow standing around, Smith getting trapped under the bucket with the ball and the game slowly slips away. Recommendation on an offensive strategy is simple play from the inside out, the Jackets have probably some of the best athelets in the ACC. Let them use their talents and save the coaching for practice. Good players play good when they are in a rythm not when they are looking over their shoulder because they might be pulled from the game if they miss a shot. We still have a chance to turn this season into something positive but the chances are running out.

By GT69

February 16, 2006 08:00 AM | Link to this

Two of the worst calls were non-calls: Noel swinging on the rim after a dunk with nobody underneath and Hansborough hooking Tarver (shoving him with his left arm actually) to get to the basket. But no surprise - Tech’s not going to get any calls against potential tournament teams. The worst is yet to come - Duke next week.

By Rick

February 16, 2006 08:34 AM | Link to this

I agree with Tech not responding well to UNC halftime
adjustments, but they were so hampered by foul problems they really couldn’t play. UNC came back on GT’s bench. That says alot for these kids and the depth overall. Hansbrough is a great freshman, but the officiating was pathetic.

The officials ensured this was a UNC victory. I’m sure UNC doesn’t want any part of GT in the ACC tourney.

By Ga_Tech_92

February 16, 2006 10:21 AM | Link to this

I’m trying to take a positive approach to this loss. I look at it this way. If we had beaten them last night, they would have been hungry for revenge in the ACC tournament and possibly/probably beaten us. The one win we would have gotten last night doesn’t really help/hurt our overall record much. HOWEVER, now that WE will be hungry for revenge against them in the ACC tourney…we go and beat them…and win a couple more games…and bam we are ACC tourney champs…we can easily go on a 3 game win streak…we are due.

If that happens, we are in the NCAA tourney. There is no other way we make it anyway, so it’s perfect to get shafted and seek revenge.

I think Zam should have kept driving and taking short jumpers when the pressure came…we just tried to pass out of it which is the wrong action…you beat pressure with the dribble…not lob passes.

The refs bailed out #50 way too much…we got hammered just as much as he did down low…yet we got half the fouls called…that was easily the difference in the score.

We can’t blame the refs though, so I blame us not out hustling them the first part of the second half (and the very end of the first half)….and for not using the dribble to beat the pressure.

ACC TOURNEY = REVENGE for this season and OPPORTUNITY for the NCAAs…against all the nay-Sayers.

By Andrew

February 16, 2006 11:15 AM | Link to this

Yes, the officiating was less than desirable if you’re a Tech fan. Yes, Tech is a young team that is showing at times that it can play basketball. However, Tech is failing in many key areas that generally stem from coaching influence (think UGA pre-Mark Richt vs. now). Athletes will only take you so far, after that it’s coaching on things like: halfcourt offense, stupid fouls, poor passing/passing lanes, getting free throws, inbounding the ball, clock management, player management, breaking a press, general team intelligence, and much more. We’re all looking forward to next year because of this year’s downfall, but don’t be so quick to praise Hewitt for Tech’s runner-up campaign two years ago. If you find these commments ill-founded feel free to research stats on ‘04 concerning turn-overs, halfcourt offense, fouls committed, and free throws attempted/made. You might be surprised what you find.

By Ga_Tech_92

February 16, 2006 11:30 AM | Link to this

Andrew I wish I could disagree with you more, but I really can’t quite yet. Even when we were in the Finals I felt like we were never good at getting into a consistent offense. I called them the cardiac kids, because they played amazing defense…but also I was ready for turnovers on our offense at anytime. Maybe we need a better offensive coordinator?

By John

February 16, 2006 12:05 PM | Link to this

Blow a 20 point lead!? What’s next? I just think this team and coach have absolutely no confidence and when it gets tight - assume they will lose… which they will. We’ve lost 9 out of our last 10. Hewitt is just average - hate to say it. But realistically, he couldn’t take an average group of guys and make them winners - that is what the GREAT coaches do.

By Ga_Tech_92

February 16, 2006 12:31 PM | Link to this

Two interesting things about referees:

One: If you take the refs out of the equation, we win 7 or 8 points (they won by 7 but got 15 extra free throws). No small issue.

Two: Unless you are of the opinion that the refs did a great job, then you are automatically wrong as “whining�. I think it’s interesting that we are unable in anyway to have opinions or question officiating without it being something NEGATIVE towards us. It’s a nice arrangement where you cannot have an opinion or question or use your own judgment…you just are suppose to shut up and take it. If you are wronged in some way in your perception, just shut up and take it. Yeah, that’s America baby!

(now someone will post saying “you can have your opinion, but I can also have an opinion that your whining�….see the fundamental differences is one is a direct attack on a bloggers opinion –vs- the right of a blogger to express their opinion about a system and situation…one is a direct attack on someone…the other is a concern for justice in a game that means a lot to us. I don’t see it as a logical conclusion to just automatically go to “oh, your whining�, because it presents no points relative to the topic…it simply is an emotional attack on an individual….however it seems to be pretty common before it’s over someone will do it.)

By Ga_Tech_92

February 16, 2006 02:51 PM | Link to this

GaTech92 quit whining about the officials!

*told ya someone would…who knew it would be me…

Admittedly I don’t like commenting on officiating in general, but I just have a hard time holding my comments today. The calls hopefully even out, just they clearly didn’t last night…well…or in 04….hrmm…or 05…just damn. Trying to shut up now ï?Š

By Flagboy

February 16, 2006 03:33 PM | Link to this

I’m a ramblin wreck from Georgia Tech and a helluva freakin queer! A helluva helluva helluva helluva helluva freakin queer! Just like Keith Brooking, I take it up the rear! I’m a ramblin wreck from Georgia Tech and helluva freakin queer!

By M.C. Dawg

February 16, 2006 03:42 PM | Link to this

LOL @ Flagboy

By mountain man

February 16, 2006 06:04 PM | Link to this

tough luck for the swarm! i keep reading about the disparity in fouls but u must remember, tech was shooting outside shots, where fewer fouls are called and the heels were going inside to the big man. road teams don’t generally get calls so toughen up. the jackets are young and will be really good next year. they tightened up big time when the pressure got to them. they like the heels have turned the ball over alot. last night they had 6 more turnovers than the heels. u can’t do that on the road in the acc and expect to win.