Tech

By old Tech Fan (in NC)

February 16, 2006 04:17 PM | Link to this

Tyler is a touch-me-not.

But he also is a great shooter!

By Buzzzz

February 16, 2006 04:39 PM | Link to this

The fouls are what killed us. We couldn’t man up in the second half because we were in foul trouble. Still, there’s no way we should’ve blown a 20-point lead.

By WaCoJacket

February 16, 2006 04:45 PM | Link to this

Wasn’t Tyler committed to Kansas (or very close to it) and changed his commit when Roy when to UNC?

By Rambin'Man

February 16, 2006 06:05 PM | Link to this

That game was absurd. The refs took it from the kids hands and put it in their own. Hansborough must have scored 20 of the 40 at the free throw line!!!!!!!!!!!! Hewitt has class not to say anything, but someone should step up and be accountable.

Yes, we blew a 20 point lead, but who can hold it when the clock is stopped and the other team is shooting 2 every single trip down the floor. It disrupted our ability to defend and we all know that defense produces offense. Yes, home teams get the advantage, but this was ridiculous. I’m good friends with a very loyal UNC fan and he even pointed out that we were getting robbed at the foul line.

By arktechfan

February 16, 2006 06:29 PM | Link to this

no point guard; too young and inexperienced; refs partial to opponents - what other excuses can we come up with? This is not the first time that the offense could not function in the second half. Opponents adjust - Tech hasn’t been able to. I agree that Dickey should have played more than 17 minutes, fouls or no fouls. This was a road game that we should have won. Can Tech win two of last four?? 12-15? 11-16? Whichever, the record will show that this is the worst Tech team in memory.

By Steve

February 16, 2006 07:45 PM | Link to this

I’m one of those alums that have been ragging on Hewitt’s team since the Centenary game. Their lack of a true point guard has been well discussed. Although the imbalance in fouls called in the NC game played a major part in the game’s outcome, I didn’t think the refs were biased. Tech played hard and aggressive and commited physical fouls. I would like to see Hewitt install more of a motion offense. In Tech’s half court offense, players seem to just stand around leaving bad passing angles and one-on-one situations for players who aren’t very good ball handlers.

What I did see was a very young Tech team with a lot of talent. Their first half showed just how good they can be in the future. Their second half showed how young and immature this team can be without senior leadership. I’m now looking forward to next year when these sophmores will be a year older in age and experience. Along with the incoming recruits, our current players should make their presents felt in the ACC.

By Ga_Tech_92

February 16, 2006 08:40 PM | Link to this

Well said Matt and everyone.

Does anyone know what happened to Zam driving the lane with the little short jumper? I was hoping to see that when the draught early second half (late first half) was going. That’s a good shot when the offense is stalling and tight pressure defense (harder to pass it seems).

ACC Tourney SLEEEPPERRRS out for revenge!

By Ty

February 16, 2006 09:52 PM | Link to this

Only one comment (since I didn’t get to see this game…maybe a good thing)…..

Arktechfan, you must be relatively young to say this is the ‘worst Tech team in memory’….You’ve obviously not gone through the pre-Cremins years of T-ball under Dwayne Morrison. When ‘Brooke Steppe’ is your only offense and the team will run the same offense and defense after being down 20 points…. I finally stopped having nightmares after about 3 years of Cremins arrival. Heck, I played on an intramural team that was better than the varsity-squad in those days!!

Keep the faith, ‘boys! This team is better than their record indicates. We just have to keep our fingers crossed for that ‘tourney magic’ to kick-in!

Later

By Robb Landau

February 16, 2006 11:09 PM | Link to this

First off I am a diehard Carolina fan. Carolina simply outplayed Tech in the second half of that game. The referees did not lose the game for Georgia Tech, Georgia Tech managed to do that by themselves.

By Will

February 16, 2006 11:45 PM | Link to this

Tech lost because they did not hit all those lucky 3’s,that they did in the first half !

By SourGrapes

February 16, 2006 11:55 PM | Link to this

Sorry but GT blew a 20 point lead enough said. If it was a close game I could understand the crying about the calls. Bottom line GT/Hewitt choked plain and simple.

By TarDawg

February 16, 2006 11:56 PM | Link to this

Like Matt, I too was at the Dean Dome last night and had about the same view. Hansbrough gets bludgeoned every game like last night and Tech plays defense most every possession with its hands rather than its feet and body. Hence lots of whistles which were rightfully called. In the game’s totality, UNC was the aggressor on offense and Tech settled for too many jumpers.

By Grover

February 16, 2006 11:59 PM | Link to this

C’mon Matt,

I thought you were a better writer.

To pander to the Tech fans by blaming the officiating is the lowest form of beat writer.

Why don’t you instead delve into the reasons such a supposedly talented bunch is 3-9 in the ACC?

By Reality Bites

February 17, 2006 07:49 AM | Link to this

When was the last time a crappy below .500 overall record team has ever won the ACC tourney? NEVER? For you people that have this tourney sleeper mentality, get your head out of your rear or you will just be even more dissapointed when Tech is ousted by Miami in the 1st round. Deal with reality, Tech stinks this year. Yeah tourney sleepers is correct, they just won’t wake up! Optimism is a good think, but too much optimism makes you look like an idiot. Tech is so awesome, they will go deep into the tourney, most teams that lose 9 out of their last 10 do!<—sarcasm. I would think that most graduates from the great “university” would probability of Tech winning the ACC tourney is slim to none. If Tech wins just the 1st round, then that would be a huge improvement over what I’ve seen all year. Can we just keep it at that?

By Ga_Tech_92

February 17, 2006 08:27 AM | Link to this

GT won that game in UNC with what they had control of:

2 point shots made: GT 27, UNC 28 3 point shots made: GT 9 , UNC 3

You do the math…we won…but for the officiating.

UNC wins by 7, but got 15 free throws more than we did. I admit that #50 received contact down on the blocks every possession, but so did our big guys…and so does every big man who plays in the ACC paint. Difference was, when Tyler reached and slapped and bumped with is body, there was only a whistle half the time…we could stand there bump him with our body (hands behind our backs RIDICULOUS at times) and still every possession the whistle blew.

Take nothing from GT, they kicked the crap out of UNC. We will have revenge in the Tourney, mark my words.

By Ga_Tech_92

February 17, 2006 08:43 AM | Link to this

By the way Sesame Street, I don’t honestly think that Matt is trying to “pander to the Tech fans�. He knows that Coach can’t call the refs to the floor without it appearing biased, so he is using the power of MEDIA to let it be known that the refs were no small factor in the game. Pander, Whining, these are lame words which do not in any way show how the argument presented is wrong. Watch the game…watch each possession down on the blocks…watch how our big guys were muscled grabbed hooked etc as much or more than Tyler…then watch the consistency of the whistle. Usually consistency is a complement; however, in this case I mean that the whistle consistently blew against us but not for us. Twice as many fouls against us? Come on now…let’s be realistic. Put yourself in GT shoes and drop your obvious bias.

By Ga_Tech_92

February 17, 2006 09:30 AM | Link to this

I do honestly think that UNC played great, as such, I do not mean to knock them. I mean to knock the refs, because GT shot the lights out and there is no way GT should loose when they out-scored UNC 81 to 65 (not counting ref freebies). 227+93=81….228+3*3=65…we totally dominated…and lost…thus the bile ugliness some of us are feeling right now. Sorry if we are a little bitter about having outscored the opposition, yet loose anyway. We caught UNC on a poor shooting night from 3s. UNC caught us on a hot shooting night. It happens, somehow it amounted to a loss. Logic be damned. Just think [Even North Carolina coach Roy Williams admitted, “I feel lucky. I feel like I’ve stolen every cookie out of the cookie shop.”]

By Double M 21

February 17, 2006 09:37 AM | Link to this

Well said Ga Tech 92. Matt you’re doing a good job. I was going to make some points but Matt & ‘92 covered everything but Robb. Robb i think your still upset cause the tarholes lost to Gomer Gailey last year, plus your bias. Robb go find another blog.

By Wesley Brown Jr.

February 17, 2006 09:45 AM | Link to this

By WBJ

The camera shots that showed the scratches and bruises on Tyler H. as he waited for a Tech player to shoot free throws tells the story. The aggresser on ofense gets the call. If you don’t believe it see coach “k”ry and his Devils. Dickey should have been called for flagrant fouls for the elbows that were flung at Tyler. The refs job is to call what they see, not to count the fouls and make sure that each team is called for same amount.

By Ga_Tech_92

February 17, 2006 09:58 AM | Link to this

Wesley, again…you proved that Tyler deserved to get foul calls. You did not address the lack of calls for us though. I have at no point said that we DID NOT foul. It is my point that UNC fouled also…just as often. I remember spitting beer on a friend (dramatics, not really) almost when I saw one replay of a foul against us. 50 had our man hooked, then spun, our man has his HANDS BEHIND HIS GD BACK (INSANE!!!) and still we got a foul called on us. Then you go to the other end of the court. Dickey spins…50 swats hits Dickey on the wrist and bangs the hell out of his chest with his body but no whistle.

Again…contact happens down low in the ACC…just that the fouls weren’t called fairly for both sides from the replays I saw.

please note: again I did NOT say that we didn’t foul 50…I simply illustrated (pretty clearly) the inconsistency with with the “whistle was applied”.

BTW-detail and honesty compels me to admit that my calculation above was incorrect. I didn’t realize initially that the FGs taken also includes the 3s…so my math was indeed skewed a bit. I am not trying to BS anyone, thus my correction here. The thing that was correct though, was UNC DID get twice as many free throws and only had to hit half of them to get the win.

It’s not the refs job to even out the calls, I agree…DUH even…but it is their job to not be such home boys as to hand the game to the team who didn’t score as many points while the clock is moving.

By James

February 17, 2006 09:58 AM | Link to this

I am sure you will get a lot of response to this article. UNC had a huge lead in the FT area because they don’t shoot 3’s all day long. They start with the ball in the post and work from there. Both teams are victims of inexperienced rosters. UNC looked for the 2 pt. basket a lot more therefore rebounds were not long and chances for putbacks are higher than with a 3 poiter. Even the best 3 point shooter in the country are well under 50 percent.

You should prob. have a bigger issue with TH traveling than with his foul line trips. He has gotten his share of not calls for his creative footwork. And this comes from a UNC fan.

Tech will be good next year and Paul Hewitt is a great coach and a gentlemen. I have never heard a bad word spoken about him.

Thanks, James Winston-Salem, NC

By UNCfan

February 17, 2006 10:03 AM | Link to this

Game plans:

GT: Offense - work ball around perimeter and shoot threes. (9/9 3pts & 60%+ fg%) Most shots were jump shots which don’t initiate contact and doesn’t creat fouls. (Note: 5 of the 3pts were contested - great shooting.) Defense - single coverage on Hansbrough - stop everyone else.

UNC: Offense - force ball inside to Hansbrough, use dribble penetration to open up outside shots. Defense - man to man, help defense. Lazy in first half - inspired in the second half. GT’s guards did not work to get into the lane whatsoever…

Now which game plan is going to result in more drawn fouls. Which game plan is more aggressive? GT relied on the outside shots falling like in the first half and got lazy - best example Morrow. Did not drive into the lane until 1 minute left…

Note: 6-8 FTs came from GT fouling at the end of the game. Take those away and the FT margin does not look as large…

By troj

February 17, 2006 10:11 AM | Link to this

It’s very easy to say that, based on made shots, Tech beat UNC and blame the refs for losing the game. That is, if you decide to live in a vacum.

UNC had to hit those freethrows and they did.

Why, then, are our players not accountable for things like missed front ends of one-and-one’s, missed free-throws, turnovers, defensive lapses-when no fouls were called, and/or lack of an offensive philosophy in the second half?

We lossed by seven and missed seven free-throws. Tie game. We went 9-10 from 3pt land in the first half and 0-7 in the second. One second half three and we win. Then the turnovers…. We had our chances.

By Ga_Tech_92

February 17, 2006 10:16 AM | Link to this

Westley, I agree with you also about Coach Kry. That team is notorious for “getting the calls”. UNC is second most notorious. Yes I’m jealous as hell and would prefer to get all the calls for GT :) Hey, I’m honest. Since we aren’t in that special pampered group, I’m going to fuss about it. Get over it. You would too if your Heels were getting shafted at the line and it so clearly cost you an important game. Please note, I have not fussed about the refs in any blog till after that UNC game…indeed it’s a topic I try hard to avoid unless it’s brutal.

Yes I’m sure #50 had scratches and bruises on his face and body, just like every other ACC big man…just that he got rewarded with a huge amount of free throws (please note: his fair complexion is such that it shows scrapes more than our guys…don’t for a moment think our guys weren’t pushed around also though…that is in fact my point.)

Again, yes #50 was pushed and fouled…as was our guys…but we got half the calls he got…if we got even close to the same benefit of the calls he got…we win that game…thus the focus on the refs…they were the difference in that game. Curious: how many possessions did #50 touch the ball and did NOT get to the line in that game? No one but MJ gets to the line that much…and MJ was KNOWN to be favored by the refs…do you see a pattern here?…is it spelled out really clearly? TH got more calls than he deserved, we got less than we deserved…in my (and quit a huge number of other peoples view)…we are not happy about that, as we felt we deserved to win that game with out outstanding shooting…we wanted to win…is that a surprise?…didn’t you?…if you felt the refs cost you the game…would you sit by quietly and be satisfied?…or would you voice your displeasure in a blog focused on that very topic? Let us vent, we deserve that at least.

I still want to look at this positively. We have been SO close quite a few games. It is no stretch to imagine another run (as we have done in recent years) at the end of the year. ACC Tourney is perfect timing to regain our pride. Hopefully the refs will let the players determine the outcome. It’s really not asking much.

ALso, for what it’s worth. I suppose if I were a ref, it would be really natrual to fall into the same patterns…it’s human nature to want to please the home crowd…and the famous Heels…or Dukies…however…that doesn’t make it right or acceptable…I do think it’s probably MOSTLY innocent human nature though. I don’t hold a grudge, I hold focus that we can redeem ourselves in the ACC T.

By Ga_Tech_92

February 17, 2006 10:20 AM | Link to this

UNCfan, good post.

By THL

February 17, 2006 10:21 AM | Link to this

I think Tech worked hard to lose that game. I just have no clue why they consistantly pick up their dribble, give the ball away carelessly, and take bad shots. Theodis Tarver is about as clueless as you can be on the offensive end. He can’t catch, shoot, or even cut to the basket when he’s being fronted by a smaller guy. Now as far as the fouls, that is just ridiculous. I am so sick of watching ACC games (no matter whose playing) and watch the officials make a mockery of things. UNC was being just as physical, if not, moreso, than Tech and they didn’t get called for barely anything. that is really what hurt the team defensively because they weren’t allowed to defend the way they were being defended on the other end.
I hate complaining about refs but, in the ACC, it’s inevitable unless you’re Duke or UNC. Does anyone remember the “foul” call on Will Bynum at the end of the ACC championship game last year?

By Ga_Tech_92

February 17, 2006 10:32 AM | Link to this

THL, good post…we certainly turn the ball over too much…and look clueless on offense at times. Where was Zam’s recently discovered drive to set himself up for a short jumper? That’s what we need when the pressure is applied…or when we just are out of synch.

By ATL Heel

February 17, 2006 10:38 AM | Link to this

You think this reporter thinks the officiating was biased? This is his second article in as many days on the subject.

Really, I guess it wasn’t part of the gameplan to be physical inside to stop Hansbrough. That couldn’t have been it. Couldn’t have been why we were at the line more. It couldn’t explain the first half fouls since we were trying to go inside every possession just to stay in the game.

You know, it might have just been better to try a double- or triple- team instead of using the hack-a-Tyler technique.

By Ga_Tech_92

February 17, 2006 10:48 AM | Link to this

OK, I’ll give some credit to the points about UNC taking the ball inside, because they were stinking up the place from the perimeter. It doesn’t address the no-calls we got when we had the ball inside though. Anyway, I hate hearing myself fuss about the refs. I wish it were easier to forget. Anyone UNC peeps wanna buy me some beers to help numb the pain? lol

By arktechfan

February 17, 2006 11:36 AM | Link to this

Hey TY, I’m 70 - I just have a short memory!!

By ramblinwreck04

February 17, 2006 11:36 AM | Link to this

Hard to believe this team is 2 years removed from being the Nat’l Champion runner-up. Doesn’t really matter how you slice it up, Tech beat themselves the other night. It doesn’t surprise me they blew a 20 point lead. They did the exact same stuff over their 8-game losing streak—-get out to a big lead and find some way to end up losing the game. Hopefully they will look at this year and improve for next year.

By Robert

February 17, 2006 12:39 PM | Link to this

GA Tech will have no change in the ACC tourney or even another ACC game unless the ACC refs learn how to call a fair game, period. The UNC game was ridiculous. We will really never know if Tech should or shouldn’t have lost the game because the refs made that decision for us. No team should have to play an opponent and also the refs!

A bad call now and then is one thing. Refs making it so imbalanced so as to throw games is something else entirely!

By Ty

February 17, 2006 01:19 PM | Link to this

Arktechfan…you old codger you!!

GREAT to hear you’re doing great (means you got to watch ‘Whack’ Hyder!!).

I’m about a quarter century behind you (but did have Coach Hyder for my basketball class before he retired!)

Thanks for the re-post!!

By old Tech Fan (in NC)

February 17, 2006 01:29 PM | Link to this

funny how if you pull for UNC the refs did their job and if you are a jacket, they favored TH…loose or tight calls do not matter as long as both sides get the same type calls! I do think it is strange a freshman commands so much “respect” by the officials when that is normally reserved for a proven vet…I guess they think since he is the best rookie/maybe even best big man overall/he already gets that additional advantage. Hopefully, he will be a pro next year!

By ben

February 17, 2006 01:30 PM | Link to this

The number of fouls is not as important as how the refs can affect the momentum of the game. They definitely called a slew of one sided fouls that stopped the rout in progress and allowed UNC to get back in the game at the end of the first half. With that said, refs will always coddle the Dukes, UNCs, UConns, etc. and its a mentally tough team’s job to overcome that fact. It also entered my mind that it’s interesting that the ACC always has it’s white superstars (Reddick, Lattner, Hurley,etc) who can’t compete on a pro level, but seem to be the ACC refs darlings when it comes to calls. Coincidence, or something more sinister?

By gt80

February 17, 2006 03:52 PM | Link to this

The refs didn’t call a bad game. We have a lot of fouls for the same reason we can’t dribble penetrate and get to the rim…our guards are not quick enough and get beat, resulting in reach in fouls or fouls by big men trying to help.

By Matt Winkeljohn

February 17, 2006 04:13 PM | Link to this

Good to see a lot of UNC fans read here, too.

Going back on the book from Wednesday night, one last time:

Hansbrough, playing very physically, didn’t pick up his first foul until 4:03 in the first.

Mario West picked up his fourth foul at 17:26 of the second half. At 14:42, Dickey picked up his third. At 14:40, Zam Fredrick picked up his first. At 14:38, D’Andre Bell picked up his third. At 13:33, Theodis Tarver picked up his second.

That’s three fouls in four seconds, four in 1:09 and not even in the waning moments of a game. Wow!

By Ty

February 17, 2006 09:28 PM | Link to this

Ben?….Do I hear a bit of CONSPIRACY in your post?

I think it’s time to turn loose the ‘all things that should be fair in sports’ expert….T. MOORE!!