AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2007 > March > 09
Friday, March 9, 2007
So many ‘what-ifs’ in crazy game
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If you make the mistake (like I first did) of saying, “I don’t know what to say,” after Tech’s 114-112 double-overtime loss last night to Wake Forest, it won’t be long — especially if you look back on notes and the box score — before you realize there’s plenty to talk about.
First, kudos to Wake, and especially sophomore guard Harvey Hale. Not just because he hit five of six 3-pointers in the overtimes (plus six of seven free throws for 21 points in the two five-minute overtimes). That was sick beyond belief. Sure, Tech screwed up defensive assignments on some of them, but making that many 3s when nobody’s guarding you isn’t easy. Making them with defenders flying around, in that environment, come on! That’s just absurd.
And Tech’s Anthony Morrow hit some major shots, and mostly 3s, himself. From my vantage point, about 30 yards away, I thought his last shot was going to fall and force a third overtime. Somebody said something about Crittenton passing to Morrow in that instance, and how he should have known Tech didn’t need a 3.
Several things: First, it wasn’t a 3. Morrow was on the line when he received the pass and was going to shoot, but two defenders went to him so he faked, dribbled and moved closer. Second, Crittenton secured the rebound after it was batted around with his back to the basket with at least one, maybe two, bigs between him and the goal. When driving, he can get a shot up over guys like that many times. Had he shot there, his chances for success were minimal. And third: he probably wasn’t going to draw a foul unless he bled. He did the right thing, passed to the right person.
After a slow start in terms of whistles (Tech was called for just two fouls in the first 11 minutes or so, largely because the Jackets weren’t defending as vigorously as they have recently), but then it was an avalanche. Some of the stuff officials were calling against both teams was lame, lame, lame. Tech was whistled for 38 fouls, 10 more than the season-high against North Carolina one week earlier. When you have 66 fouls and 83 free throws, even in double overtime, that’s stupid.
Tech was sloppy with the ball, especially in the first half (12 turnovers), when Wake had 17. Tech rarely wins when that careless.
Alade Aminu (17 points, eight rebounds, two blocks, two steals) was good off the bench. His upside is becoming obvious. Tech’s not in that game without Alade in part because Jeremis Smith fouled out with 10 points, six rebounds, four steals and a block and especially because Zach Peacock put up double goose eggs.
Why couldn’t Tech defend Kyle Visser (the ACC’s most improved player, I’ll admit) better?
Mario West was unable to sub into the game in time to defend Hale on the tying 3-pointer in the second overtime because Morrow missed a free throw that would have pushed Tech’s lead to 112-108. But why wasn’t West put in to defend Hale when the clock stopped as Javaris Crittenton was called for a charge moments later?
Who hit the game-winning 3-pointer moments later? Hale, of course, in what coach Paul Hewitt said was a defensive breakdown. It was over Peacock.
Tech allowed Wake just nine offensive rebounds in 50 minutes, and took 17. That’s’ pretty good. But the ability of Ishmael Smith (15 assists) to dribble through, around and into the Tech defense and pass to open teammates was deadly. He’s fast, but he sucked help defenders away so often … at some point, Tech should’ve adjusted and done a better job of staying with shooters.
Thad Young was practically stationary in the first half, but went nuts - very much like he did against North Carolina — in the second half when he scored 22 points. He’s unreal when he gets going like that.
Finally, although there’s more to talk about, you can’t miss 12 of 35 free throws. Of all of them, I think Crittenton’s miss with 13 seconds left after he made a huge driving layup to tie the game in regulation, hurt as much as any, though Morrow’s miss in the second overtime was painful, too.
If the ACC is going to get seven teams in the NCAAs, Duke’s not going to be left out. They’d be the sixth. That means the seventh will be Tech OR one of the four teams that won in upsets yesterday. Florida State, which lost to Tech twice, helped the Jackets by getting blown out Friday by UNC. But if Miami, NC State or Wake win this tournament, better hope the ACC can get eight or Tech’s in deep trouble.
