AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2008 > March > 13 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USA season on the line
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For some, this may go without saying, but Georgia Tech’s season is almost certainly on the line tonight against Duke.
The NIT is not likely to take Tech (15-16), perhaps even if the Jackets get their record to .500, which would take getting all the way to the finals of the ACC tournament. Of course, if the Jackets did that and won, they’d go to the NCAAs. If they got there and lost, they’d be 17-17 and still not a lock to make the NIT.
The Jackets, I’m told, are virtually certain not to accept an invitation from the new College Basketball Invitational (CBI) if one comes, and in fact no ACC team may accept a bid from the CBI. That’s not official, as league spokesman Brian Morrison told me the subject has not come up in league offices, yet there’s scuttlebutt that no ACC team will go.
While the NIT does not require teams to have a .500 or better record, at least not in writing, some ACC insiders think it highly unlikely the NIT will take any ACC teams at or below .500.
If Tech beats Duke and loses in the semis, the Jackets would be 16-17.
With 32 teams going to the NIT, tournament officials are less likely to take the Jackets than pro-.500 ACC teams like Florida State (19-13 pending a game with UNC), Virginia Tech (18-12 pending a game against Miami), even struggling Maryland (18-14). Wake Forest is 17-13, and less attractive, especially since Tech beat the Deacs twice, but tourney officials might covet the team for something approaching a unique appeal as it is in the first season after the death of Skip Prosser
In sum, Tech’s next loss will almost certainly end the season no matter when it comes — unless multiple other teams turn down NIT bids (which happens).
Moving on …
I’ve been around this basketball team for three or four months, but if anybody out there can tell me where the %$#@ these guys were hiding for some of that time, I’ll be in your debt.
Look, Virginia’s not Memphis, or Kansas, or UNC.
But the Cavs have played better lately, and didn’t play poorly Thursday — until they started to wear out. And they did, same as in Tech’s win in Charlottesville.
The Jackets’ pressure, particularly on Singletary, and pace, pace, pace were eventually more than Virginia could cope with and sustain.
When this team moves the ball like that, and of late in wins over Clemson and Boston College, the results bear little resemblance to the team of February.
In the past five games, the Jackets have rung up 18, 17, 16, 17 and 22 assists.
In the past three, they’ve shot 26 of 50 (against a pretty good defensive team in Clemson), 30 of 53 and then 33 of 57 tonight. Combined, that’s 89 of 160 (55.6 percent). That’s fairly smoking.
Lewis Clinch isn’t exactly lighting it up, but he’s clearly not playing in that funk any more.
Morrow’s stroking, Jeremis Smith is playing out of his mind, Moe Miller is growing up big-time (four 3 pointers, including the biggest shot of the game — his 3-pointer with 14:09 left when Virginia had taken a 56-51 lead with a 10-2 run to start the second half, when the Jackets looked for a bit like the ones with heavy legs).
Gani Lawal has become less productive (scoring 26 points in the past four games, grabbing just five rebounds in that span after scoring two and not grabbing a rebound Thursday night). Gani’s only basket came very early in the second half, when Bell whipped a pass inside and it skipped off Lawal’s hands, went up, and fell in the basket (the type of play, by the way, that has almost never gone the Jackets’ way this season). He scored without shooting!
Good thing Zack Peacock (14 points, two assists, two rebounds) and Alade Aminu (11 points on four of four shooting, five rebounds and three blocks) are stepping up.
I’m not saying this team is going to beat Duke.
But it’s far from a foregone conclusion.
Anybody out there still willing to put up the argument that Tech lacks sufficient talent to compete?
Uh, no. Again, not saying these guys are world-beaters, but recent evidence suggests that the coaching staff took too long to mesh pieces, that the pieces are there to be a lot better than 15-16.
Comments
By Gee Tech
March 14, 2008 12:04 AM | Link to this
These guys are a legit team, and yes, it took a while for PH and company to find a fit. BUT it also has alot to do w/ growing up in the PG position. MO MO MILLER is playing like a veteran guard and is making some big time shots. And Jeremis Smith has become the leader of this team (with Morrow) and has shown increased confidence w/ his offensive play. But I say it all goes back to the increased productivity of Mo Miller. PERIOD! This guy is going to be something special before its done. And he’ll be around 3 or 4 years to show it. That’s a big time positive.
By HARDCORE TECH FAN
March 14, 2008 12:18 AM | Link to this
they’ll beat Duke… it will be payback from a couple of years ago when the refs called Jarret Jack for that weird foul on JJ Reddick with a couple of seconds left in the game. Im confident they will beat them. Although I do wonder if they will be a bit tired from tonight.
By yellarjacket4life
March 14, 2008 1:31 AM | Link to this
This team has finally found their identity. Too bad it took about 25+ games to find it. Can you believe we shot 54.2% from 3 (13-24) and 83.3% from the free throw line (15-18)?
I’ve said this in previous blogs, if we can defend the 3pt line, shoot at least 70% from the free throw line, and REBOUND. This team can beat Duke. We have a big advantage inside. We must get the ball inside to Jeremis and Peacock. If Duke doubles down on the post, then Miller and Morrow must make them pay from 3.
JEREMIS SMITH IS A BEAST!!!! He does all the dirty work for this team. He will be truly missed!
Go Jackets!!!
By yellowblood
March 14, 2008 6:23 AM | Link to this
You must give Paul credit. He sensed that the guys needed to relax and allowed them to attend the Tickle Pile Tuesday night. It made all the difference in the world.
By Gordon
March 14, 2008 6:28 AM | Link to this
I’m happy Tech is playing well, but your last paragraph is interesting, Matt. The team is highlighting the fact they have underachieved this season. I hope this late run doesn’t prevent Hewitt from making some staff changes. The talent IS there. This gives us some hope for next year.
By ben
March 14, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this
Hardcore, what makes you think that Duke won’t get the same bad call if we let it go down to the wire again?
By RAMBLE ON!
March 14, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this
Hey MATT!!!, is it true J-MO is considering playing tightend on the football team, and get we get DJ Donley a good tutor quick?
GT wins tonight by six
By scooter11
March 14, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this
Yellowblood: Would love to hear your reaction to Matt’s assessment that “Morrow’s stroking”.
By Typical Tech
March 14, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this
You teknerds really think that without some kind of divine intervention or use of several ineligible players that you can beat Duke? Divine intervention is very unlikely but with Tech’s track record in using ineligible players I wouldn’t be too surprised to see Mark Price and John Salley trot out for the tip off. Go Devils, beat nerds.
By reasonablefan
March 14, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this
Give me a break. How long is this Tech pumping going to go on. For Gosh sake, they beat the LAST place and next to LAST place teams in the ACC the last two games and now Matt and the rest of the Tech fans are thinking this team is unbeatable. Just like the ladies team who beat NO ONE and crows like they are going to win the NCAA. Give me a break. Has no one got any sense of reason?
By Bravesfan79
March 14, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this
GT is one of the top programs in the ACC. This time 2 years from now all you fair weather fans will be back on the bandwagon when Shumpert, Miller, Lawal, and Derrick Favors (the nations #1 ranked center) are leading GT to a ACC title and a Final 4 run!
Regardless of what happens tonight..GT will STILL be my team, just like the Braves will always be my team.
So exactly who do all you bandwagon fans cheer for when the Yankees suck? are you Redsox fans now??
By Urine Jacket
March 14, 2008 5:01 PM | Link to this
Go Duke!
By ms
March 14, 2008 6:31 PM | Link to this
As stated above, the one knock on Hewitt is that he perennially seems to take too long to figure out where the talent meshes on his teams. We are always wasting early games playing guys that just dont have it. If Faye were still here, he would still be getting wasted minutes at guard, despite the fact that he couldnt move his feet.