AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2008 > March > 14
Friday, March 14, 2008
It’s elementary; the better team won
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I thought there were two keys more important than others in Tech’s loss to Duke:
When the Blue Devils were — as usual — drastically overplaying Tech’s wings, the counter needed to be back cuts. The Jackets scored on one, by Morrow, by my count in the first half when Tech’s ball movement was horrid much of the time, especially in contrast to what we saw the night before against Virginia.
Beyond that, drive, drive, drive. When the Jackets went on their 19-2 run in the second half, they did. They had five layups in that stretch, and got to the line a couple times.
Not as important, but a big factor especially in the first half: crummy rebounding.
Don’t think the defense was horrible, but not great. DeMarcus Nelson was a huge difference make.
A lot of those offensive problems has to do with Duke, the way the Devils play defense, and the talent they have. You line up eight former McDonalds All-Americans, have a guy like Jon Scheyer who doesn’t even start, and you’d better be good.
I don’t think there’s much chance of Tech getting an NIT bid, not at 15-17 when there are four other ACC teams that won’t make the NCAA tournament who all have plus-.500 records. Unless they all turn down bids.
Paul Hewitt suggested that he almost certainly would not turn down an NIT bid if the Jackets were so fortunate as to get one.
That’s all. I’m tired.
