AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2009 > January > 12
Monday, January 12, 2009
Frustrating start to ACC play
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Some thoughts on Saturday’s 68-61 loss at Maryland, which dropped Tech to 0-2 in the ACC.
How frustrating was it? As we were waiting to talk to CPH and some players, we heard a lot of yelling from the closed locker room across the hall. The team was getting chewed out. Could have been for any number of reasons.
Talking to the coach, he was disgusted, and not just about the season-high 28 turnovers. He said his team had not taken the ball hard to the basket, resulting in fewer free throws (23 to 14) and a couple of Maryland blocks.
“They had 23 free throws. We had 14 simply because when we were up eight, we stopped going to the basket strong. We started going to the basket thinking ‘If we make this, it’s over,’ instead of going in strong. We had a couple shots blocked. There’s really no excuse for that.”
Of course, the game might not have been close had Zachery Peacock been able to play. He got sick and was replaced by Lance Storrs, who had 3 points and 4 rebounds in 30 minutes. Peacock had been playing great and could have feasted inside against the smaller Terps.
With Peacock out and Moe Miller playing his first game in nearly a month (he played 12 minutes), all of Tech’s starters played at least 30 minutes. Alade Aminu played 39, and Gani Lawal and Lewis Clinch each played 37. In contrast, only one Terp played 37 minutes.
Still, there was no excuse for this loss. Tech outshot Maryland (42.9 percent to 31.5 percent) and outrebounded Maryland (49 to 39). But the Jackets lost the turnover battle in a big way, 28 to 13. The number of traveling calls was mind-boggling.
Probably the most confounding issue is Tech’s inability to get the ball to Lawal. He was 7 of 13 against the Terps. His last shot was a dunk with 2:14 left. In some cases, Lawal got open early in the set and didn’t get the entry pass. In other cases, he just didn’t get open on the block.
Up 61-59, Aminu missed a hook shot that was a little too far from the basket. At 61-all, Tech turned it over before Lawal could touch it. Down 63-61, Clinch missed in the lane. So Tech’s best player didn’t get a shot on three crucial possessions.
It won’t get any easier for Tech, with No. 2 Duke visiting Wednesday. (By the way, tickets are still available).
Do you agree that getting Lawal the ball is the quickest way for Tech to turn things around?
