AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2009 > January > 31 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWake and Tech, 43-41 at the half, 74-76 at the buzzer!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
At the half:
The last ten minutes of the first half between the Jackets and Deacons were a showcase of everything that has been lacking from Tech basketball this season. During that stretch, Tech cut into a double digit deficit and actually tied things up with about a minute left in the period.
How’d they manage to do that?
Its simple…they are playing the tough, physical, intimidating, and infuriating defense that Paul Hewitt teams are normally known for. They are contesting every board and battling hard in the paint. We’ve seen hard fouls go both ways and technical fouls go both ways.
The Jackets are playing the style of defense that got them to San Antonio in 2004. As a result, they are playing Wake toe to toe and the crowd is really into the game. The only real question at this point is whether or not they can keep up the intensity and pace for a second period against a very good Wake team.
This game has been old school Paul Hewitt basketball…the defense and physicality that causes opposing fan bases to hate the Jackets. This is how the Jackets MUST play in order to win big games in the ACC.
The crowd is going to have to be a factor in the second half…it should be fun to watch…
At the end!
The Jackets defense continued to play hard and despite the offense going extremely cold down the stretch, the Jackets had a chance with the game close at the very end.
A key defensive stand resulted in a shot clock violation with under a minute left to play, the Jackets tied the game up at 74, and then the Deacons threw an inbounds pass away with about 7 seconds left to play.
Iman Shumpert calmly brought the ball up the court with the clock ticking, scrambled Wake’s Jeff Teague about three different directions, and drained a short jumper with one second left on the clock.
The Jackets intercepted the Wake inbounds near midcourt, the clock ran out, and the Jackets had notched their first ACC conference win over a Deacons team who had just upset Duke.
What a game…what an effort…this is the Tech team we’ve been hoping to see all season.
Go Jackets!
THWG!
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Comments
By GT1321
January 31, 2009 2:50 PM | Link to this
Great win Jackets!!! Let’s make this the turning point in our season!
By 3 Rivers jacket
January 31, 2009 2:58 PM | Link to this
great game. I see no reason why this team cannot break even for the rest of the season and win a tourney game. That would get us in the NIT and then we will see how far we would go. I do not have the schedule in front of me but 6-5 the rest of the way should not be too far out of reach. it will not be easy but it is doable. I realize that the NIT does not excite people but it would be a great way to finish and could set the tone for next year. If this bunch learns to win and with the talent coming in next year I think the program will get back to at least top 20 status.
By Tony Shumpert
January 31, 2009 3:11 PM | Link to this
You people still think GT need a point guard? Iman is not use to loosing, and if they would follow his lead, well, you see what can happen. All they have to do is win the ACC tournament and they are in. They are starting to jell, and I think by the end of the season, they will be a team I would not want to play. Let’s get rolling now. Iman, see you in Florida.
By ben
January 31, 2009 5:00 PM | Link to this
Tony, I think Iman is going to be a good player, but the truth is they have been following him and they are leading the ACC in turnovers. Hopefully, eventually he’ll slow it down and not turn it over so much. He had a couple of big ones down the stretch today and won the game for us. He’s a very talented kid who I hope will stick around for a few years.
By IndyGT
January 31, 2009 5:56 PM | Link to this
Tony, I can’t wait to see more of this out of Iman.. but he’s not going to showcase his talents at PG. Remember when BJ Elder was playing the point.. and how terrrible it was going? Then he moved back into his natural 2-guard position, and was steller. Same with Iman, hopefully he can move over more to the 2, and really light it up from there.. thats’ when I think we’ll see more out of Iman.
By wreckmaniac
January 31, 2009 6:24 PM | Link to this
Congratulations to the Jackets ! Most of us, myself included, thought this team had no heart or discipline. They will probably lose 2 of the next 3 but at least we see they have a pulse. Perhaps they will be ready for an impressive ACC tournament.
By jabster
January 31, 2009 6:48 PM | Link to this
They got a name for the winners in the world, I want a name when I lose, they call Alabama the Crimson Tide, call me Deacon Blues…
By oh boy!
January 31, 2009 7:12 PM | Link to this
Nice job ladies. Better hurry up and get the rings made for beating Wake.
By oh no!
January 31, 2009 11:37 PM | Link to this
All of a sudden I realized that our basketball coach just got fired, we lost to Tech in football and basketball, and recruits will not show up to official visits.
Oh boy, now Tech beats a great Wake team! Mommy, get me a bottle, it’s going to be a long night. I hope Bobby Knight will rub my back and tell me everything’s going to be okay.
Luv, UgaG athletic supporter
By yellowblood
January 31, 2009 11:39 PM | Link to this
I know from first hand experience that 38-3 & RealityYech will willingly & gratefully receive an unlubricated pineapple.
By billgt69
February 1, 2009 7:57 AM | Link to this
OK, I guess everyone loves Paul Hewitt again. Great job Jackets,,, THWG
By ProudTechFan
February 1, 2009 12:16 PM | Link to this
Wow its been almost 24 hours since the biggest win of the season and only a few responding to the win. Funny how we get an onslaught of negativity when we lose, but nothing when we win. C’mon Tech fans, show some support to your team. I am very proud of the team for playing hard and believing they can win. If nothing else this win gives the team a ton of confidence as the season progresses.
GO JACKETS!!!
By Red GA Dawg
February 1, 2009 12:49 PM | Link to this
If I were a Tech BB alum/fan I would be crying regardless win or lose! To finally realize that former AD stuck it to school with a ridiculas contract for BB coach that is a lose lose for the “Bees” is more than most can stomach. Not sure Dean Smith could have or would have demanded such a one sided deal. So appears to me Hewitt’s success is dependent on UGA continuing to be worse that awful and the top talent in nation being on his door step. I am a true DAWG fan, yet am very proud of the “North Avenue Trade School” - no better public engineering program in the land. Always wnat them to be great except when the play UGA in anything, Athens atheletes/students need and want to compete against the best, so that when spank them it means something! Can’t brag if Tech or any team we play is weak. Good luck “Jackets” wish you could win the rest.
By Tpkg - GT fan
February 1, 2009 10:19 PM | Link to this
I’m with the Jackets win or lose…. It’s GREAT to see them finally win a close one!!… After so many overtime losses, it’s great to see them not quit, but finally hit free throws and cut down the turnovers to win a big game….. A real boost for Coach Hewitt!!
By GT 90 Champs
February 2, 2009 1:15 AM | Link to this
Two main reasons why we won.
Turnovers: A season low
Free Throws Made: A season high in terms of percentage.
We are big enough inside to make teams put us on the line and if this is Shumperts breakout game and Miller can finally lose the mask, we have a chance but I’m still not sold. Yes, we’ve lost 2 ACC games in OT and were results of missed free throws, so we are not as bad as our record shows but we need to be more consistant and something stood out in an article posted earlier about how the players took it upon themselves to make some changes and ramp up the intensity. We can lay all the blame on CPH all we want but the players have to step up too and I think hitting the floor w/ their butts hurt enough for them to FINALLY stepping up and taking responsibility to improve and play hard the entire game.
By BravesFan79
February 2, 2009 4:25 AM | Link to this
Great win for GT! Hopefully this will propel us towards a nice run in the ACC tourney and a NIT spot.
Sorry Tony, but Iman is STILL not a pt guard…….and even if he was i think GT will be better off next year with Udofia or Miller at point, and Shumpert at the 2.
By UGA is so last year
February 2, 2009 12:15 PM | Link to this
You people are nuts! One win (and barely) …AND at home and you think all of a sudden we will go on a run? 60% in the poll do last I checked. How silly. Check back in here after our next game - and loss - and let me know what you think. We weren’t 0-6 for nothing. We barely beat Tenn St people!!!
By Hewitt's fishin' buddies wear black & white stripes
February 2, 2009 1:25 PM | Link to this
Words used above to describe Tech: “tough, physical… physicality that causes opposing fan bases to hate the Jackets”
Foul disparity favoring Tech: 18 to 25 30 to 17 in free throw attempts
Resulting thought if you’re a WF fan: WTF?!?
By ggodsey
February 2, 2009 2:07 PM | Link to this
UGA is so last year is right, for all intensive purposes this season is over