ACC coaches heap praise on Jackets, Josh Pastner

The Georgia Tech bench watches as Tadric Jackson watches his three-point attempt drop into the basket during Sunday's ACC home win over Syracuse.

The Georgia Tech bench watches as Tadric Jackson watches his three-point attempt drop into the basket during Sunday's ACC home win over Syracuse.

When Georgia Tech stunned the ACC on New Year’s Eve by upsetting North Carolina 75-63, Tar Heels coach Roy Williams’ post-game comments kept returning to how disappointed he was in the way his team played. Looking back Monday, he acknowledged he’d made something of a mistake.

“I was really so frustrated about the way we played down there that day,” Williams said on the ACC teleconference. “I didn’t give them enough credit.”

There was time and opportunity to dole out credit Monday to the team that has become the surprise of the ACC. Williams was among several coaches offering their praise of the Yellow Jackets and coach Josh Pastner for their massive exceeding of expectations this season.

“They’ve had a fantastic year,” Williams said. “It’s shown. I’m hoping they make the NCAA tournament.”