Tech continues search for late-game solutions

Hamilton had particular reason for compassion. In his third year at Miami, in the 1993-94 season, he coached a team that was 0-18 in Big East play. Ultimately, Hamilton led the Hurricanes to three consecutive NCAA appearances before an ill-fated decision to jump to the NBA for one season.

“We were playing our butt off,” Hamilton said of the 0-18 season. “Seemed like every time we got close, those basketball demons would raise their ugly head and we would lose the game. The next year, we turned it around.”

Hamilton’s memory may be protecting him. Only two of the Hurricanes’ 18 conference losses that season were by less than 12 points. By comparison, Tech is a juggernaut. Ten of the Jackets’ 11 ACC losses have been by a combined 38 points. The closest six have been decided by a total of 13 points.

“I don’t think there’s any question that it’s weighing on our guys,” Tech coach Brian Gregory said. “But our guys have done a pretty good job of maybe not letting that affect how hard they’ve played, and the fact that they’re sticking together and keep fighting together.”

Hamilton further praised Tech for scouting the Seminoles well and prevented them from getting into an offensive rhythm. Thanks to 18 turnovers — many unforced — FSU averaged .86 points per possession, about 16 percent off its usual rate.

“We just kind of hung on for dear life,” he said.

Tech did its part in the final five minutes. The Jackets made 20-of-51 field-goal tries in the first 35 minutes (39.2 percent) and 1-of-8 in the final five minutes (12.5 percent).

It follows a cold-shooting pattern in the Jackets’ eight ACC losses decided by five points or fewer or in overtime. In those games, Tech has shot 39.4 percent in the first 35 minutes, but just 25.8 percent in the final five minutes of regulation.

Scoring-wise, Tech actually has held its own in the final five minutes in those eight losses. Over all eight games, Tech scored 11.6 percent of its points in the final five minutes of regulation, a rate nearly proportional to the first 35 minutes, meaning the Jackets made up for shooting deficiencies by getting to the free-throw line.

In the Jan. 14 home loss to Notre Dame, they scored five points in the final five minutes after scoring 59 in the first 35, allowing the Irish to secure a 62-59 win. Against Virginia Tech, the Jackets led 58-48 with five minutes to play, but let the Hokies finish the game on a 17-5 run.