We’re live from Tech-Wake (and Jackets need to take control)
When we last watched Georgia Tech in a home game, the Jackets held on to defeat Clemson, 66-64, for their third win over a ranked ACC team of the season. It seemed they had started to turn the corner.
Then came Sunday’s reminder that this corner might take a while to turn.
The Jackets had the ball and a one-point lead in the final half-minute at Florida State. Then Zach Peacock missed a free throw, Glen Rice committed a foul at the offensive end, the Seminoles hit two free throws and the Jackets eventually lost, 68-66.
In the final 26 seconds of the game, Tech went 0-for-3 from the floor, 0-for-1 from the free throw line, committed two fouls and had a turnover. Such are the growing pains of a team that has four freshmen (Rice, Derrick Favors, Brian Oliver, Mfon Udofia) and a sophomore (Iman Shumpert) in its regular rotation.
That needs to change tonight against Wake Forest. If the Jackets are to return to the NCAA tournament this season, they can’t afford to have similar meltdowns on their home court. The Jackets are 14-5 overall and 3-3 in the ACC (wins over North Carolina Duke, Clemson; losses to Florida State, Virginia and FSU again). Wake Forest has slightly better records (14-4, 4-2), with a win over North Carolina and a loss to Duke.
I’ll be here, blogging live during the game. But with the calendar about to turn to February, the Jackets need to grow up quick. Let me know your thoughts and I’ll check back at tipoff.
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149 comments Add your comment
nebraska jacket
January 28th, 2010
7:44 pm
Well so far a success, we’re winning and my eyes aren’t bleeding that bad yet.
Jeff Schultz
January 28th, 2010
7:45 pm
Ted — blogging from my dentist. She’d like that? My dentist is Hispanic/Jewish, and she’s hilarious. Not making that up.
Jeff Schultz
January 28th, 2010
7:45 pm
Favors finally on the board
Jeff Schultz
January 28th, 2010
7:47 pm
Derrick Favors: “Note to self: Practice free throws.”
todd grantham
January 28th, 2010
7:47 pm
Jeff, speaking of tennessee, is wayne chisholm as good as advertised?
SamInAtlanta
January 28th, 2010
7:47 pm
tech is looking like a top 10 team at the moment….can they keep it up
Jeff Schultz
January 28th, 2010
7:47 pm
Todd–Thanks for athking — I mean, asking. It’s a temp crown. Have to go back for the real thing in 2 weeks.
BCWRECK
January 28th, 2010
7:47 pm
Wake is Huge and Agile … but they can’t shoot. No wonder they are not ranked.
SamInAtlanta
January 28th, 2010
7:49 pm
is favors waking up
Irwin M. "Fletch" Fletcher
January 28th, 2010
7:50 pm
I can’t believe Hewitt hasn’t called a time out yet!!!
TechMD
January 28th, 2010
7:50 pm
Playing better down low at both ends compared to the start.
todd grantham
January 28th, 2010
7:50 pm
when you go back i hope the count will be in a better mood after the final crown is done.
Irwin M. "Fletch" Fletcher
January 28th, 2010
7:52 pm
Temp crown here myself Jeff, watch the chocolate that stuff will pull right off! Looks like some empty seats, wish I was there but on call.
Jeff Schultz
January 28th, 2010
7:52 pm
Hah! As long as the fangs remain sharp, The Count will be fine.
Gani's Lawal
January 28th, 2010
7:53 pm
Jeff- who would you rather have on your team: Derrick Favors or Gani Lawal?
TechMD
January 28th, 2010
7:53 pm
Nice pass to Peacock and finish!
Jeff Schultz
January 28th, 2010
7:54 pm
Today? Probably Lawal. In a month, good question.
Bill
January 28th, 2010
7:54 pm
Wow…Paul only has used the one timeout….good sign.
tech sux
January 28th, 2010
7:55 pm
Simply Tech Sucks!!
LOSERS!!!!!
UGA 73 – gt 66!!!!!!!!!!!!
HAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
WE RUN THIS STATE!!!!!!!!
Bill
January 28th, 2010
7:56 pm
Tech is -8 on boards. That is why they are only up 6 shooting over 50 %. This team plays strong defense…reminds you somewhat of McHenry, Ish years.
SamInAtlanta
January 28th, 2010
7:56 pm
great defensive effort, if only we could shoot free throws and get a few more rebounds
Technophobia
January 28th, 2010
7:57 pm
Cautiously optimistic. Playin better down low compared to the start of the game for sure.
Jeff Schultz
January 28th, 2010
7:58 pm
After poor start, Tech played great defense and it fed into the offense. Solid half. Jackets up 35-29. … Jackets shooting 53.8 percent (14-26), Wake Forest only 33.3 (12-36) … Jackets have six blocks, led by Favors’ 4. … Balanced scoring: Tech has 3 players with 6 points and 3 with 5. …Aminu leads both teams with 10.
Gani's Lawal
January 28th, 2010
8:03 pm
Who would you want if you were an NBA GM?
Ted Striker
January 28th, 2010
8:07 pm
Gani’s Lawal — I’d take Megan Fox, Beyonce Knowles and the redhead who plays disgraced FBI agent Renee Walker on ‘24′
And probably a few interns.
SamInAtlanta
January 28th, 2010
8:09 pm
i would rather have the blond on 24
Tom
January 28th, 2010
8:09 pm
10 more shots than us in the first half. That is why it’s so close. Usually when there is that large a disparity in shooting %, the team with the higher # is up by double digits.
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
January 28th, 2010
8:09 pm
Jeff, is it my imagination, or did Tech actually have time-outs leftover at the end of the first half? Is it possible for us to carry them forward to the second half… or maybe even to the next game?!
Eric
January 28th, 2010
8:09 pm
Watch the first 5 minutes of the 2nd half. Wake will pull ahead and win because they are the better coached team. Once they start hitting more shots, and they will, wake pulls away as gt falters.
todd grantham
January 28th, 2010
8:10 pm
Jeff, do you remember a major leaguer from years past: Juan Eichleburger? i wonder if he is married to your dentist?
SamInAtlanta
January 28th, 2010
8:11 pm
you guys are giving me a toothache
Baba O'Riley
January 28th, 2010
8:12 pm
Fox has them playing above their heads and they’re 9-9??? Whaere are their heads?
todd grantham
January 28th, 2010
8:12 pm
I AM astute. i got the athking
Baba O'Riley
January 28th, 2010
8:13 pm
Eichelberger pitched for San Diego
Matt
January 28th, 2010
8:14 pm
This team has way too many away from the ball off fouls.
todd grantham
January 28th, 2010
8:16 pm
Jeff, wayne chisholm?
Jeff Schultz
January 28th, 2010
8:16 pm
Flowery Branch — NOT your imagination. Obviously Paul liked what he saw.
Jeff Schultz
January 28th, 2010
8:17 pm
Gani’s Lawal — I’ve got to go with Favors on that for potential upside.
SamInAtlanta
January 28th, 2010
8:17 pm
there goes wakes best defensive player
Jeff Schultz
January 28th, 2010
8:18 pm
Ted — Good call on “Renee.”
Baba O'Riley
January 28th, 2010
8:18 pm
Lawal must learn to play facing the basket to be successful at the next level.
Jeff Schultz
January 28th, 2010
8:19 pm
Todd — I do remember him … and he isn’t.
Jeff Schultz
January 28th, 2010
8:22 pm
Todd — didn’t play close enough attention to Chism. I seem to remember Hopson having a good game though.
Jeff Schultz
January 28th, 2010
8:23 pm
Wow, Baba — That’s a very scout-ish thing to say.
Baba O'Riley
January 28th, 2010
8:26 pm
He’s 6-9. 6-9 players in “the association” can handle the ball. He would be more highly “cherished” if he could.
Jeff Schultz
January 28th, 2010
8:29 pm
Oliver hits a 3 –biggest lead of the game at 13 pts: 50-37.
Baba O'Riley
January 28th, 2010
8:30 pm
We’ve been waiting for a shooter like Oliver since Marvin Lewis left.
SamInAtlanta
January 28th, 2010
8:30 pm
we have out rebounded wake 12-2 this half
Baba O'Riley
January 28th, 2010
8:30 pm
It’s amazing how much better we play when Hewitt doesn’t call timeouts.
nebraska jacket
January 28th, 2010
8:32 pm
For all the hype Favors has gotten… The best freshman on the floor is Brian Oliver