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.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
149 comments Add your comment
Barney
January 28th, 2010
8:32 pm
This GT team is looking pretty good. They’ll make the NCAA Tournament for sure. The Yellow Jackets can beat any team in the country, but they need to be more consistent!
SamInAtlanta
January 28th, 2010
8:35 pm
i don’t agree, favors is having a good all around game so far
Baba O'Riley
January 28th, 2010
8:37 pm
I wish Z-cock had another year here.
Jeff Schultz
January 28th, 2010
8:38 pm
Jackets blowing it out now. Defense has been outstanding. Lead up to 54-37. Wake is shooting 15-for-47 (31.9 percent) and has eight blocks (five by Favors).
Technophobia
January 28th, 2010
8:39 pm
Baba, I’ve been saying that about the three point shooter for years now. Just the threat of the three really opens things up for the guys underneath.
Technophobia
January 28th, 2010
8:40 pm
Is “the curse of Bradley” being broken?
Bill
January 28th, 2010
8:41 pm
16 point lead….Tech has to stay focused. Has some some lack of maturity this year a few times with big leads.
Jeff Schultz
January 28th, 2010
8:41 pm
Baba — I think actually when the team plays well, Hewitt doesn’t call timeouts. That’s usually the way it works.
Technophobia
January 28th, 2010
8:42 pm
Whoa, nice move by Lawal.
Baba O'Riley
January 28th, 2010
8:43 pm
Jeff, he calls too many TO’s to set up defense after made baskets. Fruitless timeouts.
todd grantham
January 28th, 2010
8:44 pm
Jeff, i watched a piece of the Perl show and he acted like chism was the best thing since sliced bread. sounds like hype now.
todd grantham
January 28th, 2010
8:45 pm
you remember juan eichlegburger?
Bill
January 28th, 2010
8:45 pm
Maybe Miller might have to get a few minutes now with Iman has 4 fouls.
bhamwreck
January 28th, 2010
8:46 pm
This team should be top 5 in 4 weeks. They have all the tools. Udofia needs to get a little more under control and Favors needs to gain a bit of confidence.
Baba O'Riley
January 28th, 2010
8:46 pm
What else would he use for a bank shot?
SamInAtlanta
January 28th, 2010
8:47 pm
tech’s best all around game by far!!
Technophobia
January 28th, 2010
8:47 pm
OMG, Bell actually used the glass for a bank shot. You hardly ever see anyone do that anymore even though it’s a higher percentage shot from the wing.
GT3O
January 28th, 2010
8:48 pm
GT shooting ~69% from the line tonight. Much better than last at FSU.
Technophobia
January 28th, 2010
8:49 pm
Duke will be a BIG test. They are starting to kick some butt again.
todd grantham
January 28th, 2010
8:50 pm
Jeff, sorry on juan. missed your earlier response. but dont let that shake your confidence in me as a coach. best, todd
ThreeRickey
January 28th, 2010
8:51 pm
Where is Paul Hewitt during all this Jeff?
Baba O'Riley
January 28th, 2010
8:51 pm
Was walking behing a guy wearing a Tech shirt down here in West Palm Beach. I called out “What’s the good word?” without even turning around he knew the answer.
bhamwreck
January 28th, 2010
8:53 pm
Usually when you hesitate as long as Oliver did on that 3, you miss it.
todd grantham
January 28th, 2010
8:54 pm
Jeff, you will let us know when you post the game column?
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
January 28th, 2010
8:56 pm
Why didn’t the shot clock reset on the change of possession?
Technophobia
January 28th, 2010
8:57 pm
bhamwreck, part of the hesitation was squaring up to the basket which always helps, otherwise I agree.
Baba O'Riley
January 28th, 2010
9:00 pm
Good time for a technical.
bhamwreck
January 28th, 2010
9:01 pm
thats a nasty looking free throw stroke. Bill Cartwright anyone?
Baba O'Riley
January 28th, 2010
9:03 pm
Moe Miller warming up for the Kentucky State game.
Technophobia
January 28th, 2010
9:04 pm
Good game. Tech BB is starting to be fun again. Go Jackets! Sting em!
StingerSplash
January 28th, 2010
9:06 pm
A huge win. Not a statement game, but a huge win nonetheless. No other way to put it.
Technophobia
January 28th, 2010
9:08 pm
Held Wake to 20 points below their average. Gotta love the D.
Bill
January 28th, 2010
9:09 pm
Give Bradley credit….said Tech would beat Wake easily. Never thought this watching Wake play last few weeks. Best game of year for Tech. Defense spectacular. Offense sharp…and they hit Ft’s.
nebraska jacket
January 28th, 2010
9:11 pm
Any time you beat a quality by 20+ points you know you’ve got potential to do something special. Keep up the good work jackets
Technophobia
January 28th, 2010
9:14 pm
Bill, I agree. Bradley was the first to pick Tech to go far in 2004. I guess those Kentucky boys know their B-ball.
DMWC
January 28th, 2010
9:19 pm
A lot of quality wins getting racked up on the resume: Siena, USC, Charlotte, Carolina, Clemson, Duke, Wake. Seven wins against teams in or around the RPI top 50.
Time to get on board with this team.
Bill
January 28th, 2010
9:25 pm
Please temper your joy….Tech next plays at Duke next week. Today was must win. Tech will be rested, but it’s Durham. Good news is that Tech should win two after Duke ( vs NC ST, at Miami ) before returning to play at Wake. Like how ACC schedules return matches within a month like they used to before the expansion of FSU. But Tech should be flying next Thursday at Duke. Should be fun.
StingerSplash
January 28th, 2010
9:28 pm
And the Thrashers are beating the Flyers in Philly.
will wonders never cease.
Wreckmanaic
January 28th, 2010
9:30 pm
What happened to the UGA crowd ? Did they have to go to bed ? Or are they out collecting money to spring Chris Terry out of jail ? Surely, the dawgs jail bond fund is big enough to handle this little problem.
TXDawg
January 28th, 2010
9:32 pm
It was good to see D-Bell doing work tonight. Good win for the B-Ballin Bees.
Not Disappointed!
January 28th, 2010
9:33 pm
We need this win! Ramlbin Wreck!
Jackets Rock
January 28th, 2010
9:33 pm
Finally put a team away! Wake was dismal from the line, thank goodness we weren’t!!
Really happy for D-Bell. Love Mfon but that was a frosh getting schooled by a senior out there. HUGE WIN!
TXDawg
January 28th, 2010
9:35 pm
Wreckmanaic (learn how to spell your name before you post negative comments on a blog), Chris Terry is over 10 years removed from UGA. I fail to see the relevance.
old Tech fan in NC
January 28th, 2010
9:41 pm
Would have been happy to be in AMC tonight…been years.
Tech held Smith in check for a while but he did get some points later….he is fun to watch when Wake plays someone other that Tech…
Tech won in CH…perhaps (if they play as they did tonight) they can in CI also.
Dreman1731
January 28th, 2010
9:50 pm
Way to go Tech!!!
@ nebraska jacket
January 28th, 2010
9:54 pm
Tech has a good problem….several freshmen playing well. BOliver can/did shoot well and Favors can/did block/rebound well without being a ball hog.
A double ++ Tech got the ball to Favors on an inbound for a score….loved it!
Cheese
January 28th, 2010
11:23 pm
In recent years the defense has been a bit lazy, this year they are in the face of opponents from the tip. I really don’t think Hewitt is a bad coach, the talent he’s gotten just hasn’t filled all the holes to form a complete team, until this year. We have a great frontcourt (maybe the best in the nation) and a young backcourt that is coming together (and can knock down some 3’s) combined with in your face d makes it so they are in every game, They are now 4-3 I think they finish in the ACC at 11-5 tied for first place
We're live from Tech-Wake (and Jackets need to take control … Search
January 29th, 2010
2:34 am
[...] We're live from Tech-Wake (and Jackets need to take control … Tags: acc, basketball-game, forest, georgia-tech, images, plays-host, section Drying Rivers, Wake up before its too late | The Pakistani SpectatorCollege Basketball Betting: Wake Forest at Georgia Tech – Bodog BeatPoll: Wake Forest vs. Georgia Tech – Blogger So DearNo. 22 Ga. Tech bounces back, rips Wake : Sports Daily Fix – daily …Talking Wake, FT shooting, Mfon minutes and more | TechLIVE BLOG: Duke vs. Wake ForestACC Basketball: Wake Forest at Duke – TV Schedule – NESN.comGoogle Considering China Pullout in the Wake of Suspected …College Basketball Odds: Maryland at Wake Forest – Bodog BeatTracking the Terps: Welcome to Wake Forest – Sun reporters blog … View the Contact Powered by Search [...]
Tweets that mention We're live from Tech-Wake (and Jackets need to take control) | Jeff Schultz -- Topsy.com
January 30th, 2010
1:04 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jeff Schultz, Jeff Schultz. Jeff Schultz said: Tech up over Wake 25-22 with 7 mins left in half. We're live blogging. http://bit.ly/aDAkqr [...]