Jackets fizzle again, but Radakovich in Hewitt’s corner
Georgia's Gerald Robinson drives past Tech's Daniel Miller for a layup in the second half, and the Bulldogs rallied for a 73-72 win. (AP photo)
For most of the evening, it looked like early December basketball: Missed jumpers, mistimed passes and long stretches of mediocrity interrupted by the occasional highlight.
Actually, if you flipped back the calendar a couple of weeks, it was the Georgia vs. Georgia Tech football game.
In the end, the Bulldogs won this one, too, 73-72 at Alexander Memorial Coliseum. The difference: a 3-pointer by the Dogs’ Dustin Ware that broke a tie with 18 seconds remaining, followed by a Tech team that looked again as if it lacked either a plan or an ability to execute thereafter.
Why would Glen Rice drive the lane for a layup with 6.8 seconds left rather than attempt to set up a three-pointer to tie it?
Why, with the Jackets inbounding the ball with 2.8 seconds left, would Brian Oliver attempt a low-percentage pass the length of the court to center Daniel Miller when there probably was time for a mid-court pass, a dribble and a shot? (The pass was intercepted by Travis Leslie.)
Neither team looked March-ready. Or even January-ready. But only one made plays to win the game, and it wasn’t the Jackets.
Georgia coach Mark Fox wasn’t thrilled with his team’s performance but said: “We feel like we’re leaving here with a good win.”
That’s more than Paul Hewitt could say. Of Oliver’s pass, he said: “Just a [bad] read. The next time he’s in that situation, he’ll make a good decision.”
But an impatient fan base isn’t allowing Hewitt much room for error. This was only the second time in 16 years since the Tech-Georgia game was shifted back on campus that the home team lost. Both times, the Dogs have won at Alexander. The last time: 10 years ago in Hewitt’s first season.
The masses aren’t happy on North Avenue. That’s when there are masses. It doesn’t speak well for the feeling around the program when there are 2,000 empty seats in a 9,000-seat arena.
But before the game, Tech athletic director Dan Radakovich stood up for Hewitt.
“We went to the finals of the ACC tournament last year,” Radakovich said. “We went to the second round of the NCAA tournament. That wasn’t a bad year.”
So you’re satisfied?
“You’re never satisfied unless you win it all,” he said. “But there was significant progress over the previous couple of years. I feel like we’re going in the right direction.”
He said he’s aware of the concern over the direction of the program, adding: “I’m not oblivious to it. But Paul and I talk an awful lot about where the program’s going the next couple of years, bringing in some players that we think will [not leave early]. One-and-dones aren’t bad if you understand them from the beginning. It’s the ones who leave when you don’t expect it that really put the program behind the eight ball.”
Three weeks ago the Jackets lost at Kennesaw State. That left the impression the program was under the eight ball, not behind it. (If the loss wasn’t humiliating enough, consider that the Owls are 0-5 since.)
Radakovich, with a slight smile: “Yeah, we hit a bump at Kennesaw State.”
A bump?
“OK, a pothole. A crevice. An iceberg.”
It pays sometime to have a sense of humor when the barbarians are at the gate. But this end-of-game fizzle won’t help Hewitt’s cause.
The teams shot a combined 25-for-62 in the first half. Georgia at least had an excuse. Leslie sat for most of the half with two early fouls. When he returned in the second half, so did some semblance of flow to the Dogs’ offense.
They made five consecutive three-pointers in one stretch. They finally took their first lead at 48-47 on a three-point shot by Sherrard Brantley with 11:36 remaining. The Jackets fought back. Effort wasn’t the issue, execution was. But that has become a familiar sight.
– By Jeff Schultz
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489 comments Add your comment
Shreveport
December 7th, 2010
10:13 pm
We’re keeping the Dairy Queen open late to serve you!
moboman
December 7th, 2010
10:13 pm
Was that Udofia in the game again against Ware? Left him open for a 3. Why????? Great defense Mfon. Good choice of defensive personnel CPH.
suwaneedawg
December 7th, 2010
10:14 pm
Best thing for UGA is for tech to sign Hewitt and Johnson to..let’s say, 10 year extensions on their contracts. Yeah, that would be swell.
Dawg Just Havin' Fun at Techsters Expense!
December 7th, 2010
10:14 pm
42-34
42-34
42-34
42-34
9 out of 10!!!!
9 out of 10!!!!
9 out of 10!!!!
9 out of 10!!!!
73-72
73-72
73-72
73-72
Two in a row!!!
Pope UGA XXIII
December 7th, 2010
10:15 pm
Little bit more relevance to the “We run this State” comment
in the basketball rivalry here.
Look for Mark Fox to dominate this series as long as the
current Tech coach is on the payroll, but we might be somewhat
more competitive in roundball nationally this year.
Regardless, it’s always fun to watch the Techites yank defeat
away from the jaws of victory. Great pass at the end, guys !!!
It ain’t gonna be pretty when “DOOK” gets hold of them
Attention GA Tech fans
December 7th, 2010
10:15 pm
Try using spell check!
suwaneedawg
December 7th, 2010
10:15 pm
Hey hypocritical, we heard you the first time and care about the same the second post. Your opinion is like tech sports, useless.
buzzingmad
December 7th, 2010
10:15 pm
Take it to the bank: Hewitt is gone after this year, and the Jackets will be bringing in a BIG name coach from Louisiana. It’s already being negotiated. As for this loss, it was a joke. Our team is now #3 (maybe #4 or #5) in the state. Based on the math I took, that is not good.
Biff Pocoroba
December 7th, 2010
10:16 pm
We get to play Savannah State for fourth place in the state on Saturday. Hopefully some students will make signs that say “DRad, all we want for Christmas is a real basketball coach”. This clown must go as evident by all of the boos when Hewitt was announced before the game.
JacketMan
December 7th, 2010
10:16 pm
FIRE PAUL HEWITT!!! This is getting old, come on now, get with the program.
The ACC aka the Big One & The Little Eleven
December 7th, 2010
10:17 pm
The ACC only has one good team this year and that team is great! The other 11 ain’t much! And GA Tech is at the bottom of them all!
Jacketboy
December 7th, 2010
10:17 pm
Got a chance to listen to the game on the internet tonight at the Shang-hi alumni club. Very disappointed crowd here tonight, but the Kung Pao Chicken was excellent.
moboman
December 7th, 2010
10:17 pm
Cant wait for the ACC to start.
Gambler
December 7th, 2010
10:18 pm
I’m taking the safe bet. I’m betting Savannah State will beat GA Tech. Everyone else in Georgia has!!!! LMAO
Sanford Drive
December 7th, 2010
10:19 pm
2009: (((((30-24))))) (((((73-66)))))
2010: (((((42-34))))) (((((73-72)))))
Understand that math you calculus NERDS????
Where are the Tech fans?
December 7th, 2010
10:19 pm
Georgia Tech has the most fair weather fans anywhere. Why don’t any of you show up and support your team? Maybe Tech should abolish athletics all together since there is no fan support.
Doug the Jacket
December 7th, 2010
10:20 pm
Blewitt
Ty
December 7th, 2010
10:21 pm
Didn’t see the game . . because I had ANYTHING better to do!! An avid b-ball fan that had my fill about 3 years ago with the shortcomings of Paul H (as we used to say about Ray Goff . . . “He’s a nice guy, he JUST CAN’T COACH!”).
Boise Dawg, are you REALLY a true bull-dawg fan? I mean, you’ve place a rational, well-written, post to a blog that usually evolves into a pi##ing contest amongst the ‘blog idiots’ who spend more time trying to throw worthless jabs at each other vs. discussing the article written. THANK YOU for a lucid post (I usually don’t get this far down in the blogs before realizing there will be no real discussion).
GTBob
December 7th, 2010
10:21 pm
There is one thing I don’t get with DRad. Even if he somehow truly believes that Hewitt can turn it around, why even bother. Hewitt has to be the most hated coach in America among its fanbase. Why keep a guy around that almost all of the fans want gone? Its either the money or DRad really is clueless.
2 n 10
December 7th, 2010
10:21 pm
buzzingmad,conyersjacket are ya’ll meeting at the blue oyster bar later?like those names boys.
hind tit
December 7th, 2010
10:22 pm
Better watch where you step lot dog crap in that corner.
re: Where are the Tech fans?
December 7th, 2010
10:22 pm
The only visiting team in Athens this year that brought fewer fans than Georgia Tech was Idaho State. Even Louisiana-Lafayette brought more fans than Tech!
I wonder how many potential recruits noticed the lack of fan support and the fact that GT can’t even sell out a home game in their really small football stadium. Heck, it looks like they can’t even sell out a basketball game!
Sanford Drive
December 7th, 2010
10:22 pm
If I were a Tech fan (Thank GOD I’m not) I would balme the original St. Simons…….
Karma sucks doesn’t it!!!!
(((((30-24)))))
(((((73-66)))))
(((((42-34)))))
(((((SHREVEPORT)))))
(((((73-72)))))
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
St. Simon's Daddy
December 7th, 2010
10:23 pm
I am looking for my boy. Has he been here? Great win in the “Nerd Dome” . He must be doing his research fot eh Advocare Bowl in lovely Shreveport. Seems he was bashing the Dogs last year for the bowl game and now look what has happened. I bet pocket protectors are flying with little boys pitching fits right now. Just wait to Fox has a couple of good recruiting seasons. Tech has more talent in b-ball but gets beat. Fox is 2-0 against the North Ave. Trade School. You must admit it my son, UGA owns you. 9 out of the past 10 in football and two straight in B-BALL. Pay backs are a b*tch ya know.
Gatorman
December 7th, 2010
10:23 pm
Rad is behind Hewitt until his contract is up, and well there won’t be another one.
DAWG
December 7th, 2010
10:24 pm
42-34
73-72
Enough said.
realist
December 7th, 2010
10:24 pm
Tech fans will be back in mass when the incompetence is eliminated.
Too painful to watch this same show over and over.
college football
December 7th, 2010
10:25 pm
The humiliating loss to Kennesaw St. and now this beatdown by the Georgia Bulldogs confirms what a second fiddle program the Georgia Tech BLOWFLYS are….excuse be third fiddle. The exit sign has now been shown to Hewitt, like i predicted.
In Athens
December 7th, 2010
10:25 pm
it’s 73-72 and all is well !!!
Biff Pocoroba
December 7th, 2010
10:27 pm
Conyers Jackets must be Mrs Hewitt. She was the only one smiling in the Tech section tonight since she knows that she is about to get $7 million. I wonder what she bought Dave Braineless for Christmas this year.
GT is a 4th rate high school team
December 7th, 2010
10:28 pm
Oliver thought he was Cam Newton and threw a Hail Mary. hahahahhaahhahahahahaha
hiveredtech
December 7th, 2010
10:28 pm
GT wins this game…and many others…if they had no coach at all. Hewitt is a complete joke…and anyone who thinks the program is heading in the right direction is an idiot.
GT basketball stock is a SELL SELL SELL….going down faster than MCI !
Sanford Drive
December 7th, 2010
10:29 pm
but….. but….. i mean….. um….. well we….. um….. have baseball right???
-Tech NERD
wrecked
December 7th, 2010
10:30 pm
next loss will be the bowl game.
Reggie Tinch
December 7th, 2010
10:30 pm
Will GT fans turn on CPJ next year when GT goes 5-7 like they are against GPH this year???????
Sanford Drive
December 7th, 2010
10:30 pm
And TO HELL WITH GEORGIA TECH!!!!!!!!
GT Fan
December 7th, 2010
10:31 pm
If Drads don’t fire Hewitt at the end of the season they will lose this fan for life. I’ve been a fan since 1959 and I’ll be damn if I’ll support a program that support Paul Hewitt. Drads you are not a true GT fan but I am…get your shit together.
Sanford Drive
December 7th, 2010
10:32 pm
I’ll be honest as can be…..
I was worried about this game. Not for the fact of UGA winning or losing… but i did NOT want the Tech “bretheren” to have ANY leverage in ANY conversation on these blogs.
You KNOW if Tech won by a single point, they would have thrown it back at ANY football conversation or smack talk we would have had.
Going to be a GREAT Winter, Spring, and Summer Dawg fans!!!!!!!
THWGT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RomeDawg
December 7th, 2010
10:32 pm
We got lucky to get out of there with a win. Why can college roundballers not hit free throws? It is a good win and I think it may be one of the many nails that will bind the coffin of Hewitt. I know he almost got them to the promised land a few years back but they have REALLY struggled the last few years and the start to this year has been miserable. Good luck the rest of the year jackets, but I think without a coaching change your are looking up a average.
GTBob
December 7th, 2010
10:34 pm
@Reggie Tinch
Turning on CPH this year? We turned on Paul Hewitt a long time ago. Try to keep up.
GT Fan
December 7th, 2010
10:35 pm
where did my blog go?
GT Fan
December 7th, 2010
10:37 pm
I’ll pray for you Stanford..God loves you.
Rodney Dangerfield
December 7th, 2010
10:37 pm
I, like alot of Tech fans, lost interest in the basketball program about three years ago. Basketball was my first love. It is rather sad. Like having to shoot Ol’ Yellar
Sanford Drive
December 7th, 2010
10:38 pm
Thanks GT Fan!!!
I’ll pray that you find an Athletic Department before the 2011 School Year!!!!
St. Simons's Therapist
December 7th, 2010
10:38 pm
St. Simons has been in a mental institution since 2009 – (30-24) …..how long will the taunting continue….he only had one season to celebrate…..awwww…nobody cares…..
GT Fan
December 7th, 2010
10:39 pm
agree Rodney. The past is gone.
DawginTX
December 7th, 2010
10:40 pm
Paul Hewitt is darn near unfirable. His contract rolls over every year so that he always has 6 years left and if Tech ever decides not to extend his contract, they owe him at least $6.8M. That’s tough for even the most well-healed program, but given Tech’s recent budget cuts in the athletic department, Hewitt will be around for a long time.
GT's QB Coach
December 7th, 2010
10:40 pm
Brian Oliver can throw the ball farther and more accurately than Nesbitt and Washington….
GTBob
December 7th, 2010
10:40 pm
Sanford Drive, were you really that worried that Tech fans might talk trash on a blog and you might get your feelings hurt? Internet words really aren’t that scary.
Sanford Drive
December 7th, 2010
10:40 pm
EVen if a coaching change happens, do Techie fans REALLY think that improvements will come over night?????
UGA went 14-17 last season and considered that progress. What wil Tech consider progress after this TEMOLTUOS season?? 10-21????
and TO HELL WITH GEORGIA TECH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!