Tech vs. Georgia: Has balance of power shifted in hoops?
Brian Gregory: Can he wake up Tech?
Mark Fox: Got Dogs to tourney quickly.
Because of obvious allegiances, it’s nearly impossible for fans/readers in these parts to debate the merits of Georgia and Georgia Tech — or to be fair: Georgia Tech and Georgia — and remain objective. But here goes:
Loading ...Has the balance of power in college basketball between Georgia and Tech officially shifted to Athens?
I touched on this subject two weeks ago, though it was more from a conference perspective after the SEC earned more spots in the NCAA tournament than the ACC.
I’ll concede these two points on Georgia and Georgia Tech: 1) Mark Fox has coached only two seasons and next year the Bulldogs almost certainly will have to do without Trey Thompkins (who’s expected to turn pro) and possibly without Travis Leslie (who may follow him); 2) As much as the Georgia Tech fan base appears split on Brian Gregory — much like the Dayton fan base was split on Gregory — we have no idea what kind of job he’ll do on The Flats.
Here’s the situation at the two schools:
♦ Georgia: Fox brought Georgia to the NCAA tournament in only his second season. The Bulldogs’ conference record (9-7) was their best in the SEC since Jim Harrick cheated. Harrick’s best SEC record in a season that the NCAA determined he didn’t cheat: 9-7 in 2000-01. Fox energized the fan base and woke up recruiting. We can debate whether the Dogs, who lost in the first round of the tournament to Washington, underachieved this season or not. My view: They did not underachieve. Thompkins, their best player, was slowed much of the season by injuries. He’s the difference in several of those close losses. This also is a program still learning how to win. Fox inherited a team that went 12-20 the previous season and he went 14-17 and 21-12 in his first two years. The arrow: pointing up.
♦ Georgia Tech: Recruits are still drawn to Georgia Tech. We know this because for all of the criticism Paul Hewitt took the past few years, he was able to get talent on campus. Gregory’s success obviously hinges in part on how quickly he can make inroads in the state (and that starts with holding onto Milton High School’s Julian Royal). The Jackets can get better quickly. The ACC is not the powerhouse it used to be. But Gregory obviously has a lot to prove. Hewitt was fired at least in part because he couldn’t win in the ACC. Gregory leveled off in the Atlantic 10. His first two Dayton teams went 22-10 in conference. His next six went 48-48, and only one over .500: 11-5 in 2008-09, when the Flyers went to the second round of the NCAA tournament. Next season, he’ll have to try to get people excited while the Jackets split games between Philips Arena and Gwinnett Arena. The arrow: Uncertain.
So there are the Cliffs notes. Your thoughts? Has one program pulled ahead of the other? I’ve also put up a poll.
By Jeff Schultz
♦
Follow me on Twitter @JeffSchultzAJC; friend me at Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC
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
169 comments Add your comment
GT Dude
March 28th, 2011
1:44 pm
Gregory is an upgrade from Hewitt, just look at the pictures you have been using….
This man is intense and sure as heck won’t just sit on the bench with his face in his hands
Ball has bounced to UGA favor, but Gregory looks like he has the moxy to go get it and bring it back to TECH
Luke
March 28th, 2011
1:49 pm
Actually supersize, I don’t think we lose anyone. I talked to Iman the other day (yes I’m a current student and actually talk to our athletes rather than just sit in my room and play World of Warcraft like some of the UGA posters would have you believe) and he doesn’t seem like he’s too confident about the draft. And I see no reason why Julian would change his choice of college unless Coach Gregory decides to blow that one, in which he will not likely last a couple years. I wouldn’t worry too much about our personnel changes for next year in terms of players.
Felix Millan
March 28th, 2011
1:49 pm
and on the women’s side, nice showing by Andy’s bunch.
JSS
March 28th, 2011
1:52 pm
Well back to the real subject which was not Kenntucky or Kennesaw State. Paul Hewitt was, is, and has been gone nearly three weeks and you folks are still whining. Brian Gregory, Welcome to the “Land of Unrealistic Expectations!”
Now here are realistic expectations. Brian Gregory can coach. You’ll still have a link to the East Coast because of his A-10 tenure. Also, you finally get a toe hold into a area most of you have no idea is as rich as any in America, the I-70 pipeline (between SW Ohio and Southern Indiana). The thing that he’ll have to get into in order to appease the fan base is the higher levels of the GHSA and the pay-for-play GISA schools in recruiting. If he can attract 3 to 4 players from that pool in his first 3 classes, then he’ll stand a chance.
So, stay in front of Maryland, Clemson, Miami, Wake, UVA, FSU, maybe BC, maybe NC State, and then you stand a chance to be in the Tournament. Good luck keeping your current recruits and moreover, keep an eye on your alumni base and the hanger-ons… Just don’t have a feeling that a knife is being thrust in your back (even if it might be)… That doesn’t go over well, the blame game always comes across as paranoia. You have a plate with some ingredients; but the kids that you have are a motley crew.
collegeballfan
March 28th, 2011
1:52 pm
Tough question not easily answered. There are so many variables.
Fox has done a marvelous job at UGA. He inherited a pretty good team & got lucky on Tompkins and Leslie being better than expected. (One must be lucky in this sport – proof is Cremins at GT got lucky on Price and Salley who played way better than expected). Fox must keep the football fans in the stands. If he can do that UGA should be one of the top 4 teams in the SEC behind Ky, Fl & LSU.
Gregory is inheriting a pretty talented bunch. If he can hold Royal and Parks and maybe add another recruit he should be OK. Like UGA, GT should be one of the top 4 teams in its conference behind Duke, NC and Md.
Since 1985 GT has been a basketball program that mattered. The UGA program has never mattered. But it will under Fox.
As of today advantage GT, even with a new coach.
tu87
March 28th, 2011
1:54 pm
Oh Yeah one and done in the NCAA tournament. A lot to live up to.
UGGA
March 28th, 2011
1:55 pm
Gregory is much better looking than Fox. He will get it done!
joe
March 28th, 2011
1:57 pm
Tressel=Pearl…Let’s see if the NCAA give Tressel the same full court press they gave Pearl. If not, hypocrites dem is.
lumberjacket
March 28th, 2011
1:58 pm
The balance of power will never change in this situation more than a year or two. Similar to the situation in football. Tech may swing it for a year or two but Uga will always be the power state school in that sport, just like Tech will always be that way in basketball.
When Tech basketball is winning there is no better place to be than Alexander Memorial (and it will always be called that in my mind) and no harder ticket to get in Atlanta. Tech has had 3 coaches in 30 years and so much more success. Its not seen as a stepping stone for coaches. Its a destination. Whoever is the coach at Tech will recruit the top national talent and get them to come here. That’s been happening for 30 years. Even last year.
I like the hire. As a Tech fan and long time season ticket holder I support it. The reaction from the Tech fan base surprises me. I think we had a better response to the Hewitt hire, because nobody knew anything about him. Its strange.
What’s the reason, he wasn’t our rumored first choice? So what? Brad Stevens wasn’t walking through that door. Is Mooney’s resume really that much better than Gregory? Would Mooney have been a “sexy” hire? Really? Or any of the other Rumored coaches? Martin that went to Tenn? Not even close to the same resume. Shaka Smart? Not even close. Two seasons as a head coach? One magical run. Not saying he won’t be or isn’t a great coach, but he would have been much more of a risk.
I don’t think money was as much an issue as people are making it out to be. I think after a few interviews, DRAD got who he thought was the BEST fit and coach for Tech. Of the realistic candidates.
10 years from now, we will be glad and proud.
JSS
March 28th, 2011
2:09 pm
Felix Millan
March 28th, 2011
1:49 pm
“and on the women’s side, nice showing by Andy’s bunch.”
What a load of junk! The Lady Dogs are the biggest disappointment in college hoops. Landers is still coaching in the 1990’s. He can’t exploit the truly richest women’s basketball region outside of the California. Summitt owns him, and LSU (when they can keep their program clean) wipes the floor with his team… It is time for a change, a great recruiter and even better X and O executor.
TomB
March 28th, 2011
2:15 pm
Tech will always have the better basketball program, because UGA fans and alumni care only about football and that stupid ugly dog(What number are we on now anyway?). I actually feel sorry for Fox because as long as Richt is stinking up the place no one will care what he does in basketball. Tech will fill their place quicker and more often, and will support the new guy starting right now. If Hewitt were coaching at UGA, he would still be there because of the lower expectations. BasketbalL is an afterthought at UGA.
Overtime » Blog Archive » Quick Thoughts on Gregory to Georgia Tech
March 28th, 2011
2:20 pm
[...] Gregory said in his interview that the hiring is still pending final approval from the Georgia Tech president. He expressed optimism about building up a revitalized program in Atlanta. [...]
catdawg
March 28th, 2011
2:20 pm
How can you say the balance of power has shifted to Athens and UGA? The balance of power was already in Athens and UGA. UGA has beat Tech 3 out of th elast 4 years. Seems to me it is already there. GO DAWGS!!
Coach Grohbo
March 28th, 2011
2:22 pm
hogmtn,
We can finish by comparing Georgia’s baseball program to Kennesaw State or Stetson or Furman.
(Georgia doesn’t measure up.)
Be here next year when we compare Paul Johnson’s football program with Georgia’s new coach.
Coach Grohbo
March 28th, 2011
2:26 pm
Considering what both programs have returning next year in hoops, measuring the two midgets is pointless.
Bill
March 28th, 2011
2:28 pm
New Coach has not had time to take his coat off and AJC?Jeff is having a poll on who is best….What a joke Jeff. Give the man time to do something before you and UGA fans try to BS GT and its choice. Most of the hate toward BG is from non-GT fans. I’ve always respected you but I’m beginning to lose it.
lumberjacket
March 28th, 2011
2:28 pm
Case in point Catdog, one of my biggest hangups about Hewitt was his lack of success against the weaker rival program. Much like uga ran thier football coach out of town when he lost 3 years in a row to Tech. I don’t think either fan base will stand for thier school getting beaten consistantly by the other school in what they consider thier stronger sport.
Gatorman
March 28th, 2011
2:29 pm
Power is a year to year thing, so saying it shifted is like saying you know when the end of time is. UGA had a better team this year (maybe a few other recent ones). The question is who will be the best in 3 years when both coaches have some completed recruiting years. Hey I’m still nursing my team’s loss, although I didn’t think they were good enough to go to the final four.
GssiT
March 28th, 2011
2:30 pm
Let’s give UGA credit-Fox can coach. Tech only has one player who could start anywhere else! You call that recruiting talent????? Hopefully, CBG can go back and recruit the midwest ( Ohio-Ind-Pa,etc) Tech has a rich tradition of players from that area. If CBG has a network and a system, GTBB can only go up. We’ve all seen what college BB is like the past 3 weeks and we’re not even close. Go, Jackets!
Jacket Hoops
March 28th, 2011
2:30 pm
The ACC is not the powerhouseit used to be? Do you watch games? I’m sorry but most lower tier teams in the SEC stand around on offense, even worse than Tech. The ACC may not be a powerhouse in the casual sports reporters eyes. But lates face it, there are usually about a half dozen competitive team in the ACC. I can’t think you discount a conference that has the last 2 national champions as a lesser conference. Granted Tech and Maryland are the only others to reach the final 4 from ACC in the last decade. But what do the other conferences have? SEC? Well, Kentucky had to pay 5 million for its success. And with all the Success Tenn had, they never reached the final four. look at what Fla State did to the heralded Notre Dame the part time Big East member. A 2 seed got blown out bad from Fla State, who was given the lowly 10 seed. And they had a better shot at beating VCU than Kansas did. Calling the ACC a power conference no longer is like calling the SEC a power conference no longer if they dont have a team in the BCS final next season. Even Tech beat UNC bad, and they were 11th. UNC was not ranked until the end, but they would have run through the SEC just as easily. Defense is tougher in ACC games as a whole. The SEC now has 1 solid year in and year out power program in Kentucky now. Fla is getting there. Vandy and Tenn can’t turn the corner. LSU is inconsistent. The ACC has 2 of the top 5 coaches in the land. No other conference can say that. Tech has ben down. UGa has mad SEC money so they should do well in all sports. We can’t even afford to field gymnastics and fencing and other things the Athens school can. The allmightly Big East had 11 teams make the dance. Yet the ACC was the ONLY confeerence to have 3 team in the sweet 16. They all lost. The only blowout was Duke. And UNC was still really rebuilding or reloading this year….they made it to the elite 8. I can’t wait to compete again in the ACC but I don’t think the SEC is on par with the ACC, which is really what you are getting at. jsut because UGA made the big dance….without an act of God. We’ll see how they play out. The SEC will pour more money into the coaches than the ACC but they won’t reach the ACC’s level of complete basketball. And that is why the ACC’s deep tournament record is better. Maybe its only the 2 horses that make the ACC great. But how many other conferences have put 4 different teams in the championship game in the past decade? My guess is none. And jsut watch an Old Miss Arkansas game or Bama vs auburn. They stand around on offense. like Hewitt would allow at times. Those teams would get killed in the ACC
How many SEC teams won NCAA games?
March 28th, 2011
2:31 pm
Jeff,
You also said that the balance of power was shifting to the SEC because of its NCAA bids (right before the majority of the SEC teams lost in the first round). It looks like the SEC is becoming the Big Ten rather than the ACC.
Supersize that order, mutt
March 28th, 2011
2:31 pm
Luke, thanks for your insight. VERY GOOD to hear
Supersize that order, mutt
March 28th, 2011
2:35 pm
lumberjacket, I don’t think you can gauge the REAL Tech fan base by what’s been posted here. Most are mutt fans posing as Tech fans to get under out skin. Those few Tech fans who have posted negative comments here need to get in touch with reality. I don’t know if BG is the best we could have gotten, but there is definitely no reason to put him down. His credentials look good enough. Nobody we might have got was GUARANTEED of having success or failure; the same is true of him. Those Tech fans who are not “excited” by the hire need to remember that winning produces excitement; if he wins then what more should anyone want?
Felix Millan
March 28th, 2011
2:37 pm
Exactly my point JSS. I’m tired of seeing the talent leave the State.Pat Summit can change, but Andy has no clue.Poorly prepared and poorly coached in-game.
Supersize that order, mutt
March 28th, 2011
2:37 pm
catdawg, you might want to check the overall series record to see where the balance of power really lies. Every 20 years or so, THUGa will have a half-way decent team for a couple of years. Then the coach, if he’s any good, will move on to greener pastures and more appreciative fans. Or he will get caught cheating and get fired. Of, if he’s no good at all, he will simply languish there till you have to get rid of him. That’s THUGa basketball “tradition” and it won’t end.
Vixzilla
March 28th, 2011
2:42 pm
Jeff – This may be the most speculative load of crap you’ve ever written – come on dude – you’re better than this….arent you?
Matt
March 28th, 2011
2:42 pm
UGA fans don’t care as much about basketball as GT fans. With the recruits Tech gets every year they should be in the Sweet 16 on a yearly basis. They are clearly not an elite team anymore.
Coach Grohbo
March 28th, 2011
2:45 pm
Agreed. ThUGA basketball tradition is to cheat, get put on probation, then hire some cheap clueless coach who runs all the talent off and brings walkons in from the intramurals league to play in front of an empty building.
Delbert D.
March 28th, 2011
2:48 pm
Strangely enough, I’ll simply agree with what DawgInLex has posted to this point, and Supersize’s insight. Now I’m all caught up.
mowreck
March 28th, 2011
2:48 pm
Which school has the better basketball program today? If I voted now, I would vote for UGA and I’m a GT fan. We have yet to see GT’s new coach’s team in action. So, what a stupid question.
headley lamar
March 28th, 2011
2:51 pm
I’ll put it this way, UGA would not have fired Hewitt under similar circumstances
Umm yes they would have and alot sooner too. The money problem wouldn’t have been a problem at UGA
GT65
March 28th, 2011
2:59 pm
Stupid Poll…………..what the he!! you expect Jeff?
Fox had a great year! We just fired Bewitt and got a new coach. Gregory hadn’t even started yet and you ask a stupid question!
hey....
March 28th, 2011
3:01 pm
Tech is the better hoops school…..no question…
Dawglasville
March 28th, 2011
3:03 pm
I was happy to see how civilized this debate started out and then it crashed and burned into the “ThUGA” and “World of Warcraft (glad I don’t know what that is)” thing. I guess the students are getting back from class or just waking up to chime in. Georgia is in better shape today. To say that that our program has surpassed Tech’s is like saying Tech surpassed us in football just because they went to the Orange Bowl two years ago.
DuluthDawg
March 28th, 2011
3:05 pm
The balance of power shifted when Fox came on board at UGA and Tech kept Hewitt. Now that Hewitt is gone no one really knows what direction it will take the GT program. I think many tech alums that I talk to have said they will buy tickets again regardless of the next coach. The issue was more about Hewitt than the program. Now that he’s gone I would expect the fans to return but it will truly be dependent on what Gregory does in wins/losses. If the record is better then he has more potential upside than UGA. If he’s mediocre, then you would have to say that UGA maintains the momentum and superiority.
The fact remains that no one (Dawg or Tech fans) really knows what will happen. This is just a guessing game. Dawgs (like me) are going to remind Tech fans of the recent past and Fox’s accomplishments. Tech fans are going to remind Dawg fans about the coaching change and “wait until next year.” Only time will truly tell. Everything else is just nonsense on this blog.
Coach Grohbo
March 28th, 2011
3:08 pm
headley,
If this were true, then why is Landers and Richt still there?
DuluthDawg
March 28th, 2011
3:10 pm
Agree with your comments Dawglasville. I wish these blogs were more useful than the name calling and mud slinging they usually end up being. I for one am tired of it, which is why you see me rarely on these blogs. Thanks for being a voice of reason though. Go Dawgs!
bascogcjs
March 28th, 2011
3:13 pm
jackethoops, what a bunch of propaganda.
You only posted stats that made acc look better.
wow,tech beat unc with Drew at their helm.
Well, Ga. beat Ky.
You can post all kinds of crap, but the acc is no longer premier.
You have more also-run teams than a lot of conferences.
The truth is the acc is duke and nc and a bunch of mediocrity.
The sec east had better teams than the whole acc.
Oh yea, our worse team, Auburn beat fsu.
Supersize that order, mutt
March 28th, 2011
3:15 pm
A far as I am concerned, and hopefully any TRUE Tech fan will say the same, Gregory is a GREAT hire until he proves differently. He does not have to prove to anyone that he CAN succeed; until, and IF, he doesn’t succeed, then he has my complete support, even though I am no longer able to go to all (or even many of) the games. He should have the same unqualified support from ALL Tech fans.
Dawghater
March 28th, 2011
3:15 pm
Hey Schultz, are you living under a rock. It shifted over the last two years when Hewitt took the program into the tank. I’ll reserve my comments about Gregory until a time after he’s had the opportunity to prove himself. I didn’t see the luster in the hire of Bobby Cremins years ago and he turned out just fine. Everyone needs to chill out and let the man coach!
Jeff Schultz
March 28th, 2011
3:16 pm
Buckeye — Wasn’t suggesting that the expression “balance of power” necessarily means that either program could be deemed as “powerful” at this stage.
Buckeye
March 28th, 2011
3:16 pm
…..for a brain,
There’s one in every crowd.
Jeff Schultz
March 28th, 2011
3:17 pm
The Sham — I thought it was a fair question now because Tech just hired its new coach and, to some fans, a hire can say something about perceived direction.
DuluthDawg
March 28th, 2011
3:21 pm
bascogcjs,
Few people would argue that the ACC has been a traditional powerhouse of basketball. Having a down year (or two) does not erase all of that history. The same could be said for the SEC in football. Comparing wins/losses between individual teams is a waste of time. The best team in the ACC this year was probably Duke (just ask UNC) but they didn’t make it to the Final Four. Neither did Kansas, Ohio State, or Pitt… one bad game in the Tourney will do that!
Jeff Schultz
March 28th, 2011
3:22 pm
JSS — If Tech can “stay in front of Maryland, Clemson, Miami, Wake, UVA, FSU, maybe BC, maybe NC State,” as you put it, NOBODY will have anything to complain about.
Jeff Schultz
March 28th, 2011
3:22 pm
UGGA — “Gregory is much better looking than Fox.” … I will leave that debate to the respect wives.
Jeff Schultz
March 28th, 2011
3:23 pm
How many SEC teams … Are you debating that the SEC was better than the ACC this year?
Jeff Schultz
March 28th, 2011
3:24 pm
Vixzilla — “Speculative”? I’m just laying it out and asking the question.
Stinger2
March 28th, 2011
3:24 pm
Jeff: glad you clarified your use of the word “power” in this article. Niether school is close to being one at this time. A more realistic question: Is UGA now a better basketball program than GT?
reebok
March 28th, 2011
3:30 pm
tech fan here. neither program should be mentioned in the same breath as the word ‘power,’ but that being said, georgia is the better hoops program right now. of course, one year of recruiting could flip that…