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
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169 comments Add your comment
hogmtndawg
March 28th, 2011
12:30 pm
You should start by comparing Tech to Kennesaw State.
DawginLex
March 28th, 2011
12:32 pm
Right now yes but it could change depending on how successful Gregory is.
As we have seen in this tournament, there are no great teams.
1 good solid recruiting class of 4 and 5 star players can get you a great season.
Buckeye
March 28th, 2011
12:33 pm
Neither.
Tech has a short-lived history and a new coach.
Uga had Howard ( before I was Trey in the NBA).
Tech has some advantage because they play Duke and UNC twice a year.
bulldog_keith
March 28th, 2011
12:33 pm
first
Buckeye
March 28th, 2011
12:37 pm
DawginLex,
Good to see you. Not sure if you saw my congratulatory post over the weekend.
We picked a bad night for a 32.8% shooting performance. Harrelson kept Sullinger in check. Calipari game-planned well.
Silver lining is Sullinger is coming back.
Sorry in a way that it’s UK or UConn vs. Cinderella or Cinderalla B.
Either way, look forward to next Sat.
Buckeye
El Bravo
March 28th, 2011
12:37 pm
I think this is a tad premature. Tech has had a pretty solid program even with Hewitt; specially on the recruiting side. I’ll put it this way, UGA would not have fired Hewitt under similar circumstances. They would have been more than happy with his record. Give Gregory two years and then we can talk…
Ohio-on-the-Gulf Dog
March 28th, 2011
12:37 pm
We beat Kentucky in the same year the Wildcats are in the Final Four!
An amazing transformation of Georgia’s basketball program since my days in the Classic City.
@ss clown journalists
March 28th, 2011
12:39 pm
Can you post a poll as to which ajc writer is more of an @ss clown: Schultz or Bradley
El Bravo
March 28th, 2011
12:41 pm
Heck, if you just look at the two returning classes and Tech is certainly stronger; they just need to be coached up…
hogmtndawg
March 28th, 2011
12:43 pm
State Rankings for B-Ball:
1. UGA
2. Norcross HS
3. Milton HS
4. Kennesaw State
5-Tie: GT/Georgia State
BillS
March 28th, 2011
12:49 pm
Neither Bradley or Schultz deserves a slam from a clueless booster whose opinions about the subject at hand — none expressed here — are worthless. From one bkb fan who has neither ties to UGA or GT, I’d agree on the current state of the programs. Too early to judge Tech’s new coach, and those who are after him already forget that Georgia fans were screaming about Fox when he was hired. Now he seems like a very good hire; the new guy at Tech might prove to be, although he’s got a lot of work to do with recruiting in this region and getting the fanbase turned on.
GTBob
March 28th, 2011
12:50 pm
Last year GT went to their conference championship game, and went to the 2nd round of the NCAA tournament. Most GT fans thought this was a mediocre result with the talent we had. UGA gets knocked out of the SEC tournament early, and loses in the first round of the NCAA tournament and their fans are ecstatic. Because of that it’s hard to claim any shift in power. Especially when most UGA fans really don’t care either way.
DawginLex
March 28th, 2011
12:51 pm
buckeye,
Calipari is underrated as an x’s and o’s guy but his motivation is top notch.
I thought Harrelson would offset Sullinger so that would be a push. Plus it is a senior agaisnt a freshman. You can’t teach age.
Liggins guarding Craft was also another way to neutralize OSU’s flow and it worked. It also helped that OSU was off, especially Buford.
I was amazed that UK beat UNC. When Henson got into foul trouble, that was the difference.
Now that have to play Uconn and I don’t know if Liggins can guard Walker.
Should be fun.
Hey, at least you can concentrate on spring practice now.
BigGAdawg
March 28th, 2011
12:52 pm
As a Dawg I want to say yes the momentum has shifter in our direction. However, we know well the impact of bringing in the right Coach can have on turning a troubled program around and energizing the fan base. Hopefully the head start we have from the last two years will continue to give us an edge for a while to come. I am confident that Mark Fox will continue to improve and build the UGA program.
Go Dawgs! Woof Woof Woof !!!
YoungDawg
March 28th, 2011
12:53 pm
YES! UGA with Mark Fox is the better program right now! This & the TN hire should help us in getting GA talent to go to UGA! Gregory is not an upgrade at all! They just brought in a different guy (voice) who runs a different system. Hewitt was more successful in the mid-majors so maybe this is even a downgrade! He was crumbling under the pressure at Dayton so your hiring him to coach in the ACC & recruit against a on the rise UGA & possibly GA ST?!? Right now I’ll have to say this hire is good for the Dawgs & frankly I’m more concerned about the new GA ST HC on the recruiting trail. Just WOW! GO DAWGS!
powerhouse?
March 28th, 2011
12:53 pm
Guys leaving early surely is a bummer and can drastically change a program. Seemingly the only way to counter is just “draft” a few more that might leave early. Some type of cycle, huh?
Supersize that order, mutt
March 28th, 2011
12:54 pm
THUGa has never been relevant in basketball and never will be. WHY? Because nobody cares. If Fox IS any good, which he might be but really hasn’t proven yet, he will be gone within 3 years. If he’s not any good, he will be fired or just allowed to continue the tradition of mediocrity in Athens. And to Ohio-on-the-Gulf, even with Hewitt, Tech SOUNDLY beat UNC in a year they made it to the elite 8. Doesn’t speak to highly for either UK or UNC that the two Georgia schools beat both of them.
DawginLex
March 28th, 2011
12:57 pm
to put things in perspective, here will be your pre season b-ball rankings next year
1.)Kentucky
2.)North Carolina
3.)Duke
4.)Kansas
5.)Butler
UGA and GT will be nowhere in sight of the top 25 much less the top 5. Both are capable of getting into the top 25 but neither is a national contender.
Buckeye
March 28th, 2011
12:58 pm
DawginLex,
Spring practice starts Thursday. Aticles in Columbus discussed now we can no longer focus on basketball and we’re in for months and months of Tressel questions in the news.
Oh well.
I won’t discuss Calipari’s vacated wins if you don’t discuss Tressel’s! Deal?
DawginLex
March 28th, 2011
12:58 pm
supersize, I’d say it speaks more to the fact that there were no great college basketball teams this year.
BigGAdawg
March 28th, 2011
12:59 pm
Saying “First” = A desperate cry for attention and affirmation.
If you say it on one of MB’s articles he will say “Kudos.” Most people think this an attaboy type of comment. Actually Kudos is from the ancient Sumerian and means, “You simpering sucky LOSER.”
DawginLex
March 28th, 2011
1:01 pm
It’s funny because the UK folks hated Coach Cal but now defend him to the nth degree.
I have studied a lot about Cal and it appears that he was a victim of two kids who made bad decisions under his watch. You can argue all day if he knew or not and no one but Cal, Camby and Rose and God will ever know. I do know that Memphis asked the NCAA about Rose and the NCAA ruled him eligible through the Clearinghouse and let them play the season, go to the FF and then vacate all the wins.
Kinda seems like a raw deal to me.
Tana
March 28th, 2011
1:01 pm
I think that the power has currently shifted to UGA. Fox was able to come in an almost instantly get a five star recruit in Caldwell-Pope, and remember…as much love as we have for Thompkins and Leslie that they are not Fox’s recruits. If one of them runs to the pros, it seems very likely that the addition of Kevin Ware could happen. If both leave and Royal decides to flip his commitment, you are looking at three potential starters that Fox was able to bring in. If Thompkins and Leslie stay, which personally I do not see them as NBA ready, then you are looking at two NBA talented seniors with a back court of Robinson, Ware, and Caldwell-Pope. Fox will be able to develop his big men at a younger age, who are surely to be more mobile than Price and Barnes. Dixon is 6′10″ and can do something Barnes and Price struggled with….DUNKING. Sometimes you just need to be able to go up and put it down. Dixon is long and a shot blocker.
I really think Leslie will be back, and Thompkins should come back. Both showed that they can lose plenty of games despite being the best talent on the court. I think another season could really improve their stock, and both go to potential lottery teams.
As of March 28, 2011 the arrow points to Athens, but we all know how fast things can swing.
Buckeye
March 28th, 2011
1:02 pm
BigGAdawg,
The whole “first” thing is fixed…at least with Bradley.
GTBob
March 28th, 2011
1:02 pm
YoungDawg, he was crumbling under the pressure at Dayton? He has won 22 or more games 4 straight seasons, made the second round of the NCAA tournament and won the NIT. If that is crumbling then is Mark Fox crumbling?
Buckeye
March 28th, 2011
1:02 pm
dawgs,
What the heck happened to Ann Marie and Co. yesterday? The women got shellacked.
Luke
March 28th, 2011
1:03 pm
First.
Luke
March 28th, 2011
1:04 pm
Tana. The only problem is the lack of scholarships, especially with Thompkins and Leslie. I don’t see Julian flipping his commitment, nor do I see him coming back just to sit behind Thompkins.
Bryan G.
March 28th, 2011
1:05 pm
I remember being disappointed in the Mark Fox hire, so I would tell Tech fans (and really everyone) let’s wait and see.
Ted M
March 28th, 2011
1:06 pm
Trey Thompkins should stay. I think he could go undrafted.
As far as programs go UGA has the early lead.
JasonGT
March 28th, 2011
1:06 pm
People in the rest of the country regard GT as having off years when we don’t do well. The same people consider it a fluke for UGA to make the tournament. UGA is a better team than GT right now, but as a program GT is established while UGA is building. I’m not saying GT is a top tier team by any means but in the national spotlight we’re known for our basketball much like a Georgetown team: capable of greatness, usually just good, but sometimes awful.
Luke
March 28th, 2011
1:07 pm
Trey Thompkins will definitely leave. He’s still a first round draft pick, and plenty of teams will go after hime. As for Leslie, he needs more defining. He’s a raw talent that can jump through the roof of a building. He’s just got to develop his shot.
Ted M
March 28th, 2011
1:07 pm
UGA did underachieve this season.
I don’t know anything about Brian Gregory but his record scares me.
Basketball Fan
March 28th, 2011
1:08 pm
Paul Hewitt’s record the last two seasons: 36-31
Mark Fox’s record the last two seasons: 35-29
Tech fired the former and UGA is ecstatic to have the latter. I don’t get what all the fuss is about.
DawginLex
March 28th, 2011
1:09 pm
Ted, I didn’t think UGA underachieved. I thought they lost some tough games at home that could have gone their way.
Going 21-12 and 9-7 in the SEC and getting into the NCAA’s is about what we all hoped for. Anything over that would have been icing for me but that’s just my take.
DawginLex
March 28th, 2011
1:11 pm
basketball fan, I hope you are kidding right?
Hewitt headed down
Fox went up
Tech in the toilet
UGA building a program almost from scratch
It Ain't Rocket Science
March 28th, 2011
1:13 pm
I am a big, big, UGA sports fan, but I do not believe for one second that a couple of down years shows one team to be better than another. I am not even sure UGA belonged in the tournament this year. They showed a serious lack of teamwork when they needed it most. Tech. has had a couple of down years because they kept their coach for a couple of years too long and gave him a dream buyout that got sweeter each year. Let’s see how they do with their new coach hire. This state is for sure talent loaded for BB so I can see Tech. being back up there in a few years. Hopefully, the tech. fans will show their nbew coach a little patience and realize it will take a couple of years to build this team back up.
I think the ACC will almost always be a better conference most years, and tech. used to compete pretty good in the conference.
Buckeye
March 28th, 2011
1:19 pm
Schultz,
Balance of “power” between the two?
Tech and UGA are currently mediocre programs. That’s not to say one or the other might have a run at some point. But, the true “power” in their respective conferences rest with FL/ KY and Duke/UNC.
Regardless of coach or the latest one and done recruit, neither will compete with Donavon, Calipari, Coach K or Roy Williams.
Your question is moot. Or, as Clinch may say, “mute”.
mgdawg
March 28th, 2011
1:19 pm
Personally I don’t see how this is even a discussion right now. UGA is on its way up and the past two years have already passed tech. The new guy at tech might turn the program around, but as for right now, uga is definitely ahead.
Ozzy
March 28th, 2011
1:23 pm
Hopefully he won’t sit on the bench with his face in his hands, call time outs to kill our own momentum, be able to teach an in bounds play where we won’t have to cross our fingers, and be able to find someone that can coach free throws.
If he can do those four things and graduate his players, we’ll be headed in a positive direction.
The Sham
March 28th, 2011
1:24 pm
@Schultz – Is this article 6 months old or something? I mean there was room to debate such an angle if you were talking about UGA vs GT at the beginning of the season. Needless to say it but, #&!! Yeah we own this state (right now anyhow, but NOW none the less).
Seriously, when I saw the headline, I thought you were going to try and make the case that this new hire was an swinger back to the Techies… I was going to ask who your supplier is, bc he gave you bad stuff brother!
Not to sound like too rabid of a DAWG, but seriously???
Luke
March 28th, 2011
1:27 pm
Buckeye, you may be right about the SEC but I completely disagree about UNC owning the conference. I think between Miami, VT, UNC, Duke, FSU, BC, and Clemson, you have a pretty good spread. The ACC certainly showed they were better with the 4 teams they put in the tournament than the Big East did. All I’m saying is that though Duke may seem to be the power, the ACC is certainly nothing to be trifled with up and down. Ask UNC, who made it to the Elite Eight and got stomped by the “beleaguered program” by 30 in the regular season.
The Sham
March 28th, 2011
1:31 pm
@DawgInLex 1:11PM – Amen brother. He’s painting the picture he wants to with his narrow minded focus.
The cupboards in Athens weren’t completely bare, but CMF didn’t have much beyond the main entrees. As evidenced by our late season/late games collapses. Depth is the issue this year’s recruiting will provide.
That being said, CBG and the Techies have a chance to be really good next year if some that talent can return and gel under his new system. We Dawgs know all to well what a new coach can bring to the table. Especially a good one!
Supersize that order, mutt
March 28th, 2011
1:36 pm
The question is how many, if any, Tech players bail. Shumpert (sp?) might but would be crazy to do so now. I don’t see any others leaving. Will our current commitments remain or change? No way of knowing at this point. But if all current players and recruits stay the course, Tech has more than enough talent to succeed with any half-way decent coach. The fact that Hewitt couldn’t mold them into a team speaks volumes about his inability to coach.
The Sham
March 28th, 2011
1:38 pm
@Kristie Reiken – Come on and open your comments section. I want to tell the world about my disdain for Coach Andy Landers. His tenure peaked when the Miller twins graduated! It’s time for a change there Greg McGarity! To get doubled up in BB is hard to do, even in women’s BB… Let alone on a “national”
stage such as the women’s Sour 16!
To paraquote CAL – “We like the players we have, but we need more depth, more explosive players, more WHATEVER…”
What have you been doing for the last 137 years you’ve been the coach here?
What we need is a new Coach who can recruit those type of players! Wake up Greg McGarity and can that ham!
A buckeye for a brain
March 28th, 2011
1:39 pm
OSU goes down in each tournament – both times to an SEC team. Sounds about right. Makes them moot, and should make their supporters mute.
BYRDDAWG
March 28th, 2011
1:40 pm
I’m just glad that there’s a debate now! At least Coach Fox has us headed in the right direction & we’re actually talking about hoops in March……Usually the topic is spring football practice! GO DAWGS!!!!!
Decepticon
March 28th, 2011
1:41 pm
Not sure how hiring Gregory is an upgrade over Hewitt yet. I will have to see in the next couple of years what he brings to the table.
Julian Royals Daddy
March 28th, 2011
1:42 pm
Hey…I still have to give my approval. Where are we sitting at the press conference?
DMR
March 28th, 2011
1:42 pm
Both schools are wait and see. Hewitt could recruit. He couldn’t coach. We know Fox can coach. It looks as though he can also recruit. We just don’t know for sure. Georgia will surely take a big step backward without Thompkins and Leslie. Georgia’s bench was non-existent for the most part; lacking any real depth.
I think Tech takes a step forward with renewed energy and a different message. They have talent, so doesn’t Gregory find himself in a similar situation as Fox when he stepped in? Actually, from a historical perspective of success, Fox had and to some degree still has a tougher job. Fox must prove that he is not a one trick pony or some will try to run him off like Hewitt.
I think Fox is the real deal. Gregory? Who knows for sure? Balance of power? A few more season will be the only thing to bear that out.
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…
Jim Bob
March 28th, 2011
3:30 pm
Um let’s see the great Fox has won 0 postseason games in two years, the most recent season of which he had two NBA 1st round talents on his roster. Can we please stop anointing him as the next John Wooden. Heck Paul Hewitt won a NCAA tournament game in the last two years lol.
Georgia Tech has 16 NCAA tournament appearances including two Final Fours. Georgia Tech has a dozen players in the NBA. There’s no comparison between the two programs in basketball. Schultz is just trying to stir the pot, keep sucking up to Fox’s jock strap and see where that gets you.
VA DAWG
March 28th, 2011
3:35 pm
I think its a little early to say there is a shift in power…neither have showed any power over the last few years. I would agree that the momentum has shifted to Athens, but CMF’s ability to recruit quality players to Athens will be the determining factor. The 2011 class looks solid, but I believe the 2012 class is very crucial to the future success of this program. If he is able to bring three or more high quality players to the roster, he very may well provide a Dawgnation will a top 25 program. The next 12 months will show which program has obtained the shift in power. GO DAWGS!
Sammy Dawg
March 28th, 2011
3:39 pm
We will be in the final four next year. I would say the balance of power has shifted.
BYRDDAWG
March 28th, 2011
3:43 pm
Coach Grohbo, I’m not into calling names as my Tech friend Supersize will atest but are you an IDIOT?
brad
March 28th, 2011
3:43 pm
I’m a Georgia fan and I have issues with Coach Fox believe me. But about this balance of power argument, first what power? Second look at the record betweeen Tech and UGA the last twenty years. UGA leads. I don’t know of a better measuring stick than head to head competition.
The truth is there isn’t really a frog hair’s worth of difference between the two. You could swap jerseys at halftime and nobody would know the difference.
Supersize that order, mutt
March 28th, 2011
3:49 pm
BYRDDAWG, you are without a doubt probably the coolest mutt I know.
Supersize that order, mutt
March 28th, 2011
3:51 pm
That being said, however, BYRDDAWG, I find myself agreeing for the most part with Coach Grohbo. Now don’t you go calling me an idiot too. LOL
GD
March 28th, 2011
3:52 pm
The balance of power has not shifted either way. Neither team has put anything on the scale worth measuring.
GTBob
March 28th, 2011
3:54 pm
How many SEC teams … Are you debating that the SEC was better than the ACC this year?
I think that is easily debatable. You make it sound like a no brainer. The SEC wasn’t very good overall as a conference this year. Neither was the ACC, but you could make an argument for both.
gdawginkalamazoo
March 28th, 2011
3:57 pm
Other than the head to head play I think one of these teams needs to win something else before we can vote one of them off of the island. Of course I like our chances with Coach Fox I think he will keep us moving in the right direction. Tech needs to give there coach a chance. I don’t know why they hired on so quickly though.
gdawginkalamazoo
March 28th, 2011
3:58 pm
their coach……
BYRDDAWG
March 28th, 2011
4:01 pm
Supersize, I was going with his reference to why we haven’t fired Richt or Landers…Richt has a losing season this yr and he’s a goner! Landers just made the ladies sweet 16 only to take a beat down but with his history of making the tourney every yr…he’s almost untouchable! That’s my point in the comparison with phewitt
Supersize that order, mutt
March 28th, 2011
4:02 pm
ok, BYRD. I agree with you on those points. You’re forgiven. LOL
BYRDDAWG
March 28th, 2011
4:10 pm
Supersize, who do you like in the 2 semis?
gdawginkalamazoo
March 28th, 2011
4:12 pm
In those photos, looks like they are doing one of those Budweiser commercials…..Gregory saying “Wasssssuuuppppp!” Fox replies Ssssuuuppppp!
Supersize that order, mutt
March 28th, 2011
4:12 pm
Not sure about VCU and Butler, BYRD. I just wish they were in different regions so they COULD have met in the finals instead of the semis. I HATE UK, and I HATE UCONN, but I guess I’ll pull for UCONN and hope that the winner of the other semi wins it all.
Dawglasville
March 28th, 2011
4:13 pm
Duluth Dawg Keep blogging. The negative bloggers flourish while respectful bloggers do nothing.
gdawginkalamazoo
March 28th, 2011
4:18 pm
Totally off subject but couldn;t they have at least hit Spurrier with a taser when they “fake” arrested him.
BYRDDAWG
March 28th, 2011
4:18 pm
Butler & UK for me…I’m a conference lolalist even to the point of pulling for the Auburn warbuzzards in the NC game against Oregon!! Oh the pain the pain….
Beast from the East
March 28th, 2011
4:18 pm
Can’t really say if the “balance of power” has shifted. UGA obviously took a huge step forward this season while Tech took a step back. One season is too small of a window to gauge something like that. I say let’s give it two more years before we can really judge.
Go for 2
March 28th, 2011
4:19 pm
Jeff:
Mark Fox didn’t underachieve? Boy that’s a ringing endoresement. Fox’s game coaching (note: most strait-shooting people cite coaching as key in close games) was extremely suspect and he’s losing talent (brought in by his predecessor). Can you at least agree to say that if UGa does not get back to March Madness next year, the fox hire is a negative? Also, in assessing Coach Fox, why no mention of all the big leads the team blew this year?
As far as GTech goes, it looks like this was perhaps driven by limited salary budget, maybe Ga Tech is waitin to pay off the Coach Hewitt obligation fully and just take a rider on Coach Gregory.
Most likely both programs will continue to be mediocre as I see no evidence that Fox can recruit or effectively game coach and Gregory’s resume is suspect.
Please stop with the pseudo analysis.
Beast from the East
March 28th, 2011
4:20 pm
BYRDDAWG,
I’m with ya. Either UK (SEC) or Butler (great story and a great young coach).
Supersize that order, mutt
March 28th, 2011
4:30 pm
BYRDDAWG, I know you won’t like me for saying this, although it probably won’t surprise you, but I NEVER pull for an SEC team in any sport. But I’m also not a total conference loyalist either. I would have been happy with either Duke, UNC, or FSU making it to the finals, but if any of them had been up against either VCU or Butler, then I would have ditched any conference loyalty. I wanted Butler to beat Duke last year.
Go for 2
March 28th, 2011
4:35 pm
Jeff:
Reading your comments above. If a hire “…can say something about perceived direction” than you have to say that the Fox hire shows that Georgia is considered a mediocre at best job (especially considering all the in state talent). Coach Fox’s unimpressive recruiting record (2 years of data now) just reinforces this.
Jeff: Please show all the Rivals Top 100 Players from Georgia and let us know where they are going. I think Georgia is getting very few (1 top 20 player I believe).
Bob
March 28th, 2011
4:43 pm
What a joke. GT has had the best program since at least the early 80’s.
Ga basketball is a joke. Look at how thy performed at seasons end.
balance of power?
March 28th, 2011
4:46 pm
uga is a football school. they could care less about hoops.
there is no power in hoops for either school. making a field of 68 teams does not make one a power. making the sweet 16 several times in a decade does. neither school especially uga has done that.
fpice
March 28th, 2011
4:54 pm
Enter your comments here
BYRDDAWG
March 28th, 2011
4:55 pm
WHERE’S HEWITT FAN????? LOL
Dollar Bill
March 28th, 2011
5:01 pm
I see the Aarons logo at the press conference… maybe we are just renting him for a season?
(That was bad.. I apologize)
GT GRAD
March 28th, 2011
5:22 pm
The sheer number of UGA alumni vs. GT alumni who read the AJC will determine the outcome of the poll.
Add in the ridiculous number of UGA fans who did not attend UGA and the results will be way out of whack……….the poll means nothing with regard to which basketball program is “better”; the poll simply reflects how many UGA fans partcipate in the poll vs. GT fans. Come on guys stop drinking the Koolaid!!
ignition
March 28th, 2011
6:06 pm
Dayton fans are jumping for JOY right now..
Player development issues..
Stagnant offences…
How about NO Offences..
2 players transfering..
Mediocre IN CONFERENCE record..
No NBA drafted players..
8 years only 2 NCAA appearances…
I’m Baffled.. What a terrile hire..
swatguy
March 28th, 2011
6:46 pm
I really think the Georgia State hire was better. Tech should have waited for Shaka Smart and Brad Stevens. Unless he hires a “Sharman White” to recruit this most fertile area, he is swimming upstream already.
THE ROCK
March 28th, 2011
6:47 pm
hey gt boob,the DAWGS won the SEC in on yalls home floor . also the DAWGS have a 2 game winning streak against gt .
Buckeye
March 28th, 2011
7:06 pm
First!!!
GTBob
March 28th, 2011
7:06 pm
THE ROCK, most teams win on our home floor and most teams have won two in a row against us. It’s not much of an accomplishment.
dawg4u
March 28th, 2011
7:07 pm
Wow even though we lost in the first game of the NCAA tournament – we “own” the state of Georgia. What do we get for that other than an “attaboy” from all the UGA alumni and fans?
MattMD
March 28th, 2011
7:11 pm
Both teams have been mediocre-to-suck lately so whatever “balance” that has shifted really isn’t much, if anything at all.
Tech has had more recent success but even that is about 7 years ago.
BUZZ 2011
March 28th, 2011
7:38 pm
I would put the Dogs behind Georgia State and Mercer and probably KSU.
Unyil their lucky run this year I recall they were last in the mighty SEC conference
the past few years.. What did they win last year 7 games.. My gosh they were not
even as good as their Dog baseball teams….
GT best by far in state of Georgia
GTBob
March 28th, 2011
7:56 pm
How about this for a stat. The last NCAA tournament game that UGA won that was not vacated by the NCAA was in 1996. 15 years without an NCAA tournament win. GT has won 7 tournament games since then, gone to a final four, and to the national championship. Like I said earlier, UGA is going to have to do a little more then barely make the tournament to turn things around.
KevinM
March 28th, 2011
7:59 pm
gofor2, dead on! It is Year 3 in recruiting and CMF is still looking like he has very few connections to get the best state players available. Was his one success a family relation?
Now, going forward for Tech, they will be fortunate to not play on Day 1 of the ACC Tourney. They have a hill and then some to climb. Don’t expect to be better than anyone but Kennesaw State unless you schedule a game in the dreaded ‘Owl’s nest’. We currently know that Gregory will have some flavor of Big10 brute basketball in him being a disciple of Izzo. Gregory’s Dayton team this past year:
Points per game – 66.5 – 239th overall
Field goal percentage – .409 – 207th overall
Rebounds – 38.5 – 20th
Assists – 14.7- 56th
Does that sound like a high flying offense that has just landed in Atlanta?
Georgia, success is based on returnees and the new guys coming in. You have a lot to replace. They look like they should be better than UT at least and could compete with USCjr for 4th behind FL, Vandy, & the Cats.
It just doesn’t look good in the present for state teams in either power conference. I guess that’s what $1M or so will get you. But I sure would like to see more kids stay in state. It’s like neither choice is as good as anywhere else. Sad.
Bounced Big Time!
March 28th, 2011
8:46 pm
Fire Andy Landers!
DaddyRich
March 28th, 2011
8:47 pm
We need Pokie Chatman to take over the women’s program at Georgia
CrackDaddy
March 28th, 2011
8:58 pm
Just what “power” has been transferred. Are you suggesting that either program is “powerful”?
CrackDaddy
March 28th, 2011
9:06 pm
I’m sorry, but with little exception, any highly-rated player would never choose to play at UGa over Ky, Fl, Duke, UNC, and in most cases Tech. It simply would make no sense in most cases. This is not to say that UGa will never have any good teams. It just means that UGa will always struggle, and that it will never be more than a stepping stone, lest they pay an upwardly-mobile coach premium pay for a long time. Even then, they will have nothing more than a good coach, and at best, an erstwhile good program.
AfghanHoundDawg
March 28th, 2011
9:16 pm
I’m an outsider, but I perceive a much brighter aura surrounding the Tech program than the UGa program. Working on a degree from Tech while playing in Atlanta and in the ACC, just seems a little more alluring for most big-time players than playing BB in Athens for UGa. Now if you love UGa, then playing there makes all the sense in the world. But I don’t see it attracting kids. It’s great for Southern frat boys and girls and other lame brains that populate campuses of UGa’s ilk, but I think that breed is dying out. It’s not as if UGa is a destination, or that it equals a public “ivy”. It is a good university that gets “booby-prize” students from southern states.
JSS
March 28th, 2011
9:39 pm
Just what the Association needs, another combination guard (Shumpert) who has no idea what his strengths and weaknesses are! Scary, this is starting to smell like Crittenden…
sports
March 28th, 2011
9:49 pm
Norcross High School is a better place to play basketball than Ga Tech…they also have a better team.
Coach
March 28th, 2011
10:22 pm
I guess we’re giving Fox a bye on his bone-headed clock management in the tournament?
James Adams
March 29th, 2011
12:17 am
Id like to quickly revisit the ACC/SEC debate and the mythology of the dominant ACC:
Since 1994
Sweet 16 app: ACC-39 SEC-35
Elite 8 app: ACC-20 SEC-20
Final Four app: ACC-15 SEC-12
Championship Game App: ACC-8 SEC-8
Champions: ACC-5 SEC-5
Tournament Record head-to-head: SEC 14- ACC 7
End of story
Paul in RDU
March 29th, 2011
1:07 am
We have another SEC homer chosing 1994 as the start year to compare the SEC with the ACC. Why 1994 since 17 years ago seems like a strange number? Could it possibly be because from 1994 to date is the only time period since the NCAA expanded to 64 teams that the SEC has the same number of championships as the ACC?
If you add on 3 more years to get to 20 years the tally becomes ACC 7 championships SEC 5. Go back to 30 years and the score is ACC 9 SEC 5
Paul in RDU
March 29th, 2011
1:15 am
Since the SEC fans love to post the record in football for the last 10 years, let’s compare the ACC to SEC in b’ball from 2001 to 2010
Championships ACC 5 SEC (aka Florida) 2
Final games ACC 6 SEC 2
Final Four ACC 9 SEC 2
SEC has a chance to slightly close the gap this year with UK
GT has the power
March 29th, 2011
2:33 am
Fox is overrated. His end of game coaching is among the worst in the country. See: game after game this season. GT will continue to have the power and outrecruit the state by far over UGa. All 5 UGa basketball fans will cry together when the realize that Fox is hot garbage.
Hairy Dawg
March 29th, 2011
7:27 am
UGA goning running ownership of state in basketbal just like we doing for football.
C C
March 29th, 2011
9:02 am
Too early to tell for BOTH coaches, though Fox has done pretty well so far. I’m not ecstatic about Gregory’s hire but I’m certainly willing to give him a shot, and am relieved that Hewitt has a chance to try to do better somewhere else. Like most objective Tech fans, I see several things that bode well and several potential red flags.
If you measure ONLY this year, UGA has done better than GT. That’s not enough to proclaim they are the better program. If you go back 5, 10, or more years and look at the body of work, GT is the better program. Yes GT will be without a campus home court, but only for one year season. Then they’ll end up with great BB facilities across the board. It’ll happen soon enough.
Jeff, you suggested that the SEC was better than the ACC right now, essentially based on them getting 5 teams in the NCAAs while the ACC got 4 teams in. A simplistic and selective argument. The ACC was still down, but you are using ONE close statistic.
The ACC had two teams on the bubble who didn’t make it, while the SEC had one. Two SEC teams were out after 1 game, then the Vols lost by THIRTY to an unspectacular Michigan team. Gotta give Kentucky props (and Ashley Judd can ignite the ol’ fan base!), but as the season has progressed, the ACC’s top two have been ranked more highly than the SEC’s top two. It’s been pretty close though.
Meanwhile the middle and lower-tier teams this year were generally better in the ACC. For example: Looking at Sagarin, For EVERY team from 1st to 11th in each of the two conferences, the ACC team has a higher ‘ranking’ than the corresponding SEC…every single one #1 to #11. Only for the #12 team was the SEC team higher: Awful Auburn vs awful Wake.
Yes the ACC was down, but as a conference overall, it was still ranked ABOVE the SEC by every measure I could find. Look up whatever ratings you can find, Sagarin, Pomeroy/Kenpom, average RPI, etc…and compare all of the teams. The ACC was ahead everywhere I looked, but it was certainly closer than usual this year.
C C
March 29th, 2011
9:06 am
“UGA goning running ownership of state in basketbal just like we doing for football.”
Wow. I hope that was some sort of joke:
An daauwgs runn ownershep of grammmar, an soberness 2! An reel smarte poleetishuns!
Now you know: Apparently at least one of the Chick-Fil-A Cows received an English degree from UGA…
It Ain't Rocket Science
March 29th, 2011
10:52 am
Seems like the topic of this blog has been forgotten by a few of the people on here, that hate each others schools. It is, “Has UGA slipped by GT in Basketball”, I beleive. I am a big fan of UGA sports, but I don’t beleive a few down years by one school or another proves some type of dominance by the other school. GT has been traditionally a BB school, by virtue of their record and the ACC. UGA, is the football school by virtue of the SEC and the size of the school alone. I am sure that Tech. has beaten UGA in BB more than UGA has beaten TECH., just as I am sure that UGA has beaten Tech. the majority of time in football. Since I was a teenager, and believe me, that is more than a few decades ago, the ACC has been the power conference in basketball, and every since my early thirties, the SEC has been dominant in football. Things were different when I was younger. I can even remember, when the U.S. Naval Academy finished nbr. 2 in the country with Roger Staubach, but got their butt whippped in the cotton bowl by Texas. The State of Georgia has a rich tradition in college sports, and every Georgian should be proud of that fact. Everybody on these blogs, spends too much time being negative. Georgia sports has enough detractors from just the Alabama, Ohio’s, Tenn. and Florida detractors that come on these boards to insult Georgia college sports teams. Of course, when an AJC sports writer, writes blogs such as this, with the intended purpose in mind, of fueling a debate as silly as this one is, it makes it easier to get schools fan bases going at each other.
The Sham
March 29th, 2011
12:34 pm
@Schultz – Fair enough… I’m not saying UGA is poised for a Final Four run next year, I’m just saying we are on the way up and GT is… well… they just hired a head coach that was mediocre at a mid-level school. Time will tell…
We just agree to disagree. I still love you man!
Kenny Powers
March 29th, 2011
6:44 pm
Good one GT has the power.
Why don’t you see Kennesaw State and 73-72.
Douchenozzle
James Adams
March 29th, 2011
10:57 pm
ACC fans are so funny. If you want dominance, go watch football. If you want to live on the past, keep listening to people like Wes Durham and Billy Packer. Win 6 Championships in a row, quit losing BCS games…and I love how you don’t comment on the 7-14 record head-to-head. 17 years in not some flash in the pan sample size. It’s 17 years!! How many overrated centers have graced the hardcourt at UNC since then? 7-14….SEVEN AND FOURTEEN! Yeah, I wouldn’t comment on that either.
GT75
March 30th, 2011
10:25 am
We’re a baseball school now.
Jim n Buckhead
March 30th, 2011
11:31 am
GT will be better in the long haul when they get the new stadium in place but Im not sure if this new coach is the answer…
Damon Evans
March 30th, 2011
3:28 pm
LOL GT is and its not even close. When is the last time UGA even won a tourney game. UGA basketball reminds me of Northwestern basketball…both prorgames are garbage.
keith
March 30th, 2011
3:43 pm
UGA has the better PROGRAM? Please. Fair to say that UGA has the better team right now, but for them to have had ONE good season and make ONE NCAA tournament in the last decade and for them to suddenly be a better PROGRAM than Tech is ridiculous. People that think UGA is the better program can only base that on the fact that Tech is starting over right now. If Gregory turns Tech around in one year (doubtful), then Tech is without a doubt the better program, and no one will ever look back and say “For one year, Georgia was the better program.” Come on. To be a better program they need to outplay, outcoach, outrecruit, and have better results than Tech for more than ONE consecutive year.
When Tech had the brief upper hand on UGA in football a couple of years ago, did Tech suddenly have the better football PROGRAM? I know exactly what Dog fans would say, and what smart Jacket fans would say. No. Idiot Jacket fans would say yes, just like idiot Dog fans would say yes to this debate.
Howie
March 30th, 2011
3:45 pm
The 1st comment on this page is correct. I would rater compare Tech to Kennesaw State, as their players are not in trouble with the law, which is a problem in the Bulldog nation…….
Gtfan11
March 30th, 2011
4:34 pm
Until Brian Gregory proves otherwise, UGA has the better program. It pains me to say but hogmtndawg may not have been far off base with the state rankings.
1. UGA
2. Norcross HS
3. Milton HS
4. Kennesaw State
5-Tie: GT/Georgia State
Reality Check
March 30th, 2011
4:42 pm
GA Tech has been at the bottom of the list in the NCAA for years at graduating basketball players. They get thugs that can’t read and they only play for 1 year. Why doesn’t Tech try teaching any of their ball players to read?
Atlanta
March 30th, 2011
4:43 pm
UGA whipped Tech the past 2 years and Tech hasn’t even won a game in Athens since 1976. Tech hasn’t been relevant in a over a decade. No one even cares enough to attend their games.
GDBurdell
March 30th, 2011
4:52 pm
tek, tek baseball and tek basketball are huge suck, why even have a stupid survey that pretends otherwise
GDBurdell
March 30th, 2011
4:53 pm
when will tek stop recruiting criminals and thugs who are constantly in trouble with the law??????