Live from Tech-Duke: Something big MIGHT happen
Zachery Peacock claims a carom against the Dookies in 2009. (AJC photo by Pouya Dianat)
Given the run I’m on in 2010 – only in its 10th day! — I hesitate to say anything. But it’s my nature to tell you folks what I expect to happen, and here’s what I expect:
I expect Georgia Tech to play well.
I’m not predicting a GT victory. (As we know, that would guarantee a GT loss.) But any good team that has had to endure the criticism – much of it from this correspondent – after losing to Georgia is all but duty-bound to give a stirring account of itself in its next game. Even if that game happens to be against a team ranked No. 5 in the nation.
Duke is the anti-Tech: Not outrageously gifted but outrageously sound. Its coach is the second-best ever. (Ron Jirsa being the unchallenged No. 1.) But Duke isn’t going to overwhelm the Jackets physically, and they’re past due to play well. And if they’re going to post a victory that will grab the nation’s attention, today’s the day.
But I have, as you also doubtless know, felt that way before. And Tech has won but two of its past 26 games against the minions of K. (The exceptions: At Cameron Indoor Stadium in March 2004, a game that presaged the Jackets’ surge to the Final four, and in January 2007 here.)
I’m here at the Thrillerdome, and already I wonder about the crowd. I saw bunch of folks in blue queued outside. And it is cold outside. But the roads — at least I-75 and 10th Street — are fine. Sidewalks along 10th are still snow-covered, so watch your step. But I’d think if a Tech fan had a hankering to catch just one game this season, the Duke tilt would be it.
Not that I’m in the business of selling tickets. That’s Dan Radakovich’s task, and I see him as I type. And he’s not wearing blue.
With that, I’ll turn it over to Willie Martinez and Sonny Clusters and anyone else who cares to join our shenanigans. And just remember: If Tech wins, I didn’t exactly tell you so. But I did kind of float the balloon.
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362 comments Add your comment
Freddy
January 9th, 2010
1:24 pm
yeee haw. If you ain’t first your last
snapshot
January 9th, 2010
1:26 pm
go Jackets!!!!!!
ugainuvacountry
January 9th, 2010
1:27 pm
ha! first? ok, big deal….LOL
Mark Bradley
January 9th, 2010
1:29 pm
Kudos to you, Freddy.
Buzz Aldrin
January 9th, 2010
1:34 pm
Paul Hewitt can buy another season by beating Duke this afternoon….
Mark Bradley's Fan Club
January 9th, 2010
1:37 pm
I suppose Tech will give a good effort, but I’d be surprised if they won. Tech’s offense reminds me of the Hawks’ offense sometimes (Iso-Joe). Similarly inept offensive coaching.
Though if any team is going to try to one-on-one it the whole season, Tech could do it with Favors and Lawal. Got to start using Favors, though. He’ll be gone in June.
juice soucer
January 9th, 2010
1:37 pm
Here’s to Duke winning by 20!!! There best team in 6 years. Coach K is the best.
Johnson and Tenuta equals Dream Team
January 9th, 2010
1:38 pm
GT fans we all know how hard it is to win at Miami..let me tell you about Tenuta..in 2005..the GT defense held Miami Hurricanes SCORELESS in 2nd half and GT won 14-10! In 2005, defense keyed the Jackets’ road victories at Auburn and Miami in 2005 as Tech allowed a combined total of 80 yards rushing to the two Top 10 teams while collecting 10 sacks and forcing six turnovers. Tech held the Hurricanes to 237 total yards It knocked Miami out of the BCS! In 2007, Tenuta won again in Miami. HIRE THAT MAN! It is a dream team-Paul Johnson and Jon Tenuta
juice soucer
January 9th, 2010
1:39 pm
Duke by 20!!!
Limelight
January 9th, 2010
1:41 pm
Just not seeing it. This team has been coached down Hewitt style. Here’s a prediction: sub 500 ACC.
socaljacket
January 9th, 2010
1:41 pm
Mark, any thoughts on CPJ’s decision to jettison CDW…CPJ is a pretty decisive guy.
Brian Jones Tech fan
January 9th, 2010
1:42 pm
Mark Bradley Something big MIGHT happen? do you have inside information that hewitt is finally going to be fired he is one of the top recruiters in the nation but one of the worst coaches. Fire him now and hire a good coach.
When does tech play ............
January 9th, 2010
1:46 pm
I am a big tech fan and just want my uncle Paul to buy me a ticket and take me to Athens, when Tech plays UGA this year. Um, ah, when does Tech play UGA????
A big tech fan
willie martinez
January 9th, 2010
1:48 pm
well, i could have been first, but i was out delivering a baby.
Opinion
January 9th, 2010
1:49 pm
As much as I liked Tenuta, he was blitz…blitz…blitz…..this will work 50% of the time and the other times we’ll get throttled….lets go young….get somebody from TCU or Boise State to run the D-fense….al groh is a little to old
romebuzz
January 9th, 2010
1:50 pm
athletes vs basketball players = win for duke hope ia ma wrong . go jackets. sting em.
Opinion
January 9th, 2010
1:51 pm
When is Mark Price going to take over the team????????????
At least we could make our free throws with him as coach
Mark Bradley
January 9th, 2010
1:52 pm
Great move by PJ, socaljacket.
drew
January 9th, 2010
1:53 pm
I’m starting to think the best that can happen today would be for Tech to lose by 40 in a half-empty “thriller dome”. Paul Hewitt is a nice guy, with good recruiting skills, and apparently zero ability to coach his team/players up. If he can’t make some noise with this years talent, he needs to go. Maybe the the best thing that can happen this year is for them to fall on their face, simply to force the issue.
The coaching disparity between these two teams today will be GLARING! Just watch the game and see which team seems “coached”. I hope I’m wrong, but I’m pretty sure I’m not.
willie martinez
January 9th, 2010
1:53 pm
Mark, I dont understand the Jirsa line. I know it has to be some kind of jab.
Mark Bradley
January 9th, 2010
1:53 pm
Willie, you’ve been first enough. A couple of more times and we’ll have to retire the trophy. If we had a trophy.
Mark Bradley
January 9th, 2010
1:54 pm
Dookies on the court. Lots of cheers.
Chan Gailey
January 9th, 2010
1:54 pm
I know how to stop offenses from working……Hire me !!!!!!
willie martinez
January 9th, 2010
1:55 pm
But in the piece you did an excellent job of equivocating.
Ekim
January 9th, 2010
1:56 pm
Tech’s best hope this afternoon is that Duke’s flight crew gets preoccupied in the cockpit and doesn’t realize where they are until they are contacted by Ecuador’s air traffic control.
willie martinez
January 9th, 2010
1:57 pm
I know when i’ve been insulted!
Chan Gailey
January 9th, 2010
1:58 pm
Willie have they given you a statue next to Dooley yet like they’ve given me ??
Ekim
January 9th, 2010
1:58 pm
Dookies on the court. I guess that means their plane made it okay.
willie martinez
January 9th, 2010
1:58 pm
but for the record, please go ahead and say that kentucky will crush georgia.
2BT
January 9th, 2010
1:58 pm
I had a chance to go, but I chose to stay home (70 degrees) and blog with Mark. Go Jackets, and let’s hope Peacock doesn’t jack up 10 three’s, only to hit one.
Fire Paul Hewitt
January 9th, 2010
1:59 pm
I’m in pretty good spirits what with PJ’s excellent decision, Thomas’s good for him not for me decision, and with Dwyer and Morgan being quiet. I’ll be happy if tech beats duke but sad because I think it is in tech’s best interest to look elsewhere…I mean Bobby Cremins win over unc is the closest tech will probably get to beating unc all year
Mark Bradley
January 9th, 2010
1:59 pm
That’s me — the earl of equivocation.
willie martinez
January 9th, 2010
1:59 pm
yes they have chan.. its the statue of a defensive back watching a receiver run by him. dedicated to me.
Mark Bradley
January 9th, 2010
2:03 pm
Place isn’t full. But it’s close to full. More equivocation from me.
willie martinez
January 9th, 2010
2:04 pm
I think you would have made an excellent attorney.
Mark Bradley
January 9th, 2010
2:04 pm
At every Blue Devil game, I look first for Mickie Krzyzewski and her many daughters. But they’re not here today.
willie martinez
January 9th, 2010
2:06 pm
and you say, for the record, and unequivocally, that kentucky will beat georgia.
not ” kentucky should be georgia”
Mark Bradley
January 9th, 2010
2:06 pm
First Tech trip. Lawal misses a 17-footer. Then Shumpert slings a pass OOB.
Mark Bradley
January 9th, 2010
2:07 pm
Then Nolan Smith misses a layup for the Devils. Then Shumpert falls down and is whistled for traveling.
Coach K working the refs. Started after 18 seconds had been played.
GT Fan
January 9th, 2010
2:09 pm
Something Big Might Happen……………..Even if we win….fire Hewitt…thats Big!
willie martinez
January 9th, 2010
2:10 pm
maybe coach k didnt want mickie and the girls to hear the language he’s slinging towards the refs.
Mark Bradley
January 9th, 2010
2:10 pm
Tech led 3-0 on a Udofia trey. Now it’s 9-3 Duke. Bell just fouled Scheyer on a 3-pointer.
willie martinez
January 9th, 2010
2:11 pm
Mark, does Wes Durham do tech basketball?
Mark Bradley
January 9th, 2010
2:13 pm
Duke by seven at the first TV break. Udofia at the line for two when we return, as we say in television.
Mark Bradley
January 9th, 2010
2:13 pm
Yes, Wes does.
Coach Johnsons Paul
January 9th, 2010
2:13 pm
Sure hope Tech Wins so that we will be stuck with Hewitt for ever and ever and any critisism will be directed at him rather than me especially when my team got pantsed by UGA and Iowa. I am just sooo thankful I am coaching in the ACC where resumes can be built one patsy at a time.
Mark Bradley
January 9th, 2010
2:14 pm
I’ve heard the Krzyzewski clan is not entirely unfamiliar with the use of strong language. Put it that way.
O'Brien
January 9th, 2010
2:15 pm
Mark,
It just seems to me that our team doesnt have an offense. We just dribble dribble dribble until we can get a good pass or good shot
Coach Hewitt's Johnson
January 9th, 2010
2:16 pm
GT Fan. Fire Me??? I got an 8 Millions dollar buyout!!! Better get used to the view of me on the bench burying my head in my hands and not standing up to my players for some time.
Just remember…It’s the economy stupid!!!
John
January 9th, 2010
2:17 pm
Does anyone think this pathetically coached team who just lost to the crap dawgs is going to beat Duke? Yeah riiight. It’s going to be funny watching this team go 0-2 and by the end of it all with a 6-10 acc record and no tourney, lawal and favors both declare for the draft. Paul Hewitt is the worst coach I’ve ever seen. Fire his pathetic azz.