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
brewdawg
January 9th, 2010
2:18 pm
Anyone blogging the UGA game today? It should be all Kentucky but I’ll watch anyway.
Mark Bradley
January 9th, 2010
2:19 pm
Tech cuts it to one. Press is helping.
carrolltondawg
January 9th, 2010
2:20 pm
mark first off let me say I am a big fan no joke, i really have enjoyed your articles of late. But how funny was it that the the dawgs beat tech tuesday night in basketball then their joke of a football team lost as well, kind of saw that one coming after the b-ball game.
Mark Bradley
January 9th, 2010
2:23 pm
Favors fumbles away an alley-oop dunk. Tech down two with 11:58 left in the first.
GT Fan
January 9th, 2010
2:23 pm
No its 7 million DA Johnson with a 20 IQ. You always have one on every blog.
Mark Bradley
January 9th, 2010
2:24 pm
Obviously I didn’t see either result coming, CarrolltonDawg. I rarely do.
Mark Bradley
January 9th, 2010
2:26 pm
Brian Oliver puts Tech ahead after Bell steals a rebound.
Mark Bradley
January 9th, 2010
2:27 pm
Tech has outscored Duke 12-2. Playing much better today.
Devils Own Tech
January 9th, 2010
2:27 pm
Someone should give Coach K the deed to the North Avennue Trade school because Duke has owned the Nats. 24 out of 26, soon to be 25 out of 27.
.
January 9th, 2010
2:27 pm
Must be great to be so smart CarrolltonDawg.
Paul Johnson
January 9th, 2010
2:28 pm
73-66 – always something there to remind me about 30-24.
Paul_Johnson
January 9th, 2010
2:29 pm
73-66 – always something there to remind me about 30-24.
Hewitt’s gonna cut down the nets today.
John
January 9th, 2010
2:30 pm
Something big might happen? What? Do you believe one of the Tech students is wearing explosive underwear? Alert Homeland Security!!
Mark Bradley
January 9th, 2010
2:30 pm
Duke missing from the arc.
Mark Bradley
January 9th, 2010
2:31 pm
Tech is playing very hard. Up three.
Paul_Johnson
January 9th, 2010
2:31 pm
Dear Devils Owns Tech, the deed to the North Avenue Trade school can be found up in Athens, it was handed to Coach Mark Richt after the Dawgs won every game they played on the Tech campus in the 2000’s. Also don’t forget Felton’s Dawgs won the SEC Tournament at Bobby Cremmins Court.
B
January 9th, 2010
2:32 pm
Why nothing from you or Baldy about Hawks victory?
Killer Bees
January 9th, 2010
2:33 pm
Favors has to expect the pass!
SEC
January 9th, 2010
2:34 pm
Enter your comments here
Mark Bradley
January 9th, 2010
2:35 pm
Jackets 19, Devils 18. Under eight minutes. Both teams having trouble running an offense. Duke has made only one trey. Tech has hit two.
Paul Johnson
January 9th, 2010
2:35 pm
30-24 still hurts. There, I said it.
Killer Bees
January 9th, 2010
2:37 pm
Congratulations to Tommy Tuberville getting the TT job!
Mark Bradley
January 9th, 2010
2:38 pm
Lawal second foul.
Not Disappointed
January 9th, 2010
2:40 pm
Afternoon All!
Mark Bradley
January 9th, 2010
2:41 pm
Favors has done zero.
cattle dawg
January 9th, 2010
2:42 pm
So Ive got some catching up to do. How far behind sonny and willie am I. Mel Kiper has me moving up the big board.
Mark Bradley
January 9th, 2010
2:42 pm
Tech down four. Duke has scored three consecutive hoops.
Not Disappointed
January 9th, 2010
2:42 pm
Congrats to Tommy, he will bring Offense and Defense to Texas Tech. I think the acting coach should go to South Florida or Holtz from East Carolina.
wiley
January 9th, 2010
2:42 pm
Out of all our freshman why does favors look the worst? He played better fundamental basketball in high school!
Mark Bradley
January 9th, 2010
2:43 pm
You’re ahead of Clusters. He’s a no-show.
Not Disappointed
January 9th, 2010
2:44 pm
Howdy to Willie Martinez.
UGA A
January 9th, 2010
2:45 pm
Another tech game with little support! Sad…. but predictable!
Mark Bradley
January 9th, 2010
2:46 pm
Tech down 25-23. Scheyer at the line when play resumes.
Game has really slowed. Both teams are defending well.
Half Empty -- no, hell, pretty much Empty
January 9th, 2010
2:46 pm
Does a win against Duke (not saying it’s going to happen) negate a Bulldogs loss? Can’t he just go ahead and lose the rest of them and resign in disgrace so Tech doesn’t have a really big payout to make?
Not Disappointed
January 9th, 2010
2:46 pm
Mark how are your numbers so far? On point for 3 million. Do you check every 2 weeks? Month, etc?
Go Jackets!
Mark Bradley
January 9th, 2010
2:46 pm
Game’s a sellout, officially.
wiley
January 9th, 2010
2:47 pm
UGA A what game are you watching? The AMC is pretty much full….Plenty of people support Tech…I mean ESPN is about to have a gushing love fest for the 1985 team at halftime…make sure to tune in!
Mark Bradley
January 9th, 2010
2:47 pm
More like every hour, Not Disappointed.
Killer Bees
January 9th, 2010
2:47 pm
Enter your comments here
Benjamin
January 9th, 2010
2:48 pm
Nolan Smith might have my favorite story in college basketball.
Sorry, GT fans. Usually I stand with you guys. Today, I’m a Blue Devil.
(Good luck, though.)
Tech82
January 9th, 2010
2:49 pm
Half empty? You guys must be looking at a different coliseum than I am.
Mark Bradley
January 9th, 2010
2:49 pm
Hewitt is putting Gani back in with two fouls.
Killer Bees
January 9th, 2010
2:50 pm
How many team fouls?
Mark Bradley
January 9th, 2010
2:50 pm
Favors misses a foul shot. Hasn’t made a point.
Benjamin
January 9th, 2010
2:50 pm
Mark, couldn’t help but notice in one of your Falcons’ pics a while back that you seemed to be, well, right behind us in terms of our company seats. Next game I go to, I’ll wave hello. Just wave back, knowing you “know” that guy.
Mark Bradley
January 9th, 2010
2:50 pm
Duke has nine fouls, Tech eight.
that game meant everything to tech
January 9th, 2010
2:51 pm
maybe they can beat Duke, they sure can’t beat GEORGIA!
Mark Bradley
January 9th, 2010
2:52 pm
Do that,. Benjamin. I’ll be the guy typing.
Benjamin
January 9th, 2010
2:52 pm
LOL
98 times out of a hundred, ‘10 Tech beats ‘10 Georgia in basketball, that game. Enjoy the bragging rights while they last.
UGA A
January 9th, 2010
2:52 pm
Wiley.. what game are you watching! can you hear? Sounds very loud when Duke scores! Why can’t tech people realize that if a game is going to be “sold out” then it will clearly be because of the visiting team brings a lot of fans!
Some things never change!