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
Michael
January 9th, 2010
5:45 pm
meanwhile in Lexington: Dawgs – 59, Cats 57 with 8:23 left
haywood...
January 9th, 2010
5:45 pm
live from rupp
uga up 2.
Jackets Keep Rollin'
January 9th, 2010
5:50 pm
NICE WIN Jackets!!!
Defense was stout, and we finally hit some free throws.
GANI — the real deal!
Tech Man
January 9th, 2010
5:52 pm
We beat a # 4 team in football and a # 5 team in basketball.How in the world does a #39 ranked football and # 50 ranked basketball uga team beat us.THAT GOT TO CHANGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Elmore Spencer
January 9th, 2010
5:59 pm
We beat a # 4 team in football and a # 5 team in basketball.How in the world does a #39 ranked football and # 50 ranked basketball uga team beat us.THAT GOT TO CHANGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Its called having a daddy. UGA is Tech’s daddy
Elmore Spencer
January 9th, 2010
6:00 pm
One thing for sure Kentucky has been a much tougher opponent for UGA than Tech was,
Paul Johnson
January 9th, 2010
6:05 pm
Congratulations Coach Hewitt, I hear D-Rad is renewing your contract for 5 more years at $4 mil per year based on this historic win over Duke!
Big Dawg 97
January 9th, 2010
6:21 pm
GT is still 2nd to UGA.
gtbob45
January 9th, 2010
6:25 pm
Ga Tech won even having Hewitt but he by no means had a hand in it. The crowd was lifeless even after GT won I think that speaks volumes of where GT Basketball is now.
Jackets2010
January 9th, 2010
6:40 pm
What r u talking about Bob?
Everyone I saw there not in blue was elated.
Live from Tech-Duke: Something big MIGHT happen | Mark Bradley Blog
January 9th, 2010
6:56 pm
[...] Live from Tech-Duke: Something big MIGHT happen | Mark Bradley Tags: bradley, chats-live, expects-the-jackets, from-the-star, game, georgia, jackets, play-well, rosenberg, star, tribune What would happen… « Amy Wrote It TodayThe Baseball Card Blog: Nothin' But Doubles. How'd That Happen?Unallotment appeal will happen quickly « MNpublius.comBehind the Numbers: Month to Date Market Review (Jan.9)After The Election: What Will Happen To The President's Promises …The Guardian Life Magazine: They 'broke' the banks to brew moviesDestructoid – Fable III will be unveiling next monthWhat Will Really Happen in 2012?The Football League | News | Latest News | Latest News | MANAGER …Why you should use OpenGL and not DirectX | The Best Article Every day View the Contact Powered by Blog [...]
rainman
January 9th, 2010
7:20 pm
Good win. I also have issues with PH’s ‘in game’ coaching, player development, proper schemes given the talent on hand, and general lack of fundamentals (i.e. turnovers, free-throw shooting, passing, etc.).
It would be helpful if we had a 3-point shooter that was consistant (Dennis Scott – where are you?).
Maybe he gets better or maybe he doesn’t, but I would still rather have him than RATFACE!!
Random thoughts:
- Favors needs some refinement, but after the run through the ACC, he will be much better than he is now (even though he is the freshman leader in scoring and rebounds in the ACC). It’s not rocket science – if he will be a lottery pick – he’s gone. It could go kinda like it did with Lawal.
- So far, it looks like Lawal made the right decision by staying another year. He looks so much more developed, both physically and mentally, than last year. Even his free-throw shooting percentage has risen substantially (one commentator the other night said he still had a hitch in his delivery like Tim Duncan, but, I guess the percentage is what matters}.
- With the loss of Lawal, and the probable loss of Favors, how big is it that the Jackets stole Dennis Miller from the leg-humpers? And they had the luxury of red-shirting him.
- For you Shumpert haters — he is the real deal! Cut him a little slack – he has been injured and will round into form – although I need to see him nail some 3’s regularly. He can handle the ball, but he needs to be our man at 2. We’re OK with Mufron at the point with Miller as his primary backup.
- I hope Holsey is on the Grady Jackson diet and CPH is able to land another ‘big’ with starting potential. Losing Lawal, Favors, and Peacock will be akin to the football team losing 3 D-linemen to the NFL last year.
- I have faith that Udofia can be an elite PG and I trust that he will improve on his shooting percentage and assists.