Which team is having the better season – UGA or Tech?
Thompkins battles Lawal. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
This will sound a little weird, but it’s a Bradley post so whaddaya expect? I’m asking a question, the nub of which is: Can a team with an 11-12 record really be having a better season than one that’s 17-8?
Wait, wait. Hear me out. The 11-12 team is Georgia; the 17-8 team is Tech. And to offer a real answer, don’t we have to consider more than just won-lost records? Don’t we have to consider …
Expectations: Georgia was picked to finish last in the six-team SEC East and is indeed in last place at 3-7; Tech was picked to finish fourth in the 12-team ACC and, at 5-6, stands eighth.
Polls: Georgia has been unranked all season; Tech was ranked 22nd in the Associated Press preseason poll and 20th in the coaches’ poll but dropped out of both Monday.
Personnel: Georgia starts a former walk-on (Ricky McPhee); Tech starts three McDonald’s All-Americans (Gani Lawal, Iman Shumpert, Derrick Favors).
Player development: Georgia guard Travis Leslie averaged 6.3 points a freshman but is averaging 14.5 in his first year under Fox and is projected by NBAdraft.net as the 23rd player on its 2011 mock; Tech forward Favors was rated the nation’s No. 1 recruit by Scout.com last season but is averaging 9.7 points in ACC play and has slipped from being the second player listed on NBAdraft.net’s 2010 mock to the seventh.
Personnel utilization: Georgia’s two best players, Leslie and forward Trey Thompkins, average 10.7 and 13. 2 shots per game, respectively; Tech’s two best players, Favors and Lawal, average 7.5 and 9.2 shots, respectively.
Depth: Georgia’s seventh man, center Chris Barnes, averages 2.8 points; Tech’s eighth man, guard Glen Rice Jr., averages 4.5 points.
Stability: Mark Fox is in his first season at Georgia; Paul Hewitt is in his 10th at Tech.
Head-to-head: Georgia beat Tech 73-66 in Athens on Jan. 5.
Signature wins: Georgia has beaten three teams (Tech, Tennessee and Vanderbilt) that were ranked when the game was played; Tech has beaten three (Duke, North Carolina and Clemson).
Bad losses: Georgia lost to Wofford at home, lost by 28 points at Missouri and was routed at Florida and Auburn; only Tech’s loss at Duke has come by more than 10 points.
Loading ...Road records: Georgia is 0-8; Tech is 3-6.
RPI: Georgia is 90th; Tech is 29th.
Strength of schedule: Georgia’s is rated the 11th-toughest nationally; Tech’s is 12th.
Probable final regular-season record: Assuming Georgia beats Florida in Athens and LSU in Baton Rouge, it should finish 14-15; assuming Tech wins its three remaining home games, it should finish 20-10.
Probable destination: Georgia will do well to make the NIT; Tech would have to mess up not to reach the NCAA.
Conclusion: Tech has better players and still figures to go further but hasn’t really done much yet; Georgia entered just hoping not to be embarrassed but has beaten four teams (Illinois is the fourth) that stand to make the NCAA field. And Georgia did beat Tech. All things considered, the Bulldogs have had, at least to date, the better season.
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217 comments Add your comment
goatD
February 16th, 2010
4:06 pm
Great logic. Similarly, Tennessee had a better football season than Alabama or Florida. And the Dawgs are better in roundball than Kansas, Villanova, or Kentucky. Heck, they’re better than anybody in everything. Wheeeeeee!
Truth
February 16th, 2010
4:23 pm
Georgia is playing much better than expectations while GA Tech has not come close to being as good as they were predicted to be. The tie breaker is 73-66! UGA won!
The Georgia Bulldogs beat the overrated Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 73-66!
It will be interesting to see how much Mark Fox achieves at Georgia once he has a talented team!
We already know what Paul Hewitt does at Tech with a talented team — not much!!!!
Deputy Dawg
February 16th, 2010
4:25 pm
UGA 73
Tech 66
True Dawg fan
February 16th, 2010
4:29 pm
As a Dawg fan I hope Tech squeezes in to the NCAA Tournament as a bubble team so that Paul Hewitt will still be their coach! Why you might ask? Because it is fun watching Tech be such a mediocre team and waste tons of future NBA talent and realize how unhappy & frustrated the entire Termite Nation is!
FullMetalJacket
February 16th, 2010
4:34 pm
Records notwithstanding, Mark Fox and UGA are having the much better season because they are actually building something that will continue to strengthen the mutts’ program over the coming years. For Tech and Hewitt, this is just a repeat of the last five seasons, with better talent certainly, but with no promise of continuity or consistency in progress. With the almost certainty that Hewitt will be gone after the season is over, and with rumored NCAA violations on the horizon, things are not rosy for Tech in the immediate future. That said, if Hewitt does indeed get the boot, there will at least be some much-needed enthusiasm about next year, regardless of the prospect of rebuilding with less talent. After a year or two, Tech should regain its dominant position in Georgia state hoops.
FullMetalJacket
February 16th, 2010
4:39 pm
By the same token, there is no doubt that Tech is kicking he** out of UGA in football progress the past two years, despite this year’s loss, and football is what most of us really care about. It’s as unlikely that Tech will surpass UGA in football overall as it is that UGA will surpass Tech in basketball, but as Johnson has breathed new fire and excitement into the Jackets it will be a lot more fun for Tech fans in coming years (and I would contend a healthier rivalry is good for UGA also!).
Floundering Fox Hounds Batman!
February 16th, 2010
4:39 pm
UGA All Time record against the Chickens is 47 – 47 and Auburn 87 – 87 in mens Basketball. According to Chip Towers UGA has only a winning record against ole Miss in the SEC. Pathetic ! Dooley and Evans should be ashamed.
Tech Town
February 16th, 2010
4:42 pm
Tech will make the NCAA tournament. Ga will not.
Question answered—move along now.
RussThePaintedMascot
February 16th, 2010
4:43 pm
Mark Fox good. Paul Hewitt very very bad. Mark Richt good. Paul Johnson very very good. Firing Hewitt very very good. Painting replacement mascots very very bad.
RussThePaintedMascot
February 16th, 2010
4:45 pm
Tech fails to meet expectations–again. UGA exceeds expectations–for a change. Enough said. Move along yo’sef.
Floundering Fox Hounds Batman!
February 16th, 2010
4:47 pm
Opps I stand corrected…. not Chip Towers but Timmy Tucker…..
RussThePaintedMascot
February 16th, 2010
4:49 pm
Of course, UGA fans are delusional if they think that Mark Fox will stay in Athens if he does fulfill his early promise. If Mark Fox is still at UGA in three years, it will be because the Dogs are pretty good but not great. The HC basketball job at UGA is the equivalent of the HC football job at Kentucky. An average job opportunity in a great conference but the wrong sport.
FullMetalJacket
February 16th, 2010
4:58 pm
Mark, I really hope you are wrong about Hewitt not getting fired if the Jackets make the NCAA Tourney. I think the level of disgust with Hewitt among the Tech faithful is too high for even the GTAA to ignore. It’s been bad on the blogs for a couple of years, but I mean at games, in alumni meetings, on campus, and among administration….I have heard too many negative comments and financially-driven criticism of Hewitt. A Sweet Sixteen finish might do it, but just making the field with a potential Final-Four team would not be enough, I think. Especially if they perform as usual in the first round.
FullMetalJacket
February 16th, 2010
5:00 pm
I agree the Jackets may well back into the tourney, but do you really think making the field with a first or second round exit would save Hewitt’s job, Mark?
Mark Bradley
February 16th, 2010
5:01 pm
I can’t see it happening, FullMetalJacket. I think Tech will take an NCAA tournament berth as evidence of progress.
Mark Bradley
February 16th, 2010
5:02 pm
Now, if you’re asking if I’d take it the same way: No, I wouldn’t. I think Hewitt needs to reach the Sweet 16.
Tron Carter
February 16th, 2010
5:22 pm
Keep Hewitt
http://www.bwwahhaahha73-66makes30-24hurtevenmore.com
has "mourningjackass" ever coached?
February 16th, 2010
6:09 pm
a blogger giving advise to a coach (poor perhaps) is funny.
Blewitt Must Go
February 16th, 2010
7:10 pm
All donations will be appreciated.
Live from Tech: Going for a sweep of the reigning champ | Mark Bradley
February 16th, 2010
8:19 pm
[...] If you haven’t participated in today’s burning discussion — who’s having the better season, Tech or Georgia? – please avail yourself of the opportunity. We’ll hold your place in [...]
Staten Island Buzz
February 16th, 2010
9:16 pm
Georgia views a “good” season as “showing improvement. Making the NCAAs??? No big deal—just “show improvement.” Tech—making the NCAAs is a minimum expectation. Illustrating—the difference in the programs. One is big time, one is feel good.
Gators Don't Do Well in the NFL
February 16th, 2010
10:49 pm
UF’s a bust in the NFL. Here’s an article that shows the Gators don’t do well in the NFL:
http://blogs.chron.com/fantasyfootball/2010/02/it_feels_great_to_draft_a_flor.html
BuLLdawg
February 17th, 2010
1:55 am
30-24
73-66
56-50
UGA is having the Perfect Season over Georgia tek in Football, Men’s Basketball and Football.
That says it all, except that UGA is far better in Academic Progress Rate APR than Georgia tek in all 3 sports we have beat Georgia tek in already.
Now we turn our sights on Baseball where UGA owns a 6-1 record over Georgia tek in Baseball Games at Turner Field, a 195-148-2 All-Time UGA Advantage in Baseball over Georgia tek and in Strength of Schedule UGA faces # 8 and Georgia tek # 35.
BuLLdawg
February 17th, 2010
1:57 am
Do they let a team limited to only 11 scholarships in men’s basketball by The NCAA Probation of Georgia tek for your 914 APR to play in a post-season tournament ?
How horrible is that, not to mention Paul Hewitt has a LOSING RECORD by several games to UGA.
RYNO
February 17th, 2010
3:28 am
Im a tech fan and the way things are going GT wont stand a chance against UGA in a couple of years. Hewitt has got to go. 3 all-americans and struggling to make the tourney? What a joke.
RYNO
February 17th, 2010
3:40 am
This is the problem with Hewitt, hes just good enough of a coach and recruiter to keep his job and bad enough to make us all suffer. At some point you just got to accept that the team is going nowhere and start over, good or bad.
iBlogAuto
February 17th, 2010
7:13 am
[...] Source [...]
Greg
February 17th, 2010
7:43 am
Travis Leslie is now projected as the #12 pick(updated from #23) in the first round of the 2011 NBA draft at nbadraft.net. Trey Thompkins is projected at #19 in the first round. If that’s anywhere close to being accurate, Georgia is going to have a very talented and experienced(all Jr’s and Sr’s) starting lineup next year with Ware, Gerald Robinson, Leslie, Thompkins and Jeremy Price. Next year is the key year for Fox.
Tron Carter
February 17th, 2010
9:23 am
It’s obvious that Miss State is having one of their all time years in fan racism and douchebaggness.
Way to make the conference look good yesterday you water throwing racist douchenozzles.
You are the West Viriginia of the SEC.
It’s not anyone else’s but your fault that you can’t beat any team from the State of Kentucky.
AceDawg
February 17th, 2010
10:27 am
I’m worried UGA won’t snag one or two big recruits this year, which would be essential in improving to NCAA tourney quality next year. They seem so well coached when I watch them move the ball to get shots, it would only take one or two solid recruits to move the ship well ahead.
AceDawg
February 17th, 2010
10:32 am
Oh, and really, letdown or not, GTech is clearly having a better season. However, it is very easy to argue that Mark Fox is having a better season than Paul Hewitt. I would think UGA, if Fox can convince a couple strong recruits to come to Athens next year, will rise quickly and remain an NCAA tourney contender every year Fox is on our sidelines. The fans need to fill the stands up and show recruits that their interest in UGA is worthwhile. They don’t get paid, so they are going to go to the program that brings them more attention and excitement.
dawgrific
February 17th, 2010
12:05 pm
Answer=The Dawgs, Period!! Woof-Woof, see ya in the NIT techsters, lol
BuzzFlavor
February 17th, 2010
1:59 pm
Georgia–minor bowl in shreveport in football
NIT in basketball
Tech—BCS in football
NCAA tournament in basketball
The two programs are far apart in quality in the only 2 sports that matter (no dawgs—tennis is not a major sport)
T3
February 17th, 2010
2:23 pm
Last night’s B-Ball game vs. UNC spoke VOLUMES about this GT team.
Just calling it like I saw it (in person).
Shumpert & Lawal hardly played in the first half…and GT played very well: 41-21 at half.
When Shumpert & Lawal got MOST of their playing time in second half,
GT didnt play so well. LOTS of turnovers.
Of ALL the yelling CPH did all night, the OVERHWELMING MAJORITY
of the yelling was directed to just two players: Shumpert & Lawal.
There was a BIG change in team performance between first half and second half.
Mid-way second half, CPH calls a TO. CPH walks ALL THE WAY out almost to the top of the key, yelling at his team in frustration.
Then, just one minute later he has to call another TO.
He spent the ENTIRE second TO grilling only one player: Shumpert.
Hey, just telling you what I saw.
d1reality
February 17th, 2010
2:52 pm
uga basketball is irrelevant – a non entity on the national front
Only game they have at home close to a sellout is UK.
Never will be in the same class as a UK or UT or even Vandy for that matter.
Another Dawg
February 17th, 2010
5:45 pm
It’s inane to say that Georgia is having a better season than Tech. As long as Tech doesn’t miss the tourney, they’ll still have the better season.
Georgia has definitely been the bigger surprise… Glad to see there’s a basketball team for me to care about again.
Pope UGA XXIII
February 17th, 2010
6:12 pm
Was Paul Hewitt secretly UGA’s defensive coach ???
Hewitt + Martinez = serious underachievers
GTBMED
February 17th, 2010
10:32 pm
Da’Rick will clown UGA. 2 for 1 TD’s, clowns!
GTBMED
February 17th, 2010
10:32 pm
Most UGa fans couldn’t even sniff at entry to GSU.
Real Buzz
February 17th, 2010
11:30 pm
Georgia may not even make the NIT and somehow they are “having a better season than Tech?” Lay off the weed for awhile—Tech’s going to the NCAAs—the only tourny that matters.
brokebackvol
February 18th, 2010
8:48 am
This Volfan thinks the Dawgs are vastly better, and UGA fans should celebrate getting a good coach to turn that program around – hasn’t been much since the end of the Hugh Durham’s days as coach. Tech plays in a tougher conference, so different obstacle course in schedule.
GREAT JOB UGA!
February 18th, 2010
10:33 am
You’re almost .500 in basketball and you might make the N.I.T!
Mark Fox for President!
GREAT JOB UGA!
February 18th, 2010
1:57 pm
Man, for going to the Shreveport Independence Bowl and not even making the N.I.T. there sure are a lot of chest thumping Dawg fans out there.
Celebration!!!
February 18th, 2010
3:38 pm
Another SEC loss!!! YES!!! But, somehow the team is better!!!! Another NIT run!!!! YES!!!! Fox is the man—give him a huge raise, bonus and long-term contract extension. Break the bank!!! He’s the next John Wooden!!!!! YES–the Dawgs are back!!!!!!!
GO DAWGS!
February 18th, 2010
4:01 pm
We’re waaaaaay better than the Jackets. Well, I mean besides the fact that we won’t even come close to sniffing the N.I.T. and they’re headed to the tourney. Oh and besides the fact that SEC basketball isn’t as strong as the ACC. Oh and besides the fact that Wofford beat us by 30 on our own court. Oh and besides the fact that Tech has a winning record and we’re not even at .500.
GO DAWGS!
col foot
February 18th, 2010
5:00 pm
if UGA played any sport in that sorry acc they would dominate, those yellow blow flys on north avenue should be playing high school teams, then they may compete, but it’s doubtful!!
GTMAN:
February 18th, 2010
10:23 pm
Has anyone seen where they project the puppies to be seeded in the NCAA’s? Oh, I am sorry, I mean the NIT, oh………my bad, I mean the TV! Dawgs suck azz! What a joke of a team, school, fan base and city. get a life and get a clue, as the season in hoops is done for you. THWG!
GTMAN:
February 18th, 2010
10:25 pm
Hey col foot: GT has the top 29 RPI, UGAG is 90th. Face it, UGAG sucks azz, just like every year. Your sorry azz team won’t even make the NIT. You suck, so just admit it. THWG!
GTMAN:
February 18th, 2010
10:26 pm
Celebration: Keep smoking the crack my man. You are one clueless puupy fan! THWG they suck!
NIT Bound!
February 19th, 2010
12:57 am
Anyone know when the Georgia NIT tickets will go on sale? I need to get 2 tickets bad and may have to camp out but it will be worth it, since Ga will be playing a big time team in the NIT!!! I haven’t been this excited since we got that hole in our doublewide fixed last year!!! NIT—the measure of success!!!!