Tech 68, UGA 56: What they were saying afterward
What coaches and players were saying after Georgia Tech’s 68-56 victory over Georgia in Athens on Wednesday night:
Georgia Tech coach Brian Gregory:
“I was 10 years old when that [Tech's last win in Stegeman Coliseum] happened. I told our guys that on Monday. Now, there were some [years] in between we didn’t play down here. I didn’t tell them that, you know. I just wanted our guys to understand that one of the things that is unique and special about Georgia Tech is the great tradition we have. There’s a lot of great players who have worn that uniform and never won down here. Part of our process in getting it back on track is doing some special things, and tonight was special. Our guys will be able to say they broke the streak, and they will remember it forever. And I know the guys who wore the uniform before tonight, they’re proud of the way our guys played. Irregardless of whether we won or lost, we played the way Georgia Tech is supposed to play in terms of great toughness and a lot of care for each other out on the court. Much better in the second half, I thought that was the difference.”
“We struggle on offense sometimes, we really do. And Mark [Fox] has done a great job with them defensively as well, and they struggle on offense. But what ended up happening … our defense created some offense, which then made our offense a little easier. That’s what happened in the second half. But we are getting better defensively, do a good job on the glass. As long as we continue to become more efficient on offense, we’ve got a chance to continue to improve. This is a marker in the process. It is not the end by any stretch. It doesn’t mean we’ve arrived. We’ve got a long way to go. But it’s a pretty good marker to have.”
“Sometimes you need some tangible evidence that what you’re preaching every day and what you’re trying to drive home actually works. We had a good win versus VCU and some other good wins, but obviously this means more. We want to get to the point where every game is just as important as the other. But let’s face it, this game does have a little more meaning to it, a little more juice to it.”
Georgia Tech center Daniel Miller:
“Very special [win]. We made quite an accomplishment tonight that hasn’t been done in a very long time. Many great players have come in here and haven’t been able to do it.”
“We just played a little bit harder [in the second half] than in the first half, and it helped us a lot, defensively and offensively.”
Georgia coach Mark Fox:
“That was a very disappointing loss. We’re not a very good basketball team right now, and that’s my responsibility. Our defense collapsed on us in the second half, but you have to give Georgia Tech credit. Their defense in the second half was better than our offense. That was just a disappointing loss.”
“Our interior play is very poor right now. We’re not getting any interior scoring, and so we’re settling for outside shots, and that is an issue with our team right now.”
“We’re going to get better, but it’s going to take time. You can’t teach guys how to score over night, but our defense? I’m angry about that.”
Georgia guard Gerald Robinson:
“It’s our goal to come out with a sense of urgency in the second half. We didn’t do that tonight. We’re just not there yet, and we have to saddle up. We’re not doomed by any means. We can still have a good season. We’re just going to keep playing.”
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186 comments Add your comment
BipolarDawg
December 8th, 2011
11:52 am
Ga. Basketball team is not good enough this year, they have no SHOOTERS! no scorers that’s why they lost..wait until next year it’s growing pain year right now. As far as the bees team, they are not that good either, just an average mediocre team to me. GO DAWGS!
Techster
December 8th, 2011
11:53 am
Georgia’s football team got punked by the Bengals and now their basketball team got punked by the Yellow Jackets. YAHOO!!!!! Man this is fun!!!!
1 4 GT
December 8th, 2011
11:57 am
ARDawg—-you and Reality might call it “trash talking”—-which is to be expected—-but what I have been seeing on the GT blog page goes way beyond “trash talking”—-it is pure GARBAGE that Georgie fans post on the GT blog—-at least for football—-don’t know about the Georgie football blog because I only looked at 1 by Bradley and that was to tell him how dumb it was to try to compare Crowell to H Walker—-if our blog guy wasn’t sick and had anyone from AJC had put up a GT blog I wouldn’t be here—-I will say it is much more civil than what I have seen on the GT blog—-THWG
bruce mac
December 8th, 2011
12:08 pm
Congrats to the Jackets. Your team was better prepared and better game day coached than the Dawgs. The Dawgs look like a backyard pick up bunch with no plan and no execution. The Jackets are organized and efficient at what they do. Neither team has enough talent to make the tournament but at least Tech is improving and has a plan. The Dawgs have neither IMO.
IndyGT
December 8th, 2011
12:11 pm
I couldn’t help but thinking that Mark Fox was probably wishing he hadn’t told Daniel Miller to go away. I’m no fan of Hewitt, but grabbing Miller was one of his best decisions in recent years. And this kid grew up bleeding red and black. I see Miller growing into a solid player. I wouldn’t be surprised if he becomes one of the dominant ACC big men, in the next few years.
bruce mac
December 8th, 2011
12:11 pm
S Sigator, at least we kicked your teeth in, how does it feel DA?
George P. Burdell
December 8th, 2011
12:18 pm
Indy,
I agree, Miller was the difference in the game last night. If he is still at UGA, Tech probably loses that game by 10 or 12 points.
Hit A Single
December 8th, 2011
12:32 pm
Techster – I guess when you can’t beat them then you have to pull for someone to beat them. If I hadn’t won since 76 in Athens in basketball I wouldn’t be gloating. I am kind of glad the Jackets won because it was getting where it wasn’t too much of a rivalry in Athens. Football is getting like that. I wish Tech was more competitive.
true
December 8th, 2011
12:35 pm
G Tech is better at everything except football; fire the AD and Bobo
lolo
December 8th, 2011
12:35 pm
Tech men rule Atlanta business
Hit A Single
December 8th, 2011
12:40 pm
Fire True!
Hit A Single
December 8th, 2011
12:40 pm
never mind he has been fired!
lance manion
December 8th, 2011
12:41 pm
I find it sad that UGA’s basketball program is so weak that their fans did not even show up at the game. They can’t even fill that cow barn of an arena, and they have no fan base for basketball. Gloating that Tech has not won there since the 1970s is misleading as they only renewed the series in Athens in about 1995. Oh, and they have only won a couple of times at Tech since the 1990s so there is not much to gloat about. Funny, when they win they care, when they lose, they act like they don’t even have a program. That is what happens when most of your fan base never even went to college. Very Funny. Go Jackets!
Natureboy809
December 8th, 2011
12:42 pm
I went to the game. I am not exaggerating when I say this: I have seen a couple of High School teams in my life who could beat UGA right now. Before you laugh, think about it. I saw the 4 time state champion Westover team. Dontonio Wingfield plays one year at Cincinnati and then goes to the NBA. Think any of our post guys are anywhere near that? (They had 3 or 4 other guys go IA too I think.) Louis Williams at South Gwinnett goes straight to the NBA. Think Dwight Howard’s team (even though they were Class A) doesn’t give UGA fits? Our guards wouldn’t even get the ball up the floor on Berkmar’s press a few years ago.
The talent level of this team is every bit as bad as it was when Dennis Felton was recruiting guys at the Ramsey Center. We’re looking at a 3-13 SEC record…….maybe.
North Georgia Dawg
December 8th, 2011
12:43 pm
Dang, I hate that we lose, but they were just the better team last night. That was obvious in the second half. Dawgs need to find some scoring if they are going to make anything out of their season. Go Dawgs!
North Georgia Dawg
December 8th, 2011
12:45 pm
SSI, they may be overrated but they are still better than your gators this year! 24-20!
North Georgia Dawg
December 8th, 2011
12:46 pm
*lost
Shell Answer Man
December 8th, 2011
12:47 pm
Fox has got to go. The triangle offense and the point-zone defense require bigs, and Georgia has none. Fox is too hard headed to adapt to the (lack of) talent he’s brought in. It’s not just losing to Tech either – it’s Fox’s third year, and this is the worst team they’ve had in years.
Hit A Single
December 8th, 2011
12:47 pm
I am just curious as to why the UGA-Tech game is always scheduled during the week. Seem to me it would be best for both teams to play it on a weekend. And also who scheduled it the night before finals start?
North Georgia Dawg
December 8th, 2011
12:50 pm
It’s not Fox’s fault, we would be a lot better if we still had Leslie or Trey. Good game Jackets, and I’m just glad our football team played so good in the game this year.
North Georgia Dawg
December 8th, 2011
12:50 pm
And we have some really good recruits considering UGA.
Hit A Single
December 8th, 2011
12:53 pm
I would practice taking charges today at practice. Even though we are struggling on offense that was the worse defense I have ever seen a UGA team play in the second half. Tech had uncontested drives to the basket, they got every loose ball and they had open shots from the 3. Defense starts in the ribcage and I don’t see much heart right now with this team.
Brian
December 8th, 2011
12:53 pm
This game showed how bad we are this year, but I’d much rather win the football game! Hope our basketball guys can find some scoring and keep this from being a terrible season.
bubba4dawgs
December 8th, 2011
12:56 pm
Congratulations to the Nerds! Hey, Dawgs, they can beat you in crochet and finger painting as well! They must be dancing in the streets on the campus, partying all night and drooling all over themselves! I bet they didn’t even have class the next day! First time in how many years????? Good gracious, what a “beat down”!!!! And, these guys think they can play football???? Spot them at least a couple of touchdowns next fall when they visit Athens!! GO DAWGS!!!!
Cody
December 8th, 2011
12:58 pm
31-17, 24-20 and 45-7. And LSU kicked our butts, but they are in the national championship and are an incredible team. Go dawgs!
Reggie Ball
December 8th, 2011
12:59 pm
Cool! Are we gonna make rings w/ the score on it? I want one!
Friends of UGA
December 8th, 2011
1:03 pm
Does Crowell have any pot head frineds in Columbus that can play basketball?
Oh… you know he does. (wink)
And they would be a perfect fit for UGA.
Tech Tony
December 8th, 2011
1:05 pm
The one and done mentality that someone mentioned earlier hurts college basketball.
Coaches go after these top flight recruits knowing they will more than likely bolt, but it’s next to impossible to recruit suitable replacement players at the same position because the top tier talent isn’t going to want to split time in their freshman seasons.
Talk about your double edged swords.
On to the game: Tech was better, a LOT better, when it counted. Georgia has no inside game and jumpers ain’t gonna fall consistently enough for any team, let alone the Bulldogs. Be patient with Fox; despite having a poor shooting game last night, that Caldwell-Pope kid will be a player. Get him some complementary pieces and you’ll do okay for yourselves.
Techster
December 8th, 2011
1:06 pm
Ha ha ha ha ha ha…….just still laughing about how pathetic the dogs are and how even more pathetic the comments from some of their fans are……………..Go TECH!!!!!!!
Ga.Tech #1
December 8th, 2011
1:18 pm
Today’s bulldog football player = tomorrow’s convict. Georgia’s tuition should be higher to help pay for the extra burden the university’s malcontents place on our prisons and to society in general.
Joesnopy
December 8th, 2011
1:18 pm
Fox is a very good Coach. Well, his problem started last year when he decided to contend for the NCAA basketball tournament. He started out the year playing the young players but stopped playing them after he knew he may make the tournament so this year everyone is green. Fox is a very smart coach so he knew he would have a sorry year this year so to the Georgia fans. Leave the man along until he build the team and them you will have a very good Basketball team at Georgia.
Shell Answer Man
December 8th, 2011
1:28 pm
No, we won’t.
Shell Answer Man
December 8th, 2011
1:31 pm
Techster: 31-17, and congrats on winning one basketball game. We still own you.
PMC
December 8th, 2011
1:37 pm
All is right with the world, Tech stomps Georgia in Basketball. Georgia stomps Tech in football.
Be proud of this win Tech people. Hopefully Gregory will be successful.
Joesnopy
December 8th, 2011
1:45 pm
Fox, has a great system and he does not need supper stars to have a great team. All he needs are 10 good players able to play at the same level inside his system.
buzzwax
December 8th, 2011
2:30 pm
Yes, GT HAD not won in basketball in Athens since 76. Casual observers to that statement might look at that and assume UGA has dominated GT in basketball since this time. Upon further review, here are the facts.
Record of GT vs UGA in Bball since 76
GT 14 – UGA 16
Record at the Omni/Dome/Phillips –
GT 8-UGA 6
Record after going back to home n home (including this year)
GT 7 – UGA 9
Pretty even series and not what most would assume.
Mark Carroll
December 8th, 2011
2:44 pm
It’s just a shame that the arena was so empty. Drove to Athens — bought a ticket for $5 and found a seat on the third row. When the state’s top 2 universities meet in basketball and there are about 5,000 people there — it says a lot for basketball in this state. In the 80’s when both schools had top teams – you couldn’t get a ticket to this. Now both teams are struggling and no one cares. That is a shame for basketball fans
jay
December 8th, 2011
2:53 pm
I think Fox is an outstanding coach but it is always going to be tough to get players into
that program.
Buzzfan®
December 8th, 2011
3:14 pm
Good news….Gregory has a top 15 class for 2012 already (after early signing period).
Bad news….still need a true PG.
Johhny Hammersticks
December 8th, 2011
3:20 pm
UGA fans don’t care about this game.. Unless they win, then they care and talk trash.. But, if they lose.. They never cared.. LOL
old dog
December 8th, 2011
3:24 pm
Mark, Georgia will come on in roundball. We lost a ton of talent. I was around “back in the day” and, true, the game would sell out the Omni. It will happen again. We are in a football state, but Fox will get us back on the map. I remember when Hugh Durham let us hit the floor so we could yell for the Dogs (and perhaps raz the opponents!) I remember Eric “Skydog” Marbury, Lavon Mercer, Lucious Foster, etc. I also remember (after I got out) the final four crew of Lamar Heard, V. Fleming, Terry Fair, James Banks, etc. We will get there and farther, I believe. I also remember (speaking of the Tech game) Sammy Drummer, Brooke Steppe and Tico Brown, to name a few! We need to get the UGA/Tech b-ball game back to the fun it once was. These two coaches will build their respective programs and make our state a good roundball place!
katla
December 8th, 2011
3:37 pm
just like a dog graduate to get emotional for the first half but not really have the talent to follow through. I see it all the time in the business world
5 Time National Champs Nebraska.
December 8th, 2011
3:37 pm
The Academic All American list was released and only 1 player from UGA is on the list. Punter Drew Butler, majoring in Kinesiology……Whatever that is.
Meanwhile, Nebraska has 3 on that list.
Techster
December 8th, 2011
3:49 pm
Shell Answer Man: 42-10. Literally a home game at the Georgia Dome. Embarassed the state.
LakeDawg
December 8th, 2011
3:58 pm
UGA only have 1 player with SEC ability. Fox needs to pick up the recruiting.
42-10
December 8th, 2011
5:09 pm
Good job GT.
Bob
December 8th, 2011
5:27 pm
Coach Fox is great; however, as long as the WWF/Men’s Roller Derby/Pimps, Inc (formerly known as the NBA) rapes the NCAA system with their draft system, it’ll be difficult for teams like us to really establish a solid foundation. Sooner or later, the NBA will have to realize how stupid and expensive their system is…or maybe not.
kral
December 8th, 2011
5:28 pm
congrats tech…neither team will win many in their conferences…I suspect…as for my Dawgs…hope to see some post play develop as the year goes on…Coach Fox…I believe is getting about as much as anybody can out this team right now.
Real Athens
December 8th, 2011
5:46 pm
Collegeballfan:
Wrong. The game was moved to home and home because the Omni was torn down and Phillips Arena was being built. When the game was played in the Omni, Georgia (and Tech) were on the quarter system. Students got out of school for the holidays at Thanksgiving. An early December tip- off meant there were no students in Athens for the game — like they come anyway.
Now that Georgia is on the semester system the students are in town for the game.
However, like yourself I’d rather see it go down in Phillips. I agree that it is a great recruiting event for both schools.
NW
December 8th, 2011
5:53 pm
Did you really quote the word “irregardless” in this story?!!