Georgia Tech has developed a disturbing pattern. Once they walk off the floor for halftime, they figuratively do not come back for the second half. For the fourth time in their last six games, GA Tech has just gone through the motions in the second half losing all four (Sienna, Charlotte, BC, Clemson) while being outscored by almost 13 points on average in the second half.
GA Tech (7-8, 0-2) lost badly last night at Clemson (13-4, 2-1) 86- 62 despite the extreme winter storm that postponed the game one night. The cold weather had no effect on the Tigers as they lit up the Yellow Jackets in the second half (52-29).Jerai Grant led Clemson with a career high 20 points. The Tigers were on fire shooting a school record 69% in ACC play including shooting 9-9 behind the 3 point line. Clemson had 5 players in double figures.
GA Tech could easily be the worst team in the ACC this year. Their 7 wins have been against very small schools from very small conference except Tech’s win over UTEP, 71-61. You could argue Tech has played only 1 good game all year against “big boy” teams in a close loss to Syracuse, 76-80.
The numbers do not lie. Ga Tech is 0-5 on the road this year. They are 150th in the country in scoring, 145th in rebounding, 112th in assists and a staggering 281st in FG percentage. GA Tech is so bad, their leading rebounding (5.5/game) is a guard. Against Clemson, Tech only got 24 points from their starters including 3 starters totaling only 4 points while shooting barely 40% from the field.
Glen Rice Jr. led Tech starters with 12 points (7 rebounds). Mfon Udofia led all Tech scorers with 14 points (8 boards) and Brian Oliver contributed 11 points both off the bench. Iman Schumpert who leads the team in scoring, rebounding and assists was held to just 8 points.
Coach Paul Hewett is well known in ACC country for his ability to recruit. Unfortunately, Hewett also has a knack for recruiting kids that play 1-2 seasons and bolt for the NBA. The lack of continuity year after year has created a program in which every other year is effectively a “rebuilding” year. In 2006 & 2008, Tech performed a losing record with 11 & 15 wins respectively. In 2007 & 2009, both teams won 20+ games and earned NCAA tournament bids.
In 2010, Tech will duplicate their previous efforts in even years. GA Tech will not come close to winning half of their conference games and could easily not win a single conference game. Hopefully next year they can duplicate their success in odd years like 2007 and 2009.
Mark Anthony Williams
