BasketJackets: Game 24 vs Wake Forest, Feb. 10 Wed., 7pm (RSN)

[GTJT622]

The regional sports networks which will be televising the game include:

• CSN Mid Atlantic
• FOX Sports South
• FOX Sports Sun
• FOX Sports West
• MSG
• NESN
• ROOT Sports Northwest
• ROOT Sports Pittsburgh
• ROOT Sports Rocky Mountain
• SportsTime Ohio

Two of the worst teams in the A.C.C. will face off Wednesday night at the Enormous Melon. Wake started out with some impressive wins prior to starting the conference schedule. They defeated both Indiana and UCLA in Maui and then LSU in Baton Rouge. But, the wheels have fallen off since then. The Deacs have lost its last 8 in a row. More depressing, 6 of the last 7 have been by double digits and the other loss in that stretch was a game they completely threw away with a 7-pt lead and 20 seconds left in the game before the French pulled a miracle out of their ass.

Tech opens as a whopping 9 point favorite. This is just the 2nd time in the 2016 calendar year that Tech has been established as a betting favorite by the books. The only other time, Tech lost outright to the Hokies at the Gigantic Hooter by 1 point.

Wake is once again led by Devin Thomas. Thomas is undersized, but like his All-American sister who was A.C.C. POTY multiple times at Maryland, he plays with tons of heart, hustle and sheer grit to get what he gets. I admire him and enjoy watching him play. I wish he was in a G.T. uniform. He also leads the team in rebounds per game at 9.9. He's listed as 6'9", but I don't think he is nearly that tall.

Wake is one of the few remaining A.C.C. programs we still hold an all-time series lead over. And that is barely in the NATS' favor at 40-38. The Jackets have won 5 of the last 6. Hopefully, the guys get it done and make it 6 of the last 7. Though, there is no way I'd be laying 9 pts on us.

Maybe the halftime show will be entertaining for the 2 thousand fans that show up.

 

[GTJT622]

rr.com preview... http://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/020916aaa.html

Wes Durham and Dan Bonner with the call from the Extremely Large Boob Wednesday evening.

 

[Buzzforlife]

The weather is bad here today, for us too. Maybe not like God's Country, but we shut down faster.

Thanks for noticing the halftime show and giving credit to the 2k that might show up. Maybe they will be treated to a psychic during the 20 minute break, that can predict our future teams success next season? Wait a second, you and I can do that right here without the schedule announced. I'm going with less than the football total in wins, 7-22. Care to take a stab with your 622 shades of light?

 

[GTJT622]

Just quickly without much thought...

...same/current coaching staff and no infusion of difference-making grad transfer(s) to which we currently are not aware of... 7-22 sounds about right.

...any changes to the coaching staff and/or difference making grad transfers could raise that up some...maybe 9-20.

(it's gonna be butt uuuuuuuugly...already reminds me much of my wife's family as-is...next year may extend out to her cousins and farther...yikes!)

 

[Buzzforlife]

I was thinking instead of going to the games next year as punishment, we could visit every WalMart in the Metro Atlanta area and ask one question of each attending employee in every department. It should take several hours each night just to find them(kind of like searching for The Bobster Lobster AD). After 30 stores, one per game, myself and son can join Sam's Club as a promotion for the postseason we are not going to.

 

[GTJT622]

Jackets on the NIT bubble?... http://www.nycbuckets.com/2016/02/nit-bracketology-feb-10-2016/

 

[GTJT622]

The Deacon followers blog their picks... http://www.bloggersodear.com/2016/2...basketball-demon-deacons-yellow-jackets-ncaab

 

[Buzzforlife]

VCU gets in the NCAA by winning their tourney?

My problem with Ga. Tech getting in any M.E.G. Tournament is that is usually for young teams that are up and coming to play more games, to use the experience as a springboard for next year(or some type of reward for seniors that played together with chemistry as a final bonding time in reaching the Big Apple?). We have neither, especially in an age guys don't play 4 years. Although, MGH has my utmost respect and admiration.

Next year:

PG-Heath/Jorgy(if either is around, otherwise BAJ and Texwood, with Mel as a dark horse should CMJ not require her after running off some more players).

2G-Tadric Jackson

SF-Q. Stephens

PF-S. Ogbonda

C-Ben Lammers

Fill in the newbies for depth or overtaking the veteran crew. Guyee(sp)?

 

[GTJT622]

A decent analysis... http://www.bloggersodear.com/2016/2...tech-danny-manning-devin-thomas-brian-gregory

I give it a C+. That is a good grade by Tech standards. Well, it used to be when I was a student 30 years ago.

 

[Buzzforlife]

M.P. made all C's
My buddy,Rich called him See, See.

 

[GTJT622]

I don't think Tech is in any strong position for the NIT - which is primarily why I posted the link due to the surprise of us being listed. Someone who is claiming themselves as a NIT bracketologist should know a just over .500 overall record in a power conference is no longer a ticket to get into the NIT. We would have to finish somewhere around 18 wins minimum to get a sniff. That means we have to likely win 5 of our last 8 regular season games and 1 at the A.C.C.T.

Is that doable? Of course it is. Especially with very winnable games left and our tendency to play everybody tough (though die in the last 5 minutes). But, based on what we've continually seen, I wouldn't bet on it. In fact, I'd bet against it. Note, surprisingly BC took the Cheaters to the wire at Chestnut Hill last night (as 20' pt underdogs). No win by Tech - including tonight as now 7' pt favorites - is a gimme.

 

[GTJT622]

Next year, my guesses...

PG - Heath -- backup TBD (I think Jorgenson and Heyward will be gone)
2G - Jackson -- backup will be Okogie
SF - Stephens -- backup will be Matthews
PF - White -- backup will be Gueye
C - Lammers -- backup will be Ogbonda

We need in priority order either a freshman signee or grad transfer... 1) point guard (if TJ stays then this is no longer a major need though we should take one if someone wants to be a 1-year grad transfer rental); 2) post player; 3) shooter/scorer either at the 2 or 3 position doesn't matter.

I think Romello White will start as a freshman. And, I won't be surprised if Okogie or Matthews breaks into the starting lineup as well.

All of this - and I mean ALL of it - changes if the staff is shaken up. Not only might we see our 3 signees choose to go elsewhere (obviously I hope not, but you never know), but a new staff and HC might bring somebody or some bodies with him and/or attract grad transfers that do not currently have us on their radar.

Regardless, considering how tough the A.C.C. is and particularly now, it will be a very rough season. Just not nearly enough top-level A.C.C. caliber players with any experience to speak of. Experience doesn't mean diddly if you have 5-star level talent, but we don't have that at all. The current staff's approach obviously isn't and hasn't been working. I don't expect with less experience and same to perhaps less talent/depth, we will magically start beating the upper division teams in the A.C.C. with more regularity.

Bobinski can hold the program hostage by advising we don't have the money to pay off 2 HC's and attract a big time new HC. That is, unless some big donor(s) provides the funds to get it done. Hence, I use the words "holding hostage". Last I looked, a major portion of his job and why he's getting paid over 50 grand a month is to go out and raise the funds to get things like this done. We should be getting more money from TV contracts, a small (but not insignificant) bump of money from Maryland's exit fee, etc. Where is this money going?

 

[BornAJacket]

Is this a MUST win? I think they have lost so many winnable games that every one from here on is a must win, even though the chances are slim for several.

Just play well, hit FTs and finish strong and the wins will come.

 

[Buzzforlife]

At 2-8, and 12 total wins, there are no must win games. They can't win them all, and when has a 10 seed or worse won the Tournament? Yes, a miracle could occur-however we would find a way to blow the Sunday game in the final minutes or get upset in the first round of the NCAA's.

Thought Bobster was a finance guy, so wondering exactly what JT622 is capitulizing has not happened up until now? He also has other duties as an A.D. and knew that coming in. Especially without a P5 background in Football, et al.

I'll admit feeling this way in early December was premature for posting on this site. It was and still is the way I feel. I felt this exact sentiment in Paul's last year and voiced it to Drad in person and via email. Maybe he was feeling his own pinch back then and reacted. Who knows? When the opposition takes over your own arena, with your own fans too frustrated to care, it is past the breaking point...

Realizing the 5.5 or so million to buy the entity out, I am going to my "Bud". He played foots at Kansas St. and does care about athletics. If "Bob" has a chance of saving his spot, or resting hole, he better find 4 million or a few more bucks above that.

 

[GTJT622]

Naaaah, I'm pretty sure a cool 15 million will be donated and raised to build the cross country teams a new dressing room. Shiny new facilities is what we do and who we are. Winning? Ha! That's for the other guys.

 

[GTJT622]

At halftime, a couple of the 622 thousand Georgia Tech alums and fans in Southeast Asia sound off about our team...

 

[GTJT622]

Tech fans rejoice...

 

[GTJT622]

Tech's overall SOS per Warren Nolan's Live RPI is now 18th...Jeff Sagarin's computer rankings has Tech's SOS at 19th in the nation.

FWIW, Wake Forest has played the toughest schedule in the nation per Sagarin's.

 

[Buzzforlife]

Maybe both programs have slipped since Cremins/Odom, but they still have pride in scheduling and graduating players.
Wish the game had meant more to the fans last night, and those of us that had skipped it.

 

[BornAJacket]

I have been on the road travelling for work this week and have not had a chance to voice my congratulations to the team.

And Marcus Georges-Hunt had a career game. Congratulations to him. Hope he continues to play strong the rest of the season and gets several more wins for the team and himself.

 

[GTJT622]

MGH went over the 1,500 point scoring mark with his career-high 30 against the Deacs. Assuming we get 2 games at the A.C.C.T., we have 9 games left. If MGH can average scoring 17 ppg, that will get him to finish his career around 1,672 points scored. That would nudge him just ahead of Tony Akins and into 11th place all-time in Tech history. Note, Malcolm Mackey is 10th with 1,736. For MGH to get to MM, he would have to average 24.1 ppg over the last 9 -- or even better, let's hope we play more than 9 games and make some kind of unlikely miracle run at the A.C.C.T.

Also note, MGH is averaging scoring 18.5 against conference foes so getting 17 ppg based on what he's been doing since the new year rolled around seems achievable.

 

[BornAJacket]

I'd like to see him finish in the top 10. Last year I looked at where he was and thought that he would be able to get it close. But I have not though about it again. I'd love for him to make it. He needs to avoid single digit scoring games like Syracuse and Virginia. Without those games, he's averaging 21.3 in ACC play. So he should be able to get about 150 more points regular season if he maintains that average. That will leave him somewhere around 68 points to get in the post season. Obviously, if he can step up his points and get 3-4 more per game his chances are better.

 

[GTJT622]

It will be tough as he has 2 games left against Clemson, whose team is ranked 22nd in the nation in points allowed per game (at 64.1). Also, there is one game left at Louisville, who is ranked 6th in the nation in points allowed per game (at 60.3). Though, he did put up 23 on the Cards in the earlier game in Atlanta.

He only attempted 6 field goals against Virginia in 33 minutes of play and only 5 attempts at Syracuse in 37 minutes of play. The next lowest field goal attempts in an A.C.C. game was 9. He's taken 14 and 15 in our last 2 games. He needs to continue to attack the glass like he's been doing. When he drives to the basket, I like our chances.

He is 60 of 72 (83.3%) from the charity stripe in A.C.C. games this season. Even more reason I like when he goes to the glass. Keep it up, MGH!