In a somewhat sloppy game, Georgia was able to pull out a one point victory 73-72 over Georgia Tech. While Georgia coach Mark Fox couldn't be completely happy with his team's play he did recognize the significance of a rare road win in this series. When asked about Dustin Ware's three point basket that put the Dawgs ahead for good Fox had this to say:
“That’s certainly a big basket for our program,”
Fox also talked about the many close games the Bulldogs have been involved in early this season and their growth from it:
“The fact that we’ve been in a lot of close games, that’s good experience for us,” Fox said. “It certainly paid dividends tonight late in the game we didn’t panic, we finished the game with a timeout, never had to burn it, and I think we played like a mature group.”
On the Tech sideline disappointment reigned. However, criticism has emerged for Tech's lack of execution down the stretch. The decision to go for a quick two pointer with Tech down three where Glen Rice scored on a lay up to make the score 73-72 will be second guessed perhaps. Even worse was the decision to heave a full length of the court pass to center Daniel Miller when there was time to complete a much shorter pass and to get off a much better shot. Of course the Yellow Jackets were out of time outs and didn't have the opportunity to set anything up.
Following up an awkward exchange he had with Paul Hewitt, AJC writer Jeff Schultz asked Tech A.D. Dan Radakovich about the state of the program: We went to the finals of the ACC tournament last year,” Radakovich said. “We went to the second round of the NCAA tournament. That wasn’t a bad year.”
So you’re satisfied?
“You’re never satisfied unless you win it all,” he said. “But there was significant progress over the previous couple of years. I feel like we’re going in the right direction.”
While I am sure that Paul Hewitt has tired of his job status always being in question, it is losses like this that will prevent those questions from going away anytime soon. Schultz had this parting shot for Hewitt:
The Jackets fought back. Effort wasn’t the issue, execution was. But that has become a familiar sight.