Tobacco Road Report

Georgia Tech looked lost on the court at key moments today as UNLV sent the Yellow Jackets home for the season.

There are many explanations to the defeat but it starts and ends with poor play by Tech's highly touted freshmen. The outcome of the game could be previewed in the opening few possessions. Thaddeus Young missed consecutive drives to the rim while Tech missed a rotation on defense and gave up consecutive threes. Tech shot under 30% in the first half and UNLV was able to extend a 14 point lead. Tech was able to rally with hard play from Mario West, De' Andre Bell, and Alade Aminu to get within 7 at the half and make it a game.

To open the second half, Tech was able to tie the game at 40 as Anthony Morrow hit consecutive threes. The game would trade buckets and sloppy play for the next five minutes until Tech actually took at 58-57 lead with 3:22 left. As we have seen several times this season, the last four minutes for Tech is where their lack of discipline, fundamentals, coaching, and experience take over. The climax to the game was a five shot possession for UNLV with Tech leading by 1. This was after Tech had the ball and the lead and committed a shot clock violation. UNLV closed the game out in a contest neither side really deserved to win.

This was probably the icing on the cake to a frustrating season for Jacket fans. The chemistry between the freshmen and upper classman is questionable, and for Jacket fans, TRR hopes that the return of Lewis Clinch and incoming freshman, Gani Lawal will make the pieces fit. Easy to say that the Jackets will be the subject of some off-season TRR articles.