Tech Fizzles in the NIT
Rich Yunkus had to be unimpressed. Techs NIT hero from yesteryear would not have recognized the play. The Jackets' post-season aadventure in " that other tournament " didn't last long.
One game. A loss to Jacksonville State. If you want to be snarky, you could make the claim that they didn't even last this entire contest.
The Jackets were slow out of the gate, down four points at the five minute mark, then down 12 at halftime.
Whatever was said at the half had little effect. Five minutes into the second half, the deficit had grown to 20 and Tech showed no signs of righting tbe ship. They looked lethargic.
As Damon Stoudamire said post- game, Tech looked like they were playing in quicksand. Jax State was quicker to the ball and generally played with more energy. They bested Tech in shooting, rebounding and total assists. It was a thorough victory for the visitors.
This was an unsightly way to finish Stoudamire s second campaign, a season which produced some elements of definite improvement over the final six weeks.
For the season , Tech finished 17-17. They were 10-10 in the ACC, in a year where everyone noted that the league was down- except for those guys in Durham.
Those win totals do stand a good ways above one year earlier, ( 14-18, 7-13 ), so there is definite progress– but still a long way to go to get to a place where they are legitimately competitive on the national stage.
Pleasant surprises for Stoudamire this year included the play of Duncan Powell and Lance Terry. Nait George also showed good progress.
Baye Ndongo had an inconsistent year, including on this night ( four points and five rebounds in 33 minutes). And multiple injuries were perhaps the bigger background story.
Stoudamire is already looking ahead to year three .
" Next year starts tomorrow for me", he said emphatically post-game, adding " We've got to get better mentally".
He came into this season in search of greater consistency. This one- game, minimally competitive experience against a lesser opponent in the NIT, was strong evidence that consistency is still a ways off.
Patrick Conarro
RamblinSports.com