Feb. 21, 2007
Georgia Tech Head Coach Paul Hewitt
“I think we’re getting closer and closer to reaching our potential. Tonight we did a decent job defensively, and we did a great job on the boards, which has been a major emphasis over the last month or so. Of course, it’s always nice when you’ve got a guy like Javaris Crittenton who can bail you out at the end of the shot clock. Overall, a good effort, and we’ve got another tough test coming up on Saturday.
“With those younger guys, it’s a constant learning process. You prepare them to play. You just to get better and learn the game, and the rest of that stuff comes. In terms of the magnitude of the games, there’s no need in discussing all that. They know it’s a big game. The big thing is to keep learning and understanding the game so that when something isn’t going right, you have something to fall back on. We’re learning more things to fall back on.
[Defensive effort] “Terrific. Two offensive rebounds (for Wake Forest) and they shot 39 percent – that’s the way it’s done. That’s a lot of hustle, a lot of boxing out, a good team effort defensively, and that got us going in transition.
[Defense on Visser] “He’s a very good player. He averages 17 points a game, so we really had to put a lot of emphasis on him. I thought our guys executed that part of the game plan very well. The emphasis on keeping him off the glass was key.
“We’re always better when Javaris plays well, and he’s played well since the first of the year. I don’t always hear his name in the conversation for ACC Rookie of the Year, but it’s hard for me to think there’s somebody else who has as much responsibility as a freshman and is playing as well. There are very good freshmen out there, but some of them are surrounded by all-America candidates. Since the first of January, this kid has led this team. No knock on the rest of our guys, but it’s not like he’s got a consistent 18-and-10 guy hanging around. This kid has led our team. When I hear conversations about Rookie of the Year and they don’t mention his name, it’s like, Am I watching the same season everyone else is watching?
NOTING GEORGIA TECH
Javaris Crittenton recorded his seventh 20-point game, sixth in ACC games. Tech is 6-1 when he scores 20 or more. His nine assists are his high for an ACC game.
WAKE FOREST HEAD COACH SKIP PROSSER
Opening Statement:
“Give credit to Georgia Tech. I thought they really played well, especially in the first half, and it was obviously a good result for them”
Discuss your season-long offensive imbalance:
“The thing that is frustrating is that in the first half we really didn’t give ourselves a chance in terms of turnovers and 3-for-12 from the foul line. We guarded decently in the first half, and if we don’t just hand the ball to them a couple times for easy baskets and make our free throws, that’s a manageable game at the half. Again, it’s frustrating.
“I thought Jeremis Smith with great passion, and obviously Crittenton played very very well for them.”
You got great games from Gurley and Visser, but it seemed like there was no one else scoring . . .
“That’s a season-long issue. We had guys with 20 in the last game, so that’s sort of been us. It is indeed frustrating.”
Comment on Crittenton and how he looks now compared to the first meeting:
“I’ve always thought he was a terrific player, especially here. We recruited him hard. He’s a very very good kid from a wonderful family. You don’t have to sell me on Javaris Crittenton, I’m already a fan.”
