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The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Washington, D.C.—It’s “Free-wheeling Friday” again, which means we just might veer off the topic of college football. But you’re free to do the same. If you’re got something you need to get off your chest today, then let ‘er rip. Here are just a few things that are on my mind this morning.
I’m up in Washington, D.C. after watching Georgia play in the NCAA Tournament on Thursday. I’ve run into several Navy people who want to know how Paul Johnson is doing at Georgia Tech. All I can tell you is that the Navy people love this guy. They are grateful for what he did for the program and have no doubt that he is going to be successful at Georgia Tech. They find it funny when people say that Johnson’s option offense can’t succeed at this level of football. Bottom line, they said: People should quit trying to pigeon hole Paul Johnson. He is a ball coach and knows how to win. He always has.
I’m headed back to Atlanta today after watching Georgia lose to Xavier. There is no doubt in my mind that for 30 minutes Georgia was the better team. But Xavier finally wore Georgia down in the last 10 minutes. The only thing that struck me as strange is the fact that Sundiata Gaines, one of the best penetrating guards in college basketball, played 38 minutes and NEVER got to the free throw line. I don’t’ know. I’m just asking.
I hung around Thursday night at the Verizon Center and watched as Belmont, a No. 15 seed, almost beat second-seeded Duke before losing 71-70. I thought the Blue Devils might lose to the Bruins in this NCAA Tournament, but not the Bruins from Belmont. Belmont’s kids played toe-to-toe with Duke and never backed down. Rick Byrd, the Belmont coach, is the son of veteran sportswriter Ben Byrd of the Knoxville Journal. He really had his team prepared. How big an upset would it have been if Belmont had won? Since the tournament went to 64 teams in 1985, the No. 15 seed is 4-88 against the No. 2 seed. It would have been one of the biggest upsets in the history of the tournament. But if you were watching the game, it didn’t look like an upset. Belmont was not playing like a 15 seed. And Duke sure wasn’t playing like a 2.

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