WASHINGTON - Three weeks from now, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets will reflect on their Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament title game one of two ways.
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It will either mean everything, or absolutely nothing.
If they're still playing by the time the Final Four is held in St. Louis, this is where it all started. If not, it will be just another loss to Duke, Georgia Tech's 19th in the past 20 meetings with the Blue Devils.
Duke spoiled the Jackets' weekend Sunday at MCI Center, staving off a late rally to post a 69-64 victory.
Georgia Tech's players and coaches didn't hide their disappointment over the loss, but after interviews, showers and a bite to eat, they had reset their sights on this week's NCAA Tournament.
The Jackets face George Washington in the opening round Friday in Nashville, Tenn. And they enter the Big Dance in a similar fashion as last year, when they advanced to the national championship game.
Consider these two parallels:
Georgia Tech is playing well after a February swoon. The Yellow Jackets lost three games in a four-game stretch last year before finding team chemistry in the final two weeks of the regular season.
This season, the Jackets played their best basketball against ACC competition in the final two weeks of the regular season, although they had just a 2-2 record to show for it. They carried that momentum into the league tournament, knocking off Virginia Tech and North Carolina to get to the title game.
In 2004, Duke also eliminated the Jackets in the ACC Tournament. A 14-point loss to the Blue Devils in the semifinals motivated them for the NCAAs.
Sunday's loss in the championship should do likewise, said guard Will Bynum.
"This is kind of like how it was last year," Bynum said. "We were playing well and we lost to Duke, and that left a bitter taste in our mouths. Hopefully, the same thing can happen again."
Sunday's loss was among the most bitter of the year for Georgia Tech. They never led in the game and trailed by as many as 13 points.
Duke guards J.J. Redick and Daniel Ewing controlled the perimeter, finishing with a combined 41 points, while center Shelden Williams collected 16 points, 13 rebounds and six blocked shots.
Georgia Tech faced playing the final 10 minutes without Jarrett Jack, who came down on Duke guard Daniel Ewing's foot and rolled his ankle with 9 minutes, 52 seconds remaining.
He lay on the floor, screaming in pain, before two teammates helped him off. Coach Paul Hewitt said he thought he'd lost his point guard and team leader for the game, and maybe beyond.
Jack didn't feel the same way.
"There's nothing that is going to keep me off the court," Jack said of his thoughts after the injury. "I'm going to do whatever I can to help my team."
A minute-and-a-half later, he limped back onto the floor, inspired his team and sparked a rally.
His first play back, he made a 14-foot jumper. Three possessions later, he hit a long 3-pointer. On the ensuing Duke possession, he drew a charge on Ewing, who fouled out on the play .
He made a running jumper a minute later, cutting Duke's lead to five points with 3 minutes, 20 seconds remaining. He finished with a team-high 19 points and three steals.
Reach Adam Van Brimmer at (404) 589-8424 or adam.vanbrimmer@morris.com.
