Observations: NCSU

Georgia Tech coach Paul Hewitt acknowledged his team's problems in not getting the ball inside to Derrick Favors or Gani Lawal frequently enough. That's a start. But why is it March 13 and your team still doesn't understand the importance of feeding an NBA lottery pick (Favors) in the post?

Hewitt spends far too much time with the officials and not enough time teaching guards Iman Shumpert, Brian Oliver and Glen Rice Jr. the finer points of shot selection. The Jackets were also a disaster against a full-court press (again).

There's no logical reason with that much talent Tech should have gone 7-9 in the ACC this season.

In the span of three days, N.C. State forward Tracy Smith went toe-to-toe with the ACC's best big men - Clemson's Trevor Booker, Florida State's Solomon Alabi and Georgia Tech's Favors - and put up 47 points. Given the limited options around him - and credit to State coach Sidney Lowe for making the most of those options - Smith belongs on the all-tournament team. He also likely improved his stock with NBA scouts.