Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
2013-2014 Overall Rank: #70
Conference Rank: #9 ACC
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Coach Brian Gregory led Georgia Tech to a winning season during his second season at Georgia Tech. The ACC proved too tough for the Yellow Jackets, but the program is moving in the right direction. The return of four starters could lead to big things in 2013-2014 and Marcus Georges-Hunt is ready to lead the way. The 6-5 wing led the squad with 10.8 points per contest and added 4.9 rebounds. He is a capable outside shooter and a great slasher.
2012-13 Record: 16-15, 6-12
2012-13 Postseason: None
Coach: Brian Gregory
Coach Record: 27-35 at Georgia Tech, 199-129 overall
Who’s Out:
Losing Mfon Udofia could turn into a huge problem. Udofia was not the most consistent point guard in the ACC, but he did dish out 2.9 assists per game and commited just 1.7 turnovers. More alarming though is the fact that Coach Gregory may not have anybody ready to take over. That is especially true without backup Pierre Jordan. Brandon Reed started 15 games during his junior season and was occasionally a consistent outside shooter. Power forward Juian Royal is transferring too after his production dipped during his sophomore season.
Who’s In:
The expectations at Georgia Tech could get significantly higher if point guard Trae Golden is eligible this season after transferring in from Tennessee. Last season he was third in the SEC with 3.9 assists per game. He also averaged 12.1 points per game and has a knack for getting to the charity stripe. For a team that has very little experience at the point, and for a team that struggles mightily at the free-throw line, Golden is just what this team needs. However, the request for immediate eligibility is pending. If Golden is not able to play in 2013-2014, the pressure will be on freshmen Travis Jorgenson and Corey Heyward. Jorgenson may be the most talented guard on the roster and that will eventually get him playing time, but it will come down who is ready to be a leader. Heyward redshirted last season, so at least he has been around the program for a year. Quinton Stephens lacks the strength to battle in the paint in the ACC, yet he should have time to develop his overall game barring any injuries.
Who to Watch:
Georgia Tech has a surprising amount of talent. It has yet to come together for everybody, or the team as a whole, but it will eventually. The frontcourt trio of Robert Carter, Daniel Miller and Kammeon Holsey can match just about anybody in the ACC. Carter was a big time recruiting who showed why during his freshman season. He averaged 9.9 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.0 blocks and proved that he is a versatile post player who can score in a variety of ways. He probably tried to show off his outside shooting ability a bit too much, connecting on a mere 28.1 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc, but the fact that he is a threat to score from anywhere on the floor makes the 6-8, 247 pounder tough for anybody to defend. Miller is one of the most underappreciated shot blockers in the country and is quite underappreciated in his other attributes as well. The 6-11 senior is third on Georgia Tech’s all-time shot blocking list and has developed into a much more dynamic scoring threat over the last three years. He will still get plenty of points on easy put backs after grabbing offensive rebounds, but he is now a threat to score with his back to the basket or out to about ten feet. There is not a coach in the country who would not want Holsey coming in off of their bench. The 6-8 senior is not the strongest rebounder on the team, yet he is a good interior scorer and tough enough to spell Carter and Miller for 20 to 25 minutes per game.
Final Projection:
Georges-Hunt is not the only sophomore who earned starts as a freshman. Chris Bolden started 15 contests and averaged 7.3 points per game. Bolden struggled with his shot as a freshman and hit just 30.4 percent of his attempts from long range, but that will change. Stacey Poole is brimming with potential too. The former Wildcat of Kentucky was not eligible to play with Georgia Tech until half way through last season. By that point Coach Gregory already had his rotation pretty well set and Poole failed to make a big enough splash for Georgia Tech to shake things up. He will get another chance this time around. Senior Jason Morris has plenty of experience, providing even more depth on the wing. The only returning option at the point is Solomon Poole and he did not play much as a freshman in 2013-2014. If Golden is not eligible, Coach Gregory will have to rely on inexperienced options. His freshmen guards were great last year, but it is a different story when that freshman has to run the point.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NIT
Projected Starting Five:
Travis Jorgenson, Freshman, Guard, DNP last season
Chris Bolden, Sophomore, Guard, 7.3 points per game
Marcus Georges-Hunt, Sophomore, Guard, 10.8 points per game
Robert Carter, Sophomore, Forward, 9.9 points per game
Daniel Miller, Senior, Center, 8.4 points per game
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 64.3 (254th in nation, 10th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 62.4 (63, 4)
Field-Goal Percentage: 41.9 (244, 12)
Field-Goal Defense: 40.1 (50, 4)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 5.6 (234, 9)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 31.8 (246, 10)
Free-Throw Percentage: 63.5 (320, 12)
Rebound Margin: 2.8 (96, 4)
Assists Per Game: 12.7 (168, 6)
Turnovers Per Game: 12.9 (140, 9)
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