Conference: Atlantic Coast Conference
Current Record: 20-10, (8-8)
Notable Wins: at Memphis, Duke, UConn, North Carolina, Boston College
Times I've seen them on TV: enough
Tournament Resume:
Georgia Tech is a young team coming together at the right time. With convincing victories over Boston College and North Carolina in it's last two games, Paul Hewitt's Yellow Jackets have solidified their position in the tournament (barring a collapse in the first round of the ACC tournament) and have shown themselves to be a team that can play with anyone on a given night.
Georgia Tech is a young team coming together at the right time. With convincing victories over Boston College and North Carolina in it's last two games, Paul Hewitt's Yellow Jackets have solidified their position in the tournament (barring a collapse in the first round of the ACC tournament) and have shown themselves to be a team that can play with anyone on a given night.
Tech's up-and-down season started with a bang, with 5 straight victories, including Purdue at home and Memphis on the road. What followed was typical of a talented young team. The Yellow Jackets, who's top two scorers are freshmen, struggled on the road while looking like a top 25 team at home. Adding to the inconsistency during this stretch was the loss of Lewis Clinch due to suspension for violating school rules. I assume they're talking about those school rules against serial rape or murder, because otherwise I can't see suspending your teams leading scorer over the first ten games. Especially when a guy named Mouhammad Faye (affectionately nicknamed Al Gay-da by his teammates) is tagged to replace him.
Still, over the course of the season Hewitt got his team to gel together and got some big performances off the bench from guys like Anthony Morrow and Mario West. Winning 7 of their last nine games has likely put Georgia Tech back into the NCAA tournament and has the Yellow Jackets looking like a dark horse contender for the Final Four.
Outlook:
So, why are these Yellow Jackets so dangerous in the tournament. Two names.
If those names make you think of ancient Greek warriors, you're on the right track. Neither of these guys will hesitate to impale you with a javelin, then drag your bleeding corpse around campus behind a chariot.
Javaris Crittenton has the size and athletic ability that teams drool over at the point guard position. He has great point guard instincts and a natural ability to get the ball into the paint and get fouled. Early in the season he had a tendency to get a little flashy and committed some turnovers, but his game has settled down of late and he's turned into a real court leader.Thaddeus Young was one of the most highly regarded freshmen coming into this season and for the most part has lived up to expectations. He's a natural small forward with exceptional athleticism that makes him great at attacking the basket, pressure defense and offensive rebounding. He also has great hands and a sweet touch around the basket. His outside shooting can be a little inconsistant, but his decision making has omproved over the course of the season and he's shown a high level of basketball IQ. Only his ball handling is really lacking at this point in his development.
Prediction:
Final Four
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