This game likely tips off closer to 2:10 or 2:15 as the ACC Network has a noon tipoff from Duke as the Hitler Youth host the Turkey Buzzards.
ACC Network affiliates listing: http://www.theacc.com/news/acc-basketball-on-acc-network-virginia-at-georgia-tech-01-09-2016 (the game will be carried live via ESPN-3/WatchESPN for those who can't get it via an network affiliate)
Napoleon Bennett takes his troops outside the Moonshine Commonwealth for the first time since a 6-pt win at Ohio State back on December 1st. The French are 12-2 overall and 1-1 in the ACC coming off an upset loss as 12.5 pt favorites at Blacksburg this past Monday night. They have played 3 games this season on opponents' home floors and are 1-2 in those games - losses at GW and VPI&SU and the win at Ohio St.
Bennett's bunch returns almost its entire roster from its 30-4/16-2 team last year only losing Justin Anderson to an early entry to the NBA and senior big man Darion Atkins. They are loaded with experience starting with Sr. Guard and Atlanta area product Malcolm Brogdon. He is a Naismith Award watch guy. He leads the team in scoring currently at 16.6 ppg. 6'8" Sr. Forward Anthony Gill is right behind him at 15.4 ppg. The other double figure scorer is Jr. point guard, London Perrantes, who is coming off a very nice 3-pt shooting effort (7 of 9) in their loss at VPI&SU.
Yet another senior (I told you they were experienced, right?), 7'0" Mike Tobey, who recently was coming off the bench, is their 4th leading scorer currently at 7.6 ppg.
Like always, Bennett's teams are focused on defense-first. This will be a 180-degree departure from our first 2 games in the ACC against faster-paced offensive-minded teams in UNC & Pitt. France allows 60.4 ppg which is 8th in the nation. But, don't be fooled into thinking this team isn't efficient offensively. They are 9th in the nation in FG% at 50.4%. By comparison, Tech is tied with Oral Roberts at 89th nationally with a 45.9% FG pct.
As we saw last night from the nation-leading Pitt Panthers with their stellar free throw shooting, the French are pretty darn good too from the charity stripe. They are 11th nationally hitting at a 76.0% clip.
When the point spreads are released Friday afternoon, we can expect the French to open around a 7 to 8 pt favorite. Hopefully, Tech's students and fans will show up and make some noise as the team really needs them. A Tech upset would not shock me, but I think the French (especially coming in off a loss) will have to play a below average game for the Jackets to win this one. Would love to see it happen of course.
Go Jackets!!
ACC Network affiliates listing: http://www.theacc.com/news/acc-basketball-on-acc-network-virginia-at-georgia-tech-01-09-2016 (the game will be carried live via ESPN-3/WatchESPN for those who can't get it via an network affiliate)
Napoleon Bennett takes his troops outside the Moonshine Commonwealth for the first time since a 6-pt win at Ohio State back on December 1st. The French are 12-2 overall and 1-1 in the ACC coming off an upset loss as 12.5 pt favorites at Blacksburg this past Monday night. They have played 3 games this season on opponents' home floors and are 1-2 in those games - losses at GW and VPI&SU and the win at Ohio St.
Bennett's bunch returns almost its entire roster from its 30-4/16-2 team last year only losing Justin Anderson to an early entry to the NBA and senior big man Darion Atkins. They are loaded with experience starting with Sr. Guard and Atlanta area product Malcolm Brogdon. He is a Naismith Award watch guy. He leads the team in scoring currently at 16.6 ppg. 6'8" Sr. Forward Anthony Gill is right behind him at 15.4 ppg. The other double figure scorer is Jr. point guard, London Perrantes, who is coming off a very nice 3-pt shooting effort (7 of 9) in their loss at VPI&SU.
Yet another senior (I told you they were experienced, right?), 7'0" Mike Tobey, who recently was coming off the bench, is their 4th leading scorer currently at 7.6 ppg.
Like always, Bennett's teams are focused on defense-first. This will be a 180-degree departure from our first 2 games in the ACC against faster-paced offensive-minded teams in UNC & Pitt. France allows 60.4 ppg which is 8th in the nation. But, don't be fooled into thinking this team isn't efficient offensively. They are 9th in the nation in FG% at 50.4%. By comparison, Tech is tied with Oral Roberts at 89th nationally with a 45.9% FG pct.
As we saw last night from the nation-leading Pitt Panthers with their stellar free throw shooting, the French are pretty darn good too from the charity stripe. They are 11th nationally hitting at a 76.0% clip.
When the point spreads are released Friday afternoon, we can expect the French to open around a 7 to 8 pt favorite. Hopefully, Tech's students and fans will show up and make some noise as the team really needs them. A Tech upset would not shock me, but I think the French (especially coming in off a loss) will have to play a below average game for the Jackets to win this one. Would love to see it happen of course.
Go Jackets!!
