BasketJackets: Game 20 at NC State, Jan. 27 Wed., 8pm (ACC Network)

[GTJT622]

ACC Network affiliates list: http://www.theacc.com/news/acc-basketball-on-acc-network-georgia-tech-at-nc-state-01-27-2016

This game may open as Off the betting board due to the questionable status of NC State's best player, Cat Barber, who leads the ACC in scoring at 22.1 ppg. If he is available, the Pack will be a small 1 or 2 pt favorite. Without him, the Jackets may be a small road favorite.

The Pack has 3 others players scoring in double figures. They are 1-6 in ACC play with the lone win being a surprising 17 pt domination at Pitt one week ago.

NC State leads the all-time series, 56-37. They are on a 5-game winning streak. Last year, the 2 teams met once. NC State hit a 3-pt shot at the buzzer to defeat Tech on Cremins Court in overtime, 81-80. The last time Tech trekked to Raleigh, the Pack won 2 years ago in overtime, 80-78. The 3 previous losses to those 2 overtime losses in this 5-game streak for the Pack were by double digit margins.

Since Tech reeled off 7 straight wins in the series between '94 and '97 seasons, NC State has won 24 of 34 games.

This is the only regularly scheduled meeting this season, though I won't be surprised if these two teams meet up on Day 1 of the ACC Tournament. Both look to likely finish in the 10 to 15 range. BC likely is going to be the #15 seed to play the #10 seed and I can't see either NC State or GT being the #10 seed from what we've seen to date. So, my guess is these two teams finish between 11 and 14 which heightens the likelihood, if so, of meeting in either the 11-14 or 12-13 games in front of a half-empty Washington DC Verizon Center "crowd".

 

[GTJT622]

Pack opens as 2.5 pt favorites.

NC State still in wait-and-see mode on Cat Barber and his knee. May be a game time decision.

 

[GTJT622]

Game preview courtesy of gopack.com... http://gopack.com/news/2016/1/26/gt-preview.aspx

Game announcers will be Mike Gleason (p-b-p) and Cory Alexander (analyst).

 

[GTJT622]

Money riding on the Pack at home to cover the small number. Line has moved from opening at -2 to now -4.5.

 

[GTJT622]

Helluva first half by the Good Guys. Can we Dear Buddha please finish a game?

 

[GTJT622]

Woohoo! Savor any win and especially a road win and in this case a win that broke a 5-game losing streak to the opponent.

Well done, Jackets!! MGH played really well. When NCSU got the technical, it looked like they would take the lead, but we were able to bust it back up and then extended the lead to double digits. Some strong FT shooting overall tonight as well. Jacobs was a beast offensively early in the game.

We had zero defense for Barber, but he is the leading scorer in the conference for a reason.

 

[Buzzforlife]

Naturally, I totally missed this one. Perhaps my son will ask to go somewhere on Saturday at about Noon. That way we can get our third ACC victory.

 

[GTJT622]

Box score observations in no particular odor...

• 29 of 34 from the FT line is amazing...not just the strong 85.3% execution, but getting to the line 34 times is outstanding...yes, some were at the end when the Pack was fouling on purpose but still we had a nice lead in FT attempts with 3 minutes to go in the game...speaking of the Pack fouling, why weren't those fouls before we brought the ball in intentional?...there was no attempt to make a play on the ball because the ball wasn't brought in and the refs knew exactly what NCSU was doing...that approach and rules should be revisited by the refs if that is going to be allowed (Mitchell went 3 of 7 from the line...Lammers missed out other FT...this means MGH+Smith+Heath+Jacobs+TJax went a combined 25 of 25 from the line...impressive!)
  
• 3 guys scoring 20+ for Tech...don't recall the last time I've seen that...Jacobs and Smith with 20 a piece and MGH (who has really stepped up his scoring the last 3 games) with 26
• Chuck gets another double-double...this time, 11 pts and 10 boards...off the bench last night
  
• Tech won the battle of the boards, 43-35
• Tech had 15 assists to only 9 turnovers
• Jorgenson did not play again...I think he will transfer out of Tech and open up a ship at the end of the season
• 83 of our 90 pts scored were by seniors (or grad transfers)

 

[BornAJacket]

Marcus played a great game. 26 points on the road in the ACC is a great game.

Congratulations to the Jackets winning this game was crucial to keeping the season on the positive side.

Next game at Syracuse is a must win as well. Then finish the first half at home vs Duke.

It would be great to see the team 4-5 at the mid-point. but 3-6 is more likely. There are 5 home games in the second half.

There should be at least be 2 more wins so far. This team could easily be 4-3 right now. If they can go 5-4 in the second half, would 8-10 get them any tournament bubble consideration?

 

[GTJT622]

If you think 3-6 is more likely, then that means we win one of these next 2...either at Cuse or at home vs Duke...I'd take that in a heartbeat.

 

[Buzzforlife]

The factoid about 83 of the 90 points by the Senior Five has me petrified. The way CBG favors defensive play, I better enjoy these guys the next few months and keep watching the 2004 DVD.

 

[GTJT622]

No question next year is going to be very Boston College-ish of this year. What could be the difference in whether we are a 7-24/1-17 type of team or a 14-17/5-13 type of team will be 1) how the incoming freshman perform as they will play significant minutes most likely out of necessity; 2) can Ogbonda or Geuye step in as redshirt-frosh and compliment Lammers (and likely Romello White) in the post?; and 3) can CBG find a scoring guard - preferably a shooter to open up the offense?

Stephens, Heath and T-Jax will need some help. Okogie and Matthews have quite the opportunity for immediate playing time in front of them, so I am very hopeful they continue to stay in great shape and hone their skills between now and September.


Edit note: of course, this assumes we have the same HC in place which I think is 50-50 whether that will be the case right now...even a new HC likely struggles in Year 1 with limited high-level experienced ACC caliber players in arsenal (wild card of course being any grad transfers that could change the equation ala Adam Smith)

 

[Buzzforlife]

Watched Gregg Marshall coaching last night on one of those Dave and Busters' television screens, after giving up on them turning the Tech game on. He never seems to sweat. Intense, yes! He just wins...no matter who, what, when, where and why.