Georgia Tech at Virginia, Jan 23, 8pm, ACC Network

CuseJacket

CuseJacket

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Jackets are 9 point underdogs for tomorrow's primetime tilt in Charlottesville.

If you can believe it, this is essentially a battle for first place in the ACC, with Tech at 1 loss and Tony Bennett's crew sitting alone as undefeated.

Quad 1 win on the table with GT sitting at 0-1 in that category on the year.

If the good guys win, it'll be a big lift in a lot of ways.
 
Kmag

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CuseJacket said:
Jackets are 9 point underdogs for tomorrow's primetime tilt in Charlottesville.

If you can believe it, this is essentially a battle for first place in the ACC, with Tech at 1 loss and Tony Bennett's crew sitting alone as undefeated.

Quad 1 win on the table with GT sitting at 0-1 in that category on the year.

If the good guys win, it'll be a big lift in a lot of ways.
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People are still sleeping on us. I like the match up. Ready for tip off!!!
 
orientalnc

orientalnc

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Against Clemson, these are the minutes our starters played: Wright 38 Usher 28, Devoe 37, Parham 39, Alvarado 34 (He sat all those minutes after his injury). It will be interesting to see whether, and who, gets more rest against Virginia. Fatigue can accumulate, but these five guys are true warriors and really want to be on the floor.

Another interesting tidbit. We shot only eight FTs and Clemson only seven. I know I have seen games with fewer FTs but this was a really clean game.
 
Connell62

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Biggest game for GT in long, long time. It is exciting being in the mix again and having a shot at first place near the halfway point.

Personally, I like the match-up from a defensive perspective. We just have to hope that Moses can neutralize Huff.

Between Jordan and Khalid, I think we can slow Hauser, Jose can outplay K. Clark. That zone is tough even on the best teams.

The question in my mind is can we grind out enough baskets, get some in the open court. We have to get Moses involved on the post early.

If we can stay hot offensive, win the scrum battles as CJP likes to call it - I like our chances to take it down to the wire. That's all we can ask for here.

LFG!!
 
D-man44

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Connell62 said:
Biggest game for GT in long, long time. It is exciting being in the mix again and having a shot at first place near the halfway point.

Personally, I like the match-up from a defensive perspective. We just have to hope that Moses can neutralize Huff.

Between Jordan and Khalid, I think we can slow Hauser, Jose can outplay K. Clark. That zone is tough even on the best teams.

The question in my mind is can we grind out enough baskets, get some in the open court. We have to get Moses involved on the post early.

If we can stay hot offensive, win the scrum battles as CJP likes to call it - I like our chances to take it down to the wire. That's all we can ask for here.

LFG!!
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Georgia Tech is #1 in the ACC in steals per game and #13 nationally. We will need every bit of that to take down Virginia on the road as Virginia is #2 in the nation in fewest turnovers per game and that has really fueled our offense at moments this year. Regardless should be a fun game to watch.
 
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RyanS12

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Connell62 said:
Biggest game for GT in long, long time. It is exciting being in the mix again and having a shot at first place near the halfway point.

Personally, I like the match-up from a defensive perspective. We just have to hope that Moses can neutralize Huff.

Between Jordan and Khalid, I think we can slow Hauser, Jose can outplay K. Clark. That zone is tough even on the best teams.

The question in my mind is can we grind out enough baskets, get some in the open court. We have to get Moses involved on the post early.

If we can stay hot offensive, win the scrum battles as CJP likes to call it - I like our chances to take it down to the wire. That's all we can ask for here.

LFG!!
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Good lord. Clark is still there?!?
 
GTrob21

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I think it will come down to our shooters, if we make the 3's and open shots that Virginia's D forces you into, we will win, what I expect to be an ugly physical game.

Its been a long time since I have had this much hope in GT Basketball, but we can win this game. This team is good enough. Come on GT!!!
 

Jacketman99

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This game should give us an indication of where we are. A win puts us squarely in the conversation for a NCAAT bid. A loss would not be devastating but would put more pressure on us to take care of business from here on out. Personally I believe we have one of the top teams in the conference. Wr need to play like it tonight.
 

YlJacket

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Connell62 said:
Biggest game for GT in long, long time. It is exciting being in the mix again and having a shot at first place near the halfway point.

Personally, I like the match-up from a defensive perspective. We just have to hope that Moses can neutralize Huff.

Between Jordan and Khalid, I think we can slow Hauser, Jose can outplay K. Clark. That zone is tough even on the best teams.

The question in my mind is can we grind out enough baskets, get some in the open court. We have to get Moses involved on the post early.

If we can stay hot offensive, win the scrum battles as CJP likes to call it - I like our chances to take it down to the wire. That's all we can ask for here.

LFG!!
Click to expand...

Very nice summary. IMHO the key matchup is Jose versus Clark. They both are the ones who make their teams go. Since they shoot too well for us to stay in zone all game, Jose will have to stay in front of Clark as that is what makes their offense go. Against Clemson we were dogged in trying to go over Sims high ball screens and gave penetration to Clemson guards all game. UVA will kill us if we do that - both Clark and Huff on the pop off the screen. We have to go under and take our chances with Clark on pull up 3's. I don't think he can beat us with that. If we do that, I believe Moses will be able to control Huff with no open 3 point pops. Usher versus Hauser will be fun to watch as they move him through a myriad of motion/screens.

I think your comment about getting some easy buckets in the open court is key (for both sides really). If we have to grind it out every time down court it gets hard - both mentally and on the scoreboard. Whoever can get the 4-5 easy baskets over the course of the game likely wins - barring someone simply shooting outrageously good.

No stats, but my eyes tell me we have been better at not taking the ball all the way to the hoop when the bigs are collapsing and getting kickouts instead of blocks/turnovers. Especially important to do that as the packline is designed to have lots of help around the rim. Jose/Devoe/Bubba are not explosive enough to power through that. The con is that 3 point shots are open if you can force help, kick the ball and move it. This is especially true on the back side as that is where they bring the help from.

Like you said, the most likely positive scenario is a close grinding game into the second half. If we can stay disciplined on both sides - especially no turnovers - and find a way to get those 4-5 easy baskets we have a good chance. But there is a reason they are a 9 point favorite.
 
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