Georgia Tech looking to upset Clemson in Game 2 of the ACC Tournament
Mar 12, 2014; Greensboro, NC, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets forward
Robert Carter, Jr. (4) passes the ball as Boston College Eagles guard
Garland Owens(0) and guard
Joe Rahon(25) defend in the second half. The Yellow Jackets defeated the Eagles 73-70 in the first round at Greensboro Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
After an ugly win in the opening day of the ACC Tournament against Boston College, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets are preparing to upset No. 6 Clemson.
The Tigers are a much better team than Boston College is, and with the way Georgia Tech played yesterday against the Eagles the Jackets should easily be considered heavy underdogs in this one. In addition to being the more talented team, the Tigers are also still on the bubble of the NCAA tournament and know they need a deep tournament run to secure a spot.
Georgia Tech is going to need to look like a completely different team in order to survive this one–especially on the offensive end. Unfortunately, Clemson is the No. 18 team in the nation in adjusted defense according to KenPom. They are allowing just 93.9 points per 100 possessions.
In fact, the two times that Clemson and Georgia Tech played this season (both Clemson wins I might add) the Tigers held Brian Gregory’s squad to 41 and 55 points. In the first game, the Jackets were held to a paltry 34.8 percent from the floor, and in the second game they shot 43.8 percent.
But, in that first matchup Tech didn’t have Robert Carter Jr. in the game, and during the second game he was still adjusting to the speed of the game and came off of the bench. This time around, Clemson is going to have to stop a fully healthy Carter Jr. who is coming off of a 20-point, 13-rebound game.
If he is able to put another 34-40 minutes together like that–and Trae Golden and Marcus Georges-Hunt find their shots quicker than Wednesday–Georgia Tech might live to play against Duke on Friday.
Vegas has Clemson as 3.5-point favorites in this one which is probably spot on, but I’d give Georgia Tech more of a chance than most people might. Clemson hasn’t played since Saturday, and if Georgia Tech can avoid a start like they went through against Boston College they might be able to run away with another win.