When Georgia Tech plays Saturday on Boston College's campus for just the second time in 61 years, the Yellow Jackets and fans need to be on guard for two potential issues more than others: fatigue, and Eagles guard Tyrese Rice.

And not necessarily in that order.

Boston College (13-15, 4-11) has lost 11 of its past twelve games heading into next week's ACC tournament, but Rice, a 6-foot-1 score-first point guard, has been a joy to watch and a pest to play, a whirling, firing dervish who has scored or assisted on 49 percent of the Eagles' field goals in ACC play.

He is No. 2 in the ACC in scoring (23.3 points per conference game) behind North Carolina's Tyler Hansbrough (24.2), and No. 2 in assists (5.07).

When he scored 34 points in the first half last Saturday, the Eagles led North Carolina by 14. When the Tar Heels held him to a mere 12 in the second half, the Tar Heels rallied and won by 10.

Get the picture?

"He can finish around the basket with either hand, and he shoots it from deep," Tech coach Paul Hewitt said. "He constantly has you in emergency situations. You do your best to contain and contest, and hope he's off."

Coaches and support staff members seemed especially tired before leaving campus Friday afternoon to play their fourth game in eight days. Players were not as zombie-like, but not peppy, either.

That has rarely been a problem on court. Several criticisms can be directed at Tech, but it would be unreasonable to suggest that the Jackets lack energy.

That energy shows on defense. Tech is allowing opponents to make just 18.9 percent of their 3-pointers in the past four games. Rice made eight of 12 treys against North Carolina.

The Eagles are relatively weak inside.

So the plan is clear: Tech needs to cocoon Rice, who is No 6 in the ACC in shooting percentage (45.3) and No. 5 in free throw percentage (83.8).

"We're going to take the approach of pressuring him a lot, try to rattle him, take him out of his game with traps and things of that sort," said guard D'Andre Bell.

Just don't overdo it.

"If you try too hard to steal it or double-team him too much, he's too smart, too seasoned," Hewitt said. "He's good enough where he won't turn the ball over, and he'll create shots for others."