Georgia Tech men's basketball preview

By Carroll Rogers

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Last season: 12-19 (2-14 ACC, 12th)

Returning starters: F Gani Lawal, F Zachery Peacock, G Iman Shumpert, G Moe Miller

Starter lost: G Lewis Clinch

Newcomers: F Derrick Favors, G Mfon Udofia, G Glen Rice Jr., F Brian Oliver, C Daniel Miller (redshirting), F Kammeon Holsey (out for the season with a knee injury)

Frontcourt at a glance: Tech has a chance to boast one of the top frontcourts in a conference loaded with them. Derrick Favors comes in as one of the most highly-recruited players Tech has ever had and has already shown in the preseason great quickness in the paint and above-the-rim prowess. He joins junior Gani Lawal, who put off the NBA draft for a chance to return to school. Lawal is looking to improve on his 15.1 ppg scoring average from a year ago, not to mention his team's last-place finish in the ACC. Throw in 6-8 Zachery Peacock at small forward and Tech can match up big.

Backcourt at a glance: This is where Tech can make its biggest improvement from last season and narrow the gap in late-game situations. The Yellow Jackets have much more depth with the return of senior D'Andre Bell from a year out following spinal surgery. And they have multiple options at point guard – with Iman Shumpert, Moe Miller and freshman Mfon Udofia -- which will help with both ball pressure on defense and their pace of play offensively. Next to Favors, Udofia should have the biggest impact of the highly-touted freshman class. Bell returns as a shutdown defender.