GT's heralded freshmen face tough schedule

By DOUG ROBERSON

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

With what many believe to be the best group of freshmen the school has ever had, Georgia Tech will hardly coddle its newest students, to look at the team's basketball schedule released on Tuesday.

The Jackets will play 13 teams that made the NCAA tournament last season and will appear on national television a minimum of six times, in addition to its annual turn through the ACC crucible. That includes both defending national champion North Carolina and Duke in home-and-home clashes.

While four Tech starters return, including junior Gani Lawal, it's the freshman class that has the conference's attention. Derrick Favors, the 6-10 graduate of South Atlanta and one of the nation's most sought-after recruits, is joined by guard Glen Rice Jr., son of the former Atlanta Hawks star, forward Brian Oliver, center Daniel Miller and guard Mfon Udofia. (The last member of the heralded class, forward Kammeon Holsey, tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee and will redshirt this year.)

They will grow up quickly.

"From an outsider's standpoint, it's significant that we are playing North Carolina and Duke twice," coach Paul Hewitt said, "but for those of inside it's just part of the grind of playing in the ACC."

A breakdown of Georgia Tech's schedule:

Home opener: Florida A&M at 7 p.m. on Nov. 14.

Road opener: The Jackets will take on Dayton at 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 19 in the first game of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off Classic.

Best non-conference road game: The Jackets will face either George Mason or Villanova in Puerto Rico Tip-off on Nov. 22. The Wildcats are a top-5 team, according to preseason projections.

Tobacco Road: Tech will get home-and-homes with Duke and North Carolina for the first time in three years. The Jackets will host the Blue Devils at 2 p.m. on Jan. 9 and will host the Tar Heels at 9 p.m. on Feb. 16. Tech will visit UNC at 2 p.m. on Jan. 16 and will go to Durham on Feb. 4 in a 7 p.m. game.

2009-10 schedule

Nov. 8 vs. Indiana, Pa. (exhibition), 5 p.m.

Nov. 14 vs. Florida A&M, 7 p.m.

Nov. 19 vs. Dayton, Puerto Rico tip-off, 11:30 a.m.

Nov. 20 vs. George Mason or Villanova, Puerto Rico tip-off, 1 or 3 p.m.

Nov. 22 vs. TBA, Puerto Rico tip-off

Nov. 27 vs. Mercer, 4 p.m.

Dec. 2 vs. Siena, 7 p.m.

Dec. 5 vs. Southern Cal, 6 p.m.

Dec. 14 at UT-Chattanooga, 7 p.m.

Dec. 16 vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 8:30 p.m.

Dec. 20 vs. Florida State, 5:30 p.m.

Dec. 22 vs. Kennesaw State, 7 p.m.

Dec. 29 vs. Winston-Salem State, 1 p.m.

Jan. 2 at UNC-Charlotte, TBA

Jan. 5 at Georgia, TBA

Jan. 9 vs. Duke, 2 p.m.

Jan. 13 at Virginia, 7 p.m.

Jan. 16 at North Carolina, 2 p.m.

Jan. 19 vs. Clemson, 7 p.m.

Jan. 24 at Florida State, noon

Jan. 28 vs. Wake Forest, 7 p.m.

Jan. 30 vs. Kentucky State, 1 p.m.

Feb. 4 at Duke, 7 p.m.

Feb. 6 vs. N.C. State, 4 p.m.

Feb. 10 at Miami, 7 p.m.

Feb. 13 at Wake Forest, 8 p.m.

Feb. 16 vs. North Carolina, 9 p.m.

Feb. 20 at Maryland, 2 p.m.

Feb. 27 vs. Boston College, noon

March 2 at Clemson, 8 p.m.

March 6 vs. Virginia Tech, 4 p.m.

March 11-14 ACC tournament