Tech can make lofty claim regarding ACC semifinalists

Georgia Tech center Ben Lammers (44) and guard Josh Okogie (5) block a shot attempt by Pittsburgh guard Chris Jones (12) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the first round of the ACC tournament, Tuesday, March 7, 2017, in New York. Pittsburgh won 61-59. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

By Staff Writer

March 10, 2017

Georgia Tech can make a lofty claim about the four teams playing in the semifinals of the ACC Tournament Friday night at the Barclays Center.

Tech is one of just three teams in the league that has beaten three of the four semifinalists, having beaten top-seeded North Carolina, second-seeded Florida State and third-seeded Notre Dame. The other two teams that have beaten three of the four – no one beat all four – are Duke and North Carolina, which, obviously, had less margin for error to accomplish the feat. Pretty good company.

On the other hand, Tech and Pittsburgh are the only two teams that were beaten by both Clemson and N.C. State.

Tech beat North Carolina, Florida State and Notre Dame at McCamish, three stunning results that helped propel the Yellow Jackets to an 8-10 league record and earn coach Josh Pastner conference coach of the year honors. The last time that Tech beat the eventual ACC champion was in 2013, when the Jackets upset Miami.

Duke and North Carolina will play at 7 p.m., with the Notre Dame-FSU game following. The games will be broadcast on ESPN. Saturday night’s final will begin at 9 p.m., also on ESPN.

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