The success that Georgia Tech had with its pressing defense in its recent win against Wake Forest bodes well for Sunday's Alexander Memorial Coliseum finale against Miami.
The Yellow Jackets had 19 steals against the Deacons. Running a similar defense against the Hurricanes earlier in the season, the Jackets forced 17 steals in a 59-57 loss.
But Tech (12-17, 4-11 ACC) is much better at home and figures to have an extra gear as everyone says farewell, not only to seniors Maurice Miller and Lance Storrs, but to the "Thrillerdome," the team's home since 1956. It will be replaced by the $45 million McCamish Pavilion for the 2012 season.
"There will be a lot of energy and emotion going on Sunday," said Miller, who scored 20 points against the Deacons. Of his 25 double-digit scoring games, 14 have come in February and March.
"The pressure builds up, the competitiveness, the desire to win just builds up," he said trying to explain his production toward the end of the season.
Storrs also has seen his production improve the past few games with the absence of the injured Brian Oliver.
"I just want to go out on top with a win and end my college career on a good note," Storrs said. "We're getting ready to start another chapter in our lives. It's a big game for us."
Tech is locked into the 11th seed in the ACC tournament, which starts Thursday in Greensboro, N.C., but the team wants to build more momentum, and a win Sunday would accomplish that.
One thing working in their favor is the lineup change that coach Paul Hewitt made recently, inserting Jason Morris as a starter. Three Tech players scored at least 10 points against the Deacons. Iman Shumpert led the way with 24 points.
Building consideration for inclusion into the All-ACC first team, Shumpert again filled up the stat sheet, making eight of his 14 shots and two of his three 3-point shots to go with eight rebounds, six steals and three assists. He leads Tech in many categories, including scoring, rebounding, steals and minutes played.
With Shumpert playing well and Morris in the lineup, the team's offense has been more fluid in the past three games. Morris has made a team-leading 39.6 percent of his 3-pointers, which has opened the floor for slashing drives by Shumpert and Glen Rice Jr.
But the defense will be the key against the Hurricanes. It's no secret that the Hurricanes expect Tech to press.
"I can't imagine they will turn over the ball as many times as they did the last time," Hewitt said. "But we did find out that pressure can be effective."
The players said they haven't decided if they will try to take any memorabilia from Alexander Memorial. Hewitt said he knows what he wants: "A win. Just a win."
