Georgia Tech begins the second half of the ACC schedule Saturday against Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va. In a season in which finishing better has been a constant theme, the Yellow Jackets have the opportunity to do so in the final nine games of the league schedule.
Tech (12-9 overall, 2-7 ACC) is 0-3 in games decided by five points or fewer, including the Jackets’ 56-54 last-second loss to Florida State on Tuesday. A look at Tech’s first half and what remains.
1. Who have been Tech’s best players in the first half?
Center Daniel Miller has been Tech’s best defender. He leads the ACC in blocks, at 2.1 per game, and alters many more shots with his reach. He has made 24 of 39 field-goal attempts in the past six games and plays the high-low game well with forward Kammeon Holsey.
Forward Robert Carter has been up-and-down shooting the ball but has been the player most capable of taking over games at both ends.
“I think all the players in certain flashes have been effective for us, but those two guys obviously have had good first halves of the season,” coach Brian Gregory said.
2. How many games could Tech win in the second half?
Of the final nine games, three look like tall orders, home games against North Carolina and N.C. State and a road game against Miami. The other six – at Virginia Tech, Clemson, at Wake Forest, at Virginia, Maryland and at Boston College – are opponents that Tech has taken to overtime (Virginia Tech), beaten (Wake Forest and Virginia) or figure to stand a reasonable chance against (Clemson, Maryland, Boston College).
For what it’s worth, realtimerpi.com actually projects Tech to beat the Tar Heels and Wolfpack along with defeats of Maryland and Clemson, which would mean an overall record of 16-14 and 6-12 in the ACC.
3. When will guard Jason Morris come back?
Out since the Jan. 5 game against Miami after aggravating his plantar fasciitis injury, Morris practiced briefly Thursday and was expected to do so again Friday before the team departed for Blacksburg. The earliest likely return would be the Clemson game next Thursday or the Wake Forest game next Saturday.
Morris’ versatility and ability to simply contribute minutes has been missed.
“He helps us a lot,” Miller said. “He’s a really good rebounder. He hit some big 3’s early on for us, so it’ll be nice to have him back.”
4. Where can the Jackets help themselves most?
By not giving away its opportunities. In the loss to Virginia Tech, the Jackets were 13-for-21 from the free-throw line, compared to the Hokies’ 19-for-24. When Tech lost 63-60 to Clemson, it turned the ball over 17 times and made 10 of 17 free-throw attempts. The Jackets were 9-for-15 from the line against FSU, which won on Michael Snaer’s buzzer-beater.
For an offense that has had trouble finishing its possessions – the Jackets are last in the ACC in field-goal percentage at 42.2 percent – it’s incumbent upon Tech to accumulate shots and not squander free points.
5. Who will be the most important player in the second half?
When guard Mfon Udofia is on his game – taking care of the ball, setting up teammates, capitalizing on his scoring chances – Tech is at its best. Udofia is not the type to pile up assists, but has shown scoring knack.
“So we do need some points from that position when he’s in there, so obviously that helps us offensively,” Gregory said.
Further, as the team’s leader and conscience, Udofia’s influence will be important to keep the team’s attitude up.
“Mfon’s been doing a good job,” Carter said. “He reminds us every day to take advantage, play hard, practice hard, get ready for the games, because it’s not going to be easy.”
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