Georgia Tech is surging, taking down ACC giants and proving they can compete with anyone.
Georgia Tech basketball is turning the corner. After a season of ups and downs, the Yellow Jackets have found their groove, pulling off back-to-back victories against two of the ACC’s best—Louisville and Clemson. These were not just any wins; Tech snapped Louisville’s 10-game winning streak and went on the road to take down Clemson in a grueling triple-overtime battle.
Hustle, Grit, and Determination
Despite a short bench in recent weeks, Tech has been relentless, outworking opponents and showing the kind of fight that defines great teams. The Clemson game was a testament to this resilience. The Yellow Jackets pulled down an astounding 24 offensive rebounds, leading to 29 second-chance points. Playing with essentially just five players for most of the game, Tech found a way to outlast one of the conference’s top teams. Duncan Powell’s effort in the final seconds of regulation—following his own missed three with a putback to send the game to overtime—was the perfect embodiment of the hustle this team is bringing to the court.
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Nait George Leading the Charge
If there’s one player defining Tech’s resurgence, it’s Nait George. He has been the heart and soul of this squad, playing all 55 minutes in the Clemson win and delivering MVP-level performances in both victories. Against Louisville, he put up 15 points and 9 assists, then followed it with a dominant 28-point, 7-assist showing against Clemson. George is playing the best basketball of his season, and as he goes, so does Tech.
Controlling the Paint
Tech’s dominance hasn’t just been about effort—it’s also been about execution. The Jackets have owned the paint in both games, shooting 51% on two-point attempts against Clemson and 56% against Louisville. The defensive intensity has been just as impressive, as they held Clemson to a season-low 36.4% shooting from the field.
A Path to the ACC Tournament
With this momentum, Tech has a legitimate shot at securing a bye in the ACC Tournament by finishing in the top nine of the standings. The schedule ahead is promising, with winnable matchups against Stanford, Cal, Boston College, NC State, and Miami. Even the tougher games—on the road against Pitt, Wake Forest, and UVA—are within reach given the way Tech is playing.
Head coach Damon Stoudamire put it best: “I feel like we can play with anybody. I really do.” The numbers, the effort, and the results are backing him up. If this version of Georgia Tech basketball shows up the rest of the season, the ACC better take notice.
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