Oct. 13, 2015
THE FLATS – Each week up until the beginning of basketball season, Ramblinwreck.com takes a look at an opponent on Georgia Tech’s non-conference schedule. This week, we look at Tulane, an opponent the Jackets have played in every decade except the 1980s since 1909.
Date: December 5, 2015
Location: New Orleans, La.
Conference: American Athletic Conference
Home arena: Devlin Fieldhouse (4,100)
2014-15 Record: 15-16 overall, 6-12 in the AAC (7th place), 214th in NCAA RPI
Post-Season: AAC Tournament First Round, lost to Houston 66-60
NCAA Championship Appearances: 3 (last in 1995)
All-time series record: Georgia Tech leads 36-33 (First meeting 1/16/1909)
Head coach: Ed Conroy (entering 6th season, 80-81)
Starters returning/lost: 3/2
Top scorer returning: Louis Dabney (13.6)
Top rebounder returning: Dylan Osetkowski (4.8)
Quick preview for 2015-16
In Ed Conroy’s five years at Tulane, the Green Wave have had one winning season (2012-13). In the first four seasons under Conroy, Tulane competed in the Conference USA. The Green Wave have a combined record of 32-33 in the past two seasons. To bounce back in 2015-16, Tulane will look to rising senior guard Louis Dabney. He was the Wave’s leading returning scorer last season (13.6 ppg). Last season, freshman center Dylan Osetkowski was the Wave’s third-leading rebounder at 4.8 rebounds per game behind graduated seniors Tre Drye and Jay Hook. Tulane hopes to take advantage of an experienced lineup with 10 upperclassmen. The Green Wave will also get a big presence inside in University of Washington transfer Jernard Jarreau. The 6-10 forward from New Orleans averaged more than five points and nearly five rebounds per game with the Huskies last season.
Quick recap of 2014-15
Last year Tulane got off to a great start, winning nine of its first 10 games, but the Green Wave had a rough couple of months from January to March. The team won just three of its final 14 games, including two five-game losing skids. The Green Wave won their final game of the regular season against South Florida on the road to gain some momentum going into the AAC Tournament. However, Tulane lost its tournament opener by six against Houston to end the season. The 2014-15 Green Wave ranked in the bottom half of the AAC in scoring offense, scoring defense, free throw percentage, and field goal percentage, and defensive rebounding. A few bright spots last season included turnover margin and offensive rebounding. The Wave ranked fourth in the AAC in both categories. Ultimately, Tulane will need to make big strides on both sides of the ball to see a better result in 2015-16.
Greatest program accomplishment
3 NCAA Tournament Appearances in a 4-year Span – Tulane basketball began in 1905, joined the AAC in 2014, and has appeared in the NCAA Tournament three times. However, the Green Wave have not made an NCAA Tournament appearance since 1995. Tulane made it to the Tournament three out of four years from 1992-1995. Each time, the Green Wave won in the first round and were ousted in the round of 32. In 1995, Tulane defeated BYU by six before number one-seeded Kentucky eliminated the Green Wave in the second round. Tulane has never won any regular-season or conference tournament titles in its program history. However, head coach Ed Conroy will hope to change that in the upcoming years.
Greatest player in program history
Jerald Honeycutt (1994-1997) – Born in Shreveport, La., Jerald Honeycutt finished his four-year career as Tulane’s all-time leading scorer (2,209 points). After his career, Honeycutt also ranked fifth on the school’s all-time rebounding list (870). He averaged 17.7 points and seven rebounds per game over the course of his Green Wave career. During his sophomore season, Honeycutt averaged more than 17 points per game and helped lead Tulane to the NCAA Tournament. That year, the Green Wave defeated BYU in the first round before losing to Kentucky in the round of 32. It is the last time Tulane has made it to the NCAA Tournament. After college, Honeycutt was drafted 38th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks. He played three seasons in the NBA, two for the Bucks and one for the Philadelphia 76ers. Honeycutt is currently playing professionally overseas.
Place to visit on campus or in the city
The National World War II Museum, New Orleans – Voted the number one tourist attraction in New Orleans and located on a six-acre campus, The National World War II Museum was originally founded in 2000 as the D-Day Museum. The museum’s state-of-the-art multimedia, vast collection of artifacts, and first-person narratives make the visitor’s experience truly remarkable. The Boeing Center, the museum’s biggest building, has an unparalleled collection of wartime bombers and aircrafts. The museum includes five pavilions with historical exhibits, on-site restoration work, a dinner theatre, and multiple restaurants. Recognized nationally by the U.S. Congress, the World War II Museum is a must-see for any New Orleans visitor.
ABOUT GEORGIA TECH MEN’S BASKETBALL
Georgia Tech’s men’s basketball team is beginning its fifth year under head coach Brian Gregory. The Yellow Jackets have been a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference since 1979, won three ACC Championships (1985, 1990, 1993), played in the NCAA Tournament 16 times and played in two Final Fours (1990, 2004). Connect with Georgia Tech Men’s Basketball on social media by liking their Facebook Page, or following on Twitter (@GTMBB).
For more information on Tech basketball, visit Ramblinwreck.com. Tickets for men’s basketball can be purchased here.
