By Andy Demetra | Voice of the Yellow Jackets
Ten minutes had passed since the final buzzer, but goosebumps still flecked Jordan Usher’s forearms.
The senior forward had just completed one of his best all-around games, pouring in 19 points, eight rebounds, five assists, five steals and zero turnovers in a 75-61 Georgia Tech win over league-leading Florida State. As he took his seat for his postgame radio interview, Usher folded his hands together and pulled his knees in tight, looking more like someone who was sitting on a crowded Plane Train at Hartsfield. Yet the 6-7, 220-pounder practically vibrated with energy as he explained the importance of that night’s win.
“We needed to get some wins to get some synergy. And I think this is our turning point,” Usher said.
It also reinforced that Georgia Tech (9-10, 2-6 ACC) has the talent to hang with the top teams in the ACC. That may come in handy Saturday: after unseating FSU from the top of the league standings, the Yellow Jackets now face the new conference leader, the Miami Hurricanes (15-5, 7- 2 ACC), at McCamish Pavilion. Miami’s only two losses in conference play have come to Florida State – and both by a point.
Enjoy the top five notes from my chart as Tech looks to close out a four-game homestand with a three-game win streak (12 p.m. ET, Georgia Tech Sports Network from Legends Sports):
Only two other players in the ACC since 2010-11 compiled a stat line like Jordan Usher’s Wednesday night against FSU. (photo by Danny Karnik)
After finishing 10-17 a year ago, including a season-ending loss to Georgia Tech in the ACC Tournament, Miami was picked 12th in the preseason ACC media poll.
That prediction didn’t age well – namely because the Hurricanes did age well.
Miami boasts the nation’s ninth-oldest team at 21.38 years per player, with three sixth-year seniors in its regular rotation. They’ve also reinvented themselves offensively under head coach Jim Larranaga, playing more five-out motion – think Notre Dame – and using fewer static pick-and-rolls than years past.
That change has allowed Miami to showcase an experienced group of playmaking guards led by preseason first-team All-ACC pick Isaiah Wong (16.4 ppg) and sixth-year senior Kameron McGusty (17.9 ppg). Both are smooth, three-level scorers who attack switches, use leverage, and rank among the ACC’s leaders in pick-and-roll efficiency. Point guard Charlie Moore (12.2 ppg), last seen banking in a game-winning, halfcourt buzzer beater against Virginia Tech, gives the Hurricanes the kind of crafty passer they had lacked in recent seasons. Six-foot-11 Sam Waardenburg and 6-7 Jordan Miller are able to capitalize off the gravity their guards command in the halfcourt.
Add it all up and the previously unheralded Hurricanes rank 18th in the country in offensive efficiency (1.15 PPP), a number that’s enhanced by their low turnover rate (No. 5 NCAA). They also lead the ACC in three-point percentage in conference play (42.5 pct.), which makes it difficult for teams to keep the ball on one side of the floor against their pick-and-roll.
Tech caused problems with its energy and hand activity against Florida State. The Hurricanes commit fewer turnovers and are a better three-point shooting team than the Seminoles. Can they continue to have crisp closeouts and leech Miami of its efficiency Saturday?
*****
Miami marks the final stop in a winding career for Moore, who has also played at Cal, Kansas and DePaul. And yet, he initially didn’t plan to attend any of those schools: Moore originally committed to Josh Pastner at Memphis, way back on November 12, 2015. Pastner recalls taking multiple visits to Moore’s living room in Chicago. Adele’s “Hello” was the No. 1 song in America the week he committed.
*****
Kyle Sturdivant does not do a good job protecting opponents’ ankles.
He’s done a much better job protecting the basketball.
Not to be overshadowed by his work crossing defenders into oblivion, the junior has slowly found his bearings as Georgia Tech’s point guard.
- First 13 games: 24 assists, 20 turnovers (+4)
- Last 6 games: 15 assists, 3 turnovers (+12)
Ball security, like shooting, has been contagious for Tech lately: Florida State led the ACC in steals but finished with a season low-tying five against the Jackets. Miami leads the ACC in steals in conference play, averaging 9.9 a game. Sturdivant will have to beware of Moore (No. 2 ACC spg), a 5-11 guard who excels at shooting gaps and crawling underneath taller ballhandlers.
Michael Devoe has connected on 48.4 percent of his three-point attempts against his home state opponents – Miami and Florida State – during his Tech career. (photo by Danny Karnik)
How rare was Jordan Usher’s stat line versus FSU? Only two ACC players in the last 11 years had finished with 19 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and five steals against a conference opponent.
Both were first-round NBA Draft picks.
Dennis Smith Jr. (NC State) vs. Virginia Tech Jan. 4, 2017 (27p/11r/11a/5s)
Iman Shumpert vs. Virginia Tech Jan. 25, 2011 (22p/12r/11a/7s)
Jordan Usher vs. Florida State Jan. 26, 2022 (19p/8r/5a/5s)
*****
Michael Devoe walked toward the locker room with a broad smile and bare feet.
After Georgia Tech’s 103-53 rout of Clayton State, the senior struck up a conversation with a gaggle of young fans at the edge of the Tech bench. Devoe told them he’d gift them his game-worn adidas shoes if they answered a two-part pop quiz. The questions, according to Devoe, were “What’s my hometown?” and “What’s my favorite color?”
The young fans guessed correctly: Orlando, Fla., and blue.
That first answer may be especially salient Saturday. Here’s a pop quiz for Devoe: the senior has now played 10 career games against Florida State and Miami, his home state ACC schools. Even though he only made 2 of 9 threes against FSU, what’s Devoe’s career three-point percentage against the Seminoles and Hurricanes?
48.4% (31 of 64).
That included a career-high 7-of-11 from deep in Georgia Tech’s 87-60 thrashing of Miami at the Watsco Center last February. Devoe’s 29 points against the Hurricanes remains an ACC career high.
*****
Now that we’re prepared, we hope you are as well. Join us for pregame coverage starting with the “Ramblin’ Wreck Tipoff Show” at 11:30 a.m. ET on the Georgia Tech Sports Network from Legends Sports. See you at McCamish.
-AD-
