Rodney Howard has averaged 12.7 points and 6.7 rebounds over Tech’s last three games. (photo by Anthony McClellan)
Rodney Howard’s best highlight may have been on a miss.
With less than a minute remaining in the first half, the 6-10 junior spun away from a steal attempt at the elbow, divebombed to the rim, and nearly threw down a violent, two-handed slam over a pair of Pitt defenders. His dunk popped off the rim – curiously, the official scorer credited Pitt with a block – but the ball ricocheted perfectly to guard Michael Devoe in the corner, who sank a three-pointer in rhythm to give Tech a 37-28 lead.
He didn’t get the dunk, but Howard got plenty of other buckets Saturday, finishing with a career-high 14 points for a second straight game. It’s a welcome sign for a Georgia Tech team that continues to search for a reliable third scorer, and it continues a late-season surge for the Ypsilanti, Mich., native:
Rodney Howard
- Last 3 games: 38 points
- Previous 13 games: 42 points
He may not have reputation as a quick-off-his-feet leaper, but Howard’s missed dunk drew an audible gasp from the Petersen Events Center crowd. I asked Rodney if he should at least get credit for an assist, seeing how his miss functioned essentially as a drive-and-kick bounce pass to Devoe.
He let out a baritone laugh. “I need to talk to somebody about that,” he said.
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Over the last two years, Moses Wright seemed factory-made to break down Syracuse’s zone. The 6-9 current G-Leaguer averaged an absurd 32.0 points and 13.0 rebounds in his final two games against the Orange, showing an ability to pass, catch-and-rip, and shoot soft jumpers from the high post.
Howard, of course, is a different player than Wright. So who might fill that high post role Monday? Pastner praised the work of Jordan Usher and Khalid Moore against Syracuse last year – the wings combined for 28 points and 12 rebounds, and both recorded career highs in assists (Usher had seven, Moore six). If that happens, and Tech plants Howard in the “alley” (behind the block on the baseline), can he play with strong hands and make assertive decisions at the rim? Worth noting: Syracuse center Jesse Edwards (12.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg), who ranks second in the ACC in blocks in league play, suffered a season-ending wrist injury two weeks ago.
Pittsburgh’s zone caused some stagnant moments late, but overall the Jackets made solid decisions and abstained from some of the high-risk passes that have hurt them lately. They’ll need to follow the same blueprint against Syracuse Monday. The Orange in particular like to jump corner-to-wing passes in their zone.
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Moore and Devoe made some timely ones, but Saturday was Georgia Tech’s first win when it shot less than 35 percent from three-point range (6 of 18).
The Jackets had been 0-11.
They offset it not only with stingy defense, but ACC-high differentials in fast break points (+13) and points off turnovers (+13). And despite its low percentage, Tech didn’t get sucked into shooting too many threes – Pittsburgh ranks 327th nationally in three-point rate. The Yellow Jackets’ three-point rate was the third-lowest of the season against the Panthers.
Three Point Rate Defense
- Pitt: #327 NCAA (43.3%)
- Syracuse: #357 NCAA (49.8%)
- GT vs. Pitt: 32.1% 3pt. Rate
That discipline could be needed against a Syracuse team that ritually forces a lot of threes in its zone.
