With a closing flurry, Michael Devoe could become just the fifth Tech player to shoot 40 percent from three-point range over his career. (photo by Danny Karnik)
Tech’s first game with BC may forever be known as the “Tristan Maxwell game” after the sophomore exploded for 22 out-of-nowhere points off the bench. But equally important was Georgia Tech’s play against Boston College starting guards, freshman Jaeden Zackery and junior Makai Ashton-Langford. Zackery committed a season-high six turnovers, while Ashton-Langford finished with a season low-tying four points (2-11 FG, 0-7 3pt.).
Expect those two to factor heavily in the rematch. The 6-3 Ashton-Langford still leads the Eagles in scoring (12.2 ppg) and hung 21 points on Miami Wednesday. Tech did a good job forcing him into off-platform shots in Chestnut Hill, but he’s a rangy, graceful guard who doesn’t get rushed around screens. Zackery complements him as a broad-shouldered driver and selective but effective three-point shooter (45.8 pct.). Boston College also got relief that night from 7-foot center Quentin Post, who shattered his previous career high with 24 points and nine rebounds. With Rodney Howard still sidelined, Georgia Tech played small in the post with Jordan Usher and Khalid Moore. Both Post and 6-9, 250-pound James Karnik (8 points) punished Tech with their physicality on the block.
The Jackets have Howard back for Saturday. Can he help subdue Karnik, who has scored in double figures in seven straight games and posted a career-high 26 points in a win over Virginia Tech? Boston College likes to play inside-out, and the Eagles were talented enough to shoot 56 percent in an overtime loss at Notre Dame. Tech allowed 68.8-percent shooting from two-point range against Clemson, its second highest percentage of the season.
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Something to monitor over the final two-plus games: Michael Devoe is averaging 39.4 percent for his career from three-point range.
With one last flurry, he could become the fifth player in Tech history – and the first since Anthony Morrow – to average 40 percent from three for his career.
40%+ 3pt.% career
- Mark Price – 44.0%
- Dennis Scott – 42.2%
- Anthony Morrow – 42.1%
- Anthony Byrd – 40.3%
Though they’re both acknowledged in the Georgia Tech record books, Price and Byrd may require a bit of an asterisk. The teammates only played one season with a three-point line – the ACC experimented with one in 1982-83 – and its distance was 17 feet, 9 inches, a far cry from its current length of 20 feet, 9 inches.
Even if Maxwell doesn’t play Saturday, Boston College ranks 13th in the ACC in three-point percentage defense in conference play (37.7 pct.). Georgia Tech has averaged 43.7 percent from three in its ACC wins.
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Deebo Coleman picked up his dribble prematurely on Tech’s final possession against Clemson, a snap decision that may have cost the freshman a chance at a game-winning three-pointer. Last play notwithstanding, tentativeness hasn’t been an issue this year for the Memphis native, whom Josh Pastner first remembered from attending one of his University of Memphis basketball camps as a fifth grader. Coleman made 3 of 6 threes in Chestnut Hill, and he enters Saturday’s finale having made 42.2 percent of his three-point attempts (43 of 102).
The last Yellow Jacket freshman to make at least 40 percent of his threes while attempting at least three per game? Another Memphis native – Thaddeus Young, who connected on 41.9 percent of his threes in 2006-07.
