Javian McCollum (2) poured in a career-high 21 points in Tech’s first meeting vs. Notre Dame. (photo by Danny Karnik)
One number that should give Tech belief: The Yellow Jackets averaged 1.33 points per possession in their win over the Fighting Irish on New Year’s Eve. It was their second-highest efficiency rating in an ACC game in the last 20 years.
| Highest PPP vs. ACC opponent – Since 2004-05 |
| Opponent |
Date |
PPP |
| Syracuse |
2/28/2023 |
135.9 |
| Notre Dame |
12/31/2024 |
133.8 |
| North Carolina |
1/4/2020 |
132.2 |
Asked how his team did it, Damon Stoudamire didn’t overcomplicate. The Yellow Jackets shared the ball. They made the simple play. They drove to the rim, drew foul shots, and played “connected, intentional” basketball. Tech will need to work the second and third side to open the lane versus a Notre Dame defense that likes the pack the paint and recover hard on shooters.
Another number that should give Tech fans belief: 80% of the Jackets’ starting lineup has scored either a season or career high against Notre Dame. Last year, Nait George (24) and Baye Ndongo (22) recorded career highs against the Irish in the ACC Tournament. Javian McCollum (21) recorded his season high against the Irish in December. Duncan Powell (21) posted a career high as well, which he surpassed last week against Virginia Tech.
It won’t come as a surprise, but Georgia Tech’s three lowest turnover rates in ACC play have all come in wins. Check out the Jackets’ points off turnover differential in those games as well:
Points off turnovers – ACC
- Wins: +33 (+11/game)
- Losses: -30 (-5/game)
As efficient as they can be, the Irish have had spurts of sloppiness – they rank 14th in the ACC in turnover percentage in conference play. Boston College and Virginia Tech rank 16th and 18th, respectively. Does that neighborhood bode well for the Jackets on Tuesday?
Georgia Tech dodged it the first time.
They’ll have to deal with the beast of Burton on Tuesday.
Notre Dame point guard Markus Burton missed the matchup at McCamish Pavilion due to a knee injury, but the preseason first-team All-ACC pick is back to getting buckets. The 6-0, 190-pounder native trails only Duke’s Cooper Flagg for the highest scoring average in ACC play (21.7 ppg), with an impressive slash line of 43% FG/44% 3pt FG/85% FT.
Burton can be a one-man panic attack at point guard, a shifty, ball-on-a-string dribbler who can burst to the basket and needs little daylight to get off shots. Even with his injury absence, Notre Dame ranks 40th in the nation in offensive efficiency, making them the only team in the top 50 nationally in efficiency with a losing record. They also lead the ACC in three-point percentage in league play (40.1%).
The Fighting Irish didn’t have a player who could break down defenders off the dribble in Atlanta. Burton gives them that. Along with guard Braeden Shrewsberry (#2 ACC 3-pt FGM/g) and sinewy, 6-9 wing Tae Davis (career-high 27 points vs. Georgia Tech), the Irish have one of the more dynamic scoring trios in the ACC. The Jackets will need to fight around ball screens and keep Davis from getting angles where he can attack with his right hand. Can the return of Lance Terry also take some sting out of Burton’s scoring?
