Jan. 31, 2003
ATLANTA – Georgia Tech goes from one fire to the next on Saturday afternoon against Virginia. The Jackets pounded North Carolina on Wednesday night, 88-68, to break a tie with the Tar Heels in the ACC race. Now for another tie-breaker with the Cavaliers, who like Tech, sports a 3-3 mark in the conference.
PUTTING THE “THRILL” BACK IN THRILLERDOME
I guess they don’t have to always be buzzer-beaters to be thrillers, so Tech is doing it by playing some of its best basketball at Alexander Coliseum. Paul Hewitt’s club has won all 9 home games this season and 11 straight dating back to last year. Against the ACC, the Jackets have stepped up their effort.
The Jackets are shooting almost 52% from the floor, and just better than 52% from behind the 3-point line. While the offensive numbers are good, the Jackets defense is also leaving its mark on opponents. The first three ACC visitors to Atlanta (NC State, FSU and UNC) have hit just over 40% of their floor attempts and only 1/3 of their three-point tries.
Individually, rookie Chris Bosh is averaging 17.3 points and 10 rebounds at home against the conference. Junior Marvin Lewis is hitting 71% from the floor (20-28).
VANDER LAAN ALMOST LANDED AT TECH
Junior Nick Vander Laan will likely start at center for Virginia on Saturday against Tech. The 6’10 native of Sacramento, transferred from Cal to Charlottesville in the summer of 2001, after two seasons with the Golden Bears. Vander Laan chose Virginia over Georgia Tech after also visiting with Coach Hewitt.
Vander Laan has helped ease the move of burly senior Travis Watson to power forward. Vander Laan had 7 points and 7 rebounds in the Wahoos win over #17 Wake Forest.
SINCE THE TULANE GAME
You can capsule the improvement by the Yellow Jackets, if you go back to the end of the Tulane game on January 2. In the following seven games, Tech has averaged almost 77 points a game, hit 46% from the floor, 40% from the 3-point range, 73% from the free throw line and assisted on 63% of the baskets.
The Jackets have also had eight players hit for 20+ points in the last seven games. Chris Bosh leads with four, while B.J. Elder and Marvin Lewis have two each.
WAHOOS TO WATCH
#35 Travis Watson (6’8, Sr.): Leads the ACC in double-doubles with 9 and has 47 for his career. Watson had 20 points and 16 rebounds in the 85-72, win vs. FSU on Wednesday. He is 9 of his last 21 from the floor.
#22 Todd Billet (6’0, Jr.): The transfer from Rutgers has “in the gym” range. He has only missed 5 free throws in 63 attempts (92%). His 51 3-point field goals lead the ACC (converting 39%). He has only attempted 49 field goals from two point range (43%).
#33 Devin Smith (6’5, Soph.): I’m guessing that Virginia will play a lot of zone against the Jackets, but if they go man-to-man, it will be interesting to who the athletic Smith guards. He is second on the team with 21 blocked shots. He had 4 points on 1-6 from the floor against FSU.
THE IN-HOUSE SIGNAL
We have set up an in-house radio signal for fans to enjoy the broadcast while attending games at Alexander Coliseum. 100.1 FM is the spot where you can hear the games. Please bring your radio headsets and tune in at tip-off for the action.
