Gameday Live Blog/Open Thread: Wolfpack @ Yellow Jackets | Game 20
Good afternoon from McCamish Pavilion in Atlanta, GA, where the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (8-11, 3-6 ACC) are set for a rematch with the NC State Wolfpack (14-5, 5-3 ACC). Tech is on a three game losing streak in which they have lost by a combined 13 points, but recent history favors the Jackets. They have won 5 of their last 6 matchups with NC State, including an 82-81 overtime thriller in Raleigh, NC to begin this season.
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Tipoff is set for 4:00pm, and you can catch the game on Fox Sports South (link here)
PREGAME/PREVIEW
Ahead of today's tipoff, be sure to check out our preview of the Wolfpack and other related readings:
What To Watch For Vs. NC State
Tale of The Tape: NC State Wolfpack
Head Coach Josh Pastner Previews NC State
Lessons Learned From The Loss At Louisville
Georgia Tech to Host Annual Letterwinners Weekend
James Banks III Will Have Crucial Role In NC State Rematch
Tonight's game also marks Letterwinner's Weekend, as the Yellow Jackets are hosting more than 50 former players and coaches. The annual Letterwinner's Game will be following the conclusion of the game against NC State.
As part of the festivities Georgia Tech will also be honoring Roger Kaiser, who was the Jackets' first ever All-American, taking home the honors all the way back in 1960.
On top of hosting several former players and coaches for the Letterwinner's Game, Tech is also hosting several recruits for the game. This includes 4* players Kai Sotto and Matthew Cleveland.
Tonight is also the annual White Out game, so dress accordingly.
Probable Starters:
- Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
G Jose Alvarado
G Michael Devoe
F Jordan Usher
F Moses Wright
C James Banks III
- NC State Wolfpack
G Markell Johnson
G Devon Daniels
G C.J. Bryce
F Jericole Hellems
F D.J. Funderburk
Personell Update: NC State's Manny Bates (concussion) and Pat Andree (foot) are questionable for today's game. Also, Georgia Tech's Michael Devoe is not starting, and Khalid Moore is taking his place in the lineup.
FIRST HALF:
18:56: Both teams have a first possession that drains the shot clock and forces a contested three pointer.
17:57: Moses Wright sinks the first bucket of the game.
16:15: A three from Markell Johnson gets the Wolfpack on the board.
15:23: Both teams played solid defense to begin the game, but Georgia Tech's offense is the first to fins success. The Jackets are 3-5 from the floor and 1-2 from long range, and they are holding the Wolfpack to just 1-7 from the field. Prior to the media timeout, Moses Wright came up slowly won the opposite end off the floor, prompting the official to call a T/O.
14:13: Jordan Usher collects his 2nd foul of the game.
12:56: NC State coach Kevin Keatts calls time after a ferocious dunk by Moses Wright. Tech has converted a pair of and-1's so far and amassed 5 fast break points. Tech leads 15-5.
11:48: Tech is clearly the more efficient team through the first 8 minutes of the game. They're finishing at the rim, converting on the fast break, and are finding ways to break down the NC State defense. The one knock against them so far is their three point shooting, as they are 1-5.
8:30: Josh Pastner calls timeout after NC State goes on a 9-4 run to cut the GT lead to just 5. Braxton Beverly has half the Wolfpack's scoring efforts, going a perfect 3-3 for 7 points.
7:01: A three from Jose Alvarado gives him double digits for the game.
3:39: With NC State hitting their last 4 shots from the field, Pastner calls timeout again. They've only committed 4 turnovers, but are being out rebounded 16-10. Thankfully, Jose Alvarado is completely locked in and willing his team to a lead. He leads are scorers with 14.
0:46: A three from Evan Cole breaks up a 10-0 NC State run.
0:00: Tech ends the half having scored just 3 points in their final eight possessions of the half.
HALFTIME: North Carolina State 32, Georgia Tech 31
Stats at the Half:
SECOND HALF:
19:45: Tech starts the half and a turnover and giving up a layup on the other end.
15:25: Both teams have started out the second half with 4 field goals makes: NC State with 6 attempts and GT with 7. Jordan Usher has given Tech a quick burst of energy in the first few minutes, going 2-2 with 5 second half points and 8 overall.
12:42: GT retakes the lead with a 6-0 run. Alvarado leads all scorers with 20.
11:28: It's a tight knit affair here at McCamish. As soon as the Jackets find themselves down by a couple possessions, Jose Alvarado got back to work. He has exploded for 6 points in the half and 20 overall for the game. Rebounding is even for the half, but still favors NC State for the game.
9:26: NC State has hit just 1 of their last 8 attempts.
8:26: James Banks III is struck with a questionable foul call on a block attempt. Officials give a makeup call on the other side.
7:48: Despite out-rebounding the Wolfpack 13-10 in the half, Tech is still down 51-49 with not a lot of clock left in the game. Alvarado still leads all scorers.
6:55: Tech has not had a field goal in 2:56.
6:21: GT as hit just 1 of their last 7 shots, and NC State's Markell Johnson now leads all scorers with 21 points. He has 10 just in this half alone.
3:55: While it is still a close game, Georgia Tech's offense need to pick it up and close the game. Their defense has held the Wolfpack scoreless over the last 2:26, but Tech's efforts on the other end have been abysmal as of late. They have not hit a field goal in 5:56 and have made just 1 shot in their last 8 attempts.
1:52: Tech is on an 8-0 run and NC State has missed their last 4 field goals.
1:30: An NC State free throw cuts the GT lead to just 2.
0:46: NC State evens up the game at 58 a piece, GT calls timeout.
0:19.9: James Banks III gets a tip in to take the lead.
0:08.4: Jose Alvarado yanks the ball away for an NC State turnover. He is subsequently fouled and sinks both free throws. Tech has a 62-58 lead.
0:03: Jose Alvarado strips the ball away and hits a layup as time expires.
FINAL: Georgia Tech 64, North Carolina State 58.
Full Stats:
