Gameday Live Blog/Open Thread: Razorbacks @ Yellow Jackets | Game 4
Georgia Tech is back at home in McCamish Pavilion tonight, as the Yellow Jackets (2-1, 1-0 ACC) are set to take on the undefeated visiting Arkansas Razorbacks (5-0, 0-0 SEC).
Tech began the season on the right foot with wins over NC State and Elon, but ran into their first speed bump of the season in the Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate matchup against Georgia in Athens, losing 82-78. A key factor was an injury to point guard Jose Alvarado, as he played limited minutes vs. the Bulldogs due to a right ankle injury and is a "game time decision" tonight.
Tipoff is set for 7:00, and you can catch the game on ACC Network.
PREGAME/PREVIEW
Ahead of tonight's 7:00pm tip, be sure to check out our preview of the Razorbacks:
What To Watch For Vs. Arkansas
Tale of The Tape: Arkansas Razorbacks
Just 3 hours before tonight's tipoff, sophomore shooting guard Michael Devoe was named the ACC Co-Player of the Week for his 34 point performance vs. UGA.
Probable Starters:
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
G Bubba Parham
G Michael Devoe
F Moses Wright
F Khalid Moore
F/C James Banks III
Arkansas Razorbacks
G Desi Sills
G Isaiah Joe
G Mason Jones
G Jimmy Whitt, Jr.
F Adrio Bailey
Personnel update: per CBS Sports College Basketball insider Jon Rothstein, point guard Jose Alvarado is officially OUT vs. Arkansas.
FIRST HALF:
At the first media timeout, it's not the defensive brawl that this game seemed like it would be on paper. Both teams are a combined 6-10 to start the game, with the Razorbacks having an early 8-7 advantage. James Banks III is already 2-2 from the floor, and Arkansas has a quick 3 fouls in the half.
As soon as Banks heads to the bench as part of there first substitutions, Arkansas immediately takes advantage. The Hogs go on an 8-0 run to start to pull away, but then the Jackets refocus and respond with a 7-0 run of their own. Junior forward Evan Cole gets the first bench points of the game for GT.
Now the game is turning into the defensive slugfest it was billed as. Both teams exchanged roughly 2 minute scoring droughts around halfway through the first half. Michael Devoe finally got going and is leading all Jackets scorers with 5 points at the 7:51 mark, however the Razorbacks lead 20-19.
The Razorbacks are doing a phenomenal job on the defensive end. They're getting hands in the passing lanes almost with ease, and have forced 5 turnovers in a 2 minute, 18 second span. Georgia Tech can hardly get their offense set up.
At The Half: Arkansas 33, Georgia Tech 30
HALFTIME STATS:
SECOND HALF:
The Razorbacks are certainly putting the clamps on Georgia Tech. A combination of stout defense on their behalf and careless mistakes from the Yellow Jackets has given Arkansas a quick 10 points out of the gate.
Evan Cole is certainly stepping up in his bench role. He has a quick 4 second half points, and 6 points overall. Him and Khalid Moore have been helping pull the Jackets closer in the second half.
Now it's Arkansas who seemingly can't buy a basket. The Razorbacks are forced to call a timeout at the 8:28 mark and are currently on a 3 minute, 28 second scoring drought. In the meantime, Georgia Tech has capitalized on their scoring drought and tied the game at 48 a piece.
Official Ted Valentine has issued a technical foul on head coach Josh Pastner, after Pastner vehemently disagreed with back to back calls against Tech. The resulting free throws give Arkansas a 7 point advantage with 4 and a half minutes left.
Heading into the final 2:35, Georgia Tech has closed the gap thanks once again to their defense. They're forced 3 Arkansas turnovers in the last 3:22, and have held the Razorbacks scoreless in the same time frame.
James Banks III & Michael Devoe score all of the Jackets' final 9 points of regulation, and force the game into overtime. Arkansas hasn't scored a point in over two and a half minutes.
END OF REGULATION: Georgia Tech 59, Arkansas 59.
Stats:
Michael Devoe fouls out with 1:10 left in the first OT, but Arkansas misses the front end of the 1&1 to keep it a tie game.
James Banks III hits a shot for the first points of overtime, but the Razorbacks' Mason Jones banked in a three point shot with just 0.1 left on the clock to take the lead.
FINAL: Arkansas 62, Georgia Tech 61.
Stats:
