Next Up - Georgia Tech To Start ACC Conference Play

Duke gets back to business on New Year’s Eve after being upset by Texas Tech in New York as Georgia Tech comes to Cameron.

Georgia Tech is 9-4 and has been somewhat erratic. Their losses have been to Georgia, then Depaul, Drake and Mississippi State all in a row. The first two were in the Emerald Coast Classic and the ACC/SEC Challenge.

Tech’s junior big man Baye Ndongo was out from 12/3-12/28, finally returing against Florida A&M, where he played 23 minutes, putting up 15 points and grabbing 11 boards. However, he also had 5 turnovers.

He and freshmen Mouhamed Sylla (6-10/240), like Ndongo from Senegal, are a tough duo down low. Sylla is currently averaging 11.2 ppg and 8.4 rebounds. He’s quite promising.

Kowacie Reeves, now a 6-7 senior, is averaging 15.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists. He’s hitting 40% of his threes so far.

The big challenge for coach Damon Stoudamire this season was replacing Naithan George, who left for Syracuse.

Lamar Washington, who put in two years at Texas Tech before transferring to Pacific, is doing fairly well at point guard. He’s getting 10.9 ppg, 62. assists and 4.8 rebounds.

He’s not shooting all that well – 44.1% overall and 37.5% from behind the line – but that’s manageable if other guys can score.

Akai Fleming is one of those guys who can get hot. He’s not someone you want to let get started.

Jaeden Mustaf is another. He has struggled to an extent this season but at some point, he’s going to break out. He’s talented. And then there’s Cam Kraft, who can light it up from outside.

Georgia Tech has struggled with turnovers this season, actually averaging more than they did last year. They’ll need to keep that under control against Duke to win in Cameron.

They’ve had another problem for a while now that they haven’t quite figured out: exactly how to play Ndgongo with another big man. He is best around the basket but that’s also where Sylla is best. It’s a tricky balance.

For Duke, this game is important. The game against the Tech from Texas didn’t end well and while Cam Boozer did damage, he didn’t get the sort of support that he needed.

The Blue Devils will have to find other guys who can step up. It would be helpful if Isaiah Evans got more aggressive offensively. The rest of his game has really improved, but shooting is supposed to be his strong point. It hasn’t been lately.

Dame Sarr could help here too. He’s highly athletic, and though his defense has been really good, he hasn’t been able to score as well as you might think.

And while Nik Khamenia has shown real signs, he’s had two injuries since winning a starting spot that have limited him.

He’s had some time to rest over the Christmas break so hopefully that will help.

Georgia Tech is a dangerous team. They haven’t been consistently good, but the Yellow Jackets are talented and deep. They’re very likely to pull some upsets this season, just as they did last season. Duke will have to bring it to avoid being the first.

We’ll add links as we find them.

• VENGEANCE: Duke Basketball AIMS to REBOUND vs. Georgia Tech in ACC Opener After First Loss of Season
• Can Georgia Tech Upset Duke On New Years Eve?