2009-10 Georgia Tech Basketball Predictions

Written November 2, 2009 by Rock Henderson

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets could be this year’s team that comes out of nowhere to challenge for a national title. Paul Hewitt’s team finished dead last in the ACC a year ago, but returning almost everyone along with convincing the best recruit in the nation to stay home has the Jacket faithful thinking the 2009-2010 season could be something special. Duke and North Carolina finished tied atop the conference in preseason prognostications by the coaches. Don’t be surprised if this Georgia Tech squad is at or near the top of the conference when March rolls around. The Yellow Jackets are getting some solid respect with their NCAA basketball odds to win the National Championship at 20-to-1.

Why the optimism for this Yellow Jacket team? One name that college basketball fans across the country will recognize as a household name by the end of the year in 6-9 F Derrick Favors. Considered by most to be the top recruit in his class, Favors is a freakishly athletic big man that can finish with either hand in the post. He can get out in transition for a big man and rebounds well even though his frame still needs some development as this kid is only 18 years old. Favors is definitely the headliner of this recruiting class, but some might recognize the name Glen Rice Jr also. Son of the former sharpshooter from Michigan Glen Rice, junior lacks his pops deft shoot touch from the outside but is 6-5 and can finish around the rim. Tech did lose a couple key players form last year’s team. G Lewis Clinch is no longer with the team and took 15 ppg with him. F Alade Aminu averaged 11.8 ppg and 8 rpg. These two played key roles, but the five players Hewitt is bringing in should make fans forget about the departure of Clicn and Aminu.

Derrick Favors won’t be the only talented frontcourt player GT can rely on. F Gani Lawal was Tech’s best player last season as he put up solid numbers of 15 ppg and 9.6 rpg. Favors and Lawal will form one of the most athletic front lines in all of college basketball and will cause many opposing teams to play a zone defense against these two heavyweights. Zack Peacock will provide depth off the bench as the only real reason he is not starting at a D-1 program is because he is playing behind two future lottery draft picks. If you plan on doing any college basketball betting this season, get started in style with a $20 free play when you sign up for a new account with SportsBook.com.

The backcourt poses a few questions, which seems to be a recurring theme of ACC teams. G Iman Shumpert is probably the most talented of the group, but turned the ball over entirely too much last year for a point guard. He also shot a dreadful 39% from the field and could be the X factor that determines how successful this team is at the end of the year. Two guard Moe Miller plays more like a point and if Shumpert struggles you can be assured that Miller will handle the ball the majority of the time. The rest of the backcourt is full of either true freshman that will try to make their mark or veteran kids that will play their roles extremely well on this team.

This team has the raw talent and athleticism to give the opposition a headache preparing for them. Much is expected of the true freshman Favors and he has all the tools to take the ACC by storm. Can they get enough scoring out of their backcourt though? Lawal needs to produce at a similar level as last year and has to understand that this is Derrick Favors team now. The Jackets are tournament bound this year and will be one of the most fun teams to watch.

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