Georgia Tech Basketball: Five players to watch in Georgia Tech vs UNC
Georgia Tech takes on the No.9 North Carolina Tar Heels on Tuesday night and here are five players to keep an eye on as the game progresses.
Georgia Tech – G Jose Alvarado
If the Yellow Jackets are going to pull off an upset on Tuesday night, it will start with sophomore guard Jose Alvarado. The Brooklyn, New York native is averaging 13.5 points per game this along with 3.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. An improvement of his freshman season stat line of 12.1 points – 3.7 rebounds – 3.1 assists.
Alvarado over his last 10 games has been dynamite for the Yellow Jackets but is coming off his worst game of the stretch with a 7 point performance against Duke. Prior to that game, Alvarado was averaging 14.1 points per game. The Jackets will need one of those better performances out of Alvarado on Tuesday night if they hope for a victory.
North Carolina – F Cameron Johnson
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The most dangerous player that the Yellow Jackets will have to be aware of on North Carolina is senior forward Cameron Johnson. Johnson is averaging 15.5 points per game this season but has seen that number drop in ACC play to 13..5 points per game.
Johnson is a rather strong shooter from everyone on the court, shooting .533 from close-to-medium range and then when he does shoot from beyond the arch, he’s a .465 shooter. Johnson doesn’t get to the line all too much but when he does, he’s a consistent .786 shooter. He’ll miss a free throw here or there but overall he’s pretty dependent at the line. Johnson has the ability to be a game changer on Tuesday night.
Georgia Tech – F/C James Banks III
To pull off an upset on Tuesday night, Georgia Tech will have to have one of their rebounding games of the season. The Tar Heels are among one of the best rebounding teams in the country while the Yellow Jackets are usually on the losing end of rebounding battles. On Tuesday night, James Banks will be responsible for grabbing most of the Yellow Jackets rebounds and that’s in addition to his offensive and defensive duties.
Banks is averaging 14.0 points per game in conference play and will need another big night against North Carolina offensively. If Banks can turn into a reliable scoring option, the Jackets could be dangerous both on Tuesday and down the stretch.
North Carolina – F Luke Maye
The senior forward has been at North Carolina for what has felt like a decade but surely enough, Maye is a senior in 2019. That being said, Maye isn’t putting up the same numbers he did a year ago but is still having a solid season. This season, Maye is averaging nearly a double-double with 14.4 points per game and 9.7 rebounds. The battle between him and James Banks will be possibly the biggest of the night in terms of deciding the game. If the Jackets let Maye took over on the boards, it could be a long night for the Jackets.
X-Factor: North Carolina – G Nassir Little
Tech fans may remember Little from his recruitment but tonight, he’ll be the x-factor in deciding the game. Little is only averaging 10 points per game this season but with 11,12, and 23 points in his last three games, Little has been on fire for the Tar Heels and could be dangerous on Tuesday night. The Jackets will put most of their attention of Johnson and Maye but they can’t neglect keeping Little close to them or he will make them pay.