Yellow Jacked Up
Fansided

Georgia Tech Basketball: Jackets MVP in 64-58 win over NC State

By Dylan Callaghan-Croley

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 04: Jose Alvarado #10 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets reacts after a play against the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at Dean Smith Center on January 04, 2020 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 04: Jose Alvarado #10 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets reacts after a play against the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at Dean Smith Center on January 04, 2020 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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Georgia Tech basketball on Saturday took down the North Carolina State Wolfpack for the second time this season, earning a season-sweep of NC State, one Yellow Jacket, however, stood out above the rest.

It’s no secret who Georgia Tech’s MVP on Saturday was in the Yellow Jackets win over the NC State Wolfpack. It’s the man who was the featured photo of this story. Georgia Tech junior guard Jose Alvarado was a dynamic force on Saturday night and almost self-propelled the Yellow Jackets to victory.

Alvarado played nearly the entire 40-minutes of the game, logging 37 minutes of playing time against the Wolfpack. In those 37-minutes, Alvarado did everything he could to carry his team to victory. The New York native, put together arguably his best performance as a Yellow Jacket in his three seasons with the program.

With 26 points, Alvarado led all scorers in the game and was three-points shy of tying his career of high of 29 that he set last year against Pittsburgh. It marked the third consecutive game that he put up double-digit points as well. He may not have had the most efficient night, shooting 9-of-21 but he was certaintly hot at times throughout the game including at the free-throw line where he made 6-of-8 attempts.

But outside of his shooting is where Alvarado helped win the game for the Yellow Jackets. To go along with his 26 points, he was also able to gather eight rebounds and eight steals. Since 2010, Alvarado is now just one of FIVE players to put up at least 25 points while also gathering eight rebounds and eight steals in a game. The last to do it was Oregon’s Chris Duarte, just this past week on Thursday against Southern California.

His most important play of the game, came in the final seconds as he was able to earn his eighth steal of the game when he intercepted a pass from NC State’s Markell Johnson to seal the victory. While the Wolfpack still needed four points at the time to tie the game, Alvarado’s steal made sure there would be no funny business and ran his way to a layup, giving the Yellow Jackets them a 64-58 victory.

One other Yellow Jacket deserves a mention for their performance on Saturday. That being forward Evan Cole. Cole, came off the bench on Saturday and was a much needing scoring relief for the Jackets, who outside of Alvarado struggled to score. No other starter for the Yellow Jackets was able to reach the double-digits mark. Cole, however, in 24 minutes of action, gathered 11 points, four rebounds, and three blocks.

The Yellow Jackets will be back at it on Tuesday when they take on the Morehouse College with tip-off set for 7:30 pm.