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Georgia Tech Basketball: Jackets to extend win streak to three against Notre Dame

By Dylan Callaghan-Croley

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 04: Teammates Jordan Usher #4 and Jose Alvarado #10 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets walk off the court 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: Teammates Jordan Usher #4 and Jose Alvarado #10 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets walk off the court 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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The Georgia Tech men’s basketball team on Saturday will look to extend their winning streak to three games against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

In hopes of keeping their postseason dreams alive, the Georgia Tech men’s basketball team will be looking to extend their win streak to three games on Saturday against Notre Dame. The Yellow Jackets are coming off an 82-54 demolishing of D2 Morehouse College where 13 different Yellow Jackets saw time on the court.

Saturday’s matchup will be the second time the two teams have met this season. They last met on January 15th, in a game where Notre Dame came out with a 78-74 win at McCamish Pavillion.

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Entering Saturday, Notre Dame finds themselves at the bottom of the ACC standings thanks to a 3-6 conference record. Overall, they hold a 12-8 record this season. After losing their last two games, the Fighting Irish got back into the win on Wednesday, defeating Wake Forest 90-80. Like the Jackets, the Fighting Irish will need to string together some momentum here entering February to keep their postseason dreams alive.

If the Jackets hope to take down Notre Dame on Saturday, they’ll have to keep Prentiss Hubb in check. In their last meeting, Hubb led all scorers in the game with 25 points. That being said, tightening up the defense in general against the Fighting Irish is needed overall as three players last time out had 15 or more points.

It is notable that in the Jackets loss to Notre Dame, Jose Alvarado scored just seven points in that game. Why is that notable? It’s only one of three games since the turn of the calendar that Alvarado was kept under double-digit points. He was red hot in January and he’ll look to continue that into February which would be a huge boost for Georgia Tech entering the most pivotal month of the season.

When comparing the two programs, Saturday’s game is a game the Yellow Jackets could very well win but it won’t be easy as Notre Dame has defended the home court very well this season. Entering Saturday afternoon, they’re 10-3 at the Joyce Center. That being said, ESPN’s FPI doesn’t believe so, as it gives the Jackets just a 21.1% chance to win. Teamrankings.com also considers Saturday’s matinee as the Jackets second hardest game remaining this season.

Either way, with a ton on the line for both teams on Saturday afternoon, Saturday’s game should be a strong one and entertaining. As we enter the part of the season, where neither team could afford a slip up, both teams should come out with energy and we should see a quality matchup.

The Yellow Jackets and Fighting Irish are set to tip off at noon eastern time on Saturday.