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Georgia Tech Basketball Quick Recap: Jackets upset No.20 Clemson in return to action

By Dylan Callaghan-Croley

Jan 20, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets guard Michael Devoe (0) shows emotion against the Clemson Tigers in the second half at McCamish Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 20, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets guard Michael Devoe (0) shows emotion against the Clemson Tigers in the second half at McCamish Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Georgia Tech men’s basketball program returned to action on Wednesday and took down No. 20 Clemson 83-65.

It was a great return to the court for Josh Pastner’s Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on Wednesday night as their offense dominated in an 83-65 win over the 9-2 Clemson Tigers. While it was the Jackets’ first game since January 3, when they defeated Wake Forest 70-54, it marked the Jackets’ fifth consecutive victory.

The victory improves the Jackets to 7-3 on the season including their 3-1 record now in conference play.

The Jackets were carried by the trio of Michael Devoe, Jordan Usher, and Moses Wright in the game as the three combined for 64 of the Jackets 83 points in the game. Devoe dropped 22 points in the win while Usher and Wright both posted 21 points. Jose Alvarado contributed eight points in the winning effort while Kyle Sturdivant added seven points off the bench.

In the game, the Jackets were dominant from beyond the arc, hitting 16-of-26 three-point attempts. Michael Devoe was perfect from deep, hitting all six of his attempts while Jordan Usher made five of eight attempts in the game. Their ability to shoot from long range in the game ultimately was the difference maker with 21 additional points coming from three for the Jackets.

That being said, the Jackets shot well from everywhere on the floor in the game, shooting 57.4% as a team. Their offensive performance was nothing short of tremendous, especially considering their hiatus and the fact Clemson had one of the country’s top defenses coming into the game.

The Jackets were also stellar in limiting their turnovers and fouls. The Jackets turned the ball over just 10 times on Wednesday while forcing Clemson into 20 turnovers for the game. Alvarado and Devoe both contributed four steals while Moses Wright collected two blocks on the evening.

Clemson also went to the line for just seven free throws in the game as well though the Jackets only had eight shots themselves. All in all, the Yellow Jackets played a great game from start to finish with strong play offensively and quality play defensively (Clemson, did shoot 52.1% for the game).

For Georgia Tech, the victory on Wednesday night is a great way for the program to get back into action as they look to build their resume into a potential NCAA Tournament team. The victory also marked the Jackets second top-25 victory of the season after defeating a then-ranked No.20 Kentucky 79-62 back on December 6.

The Jackets will be back in action on Saturday night against the Virginia Cavaliers who always give opponents offenses fits. The Cavaliers sit at 9-2 on the season and 5-0 in conference play. They’ll need another big performance out of Alvarado, Devoe, Usher, and Wright if they hope to pick up another victory.