Georgia Tech vs Syracuse: Preview, How To Watch, And Prediction

The last game of a three-game homestand for Georgia Tech comes this Saturday and it comes at a time when Georgia Tech basketball needs a win. 

Syracuse comes into the game with a 12-7 record, but a solid 5-3 mark in the conference. The Orange nearly upset Miami on Monday (The only ACC team Georgia Tech has beaten) and they could use a win as well. 

Syracuse has won four of six games since the holiday break, with its two losses both coming on the road at Virginia (73-66) and Miami (82-78). The Orange have wins over Notre Dame (2), Boston College, Louisville and Virginia Tech on their conference resume and are 2-3 in true road games this season.

Syracuse is not a team that Georgia Tech has had much success with since the Orange joined the ACC. Tech has won five of 12 meetings between the two teams since Syracuse joined the ACC and seven of 15 meetings in the history of the series. 

For Georgia Tech to have a chance in this game, the three-point shooting needs to be markedly better than it was on Tuesday night. The Yellow Jackets were coming off of a good shooting performance against the Pitt Panthers, but they turned in their worse shooting night of the season so far. 

Tech made a season-low two three-point field goals, and its 2-for-21 percentage (.095) was the lowest for the team since the Jackets went 1-for-11 (.091) against Clemson on Feb. 1, 2017. The Jackets had averaged nine made threes over its previous five games (45-for-120, 37.5 pct.) and was hitting 32.1 percent in ACC play.

The offense has been a major struggle for the team all season, not just three-point shooting. Tech has failed to shoot 40 percent from the floor in two straight games, the first time that has happened since November when the Jackets shot under 40 percent against Northern Illinois, Utah and Marquette in succession. The Yellow Jackets are 2-9 when scoring less than 70 points. 

The highlight and strength of this team remains the three-point defense. Tech ranks No. 2 in the ACC and in the top 20 in the nation in three-point defense. 

After having a stretch of games where he was scoring in double-digits. Miles Kelly has failed to reach more than 10 points in two straight games. Kelly can be the team's top scorer, but they need him to snap out of the funk he has been in. 

The Yellow Jackets might be without two of their top players on Saturday. Josh Pastner said during his press conference on Friday that guard Lance Terry is doubtful and forward Tristan Maxwell has been ruled out. 

Taking a quick look at Syracuse, they are sixth in the ACC in scoring offense, but 10th in defense. The Orange are not a great rebounding team, ranking 11th in the ACC in rebounding margin. Syracuse is third in the ACC in turnover margin, which could be a key in this game. When Georgia Tech has struggled in games, it has turned the ball over an alarming amount of times. 

The top-scorer for Syracuse is Joseph Girard III, who is 5th in the ACC in scoring, averaging 16.9 PPG.

In the newest KenPom ratings, Georgia Tech is 142nd and Syracuse is 88th. 

How To Watch Georgia Tech vs Syracuse

Who: Georgia Tech vs Syracuse

When: 12:00 p.m., Saturday

Where: McCamish Pavillion

TV: ACC Regional Sports Network

Play-by-Play: Andy Demetra | Analyst: Randy WatersFollow us on social media for the latest on Georgia Tech Athletics

Prediction:

Syracuse is not one of the ACC's best teams, but there are not many reasons to trust Georgia Tech to win a game right now. The offense remains a mess and Syracuse can be a tough matchup on any given day for anyone. 

Until they can put together some more consistent play on offense, I don't think I can predict the Yellow Jackets to win. Maybe I will be wrong. 

Final Score: Georgia Tech 55, Syracuse 62

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