Written by Andy Demetra | Voice of Yellowjacket
Tizuan Claude He admits that he had flexible loyalties from an early age.
Theishorn rooted for the Tar Heels for several years, as most of his family in Goldsboro, North Carolina identified themselves as North Carolina fans. Other years, he gravitated toward Duke. And when Dennis Smith Jr., a future lottery prospect from nearby Fayetteville, came to the fore at North Carolina State University, he found himself pulling for the Wolfpack.
That begs the question. Does that make Claude an ACC agnostic, or worse, a bandwagonist?
The transfer graduate shrugged and smiled as he walked off the Zernack Center practice field Friday.
“I didn't want to be alone without a team,” he explained.
Judging by his recent play, feel Just like Claude holds a grudge against some of the schools in the Triangle. On December 2, he grabbed a team-high eight rebounds in Georgia Tech's upset win over Duke at McAmish Pavilion. On Tuesday, Baye Ndongo Although he missed most of the game, he used his rugged, no-frills style to score nine points, grab eight rebounds and block a season-high three shots as the Yellow Jackets trailed 74-73 in the third. They defeated No. 1 North Carolina.
And now, playing an hour outside of his hometown, Claude could help Georgia Tech (10-11, 3-7 ACC) complete a rare Triangle triple: The Yellow Jackets are the same regulars. It's the first season since they haven't beaten Duke, North Carolina, or North Carolina State. 2009-10.
That chance will come Saturday when Tech takes on North Carolina State (14-7, 6-4 ACC) at PNC Arena. Claude is looking forward to it. 15 family members To fill the seats in the lorry.
We presume that their allegiance will be firmly “white and gold.”
Enjoy the top notes from my chart as the Jackets look to start the second half of ACC play with a winning streak (5:30 p.m. ET, Georgia Tech Sports Network from Legend Sports):
Tideshorn-Claude recorded 15 points and 21 rebounds in three games against his hometown North Carolina ACC team this season. (Photo by Danny Karnik)
Cue the Spider-Man pointing meme…
On Tuesday, Georgia Tech held the University of North Carolina to 74 points and its lowest field goal percentage of the season in a home win.
Two hours later, NC State scored 74 points and held Miami to its lowest field goal percentage of the season to win at home.
Both the Yellow Jackets and Wolfpack held their opponents in check. just same shooting percentage… up to the repeating decimal point (36.3636363%).
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The win against Miami ended the Wolfpack's losing streak at three, but it did slow some of their best start since the ACC. 1988-1989.
The Wolfpack runs an offense that emphasizes ball screens and physical downhill drives, and the guards are given plenty of freedom to explore and create.Tel'Kvion Smith and Ja'Quel Joyner may be gone, but transfer guard DJ Horn (15.2 ppg) is a classic. “Bring me a bucket.” A man who plays with tremendous aggression when dribbling. Senior Casey Morsell (12.1 ppg), who scored 17 points against Miami, gives the Wolfpack a versatile player at shooting guard.
NC State also prefers to isolate the 6-9, 275-pound DJ Burns in the long post and have him sledgehammer into the paint for crowd-pleasing left-handed finishes. Tech has been successful in sending North Carolina's Armando Bacot into a double-team, but Barnes' nifty passes from the high post and short corners could make that difficult.did it Ebenezer Dwonawill Burns' former sparring partner in Raleigh last year be effective against him?
Even with 6 wins and 4 losses, the Wolfpack Lowest effective field goal percentage in conference games (46.3%). The keys for Tech Saturday will be limiting transitions, letting NC State “show bodies” with penetration, and defending the Wolfpack's midrange game without fouling.
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Kyle Sturdivant He thought there was a defender under him. He thought for a moment that if he stopped right away and elevated it, he might draw a foul.
There was no whistle, so the seniors were forced to improvise in the air. But at a key moment in the second half, Sturdivant banked in a 3-pointer from the side to give Tech a 72-68 lead with 3:27 left. Sturdivant fell short of Tony Akins' school record, but in the process he became the first Yellow Jacket to make 4-of-4 3-pointers in a game. Tadric Jackson, December 2016.
Kyle Sturdivant – 3pt.%
- This year: 40.0% (leader team)
- Last 2 years: 32.6%
He and the rest of Tech's backcourt will have to brace themselves for an NC State defense that can be frustrating in every sense of the word.A style that allowed the Wolfpack to lead the ACC by playing with traps, swiping ball handlers, deceiving ball-side corners, and using desperate hands. Fast break points per match. Morsell and 6-4 guard Jaden Taylor are particularly troublesome on-ball defenders. Can Tech stay calm on offense and dictate the pace?
Kyle Sturdivant (1) made 4 of 4 3-pointers against North Carolina and shot 40 percent in ACC play. (Photo by Danny Karnik)
After two-thirds of the season, certain trend lines begin to emerge.
Case in point: Georgia Tech. This year there are 7 wins and 1 loss When you hold your opponent to 30% or less on three-point shooting. This includes both ranked wins over Mississippi State and Duke.
Jackets held off North Carolina 28.6% Tuesday (8/28).
Watch out for Horn, who has made three or more 3-point shots in four consecutive games. Morsell overcame some shaky games, but was 3-of-4 from deep against Miami.
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North Carolina State outscored its opponents on average. 10.5 points The second half of the ACC game.
Georgia Tech has allowed it since conference play resumed in January. Field goal shooting percentage: 54% The second half is for the opponent.
The Yellow Jackets held the Tar Heels to 33 percent from the field, capping off a come-from-behind victory.
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The preparation is now complete. I hope you're ready as well. Join us for Georgia Tech Sports Network pregame coverage on Legends Sports starting at 5pm ET. See you in Raleigh.
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The Georgia Tech men's basketball team is in its first year under head coach Damon Stoudamire. Tech has been a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference since 1979, winning the ACC Championship four times (1985, 1990, 1993, 2021), appearing in the NCAA Tournament 17 times and reaching the Final Four. I participated twice (1990, 2004). Connect with Georgia Tech Men's Basketball on social media by liking his Facebook page or following him below. Twitter (@GTMBB) And Instagram. For more information on Tech basketball, visit Ramblinwreck.com.
