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Georgia Tech focuses on Boston College/Miami rematch

5 days after the Jackets lost their last regular season game, Tech and Boston College are set for a rematch against one of the few ACC teams that they were only slated to play once this season. Before the game started, both teams knew that this match up would be likely before they played on Saturday. Boston College is the only team that GT has never played in an ACC Tournament for basketball.

By Marc Charles
Josh D. Weiss-USA TODAY Sports

This Thursday Georgia Tech will begin the ACC tournament against a very beatable BC team. Coach Donahue talked GT in the Media Conference Monday: "Obviously the Georgia Tech game, real hard-fought game. They probably out played us for most of the game." The lead got as high as 10 for the Jackets on Saturday, but the team ended by giving up a 12-0 BC run late in the game to let the home team come away with a season ending win.

Tech finished the season ranked 9th overall, with an ACC record of 6-12. This was just shy of Boston College's 8th ranked 7-11 record, with the last regular season game deciding the 8/9 seeding. Tech has had only one significant ACC win, coming last Wednesday against Miami. Boston College beat Virginia(#4 in the ACC) by 1 point which began their current 3 game win streak. Other than that win, they have 5 other ACC wins, Tech's being the most significant. Basically, both of these teams have had rough seasons.

This is in part due to the young nature of both teams. Tech has a team experience of 1.28 years while BC has a team experience of 0.76 years. Just for reference, the national average is 1.70 years. We already know Tech's young guns. Boston College's Olivier Hanlan just received the ACC Rookie of the Year award. His contribution, along with Ryan Anderson(So.), Lonnie Jackson(So.), Patrick Heckmann(So.), and Joe Rahon(Fr.) give Boston College a lot of young support. The only upperclassman who contribute at all to the team is Andrew Van Nest who is a senior.

When the Jackets step foot on the court tomorrow, they will be looking to have a better showing than last year's ACC tournament game against Virginia Tech. Entering as the 12 seed, Tech scored only 36 total points, losing to VT's 54. That's all I am going to say about that.

Tech will need some serious production from Mfon, Miller, Bolden, Carter Jr.. The normal contributors as well as Holsey and the rest of the bench. If there is ever a way to leave Georgia Tech, Mfon, this is it.. Make us proud!

With a win tomorrow, Tech will record its first ACC postseason win since 2010 when the Jackets made a run for the ACC title, defeating UNC, Maryland, and NC State before losing to Duke by 4. This was also Tech's last NCAA tournament appearance. Without a ACC championship under the Jackets belt after this weekend, they can basically save some money not tuxedos and expensive dinners- they won't be invited to the Dance.

If Tech can defeat Boston College, they face a strong Miami team. While not impossible, we will need a stellar performance to defeat a team looking for payback. If Tech can make it to the ACC semi-finals, they could potentially see a reverse of their last three ACC regular season games, playing BC, then Miami, then NC State. But let's not get ahead of ourselves, we have some serious hard work to do before we could ever imagine this. While improbable, nothing is impossible(Georgia Tech's 2012 ACC Baseball Champs!!), especially in basketball.

Tip off is set for 12pm on ESPNU and IMG Sport Radio (790AM, 106.7FM). Make sure to follow the gamethread today for more updates and information on the game.