:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68614269/usa_today_15393037.0.jpg)
Georgia Tech came into this game heavy favorites against Wake Forest who is just coming back from a long break with no games and practices due to Covid. It became obvious early on that Vegas had this one right. Tech bounced out to a quick lead in large part due to the Demon Deacon’s turning the ball over. GT continued to extend the lead out into halftime with the score at 35-21. After the half the Yellow Jackets went on a big run and jumped the lead all the way out to 57-31 with 12 minutes left. The Deacons started scraping back after that point, but it was too little too late. There was never a moment in the second half that the Jackets seemed in trouble.
The Deacons have missed 17 practices this season and gave significant minutes to a point guard recruit that just joined the team in late December. They turned the ball over like crazy against Tech. Many of their turnovers were passes that the Yellow Jackets read easily and intercepted. They ended with 18 turnovers, but the last 10 minutes or so were pretty clean for them after the game was essentially over.
Georgia Tech continued to look pretty good from behind the arc in a very promising development. Tech only shot 36% from deep, but the guards shot 9-20 (the forwards were 0-5). If they continue to shoot this well then things will open up for the defense. On the other end the Deacons shot just 3-17 from deep. Part of it was just them missing, but Tech did a good job of closing out and forcing tough shots.
Jose Alvarado was more or less a non-factor on offense in the first half, but came out fighting in the second. He finished with 25 points on 9-14 shooting. Michael Devoe helped from deep with 17 points and 4 made 3-pointers. Moses Wright was out there looking like John Stockton with 8 points and 5 assists.
Wake Forest was led by forward Isaiah Mucius with 21 points on 9-16 shooting. Four-star guard Carter Whitt played his debut today and looked a little lost which makes sense for a high-schooler without proper practice time. He finished with 4 points on 2-7 shooting and 5 rebounds.
On Wednesday the Yellow Jackets head to South Bend to take on Notre Dame in a winnable game. On Saturday they continue the road trip with a game at Louisville.