Georgia Tech Basketball: Jackets sting NC State in Raleigh to open 2019-20

Georgia Tech Basketball takes advantage of Wolfpack injuries/suspensions to start 1-0 on the 2019-20 season.

Georgia Tech Basketball kicked off the 2019-20 season last night against the North Carolina State Wolfpack in Raleigh in what was easily one of the best games of the day. Georgia Tech prevailed 82-81 in OT, grabbing their first lead of the game on a James Banks free throw with 2.1 seconds to go.

North Carolina State jumped out to a 28-14 lead behind some lights out shooting from Pat Andree, but the Jackets maintained their composure and cranked up the defense to cut it to a seven-point halftime deficit. The Wolfpack was without suspended DJ Funderburk, injured Markell Johnson and ineligible Dereon Seabron.

The second half provided plenty of drama as Banks and fellow Georgia Tech big man Moses Wright found themselves in foul trouble early, along with starting point guard Jose Alvarado. Reserves Bubba Parham and Evan Cole filled in admirably and Khalid Moore provided moments of brilliance on the defensive end. Ultimately, Wright was lost to his fifth foul around the 10-minute mark, but Banks and Alvarado managed to stay eligible for the rest of the game. Sophomore sniper Michael Devoe had a huge game with 22 points, including a clutch triple with 2:22 to go in regulation to tie the game at 73.

C.J. Bryce led the Wolfpack in the second half, hitting triples, leaners, mid-range jumpers and almost anything else he threw up. He finished the game with 24 points.

N.C. State seemingly had the game in hand in the final seconds of overtime as Jose Alvarado committed a turnover trying to make a play. Devon Daniels came away with the live ball and instead of allowing the Jackets to foul him, attempted to hit freshman Manny Bates streaking towards the hoop, Bates fumbled it, and Tech recovered. During the ensuing possession, Alvarado missed a triple, but Banks was able to secure the offensive rebound and get fouled. He made the first, and after a Coach Keatts’s freeze attempt he drained the second.

One of the best moments of the game was watching Keatts try to amp the crowd to get into Banks’s head, especially after James told someone on the State bench (presumably Markell Johnson whom he had been jawing with earlier) that they couldn’t freeze him when the timeout was originally called. Fantastic stuff.

Banks finished the game with 20 points, 14 rebounds, 5 blocks, 3 assists, and a steal. Point guard Jose Alvarado played well, especially late, ending the game with 10 points 6 assists and 3 rebounds.

Jericole Hellems provided 15 points off the bench including 7-7 from the line for NC State.

After last night, the last four games between these two teams have been decided by 3 points or less, including last season when Banks won the game, also in Raleigh, with a dunk as time expired.