Georgia Tech Basketball: 5 reasons why the Jackets will dance in 2019-20

Experience

Last season, the ACC had 35 players log at least 900 minutes – 14 of those players are not returning for the 2019-20 season. Of the 21 returnees, Georgia Tech sports a trio. Jose Alvarado (9th), Mike Devoe (11th), and James Banks III (17th) all return after providing a ton of minutes last season and all warrant expectations of progression.

Alvarado is seemingly completely healthy for the first time since dislocating his elbow late in his freshman season. While only logging roughly 20 minutes per game during the trip to Spain, Alvarado looked fresh, fast, and confident.

Devoe, who averaged 9.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists while shooting 39.3% from behind the arc last season, became only the fourth freshman in the ACC to put up those numbers dating back to 1992-93. The other three? Kyrie Irving, Chris Paul, and Ky Bowman. As mentioned before, Devoe will enter his sophomore campaign in fantastic shape, looking incredibly confident and, after shooting 47% from behind the arc in his final 15 games last season, as one of the best shooters in the ACC.

Banks, who finally received the minutes he deserved last season, failed to disappoint, averaging 10.5 points and 7.7 rebounds while leading the conference in blocked shots at 78. The transfer from Texas has now had the opportunity to work with Coach Reveno for an entire offseason and will almost assuredly continue to progress as a player.

I would be remiss in failing to mention Shembari Philips and Jordan Usher here as well. Philips, who looked great in Spain, has logged over 1400 minutes between the SEC and ACC during his career. Usher also averaged 16.6 minutes per game during his two seasons at USC.

As Georgia Tech makes its run to the tournament in 2019-20, these players will be the catalysts for what should be the most successful Yellow Jacket’s basketball team since 2009-10.