Busting Brackets
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ACC Basketball: 10 questions looming for the 2021-22 season

By Jerran Anderson

Feb 8, 2018; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Krzyzewski and assistant coaches Jeff Capel and Nate James during the national anthem at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2018; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Krzyzewski and assistant coaches Jeff Capel and Nate James during the national anthem at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jose Alvarado Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets ACC Basketball Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Jose Alvarado Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets ACC Basketball Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Will the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets bring more magic?

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets shocked the college basketball world, especially in ACC country this past season, winning the 2020 ACC Tournament Championship over Florida State and ending an 11-year NCAA Tournament drought in the process. The Yellow Jackets finished the 2020-21 regular season and conference tournament by winning eight consecutive games with ACC Defensive Player of the Year Jose Alvarado leading the charge.

In one fell swoop, it’s back to the drawing board for head coach Josh Pastner and company. Both of their top scorers, Alvarado and Moses Wright, are off to the NBA. Alvarado was the heart and soul of last year’s magical run to their first ACC Tournament crown since 1993 while Wright was the engine on the wing that took home ACC Player of the Year honors.

ACC Tournament MVP Michael Devoe still returns for the Yellow Jackets as will Bubba Parham and Kyle Sturdivant, giving them plenty of backcourt depth. Also add in transfer guard Deivon Smith (Mississippi State) and freshman Dallan Coleman on the perimeter and there’s plenty to be excited about as far as depth and skills go.

It’s the frontcourt that Georgia Tech should be worried about. With Wright and his 8.0 rebounds per game, that leaves just Jordan Usher as their top returner at the forward spot.

The door is open for Saga Gigberia and Rodney Howard to earn more playing time but they both appeared in a combined 27 games in 2020-21. This might be a good time for the Yellow Jackets to consider playing small ball.