ACC Basketball: Duke clear ahead, Pitt dead last in latest power rankings

The Yellow Jackets had last season’s ACC Player of the Year in Moses Wright and the best defensive guard in the league in Jose Alvarado, also now in the NBA. Mike Devoe was the third-wheel a year ago but has gladly taken the star role for the team this time around.

The senior guard is leading the ACC with 25.0 ppg and 4.3 apg, including a career-high 37 points in a win at Georgia and 33 points in a loss against Wisconsin in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Devoe’s shooting numbers are crazy, making 57% from the field and a whopping 59% (23/39) from three-point range. Those numbers are certainly going to go down once league play starts and that could be a real issue for the Jackets.

That’s because the team hasn’t had much production outside of both Devoe and Jordan Usher, currently averaging 14.3 ppg and 7.7 rpg. I will say, center Rodney Howard has been a pleasant surprise, going from not playing at all to now putting up 8.6 ppg and 7.0 rpg in 30 mpg, cementing himself as a starter and giving Georiga Tech a real center option inside. But the rest of the backcourt has struggled, with ‘Deebo” Coleman and Deivon Smith showing the most promise so far.

The Yellow Jackets’ best win has been against Georgia and does have a loss against Miami (OH) to start the season. The NCAA Tournament may be a reach at the moment unless they can find some production elsewhere but Devoe seems willing to keep them in as many games as possible. And if he can maintain his high scoring average, Georgia Tech could have a chance at getting back-to-back ACC Player of the Year awards.