NCAA Basketball: Ranking the 2023 inaugural ACC/SEC Challenge matchups

12. Mississippi State Bulldogs at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

There’s a gap between the bottom two and the rest of the matchups when it comes to potential storylines. This one includes an intriguing rebuilding program (Georgia Tech) and one that’s coming off an NCAA Tournament appearance (Miss St). The Bulldogs were successful in Coach Chris Jans’ first year and luckily for him, just about everyone is back.

That includes star big man Tolu Smith, the All-SEC center that led the team with 15.7 ppg and 8.5 rpg. Also back are a pair of key starters in DJ Jeffries and Dashawn Davis for an extra year. The key to how good Mississippi State will be is how impactful Andrew Taylor is at running the offense. The transfer from Marshall averaged around 20 ppg, 5.0 rpg, and 5.0 apg and is an elite shot-maker. The Bulldogs were one of the worst shooting teams in all of NCAA Basketball and Marshall is potentially the answer for that.

The Yellow Jackets replaced Coach Josh Pastner with Damon Stoudamire, who was an NBA assistant and previously the head coach at Pacific in the WCC. They were near the bottom of the ACC but loaded up in the transfer portal. Ole Miss transfer Amaree Abram is a sophomore breakout candidate, while Jalen Forrest and Kowacie Reeves add to the backcourt depth.

This is going to be a battle of elite athletes on both sides but there might not be a ton of points scored. Tech will need to find a way to slow down Smith to have any chance and on paper, that doesn’t seem likely.