Georgia Tech Basketball: 2024-25 season preview for Yellow Jackets

Overall outlook and expectations for Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech has the potential to have a lot more favorable non-conference record in the range of 8-1 or 7-2 so long as things go according to plan. With two early conference tests against UNC and Duke to kick things off mixed into the 2024-25 schedule, it's not a foregone conclusion there could be some more early growing pains.

But as evidenced last season, this group has an untapped resilience. In last year's upset victory of the Blue Devils, Baye Ndongo exploded for 21 points, five rebounds, four blocks and two steals on 9-of-11 shooting from the floor. He's set to do a lot more damage in the rotation as his sophomore year approaches alongside Naithan George.

The Yellow Jackets have some hidden depth brewing should things work well with all the new pieces they're adding. McCollum has proven he can play on the high-major stage after spending last year in the Big 12 with Oklahoma. Luke O'Brien and Duncan Powell will need to prove they can play on the high-major stage. Powell will be expected to play a role in the frontcourt while O'Brien should be a solid role player off the bench with his prowess shooting the ball on the perimeter.

Darrion Sutton and Jaeden Mustaf should certainly be ready to contribute. They've been seen extensively given OTE is headquartered in Atlanta and should have a smooth transition into the college schedule.

Year 2 under head coach Damon Stoudamire doesn't have too much expectation behind it. But consider that a good thing to play the underdog. The Yellow Jackets were picked 12th in the early edition of ACC Preseason Power Rankings. They're a group who if they can mesh in the early going and show chemistry with a few early tests on the non-conference slate, they could be one of the surprise teams in the conference this season.