NCAA Predictions and Scores: Georgia Tech Visit North Carolina
Sunday, January 29, 2012
by Joe Rodriguez
North Carolina Tar Heels, playing its second game without starting guard Dexter Strickland, tries to keep pace atop the ACC when it hosts reeling Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.
The No. 8 Tar Heels passed their first test without Strickland, who is out for the season with a torn ACL, by handling N.C. State 74-55 on Thursday. The Yellow Jackets have lost four straight and eight of nine as new coach Brian Gregory tries to rebuild the program.
Georgia Tech has won four straight in the series, but appears to be overmatched now. The Yellow Jackets have played respectably on the road, going 3-4. North Carolina is 13-0 at home.
- Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets @ North Carolina Tar Heels
When: 6:00 PM ET, Sunday, January 29, 2012
Where: Dean E. Smith Student Activities Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
TV: 6 p.m. ET, ESPNU
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Justbet Sportsbook currently have the Tar Heels listed as 21-point favorites versus the Yellow Jackets.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (8-12): The Yellow Jackets have scored 52 or fewer points six times, most recently in a 64-49 home loss to Miami on Tuesday. Junior swingman Glen Rice Jr. leads the team in scoring (13.6) and rebounding (6.6), but isn't getting much help from anyone other than guard Mfon Udofia (10.8 points). Only one of Georgia Tech's 20 baskets against the Hurricanes came on a post move. The defense has been solid as the Yellow Jackets have held 11 opponents to less than 40 percent shooting.
North Carolina Tar Heels (17-3): With Strickland out, Reggie Bullock started and played 33 minutes against the Wolfpack, getting 11 points and five rebounds. Look for the Tar Heels to rely even more on their incomparable front line: Seven-footer Tyler Zeller (14.7 points, 9.7 rebounds), 6-11 John Henson (14.3, 10.1) and 6-8 Harrison Barnes (17.3, 4.7). North Carolina leads the nation in scoring (84.5) and rebounding (46.4). Point guard Kendall Marshall is making terrific decisions - he leads the ACC in assists (9.6) and assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.3.
1. Georgia Tech forward Kammeon Holsey is hitting 61.3 percent from the field, but has not taken enough shots to qualify for the ACC rankings.
2. North Carolina leads the all-time series 60-24, and is 20-5 against Georgia Tech in the Smith Center.
3. Lacking a true point guard, the Yellow Jackets rank 315th nationally in assists (10.8).
BASKETBALL PREDICTION: Tar Heels 84, Yellow Jackets 61.
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brian gregory - dean e. smith student activities center - dexter strickland - georgia tech yellow jackets - glen rice jr - harrison barnes - john henson - kammeon holsey - kendall marshall - mfon udofia
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