5 Biggest Chances for Georgia Tech to Get 2nd ACC Win

Tech was leading the No. 1 Duke by one at halftime, but fell short with 21 total turnovers.
Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports

Well, the Georgia Tech basketball team has finally done it. The Yellow Jackets were handed their first ACC win yesterday and are sitting on 1-5 conference and 11-7 overall records.

There is plenty more basketball to be played, and Tech has numerous chances to redeem itself as it looks forward to postseason action.

Here are the next five wins the Yellow Jackets can definitely bring home, and how they can do it. 

1. Clemson, Jan. 29, 2013

Kam Holsey was a key player at the UNC game with 18 points.
USA TODAY Sports

The next ACC win Tech has in the bag is at Clemson on Jan. 29.

According to theACC.com’s overall team statistics, Clemson is ranked second-to-last in the conference in scoring offense and last in 3-point field goals made. Overall, the Tigers are ranked tenth in the conference.

With an average of 63.6 points per game, Clemson is simply not putting enough points on the board. Tech has the edge in scoring offense, rebound margin, assists and offensive rebounds.

After losing both games to Clemson last year, Tech is thirsty for tiger blood. Even though it is an away game, the Yellow Jackets will be focused and ready for their second conference win.

2. Virginia, Feb. 3, 2013

Freshman Robert Carter Jr. leads the team with an average of 6.9 rebounds per game.
Grant Halverson/Getty Images

If Tech does not get the job done at Clemson, there is a chance the team can win at home vs. Virginia on Feb. 3.

Although this may be a stretch because Virginia is ranked fourth in the ACC, Tech has a major edge when it comes to offensive rebounds. The Cavaliers are ranked last in the conference in offensive rebounds, while the Yellow Jackets are sitting at No. 3.

Daniel Miller has had 43 offensive rebounds this season, and Kammeon Holsey and Robert Carter Jr. both have 41. If these guys bring their A-game and are aggressive at the net, Tech can pull out a victory.

Another point worth mentioning is that this will be a home game for Tech. The Yellow Jackets have only lost two games in their brand new McCamish Pavilion. Averaging 90 percent capacity per game, the energy in McCamish is vibrant and it can get pretty loud in there. 

Virginia Tech, Feb. 9, 2013

Mfon Udofia leads the team with an average of 3 assists per game.
Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

The Feb. 9 matchup at Virginia Tech is sure to be another one Georgia Tech can win. Statistically speaking, the Yellow Jackets have a major advantage over the Hokies.

Georgia Tech has the upper hand when it comes to scoring defense, scoring margin, field goal and 3-point field goal percentage, rebound margin, blocked shots and—most notably—assists.

Virginia Tech is ranked last in the ACC with an average of 11.3 assists per game while Georgia Tech has a solid 13.3 average. Senior guard Mfon Udofia has had 54 assists this year and will play a major role in the Yellow Jackets offense at Cassell Coliseum.

4. Wake Forest, Feb. 16, 2013

Freshman Marcus Georges-Hunt has had 18 steals this season.
Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports

Another team the Yellow Jackets have the edge on is Wake Forest, which Tech has already beaten 82-62. Tech started off their first ACC win with a 16-0 run against the Demon Deacons. 

When it comes to the assist to turnover ratio, Wake Forest is struggling. They have 215 assists with 270 turnovers this season, while Tech has 239 assists with 228 turnovers.  

Ball control is key, and I don’t see Wake Forest drastically improving in this category by the time the Yellow Jackets come to Winston Salem.

5. North Carolina, Feb. 19, 2013

Center Daniel Miller leads the ACC in blocks.
USA TODAY Sports

Although the Yellow Jackets have already lost to North Carolina 79-63, they are familiar with UNC’s style of play and know what they can do to win the second time around.

Tar Heel Head Coach Roy Williams had this to say after their victory over the Yellow Jackets:

Georgia Tech - I feel for them. They've really gotten better and it's just they've had a tough, tough opening part of the conference play. They've had by far the most difficult schedule in the league. They are going to be a load for anybody as the second half of the season starts.

By the time this game happens on Feb. 19, Tech will have already had a few more ACC wins under its belt and be ready for revenge.

Plus, this is another home game for Tech. Yellow Jacket fans play a major impact on the game environment, especially when it’s a team from North Carolina that’s coming to Atlanta.