- In The Jungle, The Mighty Jungle – 2023 NFC North Preview - September 4, 2023
- Back At It Again – Western Conference Finals Preview - May 16, 2023
- Western Conference Semifinals Preview – A Question Of Legacy - May 2, 2023
As the ACC basketball season gets ready to start at the end of November, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets are preparing to make a postseason run after being on probation last season. One of the major reasons is because of the return of the conference’s best backcourt.
The duo of All-ACC Third Team point guard Jose Alvarado and junior Michael DeVoe combined to average 30.4 points for Josh Pastner’s team last season. What is more impressive was their defensive ball pressure.
@GTMBB coach Josh Pastner elaborates on the advantages of having a experienced backcourt. Question by correspondent @danny3thompson #CollegeBasketball | #TogetherWeSwarm | #3ptcnvrsn pic.twitter.com/DT17Ke8MXf
— The 3 Point Conversion (@3ptCnvrsn) October 27, 2020
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Alvarado averaged 2.2 steals per game as he played excellent defense against some of the best point guards in the country. The senior also played bigger than his 6’0″ frame.
He added 3.4 rebounds on top of his 4.0 assists per game. He was one major reason why Tech was one of the best defensive teams in the country. Tech finished 16th last season in defensive efficiency.
DeVoe was one of the most dangerous shooters in the country last season. He hit 42.7% of his shots from the three point line. He led the team in scoring with 16.0 points per game.
“Just being ready to shoot at all times. When I get my feet set, I feel like I can hit a lot of those threes,” stated Devoe. “I got a lot better this offseason as far as getting stronger, faster and things like that.”
His ability to create his own shot allowed Tech to finish fourth in the conference in field goal percentage last year.
With the 2020-21 season planning on being one of the most interesting seasons in the history of the NCAA, it is good for the Yellow Jackets to have two experienced pieces as they attempt to win not only the ACC Championship but also return back to the NCAA Tournament.