Georgia Tech targets Syracuse's zone with more weapons
ATLANTA -- Georgia Tech's newfound ability to shoot from the perimeter could have a positive impact when it travels to Syracuse on Saturday.
The Yellow Jackets beat the Orange in 2014 at the Carrier Dome and lost by a point a year ago at McCamish Pavilion. Those results came from Georgia Tech teams that struggled from the outside. But this year's team doesn't face those struggles and will get to see what it can accomplish against Syracuse's zone defense when Georgia Tech (12-8, 2-5 ACC) meets Syracuse (14-8, 4-5) on Saturday.
"You have to make some perimeter shots," Yellow Jackets head coach Gregory said. "Two years ago, we beat them ,and last year, we lost by one and did not shoot the ball inside or outside."
The Yellow Jackets made a total of seven 3-pointers in those two games. A year ago, they shot 27 percent from the floor.
"We've had success being able to get the ball inside, get some offensive rebounds, get some transition points," Gregory said, noting that Syracuse has not allowed a transition basket in three games. "But we're a better shooting team, so that becomes an addition to our game plan. If we had made one more 3 we would have that game."
Syracuse has won four of its past five games, including a two-point win at Duke and a blowout on Notre Dame on Wednesday. Head coach Jim Boeheim's team is thin with only six guys get loads of playing time. But Gregory said that the lack of a deep bench should not be seen as a weakness.
"With some teams, the lack of depth can impact a game," Gregory said. "I don't think Syracuse is one of those teams. They have some veteran guys, and they know when to exert and when to reserve it, and they do it in a smart way."
The Orange ires led by freshman Malachi Richardson, who averages 13.5 points per game and is one of four effective 3-point shooters on the team.
"Richardson is playing as well as any freshman in the league," Gregory said. "He's a superstar in waiting, and the waiting may be over. He's changed their team and given (Michael) Gbinije and (Trevor) Cooney more freedom.
Gbinije leads the team with 17.3 points, and Cooney averages 14 points. Tyler Roberson averages 9.9 points and 9.0 rebounds.
Georgia Tech hopes that Marcus Georges-Hunt can continue to play at a high level. The versatile senior is averaging 25.3 points during the past three games and has lifted his season average to 16.4 points. Lately he has shown an ability to take over a game by effectively driving to the basket and picking up a foul.
"Two games ago (Virginia Tech), he fouled out, and not having him there was a huge impact on that game," Gregory said. "One thing he's been able to do is draw so much attention that now you're able to get some other stuff. We had two big post baskets (against N.C. State), and that's because the defense was so focused on Marcus."
The lineup likely will continue to stay in flux. In the team's 90-83 win over N.C. State on Wednesday, the Yellow Jackets started Nick Jacobs and James White for the first time, with Charles Mitchell not in the starting lineup for the time this season.
"There's fluidness with a couple of those spots," Gregory said. "They know they're going to get their minutes. Sometimes it's early matchups. Sometimes it's what's done in practice. Our guys know that one of our strengths is our depth. So you may see (lineup changes) the rest of the season."
This story was originally published January 29, 2016 at 4:23 PM with the headline "Georgia Tech targets Syracuse's zone with more weapons ."