Georgia Tech continues its roll in NIT
ATLANTA -- Six weeks ago, the Georgia Tech basketball team barely had a pulse. Now the Yellow Jackets are playing at a high level and stand just one win away from earning a trip to the NIT semifinals.
On Feb. 7, after a home loss to Miami, Georgia Tech was 12-10 and sinking fast. Since then, the Yellow Jackets have won nine of 12 games and look like a completely different team. With a win Wednesday at San Diego State, the Yellow Jackets will gain a spot in the NIT semifinals in New York.
"I've never played at Madison Square Garden," Georgia Tech guard Adam Smith said. "It's a goal to try to get there. That's motivation to win the next game."
The Yellow Jackets (21-14) have turned in two impressive postseason performances -- an 81-62 win over Houston and an 83-66 road win over South Carolina.
"(South Carolina) was 16-2 at home and probably should be in the NCAA Tournament," Georgia Tech head coach Brian Gregory said. "It's a good step for the program. Every game we play, we keep adding to our seniors' legacy, and I'm really proud of our guys."
There won't be much time for preparation before the game against San Diego State.
The Yellow Jackets spent Monday night in Columbia and went to bed not even knowing which part of the West Coast their destination would be.
"The biggest thing is to get some rest and get ready to play," Gregory said.
San Diego State (27-9) is coming off a 93-78 win over Washington. Steve Fisher's team is led by sophomore Trey Kell, a first-team All-Mountain West guard who averages 12.5 points per game and shoots 37.2 percent on 3-pointers. Senior Winston Shepard, a second-team all-conference player, averages 11.1 points and 6.5 rebounds, and freshman Jeremy Hemsley, a third-team choice, averages 12.3 points.
"We need more of the same against a red-hot Georgia Tech team that will come in here," Fisher said. "I think you saw a team that was determined and played hard and played together."
Fisher was talking about his own team but could easily have been discussing Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets took the fight to a hard-nosed South Carolina team. Georgia Tech led 42-28 at the break and outrebounded the Gamecocks 39-21. The 83 points against the Gamecocks marked the eighth time this season the Yellow Jackets have scored 80 or more. It was their highest scoring total in the postseason since the 1998 NIT.
"I thought we'd hold our own," Gregory said. "I never dreamed we'd be plus-18. Our energy level, our intensity on the glass, our desire to put a body on some guys."
Five players scored in double figures, led by Smith with 21 points and Marcus Georges-Hunt with 14 points and eight rebounds. Nick Jacobs had 10 points and 10 rebounds, and Charles Mitchell had 12 points and seven rebounds before fouling out.
Gregory also singled out backup point guard Josh Heath, who contributed five points and four assists in 23 minutes. It was the most he has played since logging 22 minutes at Clemson on Feb. 7.
"We needed him and he responded," Gregory said.
The last time Georgia Tech got to the quarterfinals of the NIT was 2003, when it lost to Texas Tech. The Yellow Jackets have never played San Diego State.
The winner will play the George Washington-Florida winner on March 29 in New York. The other semifinal will feature the Valparaiso-St. Mary's winner vs. the Creighton-Brigham Young winner.
This story was originally published March 22, 2016 at 9:31 PM with the headline "Georgia Tech continues its roll in NIT ."