The Georgia Bulldogs (7-2) welcome the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (5-4) to Stegeman Coliseum as they try to extend their five-game home winning streak. The game is scheduled to start at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 19, 2017.
Georgia opened as a 4.5-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 125 points.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs. Georgia Bulldogs Free Prediction
The last time the Yellow Jackets played, they thoroughly outplayed the Florida A&M Rattlers, 79-54. The Yellow Jackets had a much better free throw rate (0.288 vs. 0.145) and held the Rattlers to an effective field goal percentage of 0.363 (below their season average of 0.446). With 19 points on 8-for-9 shooting, Moses Wright was the top scorer from either team.
The Bulldogs were beaten by the Massachusetts Minutemen in their last outing, 72-62. Massachusetts’ 0.611 effective field goal percentage was their largest strength over Georgia, who had a mark of 0.403. The Minutemen’s mark was above their season average of 0.522, while the Bulldogs’ was below their season average of 0.515. Yante Maten had a good performance for Georgia, leading both teams in scoring with 20 points on 9-for-16 shooting.
Half-court execution will be at a premium when two of the NCAA’s slowest-paced teams face off. Georgia ranks 276th in possessions per game (69.1) and Georgia Tech is 339th (68.0) since the 2016-17 season. Additionally, the Yellow Jackets have been among the NCAA’s best at getting to the line, ranking 27th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.255). The Bulldogs, meanwhile, rank 53rd at keeping opponents off the charity stripe with an opponents’ FTA rate of 0.228.
Georgia Tech comes into the game with records of 5-4 straight up (SU) and 3-3 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has a tendency to set the total high when the Yellow Jackets are involved, as 66.7 percent of their games have finished under the O/U total.
Georgia has a phenomenal 7-2 SU record, but they have trouble covering the spread (2-4 ATS). It’s tough to find a trend for Bulldogs games in regards to the projected point total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under.
The Bulldogs won the only game against the Yellow Jackets last season, 60-43. The Bulldogs had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (33.3 vs. 15.6) and had a better free throw rate (0.177 vs. 0.115).
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs. Georgia Bulldogs ATS Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Georgia, ATS Winner – Georgia, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
Georgia ranks 29th in rebounds per game (37.7) while Georgia Tech ranks 172nd (35.8).
The Bulldogs rank 28th in steals allowed per game (6.1) while the Yellow Jackets rank 90th (6.7).
Georgia Tech ranks 17th in blocks per game (5.9) while Georgia ranks 64th in blocks allowed per game (3.4).
The Bulldogs rank 235th in three pointers attempted per game (16.3) while the Yellow Jackets rank 258th (14.3).
