Don’t expect a high-scoring game when the Pittsburgh Panthers (20-9) head to Georgia Tech to play the Yellow Jackets (17-13). Action gets underway at 2:00 pm ET on Saturday, Mar. 5.
The Yellow Jackets are hoping for a better outcome after their 56-53 loss to Louisville on Tuesday. Charles Mitchell recorded 15 points and 12 rebounds, earning his 15th double-double of the year. The Panthers, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after their 65-61 loss to Virginia Tech on Wednesday. Michael Young led the team in scoring with 16 points.
Over the last five games, Marcus Georges-Hunt has really been playing well for the Yellow Jackets, averaging 20.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.0 steal, and 1.4 three-pointers.
Half-court execution will be of utmost importance when two of the nation’s slowest-paced teams square off. Georgia Tech ranks 295th in possessions per game (66.6), while Pittsburgh is 287th (66.8).
This is the second game of the season between these two teams, with the Panthers winning the first matchup 89-84. Adam Smith had a standout performance with 30 points, one rebound, and eight three-pointers in the loss.
The Yellow Jackets have gone 17-13 Straight Up (SU) and 15-12-1 Against The Spread (ATS). The Yellow Jackets have limited opponents’ efforts from beyond the arc, allowing 5.0 three-pointers made per game. Not making mistakes with the ball is a staple of the Georgia Tech offense, which averages just 11.0 turnovers per game.
On the other side, Pittsburgh has a SU record of 20-9 and an ATS record of 13-15. Offensively, the Panthers have really sputtered in the last 10 games. Their season average has fallen to 76.9 points per game after averaging only 67.2 during that stretch. The Panthers convert their free throws at a high percentage, ranking 18th in the nation at .757. The Panthers rarely make costly errors handling the ball. They have the 14th-best assist-to-turnover ratio in the country at 1.50. The Panthers are one of the top defensive teams on the road, essentially shutting down opponents to the tune of 69.1 points allowed per away game.
Pittsburgh won the last meeting this season between these two teams, moving its SU record against the Yellow Jackets to 3-0. The Yellow Jackets lead the matchup ATS with a record of 2-0-1.
Predictions: SU Winner – Pitt, ATS Winner – Pitt
Notes
“Georgia Tech is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games “.
“Georgia Tech is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games “.
“The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Georgia Tech’s last 10 games “.
“Georgia Tech is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home”.
“Georgia Tech is 13-5 SU in its last 18 games at home”.
“The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Georgia Tech’s last 5 games at home”.
Georgia Tech averages 73.8 points per game, placing the team just 129th in the nation. Pittsburgh ranks 63rd in points allowed, giving up 67.3 points per game.
Georgia Tech scores just 76.9 points per home game (ranked 131st). Pittsburgh ranks 44th in points allowed on the road, giving up 69.1 points.
Ranked 23rd, the Pittsburgh Panthers have an offensive rating of 115.1. The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets rank 175th with a defensive rating of just 105.7.
Georgia Tech has an average field goal percentage of 44.7%. Pittsburgh is 7-6 when opponents have a similar or higher field goal percentage.
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and the Pittsburgh Panthers both rank higher in average field goal percentage when compared to their effective field goal percentages. Georgia Tech is 209th and 148th in the nation for eFG% and FG% respectively, while Pittsburgh ranks 116th and 69th in these categories.
The Pittsburgh Panthers rank eighth in assists per game, making an average of 17.6. The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets are among the worst in the country with 13.7 assists per game (ranked 146th).
Georgia Tech, the 73rd-ranked team in blocked shots, records an average of 4.3 per game. Pittsburgh does worse, ranked 118th with 3.9.
Georgia Tech is one of the best teams in the country when it comes to offensive rebounds, ranking 23rd. Pittsburgh ranks just 117th in defensive rebounds.
On average, Georgia Tech makes 4.7 steals per game. Pittsburgh has a solid 15-7 record when it gives up at least 4 steals.
