No. 23: 2009-2010 Team Preview: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

2008-2009 Record: 12-19, 2-14 ACC (12th)

Key Losses: Lewis Clinch (15.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg), Alade Aminu (11.8 ppg, 8.0 rpg)

Key Returners: Gani Lawal (15.1 ppg, 9.6 rpg), Iman Shumpert (10.6 ppg, 5.0 apg), Zach Peacock (9.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg)

Newcomers: Derrick Favors, Kammeon Holsey, Daniel Miller, Brian Oliver, Glen Rice Jr, Mfon Udofia

Gani Lawal and Iman Shumpert will lead the Yellow Jackets this year.
(photo credit: NBC Sports)

It isn't that often that you see a team go from worst to first in any league, let alone the ACC. Georgia Tech finished in last place in the league in '08-'09, but with the talent they have returning and a loaded freshman class, there is a good chance the Yellow Jackets make a run to the ACC title.

The biggest reason for that is Derrick Favors. I don't generally like to weigh a team's chances based on freshman, but Favors - like a Kevin Durant or a Michael Beasley - just might be good enough to carry the Jackets. Favors, who many consider to be the best recruit in the country, is an athletic and strong 6'9" power forward. He can run the floor and finish in transition, but he also finishes very well in traffic. Favors is very good on the glass, using his size and athleticism to rebound over smaller opponents. He is a good defender and shot blocker, both on the ball and coming from the weak side. Where his game could stand to improve is on the offensive end. He has some solid back-to-the-basket moves and a pretty good touch from the perimeter, but he needs to improve his consistency.

Favors is far from the only talented kid Paul Hewitt will have in his front court. Joining him along the starting frontline is another 6'9" power forward Gani Lawal. Lawal, who probably would have been a first rounder had he entered the draft last season, has a lot of the same problems that Favors does right now. He's and excellent athlete that will play hard and hustle when he is on the court, but his offensive game is still raw. He doesn't have great hands or feet, he has a tendency to get flustered when posting up, and he has no face-up or perimeter game to speak of. That said, there aren't many bigs across the country with his combination of athleticism and energy. He and Favors form one of the best starting front courts in the country, and it isn't a stretch to see them averaging 35 ppg and 16 rpg combined this season.

The Yellow Jackets will be deep along their front line as well. Zach Peacock, who averaged 9.2 ppg and 4.8 rpg as a junior last season, is probably good enough to start for most schools around the country. His game is a bit more suited to the perimeter than Favors or Lawal because he can knock down jumpers, which is why Hewitt was able to go with three big men last season. 7'0" Brad Sheehan should also see some time up front. Two freshman will be in the mix as well. Kammeon Holsey is a slender, athletic, 6'8" power forward. He is much more of an energy/defense guy at this point. He can defend the wing and the post, runs the floor very well, and can finish above the rim. Daniel Miller is a big body in the paint with a nice touch inside, but may find it tough to earn playing time in this loaded front court.

Hewitt's back court will be anchored by Iman Shumpert. Shumpert, a sophomore, was a McDonald's all-american coming out of high school. Shumpert showed flashes of being a dominant lead guard at this level last season, but was too inconsistent. The biggest issue was his decision making. He had seven games where he turned the ball over at least six times and shot just 39% from the field. Much of that was a result of being forced to try and make a play at the end of the shot clock. But he does have the talent, not only to score but to set up his teammates as well. If Shumpert can ease into the point guard role, not trying to do too much and relying on the talent around him, he can be an above average lead guard.

One of the big question marks is going to be Moe Miller. Miller was solid, if unspectacular, playing as a more typical point guard last season, but he is coming off of a concussion he suffered in a car accident. He is much more of a distributor and typical point guard that Shumpert is, and the two should be effective playing together in the back court. If Miller is unable to go, Hewitt should be just fine with freshman Mfon Udofia playing major minutes. Udofia is a smooth lefty point guard that excels when he can break his man down. He isn't much of a shooter yet, but knows how to set up his teammates where they will be effective and how to run a team.

With last season's leading scorer Lewis Clinch graduating, there will be a lot of minutes opening up on the perimeter, and quite a few candidates to fill the role. The first of which will probably be senior D'Andre Bell. Bell missed all of last season as he battled spinal stenosis, the same injury that has hampered TJ Ford through out his career. Bell is a one of the best perimeter defenders in the ACC. Junior Lance Storrs started a few games last season, but generally was the Jackets sixth man. He is a 6'5" wing with the ability to knock down some threes, but also gained a reputation for being a tough defender. Sophomore Nick Foreman was thrust into playing time early during his freshman season due to injuries to Clinch, Bell, and Miller, although never really proved the ability to be a scoring threat.

Two freshman will be in the mix on the perimeter as well. Glen Rice Jr. is a 6'5" guard, and while he doesn't have his father's jumper, he has a reputation for being a tough, physical kid that can mix it up in the paint and finish inside. Brian Oliver is a 6'6" wing with a solid jump shot, something that could be valuable this year. Georgia Tech doesn't have many shooters, and having Oliver on the court to spread the floor for the big guys inside could be very important for the Jackets.

Outlook: I really like this Georgia Tech team. They are big at every position, have a bunch of athletes on the team, and will play with a loaded front line that includes Derrick Favors (a kid some pundits are already predicting will be a first team all-american). The key to this team will be the back court. Will Iman Shumpert turn into a star? Can Udofia and Miller handle the point guard responsibilities, spreading the ball around and getting guys good shots? Will someone be able to replace Clinch's scoring and shooting ability? But the biggest question won't be on the offensive end, where Tech has plenty of talent. Will this team be able to get enough stops to win some games?