Preview #4: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Last Season:  11-17, 4-12 ACC

Key Losses: Zam Fredrick, Theodis Tarver

Backcourt: Paul Hewitt lost point guard Zam Fredrick as he finally transferred to South Carolina, after toying with the idea the previous season.  Replacing Fredrick will be freshman, Javaris Crittenden, who was ranked 14^th nationally among incoming freshman and was a McDonald’s All-American.  Crittenden will have returning guards Anthony Morrow and Lewis Clinch beside him in the backcourt.  Both Morrow and Clinch are deadly shooters on the wings, but Morrow will miss most of the preseason with a stress fracture in his back, but should return by mid-November.  Others seeing action in the backcourt will be former walk-on, defensive stopper, Mario West, athletic sophomore, D’Andre Bell, and Paco Diaw, who is the brother of Phoenix Suns’ Boris Diaw.

Frontcourt: Down low, Georgia Tech is equally equipped with center Ra’Sean Dickey and power forward Jeremis Smith, returning.  Dickey is skilled down low, but has struggled on the defensive end at times, but averaged close to 17 ppg in the last 11 conference games of last season.  Jeremis Smith is a bruising forward and a beast on the boards.  Helping out in the frontcourt and on the wing will be heralded freshman, Thaddeus Young.  Young was ranked the #6 incoming freshman and was a McDonald’s All-American, as well.  Young is 6’8”, and is only missing a consistent perimeter shot, and could be a lottery pick in the NBA after this season.  Most likely Hewitt will try to play Young more at the small forward position, but since the Yellow Jackets have a lack of depth behind Dickey and Smith, expect Young to slide to the 4 when either has to sit.  Others seeing time in the frontcourt will be sophomore Alade Aminu, freshman Zach Peacock, freshman Brad Sheehan, and injured, redshirt freshman Mouhammad Faye.

Intangibles: Jeremis Smith embodies the physical nature of Paul Hewitt teams down low, and sets the tone on the boards.  Smith averaged 11.2 ppg and 8.2 rpg in 28 minutes per game last season.
Potential Breakout Player: Thaddeus Young is the real deal.  As long as Young buys into the Georgia Tech system of defensive intensity, Young will get minutes and fill up the stat sheet.

Summary: Paul Hewitt has a very deep team, and has a core of 6 players that are very good.  Hewitt likes to play 9 or 10 guys, so this roster should fit his desire nicely, and the Yellow Jackets should be able to compete against anyone.  The Yellow Jackets still need to answer a few questions before you can give them a top 3^rd finish in the ACC…

1. Can Javaris Crittenden handle the ACC as a freshman point guard?
2. Can Hewitt get it done this season with Thaddeus Young likely here only a year?
3. Can Ra’Sean Dickey play on both ends of the court?

With a young team, Georgia Tech should go through some growing pains, so expect inconsistency early.  The key for the Yellow Jackets is to continue to grow, and if Hewitt can keep his guys focused, the sky is the limit this year.
Top Returning Fantasy Player: Ra’Sean Dickey averaged 13.9 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.1 spg, and 1.1 bpg as a sophomore in ACC play. 

Up Next: #3 Boston College Eagles