A dismal season has put coach Paul Hewitt on the hot seat. Despite that, Hewitt brought in a recruiting class ranked in the top 10 nationally, led by Derrick Favors, ranked in the top five overall by most outlets. Favors will see a lot of time this season, probably playing some power forward and center. Of the returning starters, junior Gani Lawal will be the man who will see the most attention from opposing players. Lawal was one of the most improved players in all of the ACC last season, finishing with averages of 15.1 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. Also expected to see a lot of time is senior Zach Peacock, who averaged just over nine points per game last season. Centers Daniel Miller and Brad Sheehan could see some time in the frontcourt as well.
Iman Shumpert ran the point last season, and preformed admirably as a freshman. Shumpert averaged 10.6 points and 4.9 assists last season. Shumpert shared the point guard duties with junior Moe Miller, and will also share them with incoming freshman Mfon Udofia. D'Andre Bell also returns after having cervical spine surgery, and is Hewitt's best defender. The guards did not shoot well last season, and will need to improve to give the talented frontcourt space to operate. Returning guard Lance Storrs, returns as the Yellow Jackets best perimeter threat while a familiar name could help as well. Freshman Brian Oliver (no relation to the former Georgia Tech star), is a sharp shooter that likes to crash the boards. You might recognize another newcomer on the Georgia Tech roster, Glen Rice Jr. The younger Rice, who is related to the same name of Michigan stardom, isn't the shooter that his father was, but has a court savvy and knowledge of the game that comes from such a lineage.
Paul Hewitt has had just one winning season in his tenure at Georgia Tech. It was that same season that Hewitt took the Yellow Jackets to the national championship game. The shine has worn off that magical run and Hewitt is in a "put up or shut up" season. His roster is loaded, and if he can get the team to gel, defend, and accept roles he could find himself with a top 3 finish in the ACC.
by Will Ojanen
Fantasy Player to Watch
Gani Lawal led the ACC in double-doubles and double digit rebounding games last season. His scoring improved by eight points from his freshman to his sophomore season, and his rebounding improved by over five rebounds per game. He is very reliable on both ends of the floor.
