NCAAB News: Georgia Tech Upsets No. 7 Duke

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Georgia Tech’s stunning victory over No. 7 Duke, with a final score of 72-68, has set the NCAAB world abuzz, particularly for bettors and enthusiasts. NCAAB Lines were shattered in this game. 

The Dynamics of a Rookie Coach

This triumph marks the first ACC win for Georgia Tech under their new head coach Damon Stoudamire, signaling a potential shift in the dynamics of the conference. The game, characterized by its intensity and dramatic turns, saw Georgia Tech leading by as much as 11 points in the second half.

However, Duke made a formidable comeback, briefly taking the lead at 66-62, thanks to a dunk by Mark Mitchell with just 2:22 on the clock. The game then took a crucial turn when Mitchell was assessed a technical foul, leading to Georgia Tech guard Miles Kelly making two free throws and tying the game shortly after.

In the final minutes, with the score tied at 68 and only 1:18 left, Duke had possession and an opportunity to regain the lead. Yet, a critical turnover by Mitchell led to a decisive pick-and-roll dunk by the Yellow Jackets. Duke’s final efforts to score were thwarted as they failed to get a shot off in the last 18.2 seconds, cementing Georgia Tech’s victory.

Challenges Landscape for Georgia

This win is particularly noteworthy as it follows Georgia Tech’s recent victory over another ranked opponent, Mississippi State, in the first ACC-SEC Challenge. This is the first time since 2017 that Georgia Tech has beaten consecutive ranked foes, showcasing the team’s emerging strength under Stoudamire’s leadership.

On the other side, Duke’s loss, their second consecutive defeat after falling 80-75 at Arkansas, brings their season record to 5-3. This is a rare back-to-back loss for the team, only seen once in Jon Scheyer’s first season as head coach. Questions are being raised about Duke’s current form and strategy, as they seem to diverge from their previous season’s successful approach, which was heavily reliant on size and physicality. Their NCAAB Odds might be less appealing because of this. 

Changing Lines, Moving Forward

One of the key shifts for Duke this season is the change in their lineup. With Dereck Lively II moving to the NBA, Scheyer replaced him with 6-foot-3 guard Jared McCain, moving 7-foot forward Kyle Filipowski to center. This adjustment has impacted Duke’s rebounding ability and offensive strategy, as seen in their tied 33-33 rebounding performance against Georgia Tech and a 33.3 percent season-long 3-point shooting percentage.

For Georgia Tech, this win is a significant morale booster and a testament to Stoudamire’s effective coaching. The team’s performance was bolstered by standout contributions from players like Baye Ndongo, who scored a game-high 21 points, and Florida transfer Kowacie Reeves, who added 14 points. This victory not only uplifts Georgia Tech but also boosts the ACC’s prospects for the NCAA Tournament, especially considering the improvements shown by last season’s lower-ranked teams.
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