In Georgia Tech’s final nonconference contest, the Yellow Jackets host Alabama A&M in Atlanta on Saturday afternoon.
Georgia Tech (5-7) has yet to beat a power conference team this season, earning wins over West Georgia, Texas Southern, Charleston Southern, Central Arkansas and UMBC.
Losers in four of their last five games, the Yellow Jackets were stomped at home last time out by then-No. 5 Duke, extending a concerning trend against high-major opponents this season. In its six meetings with power conference teams, Georgia Tech has been outscored by an average of 14.3 points per game.
Making matters worse for head coach Damon Stoudamire’s team has been the absences of Kowacie Reeves Jr. (ankle) and Luke O’Brien (foot). Reeves, who is averaging 9.3 points in six games, hasn’t played since Nov. 27, while O’Brien (6.4 ppg, 4.4 rebounds per game) didn’t play in the loss to Duke.
“Kowacie and Luke are both seniors, they’ve both got experience, but you can’t really dwell on it,” Stoudamire said. “They’re injured but I’m not going to allow that to be an excuse. I’m not going to go down that path. They’re missed, obviously, but you have be a next-man-up team at times.”
Lance Terry leads the team with 14.8 points per game, followed by Baye Ndongo’s 13.0 and Naithan George’s 10.4.
Saturday marks Alabama A&M’s last nonconference game before SWAC play begins Jan. 4 against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The Bulldogs (4-8) have dropped their last five games since a Nov. 23 win over Coastal Carolina.
Led by AC Bryant’s 13.1 points per game and Chad Moodie’s 12.6, Alabama A&M is vying for what would be a monumental victory.
“We’re doing some things now that are going to make the other team prepare,” Bulldogs coach Otis Hughley Jr. said. “And you know that you’re coming out of a contest when you play us.”
Georgia Tech is 6-0 all-time against the Bulldogs, including a 70-49 win on Dec. 9, 2023.
–Field Level Media
