Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs Louisville Cardinals Picks and Predictions February 1st 2025

Louisville’s Resurgence: From Bottom of the ACC to Contender

Under first-year head coach Pat Kelsey, No. 21 Louisville (16-5, 9-1 ACC) is one of the biggest surprises in college basketball this season. After winning just 12 total games over the past two seasons, the Cardinals have already surpassed that total and are in the mix for an ACC regular-season title.

A dominant 72-59 win over Wake Forest on Tuesday extended Louisville’s winning streak to 10 games, its longest since the 2019-20 season.

What’s Working for Louisville?

• Defensive intensity: Louisville forced 15 turnovers against Wake Forest, turning them into 17 points.
• Elite three-point shooting: Reyne Smith (14.5 PPG) leads the ACC with 3.9 made threes per game.
• Balanced scoring: Chucky Hepburn (15.0 PPG), Smith (14.5 PPG), and Terrence Edwards Jr. (13.5 PPG) give Louisville multiple offensive threats.

“We’re just clicking,” Kelsey said after the Wake Forest win. “We have a lot of momentum, we’re playing well together, our offense is in a great rhythm, and we’re really guarding.”

That defensive focus has been a game-changer. Kelsey’s aggressive, pressure-based system has turned Louisville into a top-tier defensive team, an identity shift that has fueled its rise in the ACC standings.

Georgia Tech’s Struggles: Can the Yellow Jackets Finish Games?

Georgia Tech (9-12, 3-7 ACC) has been competitive but has struggled to close out games.

Tuesday’s 71-68 loss to Notre Dame was the latest example. The Yellow Jackets led by seven with 5:35 left but didn’t score for the next five minutes, allowing Notre Dame to take control.

Key Issues for Georgia Tech:

• Inability to finish games: The Jackets have lost five of their last six games, often after leading late.
• Short rotation: Injuries to Kowacie Reeves Jr. (9.3 PPG) and Luke O’Brien (6.4 PPG, 4.4 RPG) have forced Georgia Tech to rely on a seven-man rotation.
• Turnovers and execution in crunch time: In tight games, Georgia Tech has failed to execute in key moments.

Head coach Damon Stoudamire is frustrated but still believes in his team.

“Everybody talks about the injuries, but we’re not a charity case,” Stoudamire said. “We’ve got enough in our locker room to win. We’ve just got to start finishing games.”

Key Players for Georgia Tech:

• Lance Terry (15.4 PPG) – The Yellow Jackets’ go-to scorer, but he’s missed two ACC games due to injury.
• Javian McCollum (12.8 PPG) – A talented playmaker, but he’s missed four games this year.
• Baye Ndongo (11.6 PPG, 7.5 RPG) – One of the few consistent presences, Ndongo has played in all 21 games.

Key Matchups to Watch

Louisville’s Perimeter Shooting vs. Georgia Tech’s Defense

• Louisville is one of the best three-point shooting teams in the ACC.
• Reyne Smith (3.9 made threes per game) leads the conference.
• If Georgia Tech can’t contest shots effectively, Louisville could run away with this game.

Georgia Tech’s Ability to Close Games

• The Yellow Jackets have blown multiple second-half leads this season.
• If Louisville pressures the ball late in the game, Georgia Tech must execute in crunch time to have a chance.

Bench Depth: Can Georgia Tech Survive a Seven-Man Rotation?

• Louisville runs deep and is fully healthy.
• Georgia Tech’s injuries have severely limited its depth, which could be exploited late in the game.

Prediction: Can Georgia Tech Pull the Upset?

Georgia Tech has competed in most games but consistently comes up short in key moments. Louisville, on the other hand, is one of the hottest teams in the country.

With the Cardinals’ defense and shooting clicking, they should be able to extend their winning streak to 11 games.

Final Score Prediction: Louisville 75, Georgia Tech 62

Expect Reyne Smith to have another big game, and Louisville’s defense to wear down Georgia Tech in the second half.

Dive into Comprehensive Analysis on Which Teams Hold the Best Odds to Secure the College Basketball Title

Final Thoughts

• Can Georgia Tech finally finish strong and avoid another late-game collapse?
• Will Louisville’s defense continue to dominate?
• Can Georgia Tech find enough offense with its short rotation?

The Cardinals are rolling, while Georgia Tech is reeling. Unless the Yellow Jackets find late-game execution, Louisville should continue its surprising surge in the ACC.