Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs Duke Blue Devils Picks and Predictions December 21st 2024

No. 5 Duke Visits Georgia Tech, Aims to Extend Streak

No. 5 Duke takes its five-game winning streak on the road Saturday as it faces Georgia Tech in Atlanta for the Blue Devils’ second ACC game of the season.

Duke Riding Momentum with Flagg Leading the Way

Duke (9-2, 1-0 ACC) hasn’t lost since Nov. 26, when it narrowly fell to Kansas 75-72 in Las Vegas. The Blue Devils have dominated Georgia Tech historically, boasting a 35-5 record against the Yellow Jackets since 2000. However, they’ll be looking to avenge a rare stumble in Atlanta last December, when the Yellow Jackets pulled off a 72-68 upset.

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Freshman sensation Cooper Flagg continues to be the engine driving Duke’s success. Against George Mason on Tuesday, Flagg tallied 24 points, nine rebounds, and four assists to lead the Blue Devils to a 68-47 victory. Despite Duke shooting just 37.5 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from beyond the arc, Flagg’s aggressiveness made all the difference.

“I loved how aggressive he was,” Duke coach Jon Scheyer said. “It changes the whole dynamic of our team when he’s looking to attack. … I think he’s due for a triple-double. I think he’s due for a 30-plus point game.”

Flagg leads Duke in scoring (16.6 points) and rebounding (9.0 boards per game). Fellow freshman Kon Knueppel (11.6 points per game) and junior Tyrese Proctor (11.4 points per game) add offensive support.

While Duke’s offense has been steady, its defense has been the real standout, allowing just 58.7 points per game, the eighth-best mark in the nation. The Blue Devils have held opponents under 50 points in consecutive games.

Georgia Tech Searches for Power Conference Breakthrough

Georgia Tech (5-6, 0-1 ACC) has struggled against major opponents this season, losing all such matchups by an average of 12 points. However, the Yellow Jackets enter Saturday’s game with some momentum after snapping a three-game skid by defeating UMBC 91-82 on Wednesday.

Despite building a 22-point lead, Georgia Tech saw UMBC narrow the margin to six late in the game. That lapse has been indicative of a season-long issue for the Yellow Jackets: maintaining consistency over 40 minutes.

“To me, there’s no question we can play with Duke, but can we beat them, can we finish the game?” Georgia Tech coach Damon Stoudamire said. “To beat a team like Duke, you’ve got to play for 40 minutes. You can’t have lulls in the game, so that’s what I want to see.”

Lance Terry leads the Yellow Jackets in scoring at 15.5 points per game, while Baye Ndongo adds 12.9 and Naithan George contributes 11.0. Georgia Tech is seeking back-to-back home wins against Duke for the first time since 1988-89.

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Key Matchup

Duke’s stifling defense will look to contain Georgia Tech’s primary scorers, especially Terry, who has been the Yellow Jackets’ most reliable offensive weapon. On the other end, Flagg’s versatility and aggressiveness could pose a significant challenge for Georgia Tech’s defense, which has struggled to slow elite opponents.

The Blue Devils aim to build on their strong defensive identity and offensive potential, while the Yellow Jackets hope to pull off another home upset and turn their season around.