Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Overall Rank: #20
Conference Rank: #5 ACC
Georgia Tech Team Page
It was not the best of seasons for the Georgia Tech women's basketball team a year ago as the Yellow Jackets finished under .500 and had a problem keeping up with teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference. So why is this season any different?
2012-13 Record: 14-16, 7-11
2012-13 Postseason: None
Coach: MaChelle Joseph
Coach Record: 193-122 at Georgia Tech, 193-122 overall
Strengths:
Brittany Jackson is gone from the team as a graduate, having taken her 10.2 points per game with her. The good news? Four of the top five scorers return, including leading scorer Tyaunna Marshall and her 18.1 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. As the team's top scorer, Marshall will be one of the top players to watch in the ACC thanks in part to her offensive rebounding skills (117). Marshall and teammate Dawnn Maye combined for 159 steals, and both are back for another go-round. Sydney Wallace and Aaliyah Whiteside combined for 77 3-point field goals, which should offset the departure of Jackson and her 39 threes. Georgia Tech's non-conference schedule gave the team a bit of hope last year as the Ramblin’ Wreck went 7-5 in the non-ACC portion of the schedule.
Weaknesses:
Unfortunately for Georgia Tech, not much else went right. Georgia Tech finished 7-11 in the ACC, including a 3-6 mark in games played at home. The team has to improve its play at home if it hopes to advance in postseason play, pure and simple. But the biggest thing the Yellow Jackets need to address is the assist-to-turnover ratio. Last year Georgia Tech had 378 assists but turned the ball over 559 times. Jackson, the lone graduating starter, had only 33 turnovers, so history suggests the problem could rear its ugly head once again if the team isn't careful. Georgia Tech also has to put more distance between itself and other teams in scoring margin. The team averaged 67.6 points per game a year ago while its opponents averaged 67.3.
Final Projection:
Georgia Tech should gain some victories this season thanks to its starting lineup and the return of some of the key statistical players. Do the Yellow Jackets have enough to reach 20 victories? That will depend on whether they can cut down on the turnovers, build up on the assists, and get improved scoring from many of the key returning players. For now, Georgia Tech should finish above .500 and make the NCAA tournament.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA
Projected Starting Five:
Tyaunna Marshall, Senior, Guard, 18.1 points and 8.4 rebounds per game
Sydney Wallace, Junior, Guard, 32.4 percent 3-point shooting
Dawnn Maye, Senior, Guard, 143 assists (team high)
Aaliyah Whiteside, Sophomore, Guard/Forward, 8.3 points per game
Roddreka Rodgers, Sophomore, Forward, 5.6 rebounds per game
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 67.6 (64th in nation, 7th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 67.3 (285, 11)
Field-Goal Percentage: 38.2 (189, 10)
Field-Goal Defense: 41.3 (289, 10)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 4.6 (202, 5)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 29.0 (201, 7)
Free-Throw Percentage: 63.9 (297,10)
Rebound Margin: 3.0 (91, 6)
Assists Per Game: 12.6 (171, 8)
Turnovers Per Game: 18.6 (265, 8)
Madness 2014 WNBA Draft Rankings:
#29 Tyaunna Marshall
Madness 2013 Women’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#2 Kaela Davis
#112 Donnaizha Fountain
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