In a disappointing end to their season, Georgia Tech's men's basketball team was eliminated from the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) after an 81-64 loss to Jacksonville State on March 18, 2025. The game took place at McCamish Pavilion, marking Tech's first postseason appearance since 2021. The Yellow Jackets struggled throughout the match, falling behind early and never gaining an advantage.
Georgia Tech concluded the season with a 17-17 overall record, including a 10-10 mark in Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) play. This record reflects a moderate improvement compared to previous years, with the team achieving its best performance since they won the ACC Championship and participated in the NCAA Tournament in 2021. The loss to Jacksonville State marks just the fifth defeat in the last 13 games for the Jackets since February 1.
From the start, Georgia Tech had trouble finding their rhythm—trailing by seven points within the first five minutes. The team’s shooting woes were evident as they managed to shoot only 35.3% from the field (22-of-62), one of their lowest percentages of the season. Comparatively, Jacksonville State found their stride, hitting 51.7% of their shots (31-of-60) and demonstrating their effectiveness from long range by converting 50% of their three-point attempts (15-of-30).
Duncan Powell and Lance Terry were the standout players for Georgia Tech, both contributing 15 points apiece. However, it was Jacksonville State's Jaron Pierre, Jr. who stole the spotlight, leading all scorers with an impressive 30 points. Following this victory, Jacksonville State advanced to the second round of the NIT, poised to face the winner of the game between UC Irvine and Northern Colorado.
In the lead-up to the game, Georgia Tech received mixed news regarding player availability. Senior guard Javian McCollum, who had not played since February 4, was cleared to play, but freshman center Ibrahim Souare was sidelined due to injury. Despite the availability of McCollum, the team could not capitalize on their chances during the match.
Looking back at the season, Georgia Tech's performance has displayed pockets of promise. The team secured their 17 victories, which is significant as it matches the most wins for the program in a season since 2015-16. During that season, they finished 21-15, although those wins were later vacated by the NCAA. In previous years, Georgia Tech gathered 17 wins in both the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons. This year, they managed to exceed media expectations, finishing eighth in the ACC standings, ahead of pre-season projections.
Throughout the season, Georgia Tech showcased resilience, notably being the only ACC team to defeat both Clemson and Louisville—teams that were tied for second in the conference standings. Their victory over Louisville was particularly impactful, halting a ten-game winning streak for the Cardinals, who later went on to win 11 games in a row before suffering defeat to Duke in the ACC Championship. Similarly, Georgia Tech ended a six-game winning streak for Clemson, who subsequently defeated Duke and North Carolina in impressive fashion.
As the Yellow Jackets reflect on this season, individual accolades have also surfaced. Baye Ndongo was named third-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference, while Naithan George received honorable mention. Meanwhile, Duncan Powell was a runner-up for the ACC’s Sixth Man Award and earned a place on the ACC all-tournament second team. George was voted fourth in the ACC’s Most Improved Player discussions, underscoring the potential growth within the team.
While an early exit in the NIT is undoubtedly disappointing for the Yellow Jackets, the season also heralds a clearer path forward. With a mix of seasoned players and emerging talents, Georgia Tech is positioned to build upon their successes and pursue greater achievements in the coming seasons. Fans will undoubtedly be eager to see how the program evolves as they prepare to return to the court.
