ATLANTA — In a significant return to post-season play, Georgia Tech's men’s basketball team is set to face Jacksonville State in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. The matchup will take place at McCamish Pavilion, with tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. This marks the Yellow Jackets' first postseason appearance in four years, having previously reached the ACC tournament quarterfinals where they narrowly lost to top-ranked Duke, 78-70.
Entering the tournament as the No. 4 seed in the Irvine Region, Georgia Tech finished the regular season with a record of 17 wins and 16 losses (10-10 ACC), showing notable improvement after last season. They ended the regular season strong, winning six of their last eight games. This performance notably included victories over ACC rivals Louisville, a game they triumphed in 77-70, and Clemson, which extended into three overtimes with a thrilling 89-86 finish.
"Let the postseason begin again," said head coach Damon Stoudamire, expressing the team's determination to capitalize on their NIT invitation after a hard-fought season.
On the opposing side, Jacksonville State arrives in Atlanta boasting a record of 22-12 (12-6 C-USA). The Gamecocks tied for second in the Conference USA regular season, falling just one game short of league leaders Liberty, and made a commendable run to the finals of the C-USA tournament before losing to the Flames 79-67. This contest will be the first-ever meeting between the two programs, both separated by less than 100 miles.
Highlighting their season, Jacksonville State had a remarkable eight-game winning streak that spanned from mid-January to mid-February. They are led by 6-6 redshirt senior Jaron Pierre Jr., who ranks fourth in the nation in scoring at 21.5 points per game. Alongside him, Freshman All-Conference USA point guard Quel'Ron House chips in an average of 8.4 points per game, demonstrating the depth of talent on their roster.
For Georgia Tech, the matchup presents an opportunity to not only advance in the NIT but to also build momentum heading into the next season. The Yellow Jackets’ Duncan Powell made headlines recently by tying a school record with six three-pointers during the ACC tournament, showcasing his skills as a critical player in clutch situations. His contributions, along with career-high scoring from fellow teammate Lance Terry on Senior Night, have positioned Tech favorably.
Defensively, Jacksonville State's strategy includes a lower assist rate, leading to a micromanaged isolation-heavy offense. As noted, they allow 37% of their opponents' scoring from three-point attempts, implying that Georgia Tech’s showing in their shooting game could significantly influence the outcome. Can Georgia Tech capitalize on this tendency by effectively spreading the floor and making decisive perimeter shots?
In a bid to strengthen their rebounding presence, Georgia Tech will also look to Ibrahim Souare, who will don a protective face mask after sustaining a dislocated nose in the ACC tournament. His ability to offer protection on the boards will be crucial against Jacksonville State's strong rebounders, including Mason Nicholson and Michael Houge, both contributing significantly to their defensive dynamics.
Moreover, Georgia Tech’s consistency has become evident with a record mirroring the team's success from the 2015-16 season. They have outperformed preseason expectations and will lean heavily on their strong closing capabilities to dethrone Jacksonville State.
The stakes are high as the winner of the Georgia Tech-Jacksonville State contest will advance to face the victor of a Wednesday game between UC Irvine and Northern Colorado, either on March 22 or 23, 2025. With a historic NIT journey at hand, underpinned by a $500 million fundraising initiative aimed at enhancing their athletic competitiveness, Georgia Tech is poised for what lies ahead.
As anticipation builds for this crucial matchup, fans are eager to witness how the Yellow Jackets will leverage their season's lessons learned against a formidable Jacksonville State team looking to pull off an upset in Atlanta.
Tickets for the game are available at ramblinwreck.com/tickets. Tune in to the Georgia Tech Sports Network for pregame coverage starting at 6:30 p.m. ET, and catch the game live on ESPN2.
