NC State @ Georgia Tech preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 5, 2019 ) Georgia Tech 82, NC State 81

North Carolina State defeated defending national champion Virginia on the road Monday despite dressing just seven players on scholarship, and may face the same predicament when it visits Georgia Tech on Saturday. Senior forward Pat Andree (right foot) and freshman forward Manny Bates (concussion) were unavailable against Virginia due to injuries suffered Jan. 18 against Clemson, and Wolfpack coach Kevin Keatts was not optimistic when asked about the duo’s status.

“There’s a possibility - when I say a possibility, a small possibility - that they play Saturday,” Keatts told reporters Thursday. “I’m very hopeful, looking beyond Saturday, if they can be available for Monday.” The Yellow Jackets led for more than 25 minutes Wednesday at fifth-ranked Louisville, but couldn’t recover after falling behind by 11 points with five minutes left in a 68-64 loss. Sophomore guard Michael Devoe, whose status entering the game was uncertain due to a left foot injury, scored a game-high 21 points but his potential go-ahead 3-pointer came up short with 10 seconds to play. “All you can ask for is a shot to win the game late,” Georgia Tech coach Josh Pastner told reporters postgame.

TIME: 4 p.m. ET. TV: RSN

ABOUT NC STATE (14-5, 5-3 ACC): The Wolfpack grinded out their 53-51 triumph over Virginia despite missing Bates, who ranks 12th nationally in blocks per game (2.94), and Andree, who is shooting 35.4 percent from 3-point range and 84 percent from the free throw line. Junior forward D.J. Funderburk, who is shooting 64.1 percent from the field, scored 14 points Monday and is averaging 16.6 points and eight rebounds across his past seven games. Senior guard C.J. Bryce leads the Wolfpack in scoring at 14.9 points, and is shooting 51.8 percent from the field along with 41.2 percent from 3-point range.

ABOUT GEORGIA TECH (8-11, 3-6): Devoe is the Yellow Jackets' top scorer at 16.2 points and is shooting 40.7 percent from 3-point range, hitting 7-for-14 shots from the field (2-for-6 on 3-point attempts) Wednesday. Junior point guard Jose Alvarado added 13 points and a career-high 10 rebounds for his first career double-double, and is averaging 16.5 points across his past two games and 11.4 on the season. Junior forward Moses Wright is shooting 54 percent from the field (second in the ACC) and is averaging 13.3 points and 7.6 rebounds per game overall.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Bryce scored 24 points, but Georgia Tech F/C James Banks III finished with 20 points and 13 rebounds as the Yellow Jackets beat the host Wolfpack in overtime Nov. 5, 82-81.

2. NC State has held its last four opponents to less than 40 percent shooting from the field.

3. The Yellow Jackets have lost four of their past five, with the four losses coming by a combined total of 22 points.

PREDICTION: NC State 73, Georgia Tech 67