Georgia
Virginia Basketball vs. Georgia Tech Game Preview, Score Prediction
Virginia and Georgia Tech will open the second round of action at the ACC Tournament on Wednesday at noon in Charlotte as the Cavaliers and Yellow Jackets look to extend their seasons and earn the right to take a shot at No. 1 Duke in the quarterfinals.
Read on for a full preview of Virginia vs. Georgia Tech, including game details and notes, an opponent scouting report, what to watch for, and a score prediction for Wednesday’s second round matchup at the ACC Tournament.
First, here’s a look at the bracket for the 2025 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Who: No. 9 seed Virginia Cavaliers (15-16, 8-12 ACC) vs. No. 8 seed Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (16-15, 10-10 ACC)
When: Wednesday, March 12th at 12pm ET
Where: Spectrum Center (17,500) in Charlotte, North Carolina
How to watch: ESPN
Commentators: Dave O’Brien (Play-by-Play), Cory Alexander (Analyst), Angel Gray (Reporter)
How to listen: SiriusXM 81, SXM App 81 | Virginia Sports Radio Network | Georgia Tech Sports Network
All-time series: Virginia leads 50-40
Last meeting: Virginia defeated Georgia Tech 75-61 on February 8th, 2025 in Charlottesville.
2024-2025: 16-15, 10-10 ACC
Since suffering a 14-point loss at Virginia on February 8th, Georgia Tech has finished strong, winning five of its last seven games including a sweep of the West Coast members of the league and victories over Pitt, NC State, and Miami. Both of the losses came on the road, as the Yellow Jackets fell at Boston College 69-54 and then at Wake Forest 69-43 in the regular season finale.
In that first meeting between Virginia and Georgia Tech, the Cavaliers celebrated Tony Bennett Day at John Paul Jones Arena by defeating the Yellow Jackets 75-61. Both teams shot the ball well from three-point range, with Georgia Tech hitting eight threes on 44.4% while Virginia hit 11 threes on 40.7%. UVA won the game by outrebounding Georgia Tech 38-24, outscoring the Yellow Jackets 34-28 in the paint and 10-4 in bench points, and turning eight Georgia Tech turnovers into 13 points and 13 offensive rebounds into 16 second-chance points. Virginia’s front court played well in the first meeting and that will have to be the case again as the Hoos look to contain 6’9″ forward Baye Ndongo (13.6 ppg, 9.1 rpg) and prevent the Yellow Jackets from getting revenge. Though Virginia won the first game by double-digits, expect the rematch to be more closely-contested.
The aforementioned Ndongo was named to the All-ACC Third Team after finishing third in the league in field goal percentage (53.8%) and fourth in rebounding (9.1 rpg). Ndongo has posted eight double-doubles in his last 10 games and averaged a double-double in ACC play.
6’8″ forward Duncan Powell finish second in voting for ACC Sixth Man of the Year, but he has started each of the last nine games. Powell led the Yellow Jackets in scoring in ACC play (13.9 ppg) and shot just under 37% from three in ACC play as well. Rounding out the starting front court is 6’9″ redshirt freshman forward Ibrahim Souare, who leads Georgia Tech in overall field goal percentage at 59.0% from the floor.
Headlining the back court is 6’3″ sophomore guard Naithan George, who was an All-ACC honorable mention and finished fourth in voting for the ACC’s Most Improved Player. Even that might be slightly underrating him as George led the ACC in assists this season (6.5 apg). In the first meeting with Virginia, George had 20 points, six rebounds, and five assists and knocked down five three-pointers.
Joining George in the back court is 6’3″ redshirt senior Lance Terry, who has scored in double-figures 21 times this season and scored 20+ in nine games this season. Terry is Georgia Tech’s leading scorer at 15.0 points per game and best volume three-point shooter at 35.6% on more than six attempts per game.
Injuries have derailed what otherwise could have been a very successful season for the Yellow Jackets. Four players have been sidelined for several weeks or months, significantly restricting Georgia Tech’s rotation. Freshman guard Jaeden Mustaf returned after missing six games and has averaged just under seven points per game since his return.
Front Court Battle
Virginia’s front court had one of its best games of the season against Georgia Tech the first time around. The Cavaliers won the rebounding battle 38-24, scored 16 second-chance points, and outscored the Yellow Jackets 34-28 in the paint. Can the Hoos do that again? Anthony Robinson has been getting better with each game; particularly if Blake Buchanan or Jacob Cofie continue to struggle, maybe it’s time Robinson gets more than 10-15 minutes per game? But Elijah Saunders will be crucial as well, as UVA needs to handle the versatility of Baye Ndongo, who shoots 36.8% from three in addition to being a double-double machine.
What’s at Stake
Neither team is going to make the NCAA Tournament unless either Virginia or Georgia Tech replicates the NC State-like run from last year’s ACC Tournament. But the Cavaliers and Yellow Jackets could play themselves into consideration for an NIT bid depending on how this week in Charlotte goes. There is a bit more optimism for Georgia Tech, who has wins over Louisville and Clemson this season and is hoping to build momentum towards next season as year 2 under Damon Stoudamire comes to a close. For Virginia, on the other hand, all signs point to a full-on changing of the guard and a brand new coaching staff coming in to usher UVA basketball into a new era… barring a miraculous run for the Hoos in March.
I would be surprised if this game goes as well as it did for Virginia the first time around, when the Hoos coasted to a win at home. The rematch will likely be a lot closer, but I think the Cavaliers still get it done coming down to the wire and earn the right to get crushed by Duke in the quarterfinals on Thursday.
Score prediction: Virginia 68, Georgia Tech 65
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There’s a shorter turnaround time this season from Georgia baseball’s postseason to the MLB draft for Bulldog pro hopefuls.
That’s what happens when you make it to the College World Series for the first time since 2008.
Daniel Jackson, considered Georgia’s top draft prospect, finished up a season that will go down as one of the best in history.
Jackson became the first catcher to post a 25-25 season of at least 25 homers and 25 steals. He had 32 homers and 26 stolen bases and became third SEC player to capture the triple crown with a .379 average, 87 RBI and the 32 homers.
“We wouldn’t be here without that young man and what he’s done,” Georgia coach Wes Johnson said after the Bulldogs season ended with a 53-14 record two wins away from the College World Series finals. “You know, if you think about it, it will go down as one of the best single-season performances in the history of our game.”
So where does Jackson, considered the favorite to win the Golden Spikes Award for nation’s top player, stand in projections ahead of the start of the draft on July 11?
ESPN.com’s Kiley McDaniel
17. Houston Astros
“He’s an above-average runner and has the tools to stick behind the plate, so his polish as a catcher and contact rates are the only hesitations. His profile combining raw power, measurable athleticism and defensive value also fits the Astros’ tendencies. This pick is more of a high watermark for him, but I’d be surprised if he got past the 35th pick.”
Baseball America’s staff draft
27. New York Mets
“The Mets’ pick of a bat-first catcher from the state of Georgia (Kevin Parada) didn’t work a few years ago. This time should be different. Jackson is athletic for a catcher and his power is real.”
The Athletic’s Keith Law
25. Milwaukee Brewers
On June 12 before College World Series: “The big finish has probably pushed him into the first round, and the Brewers have gone for similar hitters the last two years in Blake Burke and Andrew Fischer.”
Don’t sleep on the Yellow Jackets heading into the 2026 season.
They have several big games in conference play against some of the conference’s elite. As they have shown us before, they are no stranger to pulling off big-time victories and shocking the college football world, especially as an underdog. Let’s talk about three reasons why the Yellow Jackets can beat the ACC elite this upcoming season.
1. They’ve Done It Before
Georgia Tech is no stranger to beating top ACC teams in the Brent Key era. They have done it consistently, multiple times. There are a myriad of examples to point to. You can go to the North Carolina game back in 2023, played in primetime on the Flats.
The Yellow Jackets defeated top pick and now New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye in a 46-42 victory. You can go back to the 2024 season in Ireland when the Yellow Jackets upset then No.10 Florida State 24-21. In that same year, Georgia Tech knocked off future No.1 overall pick Cam Ward and the No.4 Miami Hurricanes, handing them their first loss of the season in a 28-23.
There are many other examples I can point to illustrate this point, but you can see the Yellow Jackets never back down and come to play when it matters most against the elite teams in the conference. They have done it with a good offense and an opportunistic defense. With Louisville, Clemson, and Virginia Tech on the schedule, they should be primed to do it again in 2026.
2. Georgia Tech Has An Identity
It is pretty simple: under head coach Brent Key, this Yellow Jackets team has an identity and a culture that sets it apart. They want to play physical, smash-mouth football and dominate you in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Coach Key has meant what he said this offseason about getting more size and girth, but also having offensive linemen who can move. It was one of the reasons why they were aggressive in the portal and one of the reasons why they are having success with the 2027 cycle.
When you look at Georgia Tech, they are going to run the football and play good defense. That makes the job easier for a first-time starter in Alberto Mendoza, who has a lighter load with the moves made this offseason. When you play in those major matchups, you have to lean on something to come out on top, and what better way than the true identity of your team?
3. The Defense Will Be Much Better
From top to bottom, the Yellow Jackets are poised to be much better defensively. When you look at the depth of the roster, the new defensive scheme, the talent level, and the hunger, you have a team that should be one of the better units in the conference. In order to beat the conference elite, you have to have a good defense that can travel and make plays late in games to seal it for you.
While Georgia Tech showed glimpses of that a season ago, the consistency in November just wasn’t there. With Jason Semore becoming the new defensive coordinator and a more attack-style, aggressive man-to-man defense, Georgia Tech should be equipped to force more turnovers and make a difference by getting the ball back to the offense.
The spring gave us a good glimpse of what the defense could look like despite so many injuries and players out. The defense flat-out shut down the Yellow Jackets, creating constant pressure and causing havoc for an offense trying to find its footing in the spring game. While some will say to take it with a grain of salt, it is clear that the Yellow Jackets will be a much better unit in 2026.
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Pennsbury Baseball Zuckerman District One Championship PIAA
Pennsbury junior Brendan Zuckerman smacks an RBI single to left in the Falcons’ 7-run first inning of District One 6A championship victory
Ryan Zuckerman is last on the alphabetical list of the 335 college and high school baseball players attending the June 22-27 MLB Draft Combine in Phoenix.
What the 2023 Pennsbury graduate did in his lone season at Georgia Tech has garnered him plenty of attention from MLB scouts regardless of where his name is on a list that includes Holy Ghost Prep grad Aiden Robbins, a Texas outfield standout who is expected to go as early as late in the first round, fellow Pennsbury graduate Joe Tiroly, an infielder from Virginia, and Pennsbury senior right-handed pitcher Keller Bradley.
MVP of the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament for the conference champion Yellow Jackets, second-team All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and leader in home runs (23) and RBIs (79, tied for eighth in the country) for the high-powered Georgia Tech offense are just a few of Zuckerman’s notable accomplishments heading into the July 11-13 draft. He is projected to go toward the middle of the 20 rounds.
“It’s pretty surreal for sure,” said Zuckerman, 21. “It’s something I dreamed of my whole life.”
In a season filled with memorable moments, perhaps most impressive was Zuckerman being named ACC Tournament MVP after hitting three home runs with six RBIs and batting .571 (8 for 14), culminating in a 13-6 championship game win over North Carolina in Charlotte. He also was a first-team All-ACC selection at third base.
Zuckerman and Georgia Tech went into the NCAA Atlanta regional as the nation’s No. 2 seed. Though the 50-11 Yellow Jackets ended up being eliminated by losing twice to Oklahoma, including 8-7 in 10 innings for the regional title, Zuckerman can only rave about his experience at Georgia Tech.
“If you would have told me that’s how the season for me and each of us on the team would’ve gone, I would’ve been extremely happy,” Zuckerman said. “It was probably the best decision I ever made in my life.”
After a solid sophomore season at Pitt in which he hit .295 with 16 doubles, 13 home runs, 48 RBIs and 48 runs scored, Zuckerman believed transferring would help him develop into a more pro-ready player and allow him to win more games. And Georgia Tech checked all the boxes
In addition to his career-best home run and RBI numbers, Zuckerman led Georgia Tech in 2026 with 24 multi-RBI games while establishing career-highs in batting average (.345), runs (71), hits (80), walks (37), slugging percentage (.720) and on-base percentage (.438). He batted fifth in the order.
The 6-foot-4, 230-pound Zuckerman, who always had a strong arm, also worked hard to improve his defense at third base, resulting in 15.99 defensive runs saved for the season, which was the 13th-highest total in college baseball.
“I like to say I’m arguably the best third baseman in the country,” he said.
As a senior playing third at Pennsbury, Zuckerman hit .465 with an on-base percentage of .563, plus six doubles, six home runs, 23 RBIs and scored 26 runs.
“In high school, he was incredible for us,” said Pennsbury head coach Joe Pesci. “(A year ago), he decided to go from a mid- to low ACC team to the best team in the ACC. Surrounding himself with amazing players at Georgia Tech, he’s kind of elevated his game.”
Since the conclusion of the collegiate season, Zuckerman has been working out in preparation for the MLB Draft Combine and, ultimately, the draft. He’s been splitting his time between Yardley and Atlanta.
MLB teams have indicated Zuckerman’s power bat and defense are two of his strengths, while he’s focusing on improving his swing selection and making more contact at the plate.
Zuckerman is looking forward to hearing his name called by one of the 30 major league clubs. Whether a team views him as a third baseman, first baseman, corner outfielder or even second baseman doesn’t really matter to him.
“I think right now I’m in a great position to go and play professional baseball and start my journey up to the big leagues,” Zuckerman said. “The goal is not to get drafted – it’s to play MLB.”
Tom Moore: tmoore@couriertimes.com; @TomMoorePhilly is a sports columnist for PhillyBurbs.com. Support our journalism with a subscription.
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