Jacksonville State Gamecocks vs Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Prediction – 3/18/2025

The Jacksonville State Gamecocks are set to face the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in Atlanta. This encounter marks the inaugural meeting between the two programs, each aiming to extend their postseason journey.

Jacksonville State Gamecocks vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Game Preview

Jacksonville State enters the NIT with a 22-12 record, having finished second in Conference USA. Their recent performance includes a 79-67 loss to Liberty in the conference championship game, where they struggled defensively, allowing Liberty to shoot 60% from the field. Offensively, the Gamecocks were led by senior guard Jaron Pierre Jr., who scored 19 points in the loss. Pierre has been a standout this season, averaging 21.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. However, the team lacks additional double-digit scorers, with forward Michael Houge contributing 8.9 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. The Gamecocks have averaged 73.9 points per game while allowing 68.6 points against, and they play at a slower pace, ranking 310th in tempo nationally.

Georgia Tech, with a 17-16 record, concluded their season eighth in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). The Yellow Jackets have shown resilience, winning eight of their last 12 games, including a notable victory over Virginia in the ACC tournament before falling to Duke. In the loss to Duke, forward Duncan Powell led the team with 24 points, marking his fourth 20-point performance in six games. Powell averages 12.1 points per game, while guard Lance Terry leads the team with 14.5 points per game. Forward Baye Ndongo adds 13.7 points and a team-high 9.1 rebounds per game. Georgia Tech averages 73.4 points per game and allows 72.4 points against, playing at a faster pace, ranking 105th in tempo nationally.

Betting Insights

• Spread: Georgia Tech favored by 6 points.
• Over/Under: 141.5 points.

Georgia Tech has been strong at home, winning 11 of its last 12 games at McCamish Pavilion against non-AP-ranked opponents. Conversely, Jacksonville State has struggled in night games against non-conference opponents, losing 20 of its last 25 such games. The Gamecocks have also lost the first half in three of their last four night games. Additionally, ten of Georgia Tech's last 11 home night games against non-conference opponents have produced a total of 143 or more points, suggesting a tendency for higher-scoring games in similar matchups.

Jacksonville State Gamecocks vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Prediction

Considering the contrasting strengths and recent performances of both teams, Georgia Tech appears to have the advantage. The Yellow Jackets' experience against higher-caliber ACC opponents and their balanced scoring attack provide them with a more robust offensive and defensive presence. Jacksonville State's reliance on Jaron Pierre Jr. for scoring could be a limitation, especially if Georgia Tech's defense focuses on containing him. Additionally, Georgia Tech's faster pace may disrupt Jacksonville State's slower offensive rhythm. Given these factors, the prediction is that Georgia Tech will win and cover the spread, with the final score projected to be around 76-64 in favor of the Yellow Jackets.