Starters - GA Tech
" Point guard Jarrett Jack: Tech's unquestioned team leader has blossomed in his sophomore year. He knows his primary job is get teammates involved offensively first, but has proven in the latter part of the regular season and throughout the postseason that he's capable of taking over games when needed. He's the Jackets' most valuable player. Nobody is more clutch.
Guard B.J. Elder: Freed of the ball handling duties he shouldered his first two seasons, Elder, a second-team-All-ACC pick, is a dual threat with the ability to shoot from deep and take the ball to the basket with aplomb. He was averaging nearly 18 points per game in the ACC and NCAA tournaments combined before spraining his ankle against Nevada in last weekend's Sweet 16 victory. He also is an excellent defender.
Guard Marvin Lewis: The senior pure shooter is the Jackets' top 3-point threat, ranking fourth in the ACC at 40.1 percent from that range. He's usually very steady from the outside and has played well defensively and rebounded well against bigger opponents throughout the tournament. Lewis is the team's designated shooter.
Forward Anthony McHenry: Considered by Hewitt to be a "Penny Hardaway-type player" coming out of high school, the 6-foot-7 McHenry has gamely reinvented himself and has become invaluable to the Jackets. He is perhaps his team's best one-on-one defender, and is capable of defending all five different positions thanks to his great athleticism, lanky frame and long arms. His scoring has picked up as his confidence has improved.
Center Luke Schenscher: Tech desperately needed an inside presence after the offseason defections of Bosh and Ed Nelson, and the 7-1 Schenscher has more than delivered in rebounding from a disappointing sophomore season. He's a skilled player with a deft shooting touch who makes Tech's offense run more smoothly the more touches he gets. He's not the quickest or strongest, but Schenscher continues to find ways to get the job done. His interior defense against Boston College's Craig Smith and Kansas' Wayne Simien was excellent.
Top reserves
Forward Isma'il Muhammad: This high-rising junior has probably shown up on radar on more than one occasion with crowd-pleasing dunks that demoralize opponents. But he's also an excellent on-ball defender and an improving offensive player who's quick enough and physically strong enough to get to the basket, often for spectacular results.
Guard Will Bynum: It's almost unfair to have someone as athletic or as prolific offensively as Bynum, an Arizona transfer, coming off the bench. He brings high energy and adds another dimension of speed to the Tech offense. His memorable circus shot of a reverse lay-up helped in the win over Nevada, while his 3-pointer from the top of the key did likewise in the decision over Kansas."
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" Point guard Jarrett Jack: Tech's unquestioned team leader has blossomed in his sophomore year. He knows his primary job is get teammates involved offensively first, but has proven in the latter part of the regular season and throughout the postseason that he's capable of taking over games when needed. He's the Jackets' most valuable player. Nobody is more clutch.
Guard B.J. Elder: Freed of the ball handling duties he shouldered his first two seasons, Elder, a second-team-All-ACC pick, is a dual threat with the ability to shoot from deep and take the ball to the basket with aplomb. He was averaging nearly 18 points per game in the ACC and NCAA tournaments combined before spraining his ankle against Nevada in last weekend's Sweet 16 victory. He also is an excellent defender.
Guard Marvin Lewis: The senior pure shooter is the Jackets' top 3-point threat, ranking fourth in the ACC at 40.1 percent from that range. He's usually very steady from the outside and has played well defensively and rebounded well against bigger opponents throughout the tournament. Lewis is the team's designated shooter.
Forward Anthony McHenry: Considered by Hewitt to be a "Penny Hardaway-type player" coming out of high school, the 6-foot-7 McHenry has gamely reinvented himself and has become invaluable to the Jackets. He is perhaps his team's best one-on-one defender, and is capable of defending all five different positions thanks to his great athleticism, lanky frame and long arms. His scoring has picked up as his confidence has improved.
Center Luke Schenscher: Tech desperately needed an inside presence after the offseason defections of Bosh and Ed Nelson, and the 7-1 Schenscher has more than delivered in rebounding from a disappointing sophomore season. He's a skilled player with a deft shooting touch who makes Tech's offense run more smoothly the more touches he gets. He's not the quickest or strongest, but Schenscher continues to find ways to get the job done. His interior defense against Boston College's Craig Smith and Kansas' Wayne Simien was excellent.
Top reserves
Forward Isma'il Muhammad: This high-rising junior has probably shown up on radar on more than one occasion with crowd-pleasing dunks that demoralize opponents. But he's also an excellent on-ball defender and an improving offensive player who's quick enough and physically strong enough to get to the basket, often for spectacular results.
Guard Will Bynum: It's almost unfair to have someone as athletic or as prolific offensively as Bynum, an Arizona transfer, coming off the bench. He brings high energy and adds another dimension of speed to the Tech offense. His memorable circus shot of a reverse lay-up helped in the win over Nevada, while his 3-pointer from the top of the key did likewise in the decision over Kansas."
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