Tag: Georgia Tech

Notre Dame battles from behind against Georgia Tech, then wins

The Irish finally made their move towards the end.

Notre Dame never quit against Georgia Tech, even as its inability to go in front undoubtedly was frustrating. Still, the Irish fans who came to Purcell Pavilion for the late tipoff had to think a happy ending was in store. That was the case as the Irish completed a come-from-behind victory, 71-68.

The Irish trailed the Yellow Jackets for almost 37 of the game’s 40 minutes, but they never faced more than a seven-point deficit, the last of which came with 5:35 left. But that’s when they got their chance with the Jackets starting a lengthy scoring drought.

After a [autotag]Braeden Shrewsberry[/autotag] 3-pointer, more than three minutes passed before anymore points were scored. Then, within 36 seconds, [autotag]Markus Burton[/autotag] made back-to-back 3s to give the Irish their first lead.

A short time later after Shrewsberry missed the front of a one-and-one, [autotag]Tae Davis[/autotag] got the rebound but had the ball swatted out and was ruled to have touched it last after a replay review. It didn’t matter because the Yellow Jackets were whistled for a five-second violation:

[autotag]Kebba Njie[/autotag] put the nail in the coffin with a layup as he was fouled. Though he missed the subsequent free throw, Davis made two free throws on the next possession to complete a 13-0 Irish run.

Burton led all scorers with 26 points and four 3s. He also paced the Irish with three steals. Shrewsberry scored 15 points.

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Notre Dame short video shows inside of Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Get a sneak peak of the venue for the title game.

Notre Dame fans can’t wait to see what unfolds inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. That’s where the College Football Playoff title game that will pit the Irish against Ohio State for the national championship.

This year’s Irish are familiar with this stadium as they already crushed Georgia Tech there during the regular season. A lot more is at stake here though, so that means the stadium will look a little different from last time.

So fans have a short preview of what to expect at the game whether they actually are attending or watching the broadcast, the Irish have released a video showing the outside of the stadium as well as some things on the inside. The video focuses on sights indicating that the Irish not only are playing in this game but playing to snap their 36-year national championship drought.

You can view the video in all its glory here:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/e9CY4E1Ntio

The closer we get to the start of the game, the more it feels real.

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Notre Dame plays without Hannah Hidalgo again but beats Georgia Tech

The victories continue to pile up in all circumstances.

With [autotag]Hannah Hidalgo[/autotag] still out with a sprained ankle, Notre Dame needed to rely on other players to defeat Georgia Tech. An Irish win would have showcased just how deep the team is. If that was indeed the goal, the Irish accomplished it with an 81-66 victory.

Despite never trailing, the Irish (15-2, 6-0) saw the Yellow Jackets (15-3, 3-3) tie the game early in the second half, completely erasing what had been a 13-point lead. The Jackets were intent on proving they could give the Irish a challenge, especially with Hidalgo out, and even if they didn’t win, this game looked like it wouldn’t be decided until late.

Finally, the Irish found the wind they needed to bring the win home. Nursing a four-point lead late in the third quarter, they went on a 19-4 run that lasted into the fourth. Although the Jackets never showed any quit even after that stretch, the Irish continued to answer them until the clock ran out on this convincing victory:

[autotag]Sonia Citron[/autotag] led all players with 21 points and six assists. [autotag]Maddy Westbeld[/autotag], starting in place of Hidalgo in only her fourth game of the season, made up for lost time with 20 points. [autotag]Cassandre Prosper[/autotag] came off the bench and just missed a double-double with 15 points and nine rebounds.

This wasn’t one of [autotag]Olivia Miles[/autotag]’ better games, at least not at the start. However, she came alive in the second half with 11 of the 13 points, including seven in the fourth quarter. [autotag]Liatu King[/autotag] grabbed a game-high 12 boards.

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Notre Dame star Hannah Hidalgo out for second straight game

So much for a one-game absence.

The hope for Notre Dame was that it only would miss All-American guard [autotag]Hannah Hidalgo[/autotag] for one game. Her absence against Clemson proved a footnote as the Irish picked up a win on the road.

However, the sprained ankle Hidalgo suffered against Wake Forest the week before still was bothering her ahead of the Irish’s next game against Georgia Tech. Consequently, Hidalgo missed her second consecutive game. That allowed [autotag]Maddy Westbeld[/autotag] to make her first start of the season in the fourth game she’s played since coming back from her own injury.

The question is how long the Irish can survive without their best player. There’s no doubt [autotag]Olivia Miles[/autotag] can be equally lethal in Hidalgo’s absence, but the Irish have been unstoppable with both of them in the backcourt.

Even taking Miles out of the equation, Hidalgo has had plenty of on-court highlights so far this season. Here are a few of them:

Hopefully, Hidalgo won’t be out for much longer.

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Notre Dame standout Hannah Hidalgo out vs. Clemson with ankle injury

Let’s hope it’s not too serious.

Since [autotag]Hannah Hidalgo[/autotag] arrived at Notre Dame, the Irish have been able to count on her availability. That’s a good thing considering she’s become one of the best players in women’s basketball. That luck finally ran out though.

Hidalgo rolled her ankle late in the Irish’s victory over Wake Forest, and she had to come out of the game. That ankle has not fully healed, so she was ruled out for the Irish’s road game against Clemson, the first game she has missed in her collegiate career. [autotag]Cassandre Prosper[/autotag] took her place in the starting lineup.

Hidalgo has picked up right where she left off from her freshman All-American season. She is second in the ACC in scoring (25.7 points a game), and she leads the conference in steals (4.1) and minutes (35.3). She’s a major reason the Irish are ranked third in the country.

She has great personality, too. Even though Christmas is over now, let’s enjoy her rendition of a holiday classic one more time:

Hopefully, she’ll be able to recover in time for the Irish’s next game against Georgia Tech.

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Transfer WR Eric Singleton announces commitment

The top wide receiver transfer target signs with an SEC rival that will play against Georgia next season

The Georgia Bulldogs hoped to land receiver Eric Singleton Jr., who was considered the top wideout in the transfer portal. Unfortunately, the Bulldogs lost steam in the negotiations, and the former Georgia Tech standout committed to the Auburn Tigers.

The 5-foot-11, 190-pound pass catcher totaled 104 receptions for 1,468 yards and nine touchdowns in his two years at Georgia Tech. Bulldogs fans should know him all too well. In the two matchups Singleton played against Georgia, he caught 12 passes for 182 yards and two touchdowns.

Now, Singleton joins SEC rival Auburn, where he will catch passes from Jackson Arnold, another Georgia transfer target. Auburn and Georgia will play each other in Week 7 of the 2025 season.

Georgia is still on the hunt for wide receivers. It lost out on CJ Daniels and J. Michael Sturdivant, but talks with Kentucky receiver Dane Key are heating up, and former five-star Zachariah Branch just visited Georgia, too.

RJ Davis, guards able to earn transition baskets vs. Georgia Tech

UNC’s big advantage in fast break points helped it beat Georgia Tech on Saturday and snap a 3-game slide.

If there’s one area the North Carolina Tar Heels will consistently out-perform opponents in, it’s transition offense.

On Saturday, Dec. 7 in its 68-65 ACC-opening victory over Georgia Tech, UNC’s transition offense shined through once again.

North Carolina (5-4, 1-0 ACC) outscored the Yellow Jackets, 16-5, in fast break points. This was in part due to the Tar Heels’ improved rebounding, particularly from center Ven-Allen Lubin, but also due to their guards’ ability to quickly sprint up the court.

After the game, reigning ACC Player of the Year RJ Davis elaborated on why UNC’s transition game was so important – and why today’s production needs to continue.

“I told my teammates in the huddle that we’re really good in transition – and not a lot of teams can stop us in transition – because of the guards we have,” Davis said. “We are quick, we’re athletic. We have to get stops in order to run. That’s what we did, we were able to get out. I think Elliot (Cadeau) did a good job pitching the ball ahead. We ran a small lineup today, so myself, Seth (Trimble), Ian (Jackson), Elliot (Cadeau) did a good job of coming in – helping out with the bigs and the rebounds. We were able to leak out and get some transition buckets.”

Trimble anchored North Carolina’s scoring attack with 19 points, plus he added seven rebounds and four steals. Davis added 16 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals. Jackson scored 15 points, grabbed two rebounds and dished out one assist, while Cadeau filled up the stat sheet with nine points, six rebounds, four assists and game-high three steals.

Lubin and Jalen Washington combined for 14 rebounds, as the Tar Heels out-rebounded Georgia Tech by a 48-37 margin.

Even though UNC struggled throughout – and trailed late in the second half – it’s good to see that transition offense can still lead it to victory.

North Carolina will need consistent fast break opportunities to generate some positive momentum – and get back to playing a consistent brand of winning basketball.

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Seth Trimble says bigs played a major role in UNC’s victory, need to be consistent

Centers Jalen Washington and Ven-Allen Lubin played big roles in helping UNC down Georgia Tech Saturday.

The North Carolina Tar Heels have been searching for post production all season long, particularly given they don’t have the dominant presence of Armando Bacot anymore.

UNC targeted several big men in the transfer portal this offseason, but swung and missed on the biggest names.

North Carolina still has yet to find its go-to big man, but Saturday’s 68-65, ACC opening-victory against Georgia Tech showed it has not one – but two – centers who are capable of filling that role.

Ven-Allen Lubin started in place of Jalen Washington, recording five points, one block, a steal and led the Tar Heels with eight rebounds in 16 minutes. Washington played solid defensive basketball in 20 minutes off the bench: scoring two points, generating a steal and pulling down six rebounds.

North Carolina won the rebounding battle, 48-37. Nearly every Tar Heel recorded multiple rebounds.

“He brought a big presence down low, which is exactly what we needed,” UNC junior guard Seth Trimble said about Lubin. “Every big had a rough first half this game, but he (Lubin) had a really good first half, he had some offensive boards. He defended well, other than fouling out. But he did what we asked him to do. J-Wash had a really good second half I felt like as well. My biggest thing with them is, they need to come out the gate with their motive – and with a response right away – because we’re going to need them. They’re showing that they’re capable of it already this year. They just need to get back going.”

Lubin, who started every game for Vanderbilt last year, is the more experienced option for North Carolina. Washington spent the last two years learning behind Bacot – and despite still trying to grow into his potential, Washington looks like he took a step forward from last season.

Just like Trimble said: if Lubin and Washington can start producing consistently, the Tar Heels will play drastically better basketball.

Lubin and Washington did just enough on Saturday against Georgia Tech – and UNC finally is back in the winning column.

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UNC snaps 3-game slide, wins ACC opener

North Carolina finally snapped its losing streak Saturday in its ACC opener against Georgia Tech.

Entering Saturday’s ACC basketball opener against Georgia Tech, the North Carolina Tar Heels needed a win in the worst way.

UNC lost Wednesday’s ACC-SEC Challenge matchup against Alabama, 94-79, during a game in which it never looked comfortable.

Saturday wasn’t pretty, but North Carolina did just enough to escape with the victory.

The Tar Heels and Yellow Jackets traded leads throughout the game, but it was the Tar Heels who emerged with a 68-65 win in the ACC opener for both teams.

UNC’s (5-4, 1-0) defense looked great against Georgia Tech (4-5, 0-1), holding the Yellow Jackets to a 31.3 field goal percentage. A big part of North Carolina’s improved defensive effort was post play, with the Tar Heels limiting second-chance points and winning the rebounding battle, 48-37.

UNC arguably won today’s game on the fast break, outscoring Georgia Tech 16-5. North Carolina guards RJ Davis, Seth Trimble and Ian Jackson all played big roles in that advantage, quickly racing down the court after a rebound.

Davis, Trimble and Jackson combined for 73.5 percent of the Tar Heels’ points. Trimble led the way with 19 on 5-of-6 shooting and eight made free throws, Davis added 16 points and Jackson contributed 15 off the bench.

UNC announced a starting lineup change just moments before tipoff, with Ven-Allen Lubin starting at center in place of Jalen Washington. Hubert Davis’ decision paid off – despite Lubin fouling out late in the second half, he led North Carolina with eight rebounds, while also adding five points, a steal and block apiece.

Saturday wasn’t pretty. The Tar Heels struggled in moments. When the final buzzer sounded, UNC players and coaches breathed a sigh of relief. North Carolina won its first ACC game and the losing streak is over.

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UNC makes a change to starting lineup for ACC basketball opener against Georgia Tech

The UNC basketball team has a new starter in today’s ACC opener against Georgia Tech.

The North Carolina Tar Heels are mired in their coldest stretch on their young basketball season, entering Saturday’s ACC opener against Georgia Tech with three-consecutive losses.

UNC’s latest defeat came on Wednesday, Dec. 4 against Alabama in the ACC-SEC Challenge, as it largely trailed throughout and lost, 94-79. Despite outrebounding the Crimson Tide and scoring more points in the paint, North Carolina struggled to produce in the post.

In hopes of generating more of a spark Saturday, Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis is making a big change to his starting lineup.

Ven-Allen Lubin, who transferred from Vanderbilt in the offseason, will be starting at center in place of Jalen Washington.

Lubin scored eight points, pulled down four rebounds and blocked two shots in 17 minutes off the bench against Alabama. Washington struggled in just 12 minutes as a starter against the Crimson Tide: scoring just three points, recording five rebounds and turning the ball over twice.

Lubin is averaging 6.6 points and 4.3 rebounds through eight games this year. He has a pair of 10-point games under his belt: back on Friday, Nov. 8 in UNC’s 92-89 loss at Kansas, then on Tuesday, Nov 26 against Auburn in the Maui Invitational.

Something you’ll appreciate about Lubin: he’s shooting at least 50 percent in all eight of his previous appearances. North Carolina will need that kind of production from Lubin again today, especially with Washington playing so hot-and-cold.

If Lubin plays well against Georgia Tech, expect to see Hubert starting him a lot going forward. The Tar Heels are in desperate need of production from their big men – and Lubin gets his golden opportunity today.

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