It is safe to assume that Michael Devoe will be at the top of Miami’s scouting report when it visits Georgia Tech on Saturday afternoon in Atlanta.
Devoe is the Atlantic Coast Conference’s second-leading scorer at 19.2 points per game. He’s helped the Yellow Jackets beat Miami three straight times, scoring in double figures on each occasion.
Included in those performances was his 29-point effort against the Hurricanes last season. Devoe made 11 of 16 shots from the floor, including 7 of 11 from 3-point range in an 87-60 romp on Feb. 20.
“You can’t allow Devoe any separation,” Miami coach Jim Larranaga said. “But if you overplay the 3-pointer, he’s going to get to the rim. He’s very good in the open floor, and he’s clever in the paint, using shot fakes to get fouled.”
Although Miami (15-5, 7-2) leads the ACC, the team has every right to be wary of Georgia Tech (9-10, 2-6). The Jackets are coming off Wednesday’s 75-61 home win over Florida State, a team that has beaten Miami twice this month.
Devoe is a native Floridian. He likely will have extra motivation to defeat his home-state team for the fourth straight time.
Then again, Devoe seems to play with emotion in other situations, too. Against Duke earlier this season, Devoe got into a run-in of sorts with rival coach Mike Krzyzewski.
Devoe scored 18 second-half points to lead a Georgia Tech rally that ultimately fell short in that loss to the Blue Devils. He said something on the court to Krzyzewski, who took offense.
Jackets coach Josh Pastner defended Devoe’s actions, calling him “a good kid.”
Miami also will have to contend with Jordan Usher, who is averaging 15.4 points per game.
The Hurricanes are paced by their three guards, including Charlie Moore, whose half-court heave helped Miami post a 78-75 win over Virginia Tech on Wednesday. Moore, who is averaging 12.5 points this season, also had five steals in that game.
Miami’s Kameron McGusty (17.9) and Isaiah Wong (16.5) rank sixth and seventh, respectively, in the ACC in scoring.
Role players Sam Waardenburg and Jordan Miller have had their moments for Miami. That includes Miller’s 7-for-9 shooting and 18 points on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Georgia Tech, which won the 2021 ACC Tournament, hasn’t lost to Miami in Atlanta since Feb. 7, 2016, winning twice during that span.
“Josh Pastner does a great job alternating his defenses from zone to man,” Larranaga said of the Tech coach. “They’re a very good basketball team, especially at home.”
–Field Level Media
