From the start of the season, Connecticut was expected to win the national title. So the Huskies’ presence in Monday’s title game is no surprise. But Georgia Tech was picked to finish no better than seventh in the Atlantic Coast Conference, which makes it the mystery guest.
Both teams play aggressive defense, the Huskies holding their opponents to 36.9 percent shooting and the Yellow Jackets holding theirs to 38.7 percent. But they are different in one big way. UConn is built around center Emeka Okafor and shooting guard Ben Gordon, stars who relegate their teammates to bit parts. But there are no bit parts on Tech, which can get star turns from any number of players.
Gordon has been his team’s leading scorer in all but one of its five tournament games. But in theirs, the Yellow Jackets have been led by center Luke Schenscher, guard B.J. Elder, guard Marvin Lewis, point guard Jarrett Jack and then Schenscher again. That is one indication of their versatility. Another is Georgia Tech got its winning points Saturday night against Oklahoma State from backup point guard Will Bynum, who had made late, crucial baskets in his team’s previous two victories as well.
CONNECTICUT VS. GEORGIA TECH: WHO HAS THE EDGE?
POINT GUARD
Taliek Brown
SENIOR
HT: 6-1 WT: 200
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MIN. PTS. AST. REB.
30.3 6.2 6.55 3.8
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The skinny: An experienced leader with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.71-1, which is excellent. But he makes just 54.5 percent of his free throws, which makes him a liability at the end of a close game.
Jarrett Jack
SOPHOMORE
HT: 6-3 WT: 198
%%
MIN. PTS. AST. REB.
31.3 12.6 5.7 4.9
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The skinny: Overshadowed in the regular season by other ACC point guards like Duke’s Chris Duhon. But Georgia Tech has a tradition at this position and, with his performance in the tournament, he has taken his place aside predecessors like Kenny Anderson.
Edge: Georgia Tech. Jack hurts opponents in more ways than Brown and shoots 80.1 percent from the line.
SHOOTING GUARD
Ben Gordon
JUNIOR
HT: 6-3 WT: 200
%%
MIN. PTS. AST. REB.
34.6 18.5 4.58 4.8
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The skinny: He has proved to be a big-time performer in the postseason, where he has averaged 23.4 points in the Big East and NCAA tournaments. His school’s all-time leader in three-point field goals made with 243.
B.J. Elder
JUNIOR
HT: 6-4 WT: 218
%%
MIN. PTS. AST. REB.
26.5 15.0 1.4 2.7
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The skinny: His team’s leading scorer, but he managed just two points Saturday against Oklahoma State and none in the Yellow Jackets’ regional-final win over Kansas. “But I think B.J. will have a big game [Monday],” coach Paul Hewitt said.
Edge: Connecticut. Gordon has been more than consistent in the tourney. He has been brilliant.
SWING GUARD
Rashad Anderson
SOPHOMORE
HT: 6-5 WT: 220
%%
MIN. PTS. AST. REB.
21.9 11.1 0.79 2.8
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The skinny: Recently moved into the starting lineup and he has responded, scoring 28 points in the Huskies’ regional-final win over Alabama and averaging 17.2 points in the tourney. A dangerous outside shooter who’s hitting 41.5 percent of his three-point attempts.
Marvin Lewis
SENIOR
HT: 6-4 WT: 205
%%
MIN. PTS. AST. REB.
27.7 11.1 1.4 2.9
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The skinny: The most experienced hand on the Yellow Jackets and their true leader as well. Capable of torrid streaks, which he proved in Tech’s semifinal win over Oklahoma State by hitting four of first six three-point attempts.
Edge: Georgia Tech. Lewis has been through the grinder, which will serve him well on this game’s biggest stage.
CENTER
Emeka Okafor
JUNIOR
HT: 6-10 WT: 252
%%
MIN. PTS. AST. REB.
32.2 17.5 1.0 11.4
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The skinny: The best shot-blocker in college, averaging 4.14 per game. His mere presence alters an opponent’s offense and makes it more reliant on jump shots, which are questionable things.
Luke Schenscher
JUNIOR
HT: 7-1 WT: 250
%%
MIN. PTS. AST. REB.
27.2 9.2 1.0 6.5
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The skinny: Can look gangly and awkward but he has come up big in Tech’s last two games while totaling 34 points and 16 rebounds and playing tough defense inside. Easy to underrate, but he shouldn’t be.
Edge: Connecticut. Okafor is more athletic and active and a more intimidating figure down low.
FORWARD
Josh Boone
FRESHMAN
HT: 6-10 WT: 230
%%
MIN. PTS. AST. REB.
21.8 5.9 0.86 3.2
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The skinny: Was just the 12th freshman under coach Jim Calhoun to start in the season opener. Shoots 55.2 percent from the field, but he is a modest scorer with a career best of only 12 points. Also a horrid foul shooter (41.3 percent). Charlie Villanueva is a solid backup.
Anthony McHenry
JUNIOR
HT: 6-7 WT: 220
%%
MIN. PTS. AST. REB.
18.2 3.4 1.2 3.2
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The skinny: The starter, but the Yellow Jackets play this position by committee. So McHenry is regularly replaced by 6-6 Isma’il Muhammad or 6-5 Clarence Moore, who are explosive and their team’s two best defenders.
Edge: Georgia Tech. Three is better than one, especially when that one is a freshman.
