Point guard might miss ACC opener

In a season in which injuries have been a constant, Tech may have to play without point guard Jose Alvarado in the ACC opener at Notre Dame today.

Alvarado, who has developed into a key cog for the Yellow Jackets as a freshman, sustained a head injury in the win over Coppin State on Wednesday. Coach Josh Pastner called him questionable for today.

“I don’t know if Jose’s going to play or not,” he said. “We don’t know.”

If he is unable to play, Tech (6-6) will have seven available scholarship players today. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.

Alvarado was injured early in the second half going to the basket and did not return under the orders of the team’s medical staff, Pastner said. The decision could be made today in South Bend, Ind. On Friday, Alvarado took part in non-contact elements of practice.

It would be a significant loss for Tech, which also will play without backup point guard Justin Moore, as he has remained home in San Diego for the funeral of a family friend, Pastner said. When Alvarado left the game, Tech turned over point-guard duties for the remainder of the game to graduate transfer guard Brandon Alston, who is more of a shooting guard.

Against Notre Dame, guard Curtis Haywood (shin), forward Sylvester Ogbonda (ankle) and Moore will not be available. Center Abdoulaye Gueye, who sat out of the Coppin State game with an ankle injury, has been cleared for today’s game.

Alvarado is one of two players (center Ben Lammers is the other) to start all 12 gamesfor Tech this season, an indication of his impor- tance. He leads the team in assists (41) and steals (24) and is third in scoring and rebounding (13.2 points and 4.6 rebounds per game).

He has been the team’s most consistent player and leads the team in winning 50/50 balls, an indication of his effort and awareness.