Ga. Tech likely limited again vs. Notre Dame

Georgia Tech will likely have to attempt victory without three key players for a second consecutive game, this time at home against Notre Dame this evening.

Guards Jose Alvarado and Brandon Alston and forward Abdoulaye Gueye, who aver- age a combined 28.8 points per game, are not likely to play as the Jackets prepare for their sixth ACC game of the season. Alvarado, the team’s leader in minutes, points and assists, has missed the past two games with a groin injury suffered last Wednesday against Clem- son. Tech coach Josh Pastner said Monday that he is considered doubtful to questionable to play against the Irish.

“If he doesn’t play Tuesday, he’ll hopefully be ready by Saturday (when Tech will be at No. 2 Duke), and I think if he takes off this whole week, he’ll be ready to go next week for sure, I would assume,” Pastner said.

Alston, the team’s third-leading scorer at 9.6 points per game, has not been with the team as he deals with what Pastner called a personal matter. He has missed the past two games.

Pastner said he hoped to hear more information later Monday or this morning about Gueye’s availability. He has been sidelined from any physical activity upon the judgment of the team’s medical staff as a result of tests performed after he left back- to-back games with muscle cramps. Pastner called it a “day-by-day” matter.

Tech did not handle the absence of Gueye and Alston well against Clemson, los- ing 72-60, or the absence of all three against Louisville, a 79-51 loss at home to the Cardinals. The 28-point mar- gin of defeat was the largest Tech has withstood at home in Pastner’s three seasons.

“I felt like we really missed

his toughness out there (Saturday),” center James Banks said of Alvarado after the Louisville game. “He’s a grinding, smashmouth guy. You think he’s a smaller guard, but he’s one of our more tough guys. He’s a leader on the floor.”

Pastner compared the loss to Louisville to the Jackets’ struggles last season after Alvarado suffered a season-ending elbow injury in mid-February. Tech lost the next two games by a combined 37 points before steadying themselves, finishing out the final four regular-season games 2-2. Going into the Notre Dame game, Tech is 10-8 overall and 2-3 in the ACC.

“You don’t have your starting quarterback, you’re going to have a little bit of a struggle,” Pastner said.

He said freshman guard Michael Devoe, given principal ball-handling duties against Louisville and also having to play for the first time without Alvarado, did not meet the challenge well. Devoe had eight points, just below his season average, but did not have any rebounds for the first time in a game this season. Rebounding from guards on defense is a high priority for Pastner and an indication of effort and attention. Pastner kept him on the floor for only eight minutes in the second half.

“Sometimes, the best motivator is the bench,” Pastner said.

Not having Alvarado affected his play, according to Pastner, who said that Devoe was “wobbly on the ropes and didn’t know how to get back off. He needed another guy to tag him and push him back in. Jose’s got that fire with him. He just makes Mike a better player.”