The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
ONLY INTHEAJCGEORGIATECHBASKETBALL
The door has not closed completely on the GeorgiaGeorgia Techmen’s basketballgamebeingplayedfor the 96th consecutive year, but it’s going that way. As constituted, Tech’s schedule does not leave roomfor the annual rivalry gamewith the Bulldogs.
“Georgia Tech and UGA would really like to play this year,” Tech coach Josh Pastner wrote in a text message to The Atlanta Journal- Constitution. “Due to scheduling conflicts that are outside of both Georgia Tech and Georgia’s control, there could be a high possibility that the gamemight not happen this year.”
While not partial schedule posted on Tech’s website can’t accommodate Georgia. The Yellow Jackets can play seven nonconference games this year as opposed to the standard 11 because of the NCAA’s decisionto reduce themaximum number of regular- season games and also delay the start of the season fromNov. 10 to Nov. 25. The teamhas already scheduled six of them, startingwith the season opener against Georgia State at McCamish Pavilion on Nov. 25. The opening is committed to the Big Ten/ ACC Challenge.
It’s conceivable the TechUGA game still could be played, as Tech’s schedule remains subject to change.
It would be potentially viable even after the season begins, as the NCAA’s guidance on contact tracing for basketball could well create havoc with scheduling.
If a player, coach or staffff member tests positive for COVID- 19, or an opponent within 48 hours of a contest, the NCAA has advised all teammembers to bequarantined for 14 days. Pastner acknowledged the diffifficulty teams nationwide will face in avoiding scheduling complications.
“Wewant to win, we want
to get to the ( NCAA) tournament,” he said.“We want to do all those things. But the fifirst order of business is, let’s just try to get in 27 games.”
Regardless, both teams are not planning on facing each other. Like the TechUGA football series thatwas paused this year, the basketball rivalry has been played annually without interruption starting in 1925. The Bulldogs have won the past fifififififive games in the series. This year’s game was scheduled to be played at McCamish Pavilion.
After the season- opening Georgia State game, Tech’s nonconference follows with games withMercer on Nov. 27, Kentucky on Dec. 6 ( at State Farm Arena), Florida A& M on Dec. 18, Delaware State on Dec. 20 and at AlabamaBirmingham on Dec. 23 23..
The TheBig BigTe Ten/ n/ / AC CCha Challe lleng nge g game — opponent and site to be determined is likely to be played Dec. 8 or 9. Tech is also expecting to play two league games in December, one around the 15th and one close to New Year’s Eve.