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Rebuilt Jackets ready to regain contender status

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Jeff Goodman

Jeff Goodman is a senior college basketball writer for FOXSports.com. Check out his Yardbarker blog. MORE>>
 
Updated Nov 7, 2009 6:44 PM ET
     
 
We're not going with a typical, run-of-the-mill top 25 rundown each day. Instead, we'll cut to the chase and tell you who will be left standing at the end of the year in the Elite Eight.

2009-10 preview

Roy Halladay Can't wait for the college hoops season to start? We get you ready for 2009-10 with our preseason guide.
We'll hit on one each over an eight-day span — in no particular order. Then we'll unveil my complete bracket just prior to the start of the season on Nov. 9. I had the championship game right last year, but incorrectly picked Michigan State to beat North Carolina. I have a good feeling about my bracket this time around.

GEORGIA TECH

Worst to first. That's what Paul Hewitt and the Yellow Jackets are hoping to do this season.
One year ago, a thin and depleted Georgia Tech team finished the ACC slate with just two victories. However, with the return of Gani Lawal and Iman Shumpert and the addition of a big-time recruiting class that includes big man Derrick Favors, there's no reason the Yellow Jackets can't make a deep run in March.

Why

1. Derrick Favors: Simply put, he's the elite freshman big man in the country. Favors is big, strong and athletic and knows his role — which is to rebound, score in the post and defend. He's the complete package and will also make life easier for his frontcourt mate, Lawal. 2. Experienced point guard play: Shumpert had too much on his plate a year ago as a freshman floor leader, but now he's got a year under his belt and has some help with the ball-handling duties from freshman Mfon Udofia. 3. Depth: Hewitt's bench has gone from a weakness to a strength after bringing in Favors, Udofia as well as freshmen Brian Oliver and Glen Rice Jr. He also has veteran guard D'Andre Bell returning after missing all of last season. 4. The big three: I'm not sure too many teams have a trio that can stack up with Favors, Lawal and Shumpert. They are three McDonald's All-Americans and all are future pros.

Why not

1. Perimeter shooting: The Yellow Jackets are loaded up front, but they don't really possess a big-time shooter. Oliver and Lance Storrs can make shots from long distance, but both are streaky. 2. Chemistry: Zach Peacock goes from starter to a likely reserve, and Lawal goes from being the guy to sharing the title with Favors. A year ago, there was no competition for minutes. 3. Foul shooting: Lawal shot 56 percent from the charity stripe last season, and Shumpert was at 66 percent but missed key ones down the stretch with games on the line.

Key player

Iman Shumpert: Lawal is a potential double-double guy every night, and the same can be said for Favors. Shumpert will have the challenge of trying to make sure everyone is happy. He's a big point guard who is also capable of scoring the ball.

Don't sleep on...

Mfon Udofia: He's a versatile and physical guard whose relentless style of play should rub off on his teammates. He could start early in the season and will certainly play a key role for the Yellow Jackets.

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