As the ACC Tournament continues, the highly anticipated clash between No. 1 seed Duke and No. 8 seed Georgia Tech hangs in the balance—not just on skill but on availability. With key Yellow Jackets sidelined, Coach Damon Stoudamire faces an uphill battle against Jon Scheyer’s fully loaded Blue Devils squad.
Georgia Tech’s injury woes couldn’t come at a worse time as they prepare to face the nation’s top-ranked team. The mounting absences have forced significant rotation adjustments, leaving fans wondering if the Yellow Jackets can overcome these setbacks against a Duke team firing on all cylinders.
Georgia Tech-Duke Injury Report
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Senior guard Javian McCollum remains out due to a head injury sustained on Feb. 4 against Clemson. The dynamic guard’s absence leaves a significant void in GT’s backcourt. Before his injury, McCollum had been averaging 14.2 points and 3.8 assists per game, serving as a crucial offensive catalyst.
Center Doryan Onwuchekwa continues to be out indefinitely for personal reasons. The 6’11” freshman has not seen action since mid-December, depriving Georgia of valuable frontcourt depth. His shot-blocking and rebounding presence will be sorely missed against Duke’s formidable interior players.
Kowacie Reeves Jr. is out for the season, having last played in November. The sharpshooting guard was expected to provide scoring punch off the bench before his season-ending injury. His absence has forced Georgia Tech to rely more heavily on inexperienced reserves.
Senior Luke O’Brien remains sidelined with a foot injury. The versatile wing had been contributing 5.8 points and 4.3 rebounds per game providing valuable minutes as a rotational piece. His defensive versatility will be particularly missed against Duke’s multi-faceted offensive attack.
Duke Blue Devils
Unlike their opponents, Duke enters this matchup at full strength. Coach Jon Scheyer has his complete arsenal available, allowing for the fluid rotations that have powered the Blue Devils to their No. 1 ranking. Their depth advantage becomes even more pronounced against a depleted Georgia Tech squad.
Duke’s frontcourt, led by Cooper Flagg, has dominated opponents all season. With Georgia Tech missing both Onwuchekwa and O’Brien, the Blue Devils’ interior advantage could prove decisive in this matchup.
UPDATE: Cooper Flagg and Maliq Brown were both injured in the first half of the game. It was announced that Brown would miss the second half with a left shoulder injury while Flagg’s status remained unknown at halftime.
Injury updates:
Maliq Brown (left shoulder) – out
Cooper Flagg (left ankle) – doubtful to return
— Duke Men’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) March 13, 2025
College Sports Network will stay up to date on Flagg’s status going forward.
Game Prediction
Georgia Tech has now won nine of its last 13 games, including a crucial victory over Virginia yesterday that resulted in today’s matchup. Their offensive efficiency remains steady, as they are averaging 73.7 points per game this season.
Meanwhile, Duke enters on an eight-game winning streak, most recently dismantling Miami 92-74. During this run, the Blue Devils are shooting a blistering 49.1% from the field and 38.7% from three-point range, showcasing an offense operating at peak efficiency.
MORE ACC TOURNAMENT: SCHEDULE & BRACKET | ODDS
Given the injury disparities and recent form, Duke enters as heavy favorites with a projected 22.5-point margin of victory. For Georgia Tech to have any chance, they’ll need exceptional performances from their available starters and unexpected contributions from their bench.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, basketball, and more!
