Georgia Tech Basketball: Brian Gregory Implementing His System With The Yellow Jackets

Brian Gregory's first season on the bench for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets may in fact be a transitional season for the program. However, neither Gregory nor his staff is making any excuses about this season. 

"We've had some good practices," Gregory said. "They're learning a new system and doing all the things they need to do. The effort has been good, and the energy, at times, has been good. The chemistry is something we're working on, and we're making some strides in that department."

Since taking over as head coach for the Yellow Jackets, Gregory has tried to instill a blue-collar work ethic on his players. They aren't taking anything for granted and are taking a business like approach to their preseason practices. 

One of the biggest challenges the Yellow Jackets face is learning Gregory's offensive and defensive systems that he brought with him from Dayton where he took the Flyers to the post season in five of his eight seasons on the bench. Freshman Julian Royal talked about learning to play defense at the college level in Gregory's defensive system. 

"Learning to play defense at the college level is a lot different for me," he said. "Man [to-man], definitely man. Coach Gregory's defense is hard to explain. You're either in shallow, you're on your man or you're in the `help line.' You're never allowed to be still."

For more on Brian Gregory and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets basketball, be sure to check out From The Rumble Seat. 

Georgia Tech Basketball: Julian Royal Ready To Make An Impact For The Yellow Jackets

There was an adjustment period for Georgia Tech freshman Julian Royal once he hit campus but by all accounts he has taken it all in stride. A former Milton High standout, Royal is Tech's lone freshman this season and was an important holdover recruit from the Paul Hewitt era for new coach Brian Gregory. He will be leaned on hard as Tech tries to overcome the losses of Iman Shumpert and Brian Oliver from last year's squad. 

Royal arrived on campus weighing 238 pounds and has since slimmed all the way down to 215. Lately he has concentrated on building muscle and weighs in now at a solid 225. Royal has worked hard with Tech strength coach Mike Bewley and hopes that his solid work effort will translate to on the court success. 

The added strength could be a big plus for Royal who is likely to have to do his share of defending the interior this season with the Jackets. The flip side is that the bigger players that Royal is likely to draw defensively are going to have a hard time staying in front of the talented freshman on the offensive end of the floor. 

"I think like everybody is ready to play. We're ready to go," he said. "We have a big scrimmage Saturday. Really, you know you've got a few things at which you've got to get better, but I think we're all excited."

For more on Julian Royal and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets basketball, be sure to check out From The Rumble Seat. 

ACC Basketball Preseason Predictions: Georgia Tech Picked To Finish 10th

The ACC media predicts that Georgia Tech will finish 10th in Brian Gregory's first season on the bench for the Yellow Jackets. Tech is predicted to finish ahead of Wake Forrest and Boston College in the ACC Standings.

North Carolina is the overwhelming favorite to with the ACC capturing 57 of the 59 first place votes. Duke is predicted as the runner-up and received the other two first-place votes. Florida State, Virginia and Miami round out the remainder of the top 5. 

Harrison Barnes was a near unanimous pick for ACC Preseason Player of the Year capturing all but two votes. Barnes is joined by teammates John Henson and Tyler Zeller on the Preseason All-ACC team. Miami's Malcolm Grant is joined by Duke's Seth Curry and Virginia's Mike Scott who tied for the final spot. 

Duke freshman Austin Rivers was named as the ACC's Preseason Rookie of the Year. 

For more on Georgia Tech Basketball, be sure and check out From The Rumble Seat. 

Georgia Tech Basketball: Brian Gregory Era Set To Begin

Brian Gregory's first season on the bench for the Yellow Jackets figures to be a tough one but the debut of Julian Royal combined with the return of Glen Rice Jr. provide hope for the future.