Georgia Tech vs. Illinois: Illini provide stiff test for Jackets

If Georgia Tech is going to hold up its end for its conference in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge on Wednesday, the Yellow Jackets will need to pull off a big upset in a road game at No. 22 Illinois.

The Illini, in their first year under new coach John Groce, have gotten off to a fast 7-0 start to the season, including winning the Maui Invitational Tournament.

Illinois is headlined by senior G Brandon Paul, a first-round NBA prospect who is averaging 19 points, four rebounds and four assists on 48 percent shooting. They also get a significant scoring punch from sophomore G Tracy Abrams (12 points per game) and senior G D.J. Richardson (12 points per game).

All three Illini guards average more points per game than Georgia Tech's leading scorer, freshman F Marcus Georges-Hunt, averages 11.

That means the Yellow Jackets will need to minimize turnovers and slow the pace of the game down on Wednesday in order to prevent themselves from getting into a shootout.

The game will be played at 9:00 PM EST on ESPN2.