Georgia Tech may be without leading scorer Michael Devoe for Wednesday’s game at No. 6 Louisville and possibly longer. Devoe was in a walking boot on his left foot Monday at practice.
Coach Josh Pastner said that Devoe’s availability had yet to be determined. He said that it is unrelated to the injury he suffered in the preseason to a toe on his left foot.
“I won’t know till later (Monday), maybe by (Tuesday) if he’ll even be able to play Wednesday and/or if it’s a longer-term deal than that,” Pastner said.
Devoe has started all 18 games for the Jackets this season and is averaging 15.9 points per game — seventh in the ACC. Devoe is also Tech’s most accurate 3-point shooter at 41.3 percent. Further, Devoe is a player that Pastner has relied upon heavily; his 35.4 minutes per game lead the team.
It would make the task of upsetting the Cardinals, who are tied for the lead in the ACC at 6-1 in league play, all the more unlikely. Pastner has come to play Devoe and fellow guards Jose Alvarado and Bubba Parham in a rotation that has been effective for the Jackets (when they haven’t been turning the ball over, at least), helping them shoot 50 percent from the field in four of their past five games.
“The next guys have got to be ready, whether that’s Khalid (Moore), Asanti (Price), Shembari (Phillips),” Pastner said. “Everyone’s just got to be ready to go.”
Tech's injury concerns may not end with Devoe. Alvarado practiced Monday, but was suffering from back spasms after taking a hit in the team's loss to Virginia on Saturday. Pastner expected him to play, but he may be physically hampered. Also, forward Evan Cole did not practice Monday as he was feeling numbness in his left arm after he had also gotten hit in the game against Virginia. Pastner also expected him to be able to play Wednesday.
