On March 25th, Scott Cross is stepping in as Georgia Tech's new basketball coach, bringing a fresh approach to building his team. At Troy, he focused on recruiting strong freshman classes and developing them over time, rather than chasing high-profile transfers. His squads rarely leaned on portal players, with just a couple of low-key additions each year, proving you can win without big spending. This strategy paid off big at Troy, where he claimed back-to-back Sunbelt regular season and tournament titles.
Even after losing top talent to power conference schools, Cross rebuilt with loyal underclassmen who grew into stars. Georgia Tech fans might appreciate this cost-effective path, especially since the program's budget lags behind many rivals. Expect Cross to eye some familiar faces from Troy right away, like leading scorers Victor Valdez and Thomas Dowd, plus guards Cooper and Kobe. Campbell.
Unlike the previous coach, who targeted players with famous sports parents, Cross seems to prioritize everyday talent he can mold. This could help him hit the ground running in his first season. On the court, his teams play at a steady pace, balancing solid defense with offense, where defense often edges ahead. They emphasize close-range shots and lots of threes top 20 in short two-point attempts the last three years, but sometimes struggle with.
Three-point accuracy. Strong offensive rebounding stands out, along with getting to the free throw line, though turnovers remain a weak spot. Bench minutes flexed based on who's ready, and with Georgia Tech's recruiting edge, better rim protection could become a strength. Overall, Cross's patient development and gritty style promise a reliable rebuild, setting the stage for steady progress in ACC.