Georgia Tech’s two-game start has provided a more meaningful test than Eastern Kentucky’s, and the Yellow Jackets have the personnel and home-court advantage to win this matchup and cover the double-digit spread. The key is whether Tech can control the glass and limit the Colonels’ second chances.

Georgia Tech has opened the season with wins over Hampton, 75-55, and Georgia Southern, 95-83, while Eastern Kentucky’s first two victories came against Kentucky Christian and Midway. The difference in competition is night-and-day.

The Colonels have averaged 105.5 points, but those numbers came against lower-level opposition. Georgia Tech has already shown it can score against Division I competition, and Nasir Whitlock is coming off a 29-point performance against Georgia Southern, where he also contributed seven rebounds and six assists. Four Yellow Jackets reached double figures in that game.

The biggest concern is Eastern Kentucky’s work on the offensive glass. The Colonels collected 18 offensive rebounds in each of their first two games and have produced 62 second-chance points. Georgia Tech also has some early-season issues to clean up, shooting just 28% from three-point range and averaging 16.5 turnovers per game.

Center Cole Kirouac, the team’s leading rebounder at 10 per game, missed the Georgia Southern game, and his availability is important against an opponent that attacks the glass. Still, Tech’s ability to get to the free-throw line is a major advantage: the Jackets attempted 47 free throws against Georgia Southern and converted 36.

I’m siding with Georgia Tech to win and cover. The Yellow Jackets have the stronger early resume, more proven scoring against Division I opponents and the benefit of playing at McCamish Pavilion.

Lay it with the Yellow Jackets.