JOSH PASTNER

School-switching has never been more prevalent in college basketball thanks to the NCAA relaxing transfer rules and granting an extra year of eligibility from the pandemic season.

Freshman Paolo Banchero had 17 points and 11 rebounds to help No. 2 Duke beat Georgia Tech 69-57 in its return from a COVID-19 outbreak that had led to a pair of postponements.

The virus outbreak hasn’t just sent NBA teams looking for help from the G League.

It all comes as the league tries to restore some its luster after a disappointing showing in the NCAA Tournament. The Blue Devils are coming off their own un-Duke-like year: a 13-11 season that included withdrawing from the ACC Tournament due to COVID-19 issues before missing the NCAAs for the first time since 1995. “We're going through one of those transitional periods,” ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips said in an interview with The Associated Press. It's not just Hall of Fame coaches and then coaches that are just beginning their careers. But after the pandemic canceled the 2020 tournament, the ACC flopped in 2021.

The Atlantic Coast Conference is facing a changing landscape in men's basketball amid coaching retirements, roster upheaval and a bumpy showing in last year's NCAA Tournament.

(AP Photo/AJ Mast)INDIANAPOLIS – Loyola Chicago might be the only team that feels as though little has changed about the NCAA Tournament. 9 seed Georgia Tech at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Georgia Tech wiped it right out by making eight of its first 11 second-half shots. The Ramblers clogged up the paint to prevent drives to the basket, forced Georgia Tech into long jumpers and made life difficult for its perimeter players. UP NEXTThe Ramblers play the top-seeded Fighting Illini for a spot in the Sweet 16.

The coliseum is one of six venues hosting NCAA Tournament games later this week. One referee tested positive for COVID-19, forcing him and five others who went out to dinner with him, out of the tournament. Though the NCAA brought plenty of backup referees, the mass departure served up yet another illustration of how things can go wrong. “It's not ever going to be perfect in a pandemic,” NCAA vice president Dan Gavitt said. Iona took its two tests in the same day, and Gavitt said the change had been OK'd by the NCAA medical advisory group and the local health department.

The Yellow Jackets have their first Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament title in nearly three decades after beating No. AdACC player of the year Moses Wright and Jordan Usher each had 11 of their 15 points after halftime for Georgia Tech, which got off to an 0-2 start this season with home losses to Georgia State and Mercer. The Yellow Jackets stood 9-8 after a loss at Clemson on a last-second shot Feb. 12 to find themselves facing bubble uncertainty. That led to a technical foul and two free throws for FSU, though the outcome was decided and the Georgia Tech party had begun. BIG PICTUREGeorgia Tech: The Yellow Jackets had won seven straight, including Thursday against Miami in the quarterfinals.

Moses Wright scored 21 points and Georgia Tech recovered from a poor start to the season to beat No. Georgia Tech (1-2) rebounded with a strong performance following losses to state rivals Georgia State and Mercer. BIG PICTUREEven by Kentucky standards, this is a major rebuilding job and the Wildcats' youth showed against Georgia Tech. It was a key recovery for coach Josh Pastner's Georgia Tech team. Georgia Tech: At Nebraska on Wednesday night in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.

Ron DeSantis and his daughter Madison, 3, watch the first half of an NCAA college basketball game between Florida State and Georgia Tech in Tallahassee, Fla., Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019. (AP Photo/Mark Wallheiser)TALLAHASSEE, FL – Florida State knows its defense goes a long way. 18 Seminoles blocked nine shots and created 11 steals to beat Georgia Tech 70-58 Tuesday for their 15th straight home victory. “They are very, very good defensively,” Georgia Tech coach Josh Pastner said. The 20 turnovers by Georgia Tech were one short of its season high.