Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
2016-17 record: 21-16, 8-10 in the ACC
Head coach: Josh Pastner
Tenure at Georgia Tech: 2nd season
Career coaching record: 188-89
Home court: McCamish Pavilion
Starters: G Justin Moore, G Tadric Jackson, G Josh Okogie, F Abdoulaye Gueye, F Ben Lammers
Bench: G Brandon Alston, G Jose Alvarado, G Curtis Haywood II, F Sylvester Ogbonda
Overview: Although the Yellow Jackets did not impress many in the first few weeks under new head coach Josh Pastner—starting 4-3 with losses to Ohio, Penn State and Tennessee—Georgia Tech’s victories against top-15 sides Notre Dame, Florida State and North Carolina highlighted a surprising 8-10 conference slate and a 21-16 campaign overall.
The Yellow Jackets should have optimism heading into the 2017-18 season with all three leading scorers from a year ago returning to Atlanta. Sophomore Josh Okogie will look to build off an outstanding freshman campaign during which he averaged a team-high 16.1 points and 5.4 rebounds per contest. Alongside him, senior Ben Lammers hopes to finish his collegiate career on a high note by building on a breakout 2016-17 season, when he averaged more than 14 points, nine rebounds and three blocks per game.
Georgia Tech will also get reinforcements in the backcourt from Lehigh graduate transfer Brandon Alston and four-star freshmen Curtis Haywood II and Jose Alvarado. Although the Yellow Jackets should be much improved from a season ago, they will surely have their work cut out for them playing in the daunting ACC.
One thing that needs to go right: Josh Okogie continues to build on his freshman campaign, knocking down more than 40 percent of his looks from downtown while leading his team in scoring once again.
One thing that could go wrong: Turnovers continue to haunt the Yellow Jackets, who committed 13 per contest last season, and a lack of outside shooting prevents them from being able to play from behind.
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Digital Strategy Director for Vol. 115, Michael was previously Sports Editor for Vol. 114 and Assistant Blue Zone Editor for Vol. 113. Michael is a senior majoring in Statistical Science and is interested in data analytics and using data to make insights.