Should Georgia Tech Be Buzzing About Its Start?
Posted by Mick McDonald on December 20th, 2016The expectations for the first year of the Josh Pastner era at Georgia Tech were about as low as they can get, as the Yellow Jackets were picked to finish 14th of 15 teams — ahead of only lowly Boston College — by the media in October. One national hoops writer even went as far to predict that Georgia Tech would go winless in the ACC this season. While Pastner’s team certainly won’t be an NCAA Tournament contender and will still most likely finish within the bottom tier of the conference standings, it is also clear that the Jackets are better than expected. That feeling was somewhat reinforced when Tech defeated a solid VCU team in Richmond last week, but keep in mind that it has also lost at home to Ohio (a top 100 team) and was demolished on the road by a mediocre Tennessee squad. However, there are several bright spots on this team that should have the fans in Atlanta excited for the future.
Yellow Jackets freshman Josh Okogie has been one of this biggest surprises in the country. (Adam Hagy/USA Today)
The obvious place to start is with junior center Ben Lammers. A three-star recruit, Lammers did not show much more than potential in his initial two years under Brian Gregory. Whether Pastner is simply getting more out of him this season or he is finally showing a progression of skills, he is clearly a different player. Lammers leads the Yellow Jackets in scoring (15.8 PPG), rebounding (10.8 PPG) and blocks (4.6 BPG), and he is currently the second-leading rebounder in the ACC and the nation’s leader in blocks per game. Fellow junior Tadric Jackson is shooting 56.3 percent from three-point range, giving Pastner a much-needed outside threat and a terrific complement for when the defense collapses on Lammers. Senior Quinton Stephens has not shot the ball very well but he has taken on the versatile forward role that was expected of him, averaging 11.8 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. But it is the rise of an unheralded freshmen who has been the biggest bright spot so far for the Yellow Jackets.
According to ESPN.com, Josh Okogie was not an overall top 100 recruit nor he was even a top 100 recruit at his position. The 6’4” wing signed with very little fanfare but he has made everyone in Atlanta (and around the ACC) stand up and take notice. The freshman is averaging 15.3 PPG so far this year, and his attacking, slashing style has worked perfectly in Pastner’s offense. He exploded for 38 points in a win over Tulane and has scored in double-figures in seven of Georgia Tech’s nine games. The jury remains out on how competitive this team will be once they get to the loaded portion of their schedule, but some minor bright spots can make a huge difference for a coach in his first year at a new program.
The ability to take a talented but heretofore underachieving big man and turn him into one of the most effective post players in the country. The ability to take an unheralded freshman and turn him almost immediately into a very effective wing scorer. The ability to enter a hostile environment and win a big non-conference game on the road. These are all boxes Pastner has already checked off in his first month at the helm in Atlanta. While wins in January and February may become few and far between, Georgia Tech fans must be pleased with the immediate progress they have already seen this year.
