Northwestern Basketball: Ranking toughest non-conference games

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DURHAM, NC – JANUARY 04: Head coach Josh Pastner of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets talks with official Ted Valentine during the game against the Duke Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium on January 4, 2017 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

3. Georgia Tech, Away, 11/28

Georgia Tech was one of the most surprising teams in the entire country last season. The Yellow Jackets were left for dead in the preseason and were picked to finish at the bottom of the ACC. On paper, Georgia Tech’s roster looked devoid of talent, but breakout seasons from Ben Lammers and Josh Okogie led the Yellow Jackets deep into the NIT.

Lammers and Okogie are back for their senior and sophomore seasons respectively. Lammers is a 6’10 center who averaged 14.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks per game. This stat line is even more impressive when you consider that he only averaged 3.6 points, 4 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks the year before. Okogie was an unheralded recruit who led the team as a freshman with 16.4 points per game. The 6’4 wing played with the USA U-19 team this summer which should prepare him even more for the upcoming season.

Northwestern plays Georgia Tech as part of the ACC-Big 10 challenge and defeating the Yellow Jackets on the road will be very difficult. Northwestern is the superior team, but playing at Georgia Tech will narrow the gap. The Yellow Jackets look like a borderline tournament team, but they could scare the Wildcats on their home floor.

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