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Georgia Tech Basketball: 2017-18 season preview for the Yellow Jackets

By Tristan Freeman

SYRACUSE, NY - MARCH 04: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets players celebrate following the game against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome on March 4, 2014 in Syracuse, New York. Georgia Tech defeated Syracuse 67-62. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NY - MARCH 04: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets players celebrate following the game against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome on March 4, 2014 in Syracuse, New York. Georgia Tech defeated Syracuse 67-62. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images) /
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SYRACUSE, NY – MARCH 04: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets players celebrate following the game against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome on March 4, 2014 in Syracuse, New York. Georgia Tech defeated Syracuse 67-62. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NY – MARCH 04: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets players celebrate following the game against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome on March 4, 2014 in Syracuse, New York. Georgia Tech defeated Syracuse 67-62. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images) /

Georgia Tech basketball greatly exceeded expectations last season under coach Josh Pastner. Will they be able to take the next step this season?

When Georgia Tech was looking for a new coach to replace Brian Gregory, the hiring of Josh Pastner raised eyebrows. It was viewed by many to be at best a lateral move from the previous era with a coach who failed to make Memphis a contender in the American Athletic Conference.

It wasn’t just the coaching staff that had fans worried, but the roster was considered one of, if not the worst, of the power-5 conferences. Add to it that the Atlantic Coast Conference as a whole was going to be as difficult as recent memory and things looked bleak for Yellow Jacket fans.

Georgia Tech, though, went on to win eight games in league play (eight more than some in the national media expected). Three of those eight wins came against top-15 opponents, including a victory against the eventual National Champion North Carolina Tar Heels.

The team was led by their defense, which was one of the best in the country. It made up for their offense, which was one of the worst in the country. That kind of imbalance led to some big upsets, but also some bad losses. There were unfortunately too many losses for the Yellow Jackets to go dancing. But they did make the best of the NIT, making a run to the finals before losing to TCU.

This season, Pastner and company will be looking to take the next step and go to the NCAA Tournament. The team will be returning their top three players, plus getting another role player back from an injury. Let’s take a look at the young men responsible for getting this team back to March Madness.

NOTE: In an exhibition game for charity against Georgia State, Okogie had his index finger dislocated. There’s currently no timetable for return but Pastner said he could be out for awhile. Key reserve Alston also suffered an MCL sprain and will likely miss some time as well. This will have a huge effect on at least the non-conference schedule.

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