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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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DURHAM, NC – JANUARY 04: Head coach Josh Pastner of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets reacts 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)
DURHAM, NC – JANUARY 04: Head coach Josh Pastner of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets reacts 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) /

Expectations for the season

Before getting too far into this, these expectations are based on the assumption that Okogie is able to make a speedy recovery and return to form quickly.

There’s one word that will define this season for the Yellow Jackets: shooting. Poor shooting is what prevented Georgia Tech from making the tournament last season. The good news for the team is that they’re above-average or great at most of the other aspects of the game. They’ll also have an entire off-season to address their one glaring weakness.

The defense will be great and the three players responsible for that all come back. Lammers, Jackson, and Okogie will be one of the top trios in the ACC. They may not get the publicity as Duke, but will get the wins nonetheless.

The top three players are set, but who amongst the role players will step on a consistent basis alongside them? Will any of the freshmen have a surprise first year in a similar way to Okogie? If either of these questions has a positive answer, then the Yellow Jackets will be going to the NCAA Tournament.

Georgia Tech last participated in March Madness in 2010. The program overall hasn’t been nationally relevant since their title game run in 2004. Coach Pastner has started to change that, bringing excitement and even top-100 recruits. If the point guard question hasn’t been solved by next year, then top-100 2018 commit Michael Devoe may be that answer.

Next: Next step for Josh Okogie?

There’s solid momentum for Georgia Tech and it would be a shame if a regression comes next year. The overall schedule is easier than others, and the talent is there for a top-six finish in one of the hardest leagues in college basketball. Georgia Tech definitely has the potential to reach the NCAA Tournament if they remain healthy.

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