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Georgia Tech: Headed to NIT Championship Game

By Matthew Brothers

Mar 28, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets head coach Josh Pastner directs his team against the Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners during the first half in the semifinals of the 2017 NIT Tournament at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 28, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets head coach Josh Pastner directs his team against the Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners during the first half in the semifinals of the 2017 NIT Tournament at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets will finish their season at Madison Square Garden competing for the NIT title.

All in all, it’s been a pretty successful first season under Josh Pastner for Georgia Tech. Without question, the goal was the NCAA tournament, but an NIT title wouldn’t be a bad consolation prize. These days, many individuals disregard the NIT as meaningless, but a title would go a long way into building for next season. These Jackets have beaten quality teams to get here and a win over TCU could cap a solid year for the program.

Georgia Tech beat a good Indiana team in the opener, followed by Belmont, Ole Miss, and Cal-State Bakersfield to get to the final. This momentum in postseason play, win or lose in the final, is very important for next season. This Tech team will gain important experience as the Jackets should have a few key returners. TCU, the four seed, is on a tear as well. The Horned Frogs beat the number one seed Iowa along with others to set this final matchup. As both teams come in hot, key guard play from TCU guard Alex Robinson and Josh Okogie will play a big factor.

Expectations for next season?

Mar 7, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets center Ben Lammers (44) and Pittsburgh Panthers forward Michael Young (2) fight for a rebound during the first half of an ACC Conference Tournament game at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets center Ben Lammers (44) and Pittsburgh Panthers forward Michael Young (2) fight for a rebound during the first half of an ACC Conference Tournament game at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Expectations for Georgia Tech basketball are already pretty high for next season. It’s a good bet Pastner will be able to improve this team further if the Jackets retain some key players. Josh Okogie, Ben Lammers, and Tadric Jackson are all non-seniors with big impact. If Tech can build off these three next year, their chances for an NCAA tournament bid are strong. However, a couple departures are also noteworthy. Seniors Josh Heath and Quinton Stephens are departing, leaving holes that need to be dealt with in the offseason. Tech has two solid four star recruits coming in and barring any transfers we should see a good team next year. This postseason NIT experience will go a long way. I’d wager we see the Jackets in the NCAA tournament next season.

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