The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Staying steady while sliding
As losing streak hits 5, Pastner still confident Tech will grow better.
SOUTH BEND, IND. — After his team’s 69-59 loss to Notre Dame on Sunday, Georgia Tech coach Josh Pastner acknowledged building frustration, with the Yellow Jackets having lost five games in a row and ranking last in the ACC in scoring, 3-point shooting and turnovers.
He also expressed confidence that better days are ahead.
“The goal is to get to the NCAA tournament and to have a championship-level program, not just a one-year (appearance), but where it’s continuous,” Pastner said. “And I still believe in getting old and staying old, and it’s going to happen, and I’m not wavering one bit that we’re going to get there.”
Pastner has repeatedly said his plan is for Tech to be in the NCAA tournament by his fifth season. In year three, the Jackets are 11-13 overall, 3-8 in the ACC. A second sub-.500 record in a row seems quite plausible.
His “get old and stay old” plan centers around developing players such as sophomore point guard Jose Alvarado and freshman guard Michael Devoe and then winning with them when they’re juniors and seniors. Sunday against Notre Dame, 127 of the 200 minutes were played by freshmen or sophomores.
In losing five in a row, the Jack-
ets have shot 19 for 72 from 3-point range and averaged 15.8 turnovers per game.
“I want to win worse than anything,” Pastner said. But he said he believed the team will turn around and pointed to defensive play. While the Jackets rank 283rd in Division I in offensive efficiency (KenPom), they’re also 12th in defensive efficiency. Pastner said the Jackets’ defensive play is its foundation, as defense is more effortbased and can be effective even without elite players.
“We are a great defensive team,” he said. “The numbers say it. We defend, we give ourselves a chance every game, and defense is about effort and toughness. Offense is going to come through talent and athleticism and skill, and we’re going to continue to get better in that and player development and through recruiting. But it’s going to happen.”