Lot of good articles in the AJC on the game and the team today.
If you haven't listened to it Pastner's post game audio for this game is fantastic.
He made his case for the NCAA
He thanked the media who came out to cover the team every game.
He mentioned that after the NC ST game last week he felt they looked tired so he changed the schedule for this game, with just a light walk through, no film study. He thought it helped last night.
also mentioned he made sure to get the guys a few minutes rest, even mentioned he took a TO just so Okogie could rest for a minute because he knew he was tired and Pastner was not going to take him out of the game later.
Mentioned how great the fans and the students were and how he wants it to be the hardest arena in the ACC to play in.
Mentioned again he learned this season how important a good team is rather than good individuals.
Gave alot of credit to the players and to his assts (who he said he hired a great staff).
“The crowd’s been great,” Pastner said. “I think what it shows is what the city, people at Georgia Tech, fans – they appreciate teams that move the ball and play hard and give a great effort. I think Georgia Tech’s all about being a blue-collar work ethic type of school. And we’re not ranked, we’re not in position to win the regular season of the ACC, but for people to keep coming like they’re doing, in year one of a rebuild, it says a lot. And the fans that helped us so much to win us games, and I really hope this ending, people will really get on board next year.”
From Ken,
Lammers played one of his better offensive games of the second half of the ACC schedule, when his heavy minutes have likely sapped his energy level. He scored 20 points on 8-for-13 shooting and was 4-for-4 from the free-throw line. His efficiency was aided by having more uncontested shots than he has been getting of late, either by gaining excellent post position or by being set up with effective passes. Five of his eight baskets were assisted.
He hit a jumper from near the elbow that broke a 44-all tie with 5:41 to play, a score noteworthy because he has been struggling of late with his jump shot.
“It felt pretty good to finally see that go in,” he said. “My legs are getting a little tired – it’s the end of the season – but I’ve started to learn to adjust. I actually bend my knees more than normal, so hopefully I can continue making those shots in the future.”
It may have helped that he played 35 minutes, which for him is practically a night off. In Tech’s previous five games, he had played 197 out of a possible 200 minutes. Pastner gave backup Sylvester Ogbonda five minutes, three more than he had played in the previous five games combined.
Announced last and accorded the loudest ovation, Stephens was off his game in the first half, finishing with five points on 2-for-7 shooting with no rebounds. Pastner said he challenged Stephens at halftime, telling him that he would be sick to his stomach years down the road if he continued to play like that in his final home game.
In the second half, Stephens came up with four points, six rebounds and three assists to help bring the Jackets home. He made an off-balance layup with 4:53 to play that gave Tech a 48-47 lead that it never relinquished.
“Boy, did he come through for us that second half,” Pastner said.