Georgia Tech Head Coach Josh Pastner Quotes
Syracuse Men’s Basketball
Syracuse vs. Georgia Tech
Saturday, January 12, 2019
Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.
Georgia Tech Head Coach Josh Pastner
Can you speak on the impact the teams defense had on tonight’s outcome?
“First off, coming and playing Syracuse and Coach Boeheim, one of the greatest coaches regardless of sport, so we knew we were going to have to play an incredible game. The only way to survive was through our defense. In my first year at Georgia Tech we were an elite defensive team. Last year we were very young, not as solid, but this year we’re back to being at the level of a really good defensive team, trying to lead towards the possibility of great but right now we’re a very good defensive team. That’s our only way of survivability. Because we have a lot of limitations, the thing that we can control is our defense and that’s what we do, and that’s what we are. I love our team; our team gives every ounce of energy.
“We’ve had two great true road wins. At Arkansas and now at Syracuse; that is nearly impossible to do. When you’re trying to climb and crawl and scrap up the ladder of this league. Besides the NBA, this is the best basketball league in the country. For me to be able to coach against Coach Boeheim, who we all know is one of the greatest coaches - not just in basketball but in the history of sports - is quite an honor.”
What was the reason behind driving so much?
“They have some really good talent and players. We are active defensively and do a good job in regards to energy. Our way to survive in basketball is to be energy givers. We have to have a toughness about us and that’s got to be multiple efforts. We did a nice job of that today. I think we rattled their cages a little; maybe they were thinking about Duke Monday. For us to win the game we were going to have to be near perfect and I have to give our guys credit.
How have you seen this team improve?
“I want to give our guys full credit, they have been outstanding. I love our team. Our team has gotten better, and better, and better and has continued to improve. To have two road wins, at Arkansas and now at Syracuse, that’s so hard to do. We’re trying to climb, crawl, kick, right, and rise up that ACC ladder in any way possible.”
How were you able to clog Syracuse inside while also still blocking their shooters?
“We played hard. That’s part of the multiple effort team. The only way for us to survive in the ACC is through defense. I talk about motor all the time…motor, motor, motor, and to play defense you must have a motor. “
Syracuse vs. Georgia Tech
Saturday, January 12, 2019
Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.
Georgia Tech Head Coach Josh Pastner
Can you speak on the impact the teams defense had on tonight’s outcome?
“First off, coming and playing Syracuse and Coach Boeheim, one of the greatest coaches regardless of sport, so we knew we were going to have to play an incredible game. The only way to survive was through our defense. In my first year at Georgia Tech we were an elite defensive team. Last year we were very young, not as solid, but this year we’re back to being at the level of a really good defensive team, trying to lead towards the possibility of great but right now we’re a very good defensive team. That’s our only way of survivability. Because we have a lot of limitations, the thing that we can control is our defense and that’s what we do, and that’s what we are. I love our team; our team gives every ounce of energy.
“We’ve had two great true road wins. At Arkansas and now at Syracuse; that is nearly impossible to do. When you’re trying to climb and crawl and scrap up the ladder of this league. Besides the NBA, this is the best basketball league in the country. For me to be able to coach against Coach Boeheim, who we all know is one of the greatest coaches - not just in basketball but in the history of sports - is quite an honor.”
What was the reason behind driving so much?
“They have some really good talent and players. We are active defensively and do a good job in regards to energy. Our way to survive in basketball is to be energy givers. We have to have a toughness about us and that’s got to be multiple efforts. We did a nice job of that today. I think we rattled their cages a little; maybe they were thinking about Duke Monday. For us to win the game we were going to have to be near perfect and I have to give our guys credit.
How have you seen this team improve?
“I want to give our guys full credit, they have been outstanding. I love our team. Our team has gotten better, and better, and better and has continued to improve. To have two road wins, at Arkansas and now at Syracuse, that’s so hard to do. We’re trying to climb, crawl, kick, right, and rise up that ACC ladder in any way possible.”
How were you able to clog Syracuse inside while also still blocking their shooters?
“We played hard. That’s part of the multiple effort team. The only way for us to survive in the ACC is through defense. I talk about motor all the time…motor, motor, motor, and to play defense you must have a motor. “
