NIT PREVIEW: Both Georgia Tech, CSU Bakersfield look to define their futures

NIT PREVIEW: Both Georgia Tech, CSU Bakersfield look to define their futures

Georgia Tech has a signature win in the 2016-2017 season and it was a biggie, against North Carolina, which is in the NCAA Final Four, but tonight’s game against Cal State University Bakersfield could be a win the Yellowjackets need to right themselves moving forward.

While the Yellowjackets hail from the elite Atlantic Coast Conference, Georgia Tech has had a rough go off it the last few years with near-bottom finishes in the conference and just two post-season appearances in the last six years — both in the NIT.

For CSUB a win against the Yellowjackets could set the heights even higher for the up and coming program and coach Rod Barnes.

“Our kids are really pumped up to be in this tournament,” Barnes said. “As I look at these programs this year, I started to say, once we made this trip , you know, what is Bakersfield doing here? Obviously being an eight seed, making history, it says something about our kids. A lot of times the coaches get credit but we have a bunch of kids that work extremely hard.”

The game tonight is at Madison Square Garden, but the exposure of a semifinal appearance in the National Invitational Tournament could go a long way for both programs that have their ultimate sights set on being back in the NCAA Tournament.

“Rod has done an incredible job of building that program,” said ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla, who was hosting Monday’s press conference.

The two teams are set to tip at 4 p.m. Pacific time, with the game being heard live on NEWSTALK 1180/96.1 KERN and seen live on ESPN.

Georgia Tech is led by first-year coach Josh Pastner, who previously led Memphis to four NCAA appearances, and is eager to get back to the program’s glory days, including a 2004 appearance in the NCAA championship, but they are not taking upstart CSUB lightly.

“To be here in New York, to play in Madison Square Garden, the Mecca of hoops, is special,” Pastner said. “Obviously to have the opportunity to play against coach Barnes and his team, as coach had said, his team may play the hardest of any team in the country. They are terrific and an elite defensive team.”

Defense has been CSUB’s strength, and they are going to need it against the Yellowjackets, who have beaten Indiana, Belmont and Ole Miss en route to the semifinals. The Yellowjackets lead the tournament in scoring margin, winning their games by an average of 11 points per game.

Like CSUB, the Yellowjackets are good defensively and have held their opponents to 62 points per game in the tournament. They also feature guard Josh Okogie, who is the tournament co-scoring leader with 21.7 points per

Latest Blogs

DA Zimmer On The Sentencing Of Trezell & Jacqueline West

DA Zimmer On The Sentencing Of Trezell & Jacqueline West

District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer stops by The Ralph Bailey Show to explain all the ins-and-outs of today’s sentencing of Trezell & Jacqueline West for the murder & abuse of their adopted sons Orrin & Orsen. Then Ralph dives into last night’s horrible GOP debate where none of the candidates made any significant push to catch…

Ralph Rips Republican Candidates For Horrific Showing At Last Night’s Debate

Ralph Rips Republican Candidates For Horrific Showing At Last Night’s Debate

The Ralph Bailey Show dissects last night’s GOP debate from the Reagan Library where absolutely none of the candidates had a good showing as they all constantly talked over one another & were fed awful questions by the media. Then Ralph briefly talks with listener Mario about what it’s going to take for Kevin McCarthy…

CVAF & Portrait of A Warrior Teaming Up For 4th Annual Socktober Clothes Drive

CVAF & Portrait of A Warrior Teaming Up For 4th Annual Socktober Clothes Drive

TRBS talks with Justina Howell of Portrait of A Warrior & Erik Martinez of California Veterans Assist Foundation about their upcoming Socktober clothes drive starting on October 1st where you can donate new and slightly warn socks, underwear, & other warm clothing to veterans & homeless that are in desperate need of help. KERN Radio…

President Biden Caught In Another Lie About Involvement In Son’s Business Dealings

President Biden Caught In Another Lie About Involvement In Son’s Business Dealings

TRBS shares new evidence from the investigations into business dealings of Hunter Biden that show his father, then Vice President, Joe Biden’s personal Wilmington address was used as a beneficiary address to $260,000 worth of transactions between the Biden home & Chinese businessman Jonathan Li. Then Head Football Coach of the Bakersfield College Renegade R.Todd…

Ralph Reluctant To Believe Biden Had No Personal Relationship With Jonathan Li

Ralph Reluctant To Believe Biden Had No Personal Relationship With Jonathan Li

TRBS Host Ralph Bailey shares his final thoughts on today’s top story as more evidence shared from Representative James Comer shows there is a clear personal relationship between Joe Biden & Chinese businessman Jonathan Li after Biden wrote a letter of recommendation for Li’s child to attend college in the United States. KERN Radio ·…