ATLANTA -- Josh Pastner has never been part of a losing season. Not as a player. Not as an assistant coach. Not as a head coach.He knows, in all likelihood, thats going to change.The former Memphis coach opened practice Monday with his new team, leading a Georgia Tech program that hasnt made the NCAA tournament since 2010 and lost nearly all of its scoring punch from Brian Gregorys final season.Pastner bluntly assessed the challenge he faces in his first year with the Yellow Jackets.Its a startup company. Theyve hit the reset button, Pastner said. Basically, start from ground zero and try to build it back up, and knowing that its going to take some time to do that. They didnt make that decision saying weve got to try to win right now, that its make or break this year. Its like, `Hey, were just kind of completely blowing it up and starting over.With his job on the line, Gregory went all in with a team built around seniors and graduate transfers. It didnt work; Gregory was fired after the Yellow Jackets only managed to qualify for the NIT.The 39-year-old Pastner was lured away from Memphis, where he was under a bit of heat after missing the NCAA tournament the last two seasons. He takes over a depleted roster that lost five players who combined to average 55.8 points and 25.6 rebounds per game last season.Georgia Techs top returning scorer is senior Quinton Stephens, who averaged 6.0 points a game. The squad is filled out by three freshmen, a redshirt freshman, a sophomore who redshirted last season and two graduate transfers.We shouldnt be judged on wins and losses, Pastner said. I think whats got to be looked at: Do we get better from day one to the last day? There might be some days when you just cant look at the scoreboard.The players realize what theyre up against.Its kind of like you have nothing to lose. Might as well go out there and give it your all, said junior center Ben Lammers, who will certainly be expected to improve on his averages (1.2 points, 1.5 rebounds) from last season. Theres no pressure on us. Obviously, well have a big chip on our shoulder going into most of our games. Well use that to our advantage, definitely.The Yellow Jackets have only two players who started at least 10 games last season: senior guard Josh Heath and senior forward Quinton Stephens. The new coaching staff is counting on them to help the tone that others will follow in the seasons to come, an important steppingstone even though they are unlikely to reap the benefits.My role will be to lead the team and really bring a fire to Georgia Tech. Were building a culture here, really establishing that culture, Stephens said. Weve already got some commits (for next season) and theyre going to be able to bring something to the table. I just want to build that standard, and it can only grow from there.Pastner is a top-notch recruiter, and he knows thats the only way to build a consistent winning program at Georgia Tech.Weve got to get a couple of studs to change the complexion, he said. The great thing in basketball is you only need two or three studs.Like so many others, he sees Georgia Tech as having all the elements needed to be a consistent national contender. There are state-of-the-art facilities, its location in the heart of a major urban area, and plenty of tradition and weight that comes with being a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference.For some reason, the Yellow Jackets havent been able to take advantage.People bring that up. Theyre like, `Man, you should be able to build a national powerhouse there, Pastner said. Theres great potential here. But potential is a scary word, too. And hope doesnt win you games, either. But were doing everything we can. Its just going to take a little time.---Follow Paul Newberry on Twitter at www.twitter.com/pnewberry1963 . His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/paul-newberry . Clearance LeBron James Shoes . PETERSBURG, Fla. Wholesale LeBron James Shoes . Now tied for second in the league in shootout goals, the 24-year-old likes to see what the opposing goaltender has in store before he ultimately lands on a move. https://www.cheapshoeslebronjames.com/ . Ancelotti says Ronaldo has recovered from a hamstring injury but "but he doesnt feel comfortable yet so we wont risk him." Madrid is third in the Spanish league, six points behind leader Barcelona, going into Saturdays game against Valladolid. LeBron James Shoes From China . "It was nerve-wracking, but we pulled through," said Collaros, who threw four touchdown passes to lead the Toronto Argonauts (8-4) to a 33-27 win over the Calgary Stampeders (9-3) in front of 28,781 fans at McMahon Stadium. Cheap LeBron James Shoes . Canada is now down to its 22-player limit, although but players wont be registered until Christmas Day. Changes could still be made as a result of a suspension or injury. LONDON -- Hot dogs, cheerleaders, tailgates, touchdowns and the most remarkable pick-six -- Twickenham had never experienced anything quite like Sundays inaugural NFL game at the famous old rugby stadium.For 107 years Twickenham had only played host to one sport. But that pureness was shattered by the biggest sporting show in town as the hosts Los Angeles Rams fell to the New York Giants. It was gridiron on rugbys hallowed turf, but on-field, it was the perfect marriage.On Sunday morning walking around south west London, shirts adorned with Eli Mannings No. 10 and Odell Beckham Jr.s No. 13 were seen in cafes, bars and on train platforms, with all heading toward this corner of the capital. While for so long NFL has been a Wembley experience -- Manning played in the first game back in 2007 -- the horizons have now been expanded to Twickenham with this the first of three games there.Its great to be back, Manning said. The experience was smoother this time, with all the logistics. Being here at Twickenham, its a great facility, stadium and the fans were wonderful. I think they had a better understanding of the game than back in 2007. It was a great environment to play in.It was not without its logistical difficulties -- the train network was stretched by the 74,121 who journeyed to Twickenham, bringing back memories of the Rugby World Cup where it was similarly tested. In many ways Sundays game rekindled recollections of last year when the rugby-focused world had attention solely trained on Twickenham and the tailgate party was a similar experience of sporting joy and anticipation.Supporters adorned shirts from all 32 NFL franchises, while legendary players past and present featured on the back of shirts pristine and well-worn. They waited patiently in the long queues for bars and to get into the tailgate party -- something which needs to be addressed ahead of next years match -- but the feeling of excitement, the impending experience of something alien to these shores yet so popular meant there was a palpable enthusiasm on the cool, autumnal air.It took us a while to get in, said Geoff, a Dolphins fan of 20 years experiencing his first London NFL match. But its a small thing to get through when you have this to look forward to. To watch this with my son is a special thing.Figures from other sports featured in the match coverage with Bayern Munichs David Alaba pitchside as was Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew whose take on the match was: Its so different, its almost like its a foreign sport.For rugby aficionados -- those who have spent their Novembers, Februaries and Marches paying their annual pilgrimage to Twickenham to take in the traditional west car park, singing Swing, Low and then assessing Englands triumph or failings back in the comfort of over-crowded pubs complete with plastic pint glasses -- this may have felt like sacrilege to see NFL here.But at intertwined within this games DNA was an appreciation for where it was being played. World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson was introduced to the crowd, complete with a version of Land of Hope and Glory, and received a cheer to rival Beckham. Then current England players James Haskell, Anthony Watson and Jonathan Joseph received similar treatment.The week running up to the match saw players from the Rams asked about their rugby knowledge while their punter Johnny Heckler was given a kicking clinic from Danny Cipriani at Englands team base Pennyhill Park which had been completely taken over by the Los Angeles franchise for the week.ddddddddddddSuch nods to Twickenhams history may become less frequent as this match becomes more ingrained in the annual programme. Other than the various rugby cameos, this was a grand, NFL occasion.Twickenham had been completely taken over for the occasion with the various megastores switched entirely to NFL merchandise. The various pre and mid-match entertainment saw Craig David ditch his usual routine of chilling on a Sunday to perform the pre-game show with Nicole Scherzinger singing the U.S. anthem. Mid-match cheerleaders patrolled the outskirts of the field while t-shirts were fired into the crowd by the Pepsi Girls.Within the bowl -- coined Twicker-bowl -- the pitch was pristine with various tweaks made to the old stadium to ensure no supporter would have a bad sight line and the teams had every luxury theyd be used to back stateside.The on-field interest seemed to peak around the Giants wide-receiver Beckham and for the week running up to Sundays game, social media was predominantly awash with three letters OBJ rather than NFL. Having nursed a hip injury during the week, it was touch and go to whether he would be fit but, in his own words, God gave me the strength to get through it. He failed to get on the score sheet, but whenever he caught the ball, the old stadium erupted.I love London and the atmosphere was great, Beckham Jr said. Hopefully well be back here next year.Rather than Beckham it was Rams wide receiver Tavon Austin who had the honour of the first touchdown at Twickenham while Giants Landon Collins scored his first career touchdown here in London after a remarkable 44-yard pick-six.I caught the ball and when I looked up I saw a lot of blue and saw my guys on the left so I headed for them, Collins said. The last time I scored a touchdown was in College so it feels fantastic to get my first one today. Ill never forget it.But in the fourth quarter, the Giants started finding their rhythm. Collins turnover and Beckhams 22-yard pick-up incrementally increased the volume from the stands with Rashad Jennings touchdown triggering high-fives aplenty. It felt like the moment the sport truly arrived at Twickenham.There was a lot of energy out there, Giants head coach Ben McAdoo said after the game. The field was great but the energy from the stands really helped us.Now comes the question over what happens next in this corner of London. Roger Goodell, NFL commissioner, said during the fourth quarter on the BBC he expects to see more games here and, while continuing to learn from series on series, was pleasantly shocked by just how many families had come along. Its what he sees as a continuing development of a position of strength in this part of the world.For Twickenham this was a brave new world but it looked to be a comfortable, reciprocal marriage. Like Goodell said organisers will learn from this but they have a wonderful platform to build on. Expect to see it bigger and better next year. ' ' '
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