Good evening, Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) fans.
On occasion, I step out of the ACC on the blog to talk about the Georgetown University Men’s Basketball team (I’m a Georgetown alumnus so I do check out the Hoyas once in a while).
Earlier this week, Georgetown experienced one of their worst losses in 40 years (the Hoyas had never lost at DePaul in Big East play). I raked the Hoyas over the coals here.
I don’t want to be that that guy that just hammers Georgetown when they lose – and today, the Hoyas picked up Patrick Ewing’s biggest road win of his college coaching career. The guys over at @CasualHoya have a nice recap here.
The thing I was most impressed about today with Georgetown is that (and maybe this is due to the youth aspect of the team) the young players completely got the DePaul game out of their minds. Moreover, the game got close in the last few minutes – and the Hoyas did not fade – they found a way to win.
James Akinjo and Mac McClung (has father played football at Virginia Tech) scored 23 and 25 points, respectively (Marquette had no answer for their slashing drives to the hoop).
This win – if you can believe it – actually puts the Hoyas back on the NCAA tournament bubble. So Georgetown has a lot to play for in the Big East tournament – which is going to be crazy competitive.
Ewing’s program – in my mind – is a year ahead if Hoyas make the NCAA tournament. I did not expect to see the Georgetown in the NCAA tournament in Ewing Year 2.
This still may not happen, but it really gives fans some glimpses of hope for the future because Georgetown returns much of its roster next year. For example:
- Both Mac McClung and Jame Akinjo, two outstanding guards, will only sophomores. The Hoyas might have the best pair of returning guards in the Big East.
- NC State transfer, Omer Yurtseven, is eligible to play for the Hoyas. Many thought Yurtseven was going to go pro when he left NC State. As Yurtseven is eligible to play, the Hoyas can compensate for the loss of Jessie Govan to graduation. And maybe more than compensate – Yurtseven is a complete player on the offensive end, but needs to improve his defense.
- The Hoyas also return many starters and reserves who got significant playing time. A year in the weight room is going to help Josh LeBlanc and Jamorko Pickett. Reserve guards, Jahvon Blair and Jagan Mosely, will we able to spell both Akinjo and McClung, and maintain Ewing’s preferred uptempo basketball (which is a far cry from John Thompson III’s Princeton offense).
- The recruits coming into the program are very solid (Patrick had to upgrade the talent on Hilltop – and he’s done so) – Qudus Wahab, Malcom Wilson, and Timothy Igohoefe will all be able to help the program right way.
This might be one of the Big East’s best returning group of players – and the best thing is that they all won’t be freshmen – these Hoyas have experience.
Hoya Saxa!! On to the Big East Tournament!!
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