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March can be madness if you’re on the outside looking in. Just ask Georgetown. March can be madness if you’re on the outside looking in. Just ask Georgetown.
(about 4 hours later)
It took Georgetown Coach John Thompson III just under an hour to emerge from his locker room inside Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center on Saturday to meet with the media.It took Georgetown Coach John Thompson III just under an hour to emerge from his locker room inside Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center on Saturday to meet with the media.
Perhaps he was hoping if he waited long enough, everyone would give up and go home. Sadly, he had no such luck, although there was very little for him to say after his team had been beaten easily by Villanova, 84-71, in a game that wasn’t really even that close. Perhaps he was hoping if he waited long enough, everyone would give up and go home. Sadly, he had no such luck, although there was little for him to say after his team had been beaten easily by Villanova, 84-71, in a game that wasn’t really even that close.
The loss was the sixth straight for the Hoyas and the ninth loss in their past 10 games. A season that once held hope for an NCAA tournament bid has now spiraled to a 14-17 record, meaning that only a miracle four-game run in New York this week will allow them to play in the postseason.The loss was the sixth straight for the Hoyas and the ninth loss in their past 10 games. A season that once held hope for an NCAA tournament bid has now spiraled to a 14-17 record, meaning that only a miracle four-game run in New York this week will allow them to play in the postseason.
Perhaps because the season went so far south so fast, there are some whisperings that Georgetown should consider a coaching change. It’s not going to happen, in part because the specter of John Thompson Jr. still looms so large — literally and figuratively over the Georgetown campus — but also because it shouldn’t.Perhaps because the season went so far south so fast, there are some whisperings that Georgetown should consider a coaching change. It’s not going to happen, in part because the specter of John Thompson Jr. still looms so large — literally and figuratively over the Georgetown campus — but also because it shouldn’t.
[Bracketology: How the 2016 NCAA tournament field looks right now][Bracketology: How the 2016 NCAA tournament field looks right now]
Georgetown fans are frustrated — understandably — by the Hoyas’ lack of postseason success since their run to the Final Four in 2007. At that point in time, Thompson had an NCAA tournament record of 6-2 in three seasons at the school and it wasn’t crazy to think he could at least land in the same paragraph in the Georgetown pantheon as his Hall of Fame father. Georgetown fans are frustrated — understandably — by the Hoyas’ lack of postseason success since their run to the Final Four in 2007. At that point in time, Thompson had an NCAA tournament record of 6-2 in three seasons at the school, and it wasn’t crazy to think he could at least land in the same paragraph in the Georgetown pantheon as his Hall of Fame father.
Since then, the Hoyas have made it to the tournament six more times — meaning Thompson has taken them to the only tournament that matters at the big-time level, eight times in 12 seasons — counting this season as a miss. But the Hoyas haven’t made it out of the first weekend since ’07 and are 3-6 overall in the NCAAs, including some embarrassing losses to double-digit seeds. To be fair, one of them, VCU, went from the First Four to the Final Four in 2011. Since then, the Hoyas have made it to the tournament six more times — meaning Thompson has taken them to the only tournament that matters at the big-time level, eight times in 12 seasons — counting this season as a miss. But the Hoyas haven’t made it out of the first weekend since 2007 and are 3-6 overall in the NCAAs, including some embarrassing losses to double-digit seeds. To be fair, one of them, VCU, went from the First Four to the Final Four in 2011.
This season has been painful. Losses at home in pre-conference play to Radford, Monmouth and UNC Asheville were embarrassing — even though Monmouth has several big-time wins on its résumé. A good start in Big East play, mostly against the bottom of the league, was punctuated by a huge win at Xavier. This season has been painful. Losses at home in nonconference play to Radford, Monmouth and North Carolina Asheville were embarrassing — even though Monmouth has several big-time wins on its résumé. A good start in Big East play, mostly against the bottom of the league, was punctuated by a huge win at Xavier.
But that was the last good moment. Center Bradley Hayes went down six games ago and the Hoyas haven’t won since. Hayes is a nice player, a senior, and his absence is a loss. But no one has ever mistaken him for Patrick Ewing or Alonzo Mourning or, for that matter, Roy Hibbert. But that was the last good moment. Center Bradley Hayes went down six games ago, and the Hoyas haven’t won since. Hayes is a nice player, a senior, and his absence is a loss. But no one has ever mistaken him for Patrick Ewing or Alonzo Mourning or, for that matter, Roy Hibbert.
Memories of greatness create expectations — sometimes unfair expectations. Certainly though, it is not unfair to expect Georgetown to be better than this team has been with a standout senior point guard (D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera) and a senior starting at center for the first 25 games.Memories of greatness create expectations — sometimes unfair expectations. Certainly though, it is not unfair to expect Georgetown to be better than this team has been with a standout senior point guard (D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera) and a senior starting at center for the first 25 games.
There’s some hope in talented sophomores such as L.J. Peak and Isaac Copeland, but no one will be picking the Hoyas second in the Big East in preseason next fall — which is where they were picked this past November.There’s some hope in talented sophomores such as L.J. Peak and Isaac Copeland, but no one will be picking the Hoyas second in the Big East in preseason next fall — which is where they were picked this past November.
Thompson’s 12-year record is too good to consider making a coaching change but, in today’s college hoops world, if his name was Smith or Jones, he’d probably be in trouble . As it is, if the Hoyas don’t show marked improvement next winter, it probably won’t matter what his first or last name is, it will likely be proceeded by the title, “former Georgetown coach.” Thompson’s 12-year record is too good to consider making a coaching change, but in today’s college hoops world, if his name was Smith or Jones, he probably would be in trouble . As it is, if the Hoyas don’t show marked improvement next winter, it probably won’t matter what his first or last name is; it will likely be proceeded by the title, “former Georgetown coach.”
As for the rest of the extended D.C. area, the only teams that are a lock to see their names go up on the board on Selection Sunday are Maryland and Virginia, although VCU should be there too barring a complete collapse in the Atlantic 10 tournament (possible, but not likely) or a complete screw-up by the basketball committee (ALWAYS possible). As for the rest of the extended D.C. area, the only teams that are a lock to see their names go up on the board on Selection Sunday are Maryland and Virginia, although VCU should be there too barring a complete collapse in the Atlantic 10 tournament (possible but not likely) or a complete screw-up by the basketball committee (always possible).
In College Park, this is not a season where making it to the 68 or for that matter the 16s or even the 8s is the goal. In College Park, this is not a season in which making it to the 68 or for that matter the 16s or even the 8s is the goal.
This was a season that started with some people picking the Terrapins to cut down the nets in Houston. In fact, Maryland has been ranked as high as No. 2 this winter.This was a season that started with some people picking the Terrapins to cut down the nets in Houston. In fact, Maryland has been ranked as high as No. 2 this winter.
Now though, Mark Turgeon’s team will limp into the Big Ten tournament having lost four of six, including Sunday’s trouncing at Indiana. If they reach the final, they could still sneak into a No. 2 seed, more likely a No. 3. Anything short of that could drop them to a No. 4. Now though, Mark Turgeon’s team will limp into the Big Ten tournament having lost four of six, including Sunday’s trouncing at Indiana. If they reach the final, they could still sneak into a No. 2 seed, more likely a No. 3. Anything short of that could leave them with a No. 4.
[Maryland falls to Indiana in regular season finale, 80-62][Maryland falls to Indiana in regular season finale, 80-62]
While it is tough to call a 24-7 team disappointing, that’s what the Terrapins have been for much of the season. They can still right the ship and make the run everyone expected but there’s no more time left for half-hearted efforts like the one in Bloomington. While it is tough to call a 24-7 team disappointing, that’s what the Terrapins have been for much of the season. They can still right the ship and make the run everyone expected, but there’s no more time left for half-hearted efforts like the one in Bloomington.
Virginia (24-6) could still be a No. 1 seed if the Cavaliers win the ACC tournament. Unlike last season, when they were great early but never quite the same after Justin Anderson’s injury, they have improved markedly in the past six weeks. Since a loss at Florida State in mid-January, they have gone 11-2 and the only losses were at Duke (by one) and at Miami (by three). Virginia (24-6) could still be a No. 1 seed if the Cavaliers win the ACC tournament. Unlike last season, when they were great early but never quite the same after Justin Anderson’s injury, they have improved markedly in the past six weeks. Since a loss at Florida State in mid-January, they have gone 11-2, and the only losses were at Duke (by one) and at Miami (by three).
Malcolm Brogdon won both the ACC player of the year and ACC defensive player of the year awards Sunday, which is just as Coach Tony Bennett would want it: his team’s identity is its defense and Brogdon’s defense is every bit as important to the Cavaliers as his offense. The Cavaliers have now won 84 games — and counting — the past three seasons. They have the experience and the talent to make a deep tournament run. Malcolm Brogdon won both the ACC player of the year and ACC defensive player of the year awards Sunday, which is just as Coach Tony Bennett would want it: His team’s identity is its defense, and Brogdon’s defense is every bit as important to the Cavaliers as his offense. The Cavaliers have won 84 games — and counting — the past three seasons. They have the experience and the talent to make a deep tournament run.
VCU (22-9) finished in a three-way tie for first in the Atlantic 10, which may be the most underrated conference in the country. The league should get at least four bids, perhaps even five, but because the committee relies so heavily on computerized numbers, might get as few as three. VCU (22-9) finished in a three-way tie for first in the Atlantic 10, which may be the most underrated conference in the country. The league should get at least four bids, perhaps even five, but because the committee relies so heavily on computerized numbers, it might get as few as three.
That should still mean the Rams get in, although what makes Coach Will Wade a little nervous are two bad losses — Massachusetts and George Mason — and the lack of a real signature win. VCU played some top teams early, but didn’t beat any of them. It has a number of good wins, but no great ones. A couple of wins in Brooklyn wouldn’t hurt. That should still mean the Rams get in, although what makes Coach Will Wade a little nervous are two bad losses — Massachusetts and George Mason — and the lack of a real signature win. VCU played some top teams early but didn’t beat any of them. It has a number of good wins but no great ones. A couple of wins in Brooklyn wouldn’t hurt.
George Washington probably needs at least three wins in Brooklyn if it wants to avoid a second straight trip to the NIT. The Colonials have two great wins — Virginia in November and at VCU in February — almost no one wins at Siegel Center. But they have sabotaged themselves with two awful losses, against DePaul and Saint Louis, and by failing to beat any of the good teams they’ve faced since the VCU win. George Washington probably needs at least three wins in Brooklyn if it wants to avoid a second straight trip to the NIT. The Colonials have two great wins — Virginia in November and at VCU in February — almost no one wins at Siegel Center. But they have sabotaged themselves with two awful losses against DePaul and Saint Louis and by failing to beat any of the good teams they’ve faced since the VCU win.
They are the fifth seed this week, meaning they will have to win three games just to reach the final and will probably have to go through Saint Joseph’s and Dayton to get there. GW is an experienced team, but Coach Mike Lonergan has been pleading with his players to be tougher in tight spots all season. Their next failure to finish will finish them. They are the fifth seed this week, meaning they will have to win three games just to reach the final and probably will have to go through Saint Joseph’s and Dayton to get there. GW is an experienced team, but Coach Mike Lonergan has been pleading with his players to be tougher in tight spots all season. Their next failure to finish will finish them.
Virginia Tech is, remarkably, the sixth seed in the ACC tournament after beating Miami on Saturday to finish 10-8 in league play, a remarkable turnaround by Buzz Williams’s team. Assuming the Hokies don’t win four games this week, they will play in the NIT. For some — see GW, VCU — that would be a major letdown. For Tech, it would be a major step forward. Virginia Tech is, remarkably, the sixth seed in the ACC tournament after beating Miami on Saturday to finish 10-8 in league play, a remarkable turnaround by Buzz Williams’s team. Assuming the Hokies don’t win four games this week, they will play in the NIT. For some — see GW, VCU — that would be a major letdown. For Virginia Tech, it would be a major step forward.
For more by John Feinstein, visit washingtonpost.com/feinstein.For more by John Feinstein, visit washingtonpost.com/feinstein.