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Hoyas know Big East tournament title is the only way to Madness Hoyas know Big East tournament title is the only way to Madness
(about 11 hours later)
Most years, the Georgetown men’s basketball team looks to the Big East tournament as its final opportunity to draw more favorable seeding in the NCAA tournament. This time around, the Hoyas arrive at Madison Square Garden knowing the only way to salvage their season is to win the championship.Most years, the Georgetown men’s basketball team looks to the Big East tournament as its final opportunity to draw more favorable seeding in the NCAA tournament. This time around, the Hoyas arrive at Madison Square Garden knowing the only way to salvage their season is to win the championship.
Losing nine of its final 10 games in the regular season has left Georgetown (14-17) not even remotely in the conversation for an NCAA tournament bid, and barring an improbable run to claim the Big East title — it would require winning four games in as many days — the Hoyas are ensured of finishing below .500 for the first time under Coach John Thompson III. Their 17 losses are the program’s most in a season since finishing 3-23 in 1971-72.Losing nine of its final 10 games in the regular season has left Georgetown (14-17) not even remotely in the conversation for an NCAA tournament bid, and barring an improbable run to claim the Big East title — it would require winning four games in as many days — the Hoyas are ensured of finishing below .500 for the first time under Coach John Thompson III. Their 17 losses are the program’s most in a season since finishing 3-23 in 1971-72.
[Feinstein: There won’t — and shouldn’t — be coaching change at Georgetown][Feinstein: There won’t — and shouldn’t — be coaching change at Georgetown]
“A lot of anxiety,” said Hoyas senior guard D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera, named to the Big East second team on Monday. “Just ready to get going.”“A lot of anxiety,” said Hoyas senior guard D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera, named to the Big East second team on Monday. “Just ready to get going.”
Eighth-seeded Georgetown will open the Big East tournament on Wednesday night against No. 9 seed DePaul (9-21). The Hoyas swept the regular season series this year, but DePaul bounced Georgetown from the Big East tournament, 56-50, in the first round in 2014. That loss in large part kept the Hoyas from securing an NCAA tournament bid. Eighth-seeded Georgetown will open the Big East tournament on Wednesday night against No. 9 seed DePaul (9-21). The Hoyas swept the regular season series this year, but DePaul bounced Georgetown from the Big East tournament, 60-56, in the first round in 2014. That loss in large part kept the Hoyas from securing an NCAA tournament bid.
If the Hoyas beat DePaul in the first round, a matchup against top-seeded Villanova awaits on Thursday afternoon. Villanova most recently beat Georgetown, 84-71, this past Saturday in a game in which the third-ranked Wildcats led by as many as 24 points in the second half. If the Hoyas beat DePaul in the first round, a matchup against top-seeded Villanova awaits on Thursday afternoon. Villanova most recently beat Georgetown, 84-71, this past Saturday in a game in which the third-ranked Wildcats led by 24 points in the second half.
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Villanova comes into the Big East tournament seeking a No. 1 seed when the NCAA tournament’s field of 68 is announced on Sunday. The Wildcats (27-4) entered Tuesday ranked third in the Ratings Percentage Index, which the NCAA selection committee uses to help determine at-large berths and tournament seeding. Villanova comes into the Big East tournament seeking a No. 1 seed when the NCAA tournament’s field of 68 is announced on Sunday. The Wildcats (27-4) entered Tuesday ranked third in the Rating Percentage Index, which the NCAA selection committee uses to help determine at-large berths and tournament seeding.
Xavier is the No. 2 seed in the Big East tournament and also has its sights on a possible top seed in the NCAAs. The Musketeers (26-4), who finished two games behind Villanova in the Big East during the regular season, were No. 6 in RPI.Xavier is the No. 2 seed in the Big East tournament and also has its sights on a possible top seed in the NCAAs. The Musketeers (26-4), who finished two games behind Villanova in the Big East during the regular season, were No. 6 in RPI.
The Big East appears on track to have at five teams reach the NCAA tournament for a second straight season, with Seton Hall, Providence and Butler also within the RPI top 50. Last year, Villanova, Georgetown, Providence, Xavier, Butler and St. John’s earned NCAA tournament bids. The Big East appears on track to have at least five teams reach the NCAA tournament for a second straight season, with Seton Hall, Providence and Butler also within the RPI top 50. Last year, Villanova, Georgetown, Providence, Xavier, Butler and St. John’s earned NCAA tournament bids.
[Latest updates from the NCAA tournament bubble][Latest updates from the NCAA tournament bubble]
“For our guys, they absolutely love competing at Madison Square Garden,” Musketeers Coach Chris Mack said. “It’s an incredible experience for a student-athlete to be in that arena. Heck, the Beatles played there. It’s where Jordan had some of his best games. It’s just a really cool experience. New York City, I mean obviously it’s electric.”“For our guys, they absolutely love competing at Madison Square Garden,” Musketeers Coach Chris Mack said. “It’s an incredible experience for a student-athlete to be in that arena. Heck, the Beatles played there. It’s where Jordan had some of his best games. It’s just a really cool experience. New York City, I mean obviously it’s electric.”
There’s not much in Georgetown’s recent performances in the Big East tournament to suggest the Hoyas may be poised to shock the field. They haven’t won more than one game in the Big East tournament since 2010, and their last championship came in 2007 when the Hoyas advanced to their only Final Four under Thompson. There’s not much in Georgetown’s recent performances in the Big East tournament to suggest the Hoyas may be poised to shock the field. They haven’t won more than one game in the Big East tournament since 2010, and their last championship came in 2007 when the Hoyas advanced to the Final Four .
This season Georgetown began backsliding with nonconference losses to mid-majors Radford and UNC Asheville, both at home. Early in the Big East schedule, a triumph against Xavier, then ranked No. 5, put the Hoyas back in the mix for an NCAA tournament berth, but four losses over the next five games all but extinguished those hopes. This season Georgetown began backsliding with nonconference losses to mid-majors Radford and UNC Asheville, both at home. Early in the Big East schedule, a triumph at Xavier, then ranked No. 5, put the Hoyas back in the mix for an NCAA tournament berth, but four losses over the next five games all but extinguished those hopes.
Excruciating losses became routine for the Hoyas in the closing week of the regular season, beginning with 90-87 in overtime to Butler in the final home game for Georgetown’s seniors. The Hoyas came back from a 16-point deficit to force the extra session, but Butler made four consecutive free throws down the stretch to seal the win, underscoring fouling issues that have plagued Georgetown all year. Excruciating losses became routine for the Hoyas in the closing week of the regular season, beginning with a 90-87 defeat in overtime to Butler in the final home game for Georgetown’s seniors. The Hoyas came back from a 16-point deficit to force the extra session, but Butler made four consecutive free throws down the stretch to seal the win, underscoring fouling issues that have plagued Georgetown all year.
In the penultimate regular season game at Marquette, the Hoyas led by a point following Smith-Rivera’s jumper with 5.3 seconds to play. But Georgetown allowed center Luke Fischer to get free to receive a pass covering the length of the court, and Smith-Rivera had little recourse but to foul. In the penultimate regular season game at Marquette, the Hoyas led by a point following Smith-Rivera’s jumper with 5.3 seconds to play. But Georgetown allowed Golden Eagles center Luke Fischer to get free to receive a pass covering the length of the court, and Smith-Rivera had little recourse but to foul.
Fischer made both foul shots with 1.2 seconds to play, and Georgetown lost, 88-87, for the eighth time this season by five points or fewer. Marquette attempted 22 free throws, including 14 in the second half. Georgetown, which shot 11 free throws overall, is ranked 340th out of 346 Division I teams in personal fouls committed per game (23.0). Fischer made both foul shots with 1.2 seconds to play, and Georgetown lost, 88-87, for the eighth time this season by five points or fewer. Marquette attempted 22 free throws, including 14 in the second half. Georgetown, which shot just 11 free throws, is ranked 340th out of 346 Division I teams in personal fouls committed per game (23.0).
“One part of the year is behind us, and a new part of the year is starting,” Thompson said on Monday afternoon shortly before the team departed for Manhattan. “We have to learn a lot of lessons from the first part of the year, but we’re ready to get this second part of the season going.”“One part of the year is behind us, and a new part of the year is starting,” Thompson said on Monday afternoon shortly before the team departed for Manhattan. “We have to learn a lot of lessons from the first part of the year, but we’re ready to get this second part of the season going.”