The 2019-2020 Georgetown Basketball season was tumultuous to say the least. Many fans came into the season with reasonable hopes that the addition of NC State transfer Omer Yurtseven to the already promising core headlined by Akinjo, LeBlanc, and McClung would be more than enough to secure the Hoyas a spot in the NCAA Tournament for the first time during the Ewing Era. But, as we’ve all come to expect in recent years, these hopes did not come to fruition.
Many people around the program view this season as a rebuilding year, with the Hoyas picked to finish dead last in the conference in the annual coaches poll. With a largely unproven roster facing a truncated non-conference schedule, don’t be surprised if this year’s record isn’t pretty.
Early on in his tenure, Ewing made it a point to schedule relatively weak non-conference games in order to build up both wins and confidence before Big East play. These scheduling decisions were widely criticized. In a normal season, a single loss against a Quad 3 or 4 team can be a season-wrecker if a team has a weak SOS metric. Last year’s slate was more balanced, and that trend will thankfully continue this season.
Note: As per D.C. guidelines, all home games will be played at McDonough Arena, and fans will not be permitted.
Wednesday 11/25 vs. UMBC
Wins might be hard to come by this year, but the Hoyas will begin the season with a relatively easy matchup and will be expected to beat UMBC in the opener. Georgetown won this matchup handily last season, coasting to an 81-55 victory at Capital One Arena. Blair, Pickett, and Wahab all finished in double figures in that game, and they should be able to build some confidence on the offensive end before facing stiffer competition. Still, Georgetown must set the tone early. UMBC has most of its core returning and is predicted to finish towards the top of the America East conference, despite their lack of depth. UMBC’s offensive attack will likely be led by PG Darnell Rogers, who garnered social media attention last season for his ability to finish around the rim at 5’2’’. Before suffering a season ending injury, Rogers averaged 14 points per game and shot over 40% from behind the arc. The Hoyas need to stay focused on limiting a scoring outburst from Rogers, as UMBC feeds off of his leadership and energy. As proven in the 2018 tournament, Coach Ryan Odom is more than capable of leading the Retrievers to an upset over superior competition.
Thursday 12/1 vs. Navy
Navy is coming off of a subpar season in which they finished 14-16. However, they only graduated one senior and are returning their other four starters and all other rotation players. The Midshipmen were also a lot more competitive than their record suggests, and are looking to bounce back after 9 of their 10 Patriot League losses were by single digits or in overtime. Led by explosive guard Cam Davis, who averaged over 16 points per game last season, Navy is likely to be an improved squad this year. Georgetown does have a major size advantage in this game, and their level of play against Navy will likely be a good indicator of what to expect from the new look Hoyas during the rest of the season. A loss against Navy would likely mean that Georgetown is indeed destined for a place as a cellar-dweller in the Big East standings.
Sunday 12/6 vs. West Virginia
Outside of Villanova and maybe Creighton, West Virginia might be the best team the Hoyas play all year. Ranked 16th in the country in the AP preseason poll, the Mountaineers are poised to lock up a high seed come March. Wahab, Ighoefe, Pickett, and Wilson will have their hands full stacking up against arguably the best frontcourt tandem in the nation in Oscar Tsheibwe and Derek Culver. Bob Huggins’ “Press Virginia” defensive scheme might overwhelm a young Georgetown backcourt and will be a great test for grad transfer Jalen Harris. This game represents a massive step up in competition for Georgetown and has blowout potential written all over it. If the Hoyas can handle the full court pressure and get hot from long range, they have a shot at staying in this game, which is all that one should hope for against top-25 competition this year.
Tuesday 12/8 vs. Coppin State
Coppin State should provide an opportunity for another easy win and allow Georgetown to iron out some wrinkles before they reach the more daunting part of their schedule. The Eagles showed some improvement last season after years of being one of the worst teams in all of college basketball. They finished with a final record of 11-20 and are projected to finish in the middle of a weak MEAC. Coppin State has some solid returning pieces, with seniors Koby Thomas and Dejuan Clayton looking to build upon promising seasons in which they both averaged over 13 points per game. Even so, Coppin State was one of the worst offensive teams in the nation last year, ranking a dismal 271st in points per game and 341st in assists per game, and does not have the talent to keep this one close. Georgetown should win handily.
Saturday 1/9 @ Syracuse
The revival of the Georgetown-Syracuse rivalry following a one year conference realignment induced hiatus has been nothing short of thrilling. Players on both sides seem to approach this matchup with a different type of energy, and games are always competitive regardless of roster composition. Georgetown grinded out an 89-79 win last season, and we should expect another close one this season in what I have circled as my game of the year. Syracuse has seven incoming freshmen this year and will rely on the three point shooting of Buddy Boeheim and Joe Girard to spread the floor and create space for Dolezaj and Sidibe to operate inside. Syracuse’s famous 2-3 zone was not as suffocating as it usually is last year, and their defensive outlook has some question marks. Syracuse has the talent advantage here and should be able to hang around in the middle of the ACC pack, but Georgetown has a chance in this one if the Orange are shooting bricks.
With expectations set so low, Ewing and the Hoyas really have nothing to prove. A 3-2 non-conference record with losses against West Virginia and Syracuse is the most likely scenario, and is one that I’d be satisfied with, as it ensures at least a minimum level of competitiveness.
If there ever was a season to write off as a rebuild, this one would be it. I look forward to watching the younger guys on this year’s roster have some fun in a pressure-free season. Regardless of what happens on the court, I’m just thankful that the Hoyas will be playing in a year in which nothing else seems to have gone right.
