With all the uncertainty surrounding college sports, it was hard to know if the Hoyas would even get a shot to play this year. But after much anticipation, the Georgetown basketball season has finally arrived.
The Hoyas’ first opponent this season is the UMBC Retrievers. On Wednesday at 4pm, the Retrievers will travel to McDonough Arena in the season opener for both teams. A member of the America East conference, UMBC may be remembered best for upsetting the #1 seed Virginia Cavaliers in the 2018 NCAA Tournament. Despite hailing from a low-major conference, UMBC is certainly no pushover, as they are projected to finish second in the America East.
UMBC is returning seven of its top eight scorers from last year’s squad that went 16-17 overall and finished the regular season tied for fourth in the America East with an 8-8 record. Four of those players are returning starters in junior guards RJ Eytle-Rock (11.2 points and 3.3 assists per game) and L.J. Owens (9.5 ppg, 2.4 rpg), alongside senior forwards Brandon Horvath (11.0 ppg and 6.6 rpg) and Daniel Akin (5.6 ppg and 5.0 rpg).
UMBC’s squad has far more leadership and experience than the relatively young Hoyas. Though Eytle-Rock and Horvath led the Retrievers in scoring last year, Darnell Rogers, perhaps their best player, missed the majority of last season due to injury. Although Rogers stands at just 5’2”, UMBC will likely turn to him to be their main scorer thanks to his energetic play and impressive three-point shooting ability. Rogers will be a good test of Georgetown’s backcourt defense. Jalen Harris is likely to be defending him and it will be essential for Harris to keep the shifty Rogers in front of him, while also limiting his looks from beyond the arc.
In previous years, UMBC’s identity has been built on playing tough defense and making it difficult for opponents to score. Horvath reaffirmed this in an interview with The Baltimore Sun, stating, “We think we can score enough to win, but if you can’t score on us, then we have an advantage.”
This may present a challenge for the Hoyas, as there may not be a “go-to guy” on this year’s roster. Much of the media attention has been focused on seniors Jahvon Blair and Jamorko Pickett. These two, along with sophomore center Qudus Wahab, are the only returning Hoyas who played significant minutes last season. The projected starting lineup likely also includes graduate transfers Jalen Harris and Don Carey at the guard positions. Though new to the Hoyas, they are two proven guards who have shown they can contribute at the college level.
In the lead-up to this year, both Blair and Pickett have been vocal about their excitement for their senior season. For the Hoyas to be successful, at least one of these guys will have to show up in a big way. When the two two teams met last season, both Pickett and Blair scored in double figures as the Hoyas cruised to a 81-55 victory over the Retrievers. They’ll hope to replicate, or even one-up, those efforts on Wednesday evening.
Another key to the game for Georgetown is knocking down shots, especially from three. Last season, UMBC struggled to defend the three-point line, allowing opponents to knock down an average of eight three-pointers per game. While sharp-shooting Jahvon Blair can drain it from deep, the Hoyas would like to find another reliable 3-point option. Either Carey (a 37.5% career three-point shooter) or fellow transfer Chudier Bile (37.6%) may fit the bill. Regardless of who steps up, Georgetown would certainly like to take advantage of the Retrievers’ inability to guard the arc.
A young team with low expectations is something that Georgetown basketball has not experienced in a long time. From being picked to finish dead last in the Big East Preseason Coaches’ Poll, to having many new faces, the Hoyas have nothing to lose this season. Hopefully Georgetown’s defense has improved and the new players are able to fit into Ewing’s system. If Harris and others can shut down Rogers, the Hoyas have a good shot at coming away victorious. UMBC is a far less talented foe than almost any Big East team, so let’s hope Georgetown can make the most of this opportunity. Hoya Saxa!
Kathryn’s Prediction: Georgetown 79, UMBC 74
Both teams will likely come out jittery. I am not expecting top-notch defense from either side, so I’d expect it to be a relatively high-scoring game. It’s anyone’s game, but I think the Hoyas may have more overall talent than the Retrievers. If Blair shoots well and Pickett puts up solid numbers, the Hoyas will put up a good fight.
Jacob’s Prediction: Georgetown 89, UMBC 72
I agree with Kathryn that Georgetown’s defense may be a bit sloppy out of the gate. That being said, I’m fairly confident the Hoyas will be able to get out in transition and out-score this UMBC team. I’m expecting big games from grad transfers Jalen Harris, Chudier Bile and Don Carey. For Bile and Carey- who transferred up from mid-major programs- the question has always been whether they will be as effective against high-major competition. UMBC certainly does not fit that description. Above all, I’m just excited to see some college basketball!
Will’s Prediction: Georgetown 78, UMBC 69
We got a new season ahead of us. Time to get weird.
Outside of everything that’s been going on (which I’ve written about), the thing that is going to be the strangest this season is having depth again. I forgot what that felt like. I think the Hoyas are going to stumble out of the gate, since they didn’t have any Kenner League action or as long a period to practice, so in a year where there’s nine new players, chemistry might be an issue. I’m also slightly concerned about Coach Ewing going back to the five-man substitution, hockey-style swap that he’s been so fond of these past few years. If that happens, I’m afraid the players aren’t going to be able to gel on the court in their first actual game action. As far as this game goes, I have no idea what to make of it. We’ve got nine new players, and we have no real hints as to how they’ll play together or what their playstyles will be like (this is where the loss of shaky cell phone Kenner videos really hits the hardest). I picked the Hoyas to win, since on paper the talent is far greater, but as we all know, the game is played on the court, not on paper. I’m just glad to be able to root for the Hoyas again!
