If college hoops was forced to appoint a king, only one name deserves to be at the top of that list: Jon Rothstein. Jon is the puppet master of college basketball, pulling the strings from behind the scenes while receiving information from his moles deeply embedded in every NCAA basketball program. Ok, maybe that description is a little bit dramatic, but Jon’s college basketball rolodex is filled with coaches and staff of just about every program in America, making it larger than Coach Ewing’s suit. His college basketball knowledge is unmatched, and the relationships and connections he has with so many programs is second to none. If you were to ask Rothstein to describe himself, however, he might provide a more simple response:
The man has built a cult-like following on Twitter, and deservingly so. I mean, not many others can claim to have never had a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, played golf, or been to Europe.
So what really makes this guy special? His semi-famous catch phrases, also referred to as “Rothsteinisms,” are perhaps the most clever literary devices since William Shakespeare. For one, the man essentially provides a blueprint for life:
Contrary to the advice of many scientists, Jon is also a huge proponent of the idea that the collective we, the college basketball fan community, should not sleep until the month of May, following the conclusion of the NCAA tournament.
I really cannot think of a more fulfilling way to live your life, perhaps outside of teaching Jack the Bulldog how to skateboard.
Rostheinisms also serve as fuel for so many college basketball fan bases around the country. Here’s a few of my favorites:
In addition to these gems, Jon has a unique tweet in his repertoire for just about every big name college basketball team ready to be fired off after a win. Even our Big East counterparts have their own two-liners, including Seton Hall, Villanova, Providence, and Creighton.
Notably, Georgetown is lacking one of these simple yet beautiful catch phrases. Perhaps it is because the Hoyas have struggled in every season since the inception of these lines, but I believe now is the perfect time to institute one. A return to national dominance is on the horizon, and what better way to usher in the new era of Georgetown hoops than with a catchy slogan?
Now, as Jon has stated in the past, these phrases cannot be forced. They must arise organically, which is why Jon Rothstein should be treated as the modern day Bard. However, I will try my best to mimic the pure genius by throwing out a few ideas. Perhaps the passionate Hoya twitter community can agree on one of these mantras in order to celebrate our squad. Better yet, maybe the modern day Bard himself can grace us with a true Georgetown Rothsteinism if he ever catches wind of the effort. With enough tweeting, anything is possible.
Patrick Ewing. Zip Recruiter.
My first idea looks to incorporate our beloved Coach Ewing and his recruiting ability. With a resumé like his, Ewing holds a natural appeal to recruits. Yes, today’s high school players did not grow up watching him, but a quick youtube search at the behest of their parents will easily do the trick. As we have seen with the incoming 2021 recruiting class, Coach Ewing has demonstrated his ability to attract talent and hopefully this class will set a precedent for the future, with more recruits following suit. For those wondering what “Zip Recruiter” is in reference to, the website ZipRecruiter helps connect those seeking employment with businesses looking for employees. Extrapolate this notion to college basketball, and we land on our first potential Rothsteinism.
Georgetown Basketball. Big Man U.
Historically speaking, Georgetown has been kind to the big man. Most obvious is Patrick Ewing, but do not forget the rest of the list: Dikembe Mutombo, Roy Hibbert, Alonzo Mourning. We are a big man factory, and this still holds true. Coach Ewing has transformed Qudus Wahab from a raw talent to respectable center, capable of blocking any shot and securing any rebound. Timothy Ighoefe is also in the perfect position for learning all tricks of the trade from his Hall of Fame coach. Next year, Ryan Mutombo will aim to be the next product of the big man pipeline, and if him and Qudus can develop chemistry, I see a prime opportunity to revitalize Big Man University on the Hilltop.
Georgetown Basketball. Vintage.
I sometimes believe that too much of Georgetown Basketball’s identity is based off of our successes in the 80’s and 90’s. While this may be true, understanding the history of our program and the culture behind is vital to being a true fan. Georgetown Basketball will be forever linked to its glory days, but the program stood for more than just the game itself. Coach John Thompson Jr. and all of his efforts were inspirational to many. People with no connection to the school enjoyed repping Georgetown, as the brand transcended representing just the university. Even Ice Cube rocked Hoya gear. Believe it or not, vintage Georgetown gear such as the sweatshirt Ice Cube is wearing here are actually in fashion these days. As we ascend closer to the mountain top of college basketball royalty where we once sat, any future success will undoubtedly be compared to the past. We are about as classic as it gets in the college basketball world, most aptly described with the sleek tag of “Vintage.”
By no means am I attempting to rip off Jon Rothstein. The man is my idol, and his Twitter page never fails to put a smile on my face. They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so here I am. Let’s unite the fans and generate excitement for the future, starting with our very own Rothsteinism. I encourage any readers to brainstorm their own Georgetown Basketball related two-liners, and together we can choose the best one. Tag @JonRothstein and let’s get his attention!! I can just envision his response now…It spreads.
