Well, we made it. It’s been 312 days since Georgetown announced they were hiring Ed Cooley to be their next Head Basketball Coach and the most anticipated game of the year is staring us in the face. If you watched Big East Films’ recent documentary on how the situation unfolded, you’d know how important this game is to Friartown, but I’m here to yell from the Hilltop that I, for one, do not care about the outcome of the game. I’m not here to debate the facts of what happened last March. Instead, I want to say this: it is just another game for the Hoyas.
To be completely honest, that might be a little strong. When you’re trying to rebuild a program, every game counts. Playing Xavier and UConn close in the last month absolutely showed signs of progress, but at this point, losses are expected and they will continue to happen in the short term. While a win would be amazing – actually, it would be the funniest possible outcome – Georgetown’s season is already over and the Hoyas have nothing to lose but pride against Providence.
But Providence fans would want you to think otherwise. From the near-constant Twitter provocations from random burners that have seemingly come out of the woodwork over the last year, to baseless defamatory claims against Cooley, it is clear that this is their Super Bowl. For them, the game serves as an opportunity to prove that, after all of this, they came out on top. Still, the burden of this game lies entirely with the Friars.
Even so, this game could get ugly for the Hoyas. Providence’s Amica Mutual Pavilion is already a rowdy environment for a normal Big East game, but with Ed Cooley returning, the crowd will certainly be hostile. After incidents in the past, rumors are circulating that beers will be served in cups instead of the usual tallboy cans, and star guard Devin Carter pled with fans to not get physical or throw things. What will come of this is to be seen and I, for one, am not overly optimistic.
But by all means, the Hoyas do have a chance to pull this one out, or at least make it competitive. Since losing preseason All-American forward Bryce Hopkins earlier in the year to a season-ending ACL tear, the Friars have struggled to resolidify themselves as a true force in the Big East. Beyond Devin Carter and sharpshooting forward Ticket Gaines, Providence has been unable to consistently produce on offense. While their defense has remained stellar, they lack depth, especially in the frontcourt.
Ultimately, the matchup between Supreme Cook and Josh Oduro will play a massive part in deciding the outcome of the game. Additionally, the Hoyas will rely heavily on Big East scoring leader Jayden Epps to continue his strong play to keep them in this game, especially when facing his nearest competition for the scoring title in Carter.
So as we near the start of the inaugural and now biannual Ed Cooley Bowl, one thing has become clear: Georgetown vs. Providence is just another consolation game in a world without moral victories. If the Hoyas find a way to pull out a victory, great, but if not it just becomes another loss in another wash of a season on the Hilltop. We already know there is still work to be done to return Georgetown to its place of prominence and the outcome of this game will not change that.
In the end, I will still be watching from whatever bar has enough pity to show the game. I still will be rooting for a win and I am ready for whatever hate comes my way if we lose, but I will also be realistic about the fact that this is a marathon, not a sprint.
