Season On The Brink: Georgetown Dismantled By Connecticut, Loses 79-62 In Big East Tournament
by JGD on Mar 9, 2011 4:29 PM EST
in Game Summaries
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PrintWhat is left to say? Georgetown fans knew this team was heavily reliant on Chris Wright, media members and statisticians knew it as well. Clearly, after our fourth straight defeat without Wright, both the Georgetown players and coaches know it even better than the rest of us. Connecticut beat the Hoyas 79-62 in a game that was never really in question. Kemba Walker scored 28 points to lead the Huskies, who also got plenty of help from Jeremy Lamb, Shabazz Napier and Jamaal Coombs-McDaniel. Jason Clark and Austin Freeman led the Hoyas with 23 and 20 points respectively, but it wasn't nearly enough, as the Hoyas were outhustled, outmanned, and outclassed in Madison Square Garden.
The good news for the Hoyas is that Clark snapped out of his seemingly 752 game long slump, scoring 23 points while adding eight rebounds, three steals and one awesome Kembablock. Freeman and Clark were aggressive throughout the game, doing all that they could to withstand blow after blow from UConn. Unfortunately, they also combined to shoot 2-13 from three point range, many of which would have put the Hoyas close to striking distance.
After The Jump, whatever man.
For whatever reason, I am a sucker for Julian Vaughn and Henry Sims. Probably because of their Twitter escapades this summer, and because both seem so damn likeable. Yet, as a fan of the team, they couldn't be giving us less right now. Vaughn has not scored a field goal since Wright got injured, and Sims was a complete liability out there today, forgetting to box out at every opportunity he had. Vaughn can't stop picking up fouls as well, which is hindering his ability to impact games. Both are consistently putting the ball on the ground when they should just be going up strong after grabbing rebounds. Sims has been a huge contributor during different points of the season, and Vaughn was arguably the key to our eight game winning streak in the middle of the Big East slate. Both can play well, and both need to figure out what is bogging them down right now. Georgetown can't go into the NCAA Tournament expecting Nate Lubick, Jerrelle Benimon and Moses Ayegba to carry the load as big men.
I was at the game today, and what was also very frustrating to watch was the downtrodden body language that has infected this entire team, coaches included, besides Markel Starks. John Thompson III looks shellshocked, Freeman is consistently slumping his shoulders, Clark was storming to the bench ignoring teammates during most timeouts, and Wright has been the anti Patrick Ewing Jr. on the bench since getting hurt. When the team came out for warmups before the second half, freshman Aaron Bowen was in a suit on the court high fiving each player in lay up lines. Freeman and Wright were conspicuously missing from the floor. Both were sitting on the bench, four seats away from one another. I can't imagine how crappy both must feel right now - Wright because of the injury that derailed the final month of his college career and Freeman because he's seeing his final season die slowly. Yet, both have potentially one game left in Georgetown uniforms, and as senior captains, I expect better leadership.
One game left. That's all we potentially have left. The good news is Georgetown expects to have Wright in uniform for the NCAA Tournament, and the tournament brings new hope. This group has had regular season and Big East Tournament success before, but never in the NCAA Tournament. I know we will all work ourselves up into an optimistic frenzy before next Thursday / Friday. Unfortunately, right now it feels like we're cheering for a Little League team with no chance of winning, just holding out hope for some stellar participation trophies.
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JGD
At least you guys have an excuse. Your Wright is hurt. Our Wright is lost.
It's a great day to be great - Greg Jennings
I'm on a drug. It's called Charlie Sheen. - Charlie Sheen
Yeah
I still think Wright has done wonders for the program, similar to what JT3 has done at Georgetown, so I’m curious whether you think he should be on the hot seat if he has another season like this one
by JGD on Mar 9, 2011 4:39 PM EST up reply actions
Oh he has...
but this hasn’t been a good year. No hot seat unless he has a couple of more years like this one. He’s two years removed from a final four, has an excellent tourney record nothwithstanding last year, and some decent recuriting classes coming up. Also, if we decide to move up in football, I want some stability in the b-ball program.
It's a great day to be great - Greg Jennings
I'm on a drug. It's called Charlie Sheen. - Charlie Sheen
by Esteban d' Amur on Mar 9, 2011 4:45 PM EST up reply actions
how much of Nova's struggling
is down to the absence of Scottie? Surely would have been a steadying head and hand at this stage of the season, and while you knew you’d miss him, perhaps this is where it really shows?
KBE
Yes, we really miss him.
He was a very smart basketball player. He was able to find space in the defense and either hit shots or get to the line. However, we struggled at the end of the season last year too. I think its the lack of any player that can play with his back to the basket combined with a lack of outside shooters. Need a back to the basket player to get you some easy scores.
It's a great day to be great - Greg Jennings
I'm on a drug. It's called Charlie Sheen. - Charlie Sheen
by Esteban d' Amur on Mar 9, 2011 4:52 PM EST up reply actions
the end of the johnnies-rutgers game was atrocious
the refs should be shot and killed and then burned and then shot again and then killed
Casually.
Recap?
Just saw the boxscores. Was impressed that Rutgers kept it that close.
by BornonthisBandWagon on Mar 9, 2011 4:43 PM EST up reply actions
Rutgers could have won
refs totally F’ed up
You deserve a Roy Hibbert elbow to the face.
by GeorgetownHoyette on Mar 9, 2011 4:44 PM EST up reply actions
rutgers inbounding with about 5 seconds left
…dude heaves it towards midcourt where johnnies intercept it but johnnies dude starts running with the ball thinking no time left and actually was 1) traveling, 2) out of bounds with 1.7 seconds left, and 3) could have been called for a technical for heaving the ball into the stands in a premature celebration.
instead the refs just walked off the court, this after missing a blatant over the back on st. john’s seconds earlier that gave them free throws.
Casually.
Dude, it was Cahill and Higgins.
What were the odds of the game ending in a refereeing debacle?
2:1? even?
by WallaceAtTheLineShooting2 on Mar 9, 2011 4:47 PM EST up reply actions
Jim Burr
and Higgins actually. Burr couldn’t get off the court fast enough, even though, you know, the game was still supposed to be going on.
Your First Ever Pinstripe Bowl Champions- The Syracuse Orange
by bigbluethruandthru on Mar 9, 2011 5:12 PM EST up reply actions
That completes the unholy trinity.
by WallaceAtTheLineShooting2 on Mar 9, 2011 6:10 PM EST up reply actions
I thought it was Burr too
But one of the incompetent ESPN announcers said Cahill. Checked box score, it was Burr.
by WallaceAtTheLineShooting2 on Mar 9, 2011 6:11 PM EST up reply actions
That was fucking AWESOME!
Seriously, that was very creative.
I marched on Leavey to keep the Pub open in the 90's.
by Cuse Swallows on Mar 9, 2011 11:31 PM EST up reply actions
Okay, I'm glad I had to do work and couldn't watch the second game
It would have only made me feel worse, seeing Rutgers – a team that (by all accounts above) kept themselves close & played well enough to deserve a fair shot at winning – get screwed
"Basketball fights last two punches. Make sure you throw both of them." - John Thompson Jr.
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Both a turnover
and a technical foul for throwing the ball into the stands.
They just gave St. John’s that game.
"Basketball fights last two punches. Make sure you throw both of them." - John Thompson Jr.
Repping the SB Nation Product Team as Community Manager
Like SB Nation on Facebook and follow @SBNation and @SBNProductTeam on Twitter
Also missed an obvious over the back call with like 7 seconds left...
that wouldve but rutgers at the line.
by WallaceAtTheLineShooting2 on Mar 9, 2011 4:48 PM EST up reply actions
Agreed
That was terrible at the end between that foul not being called and then that SJU player going out of bounds.
You deserve a Roy Hibbert elbow to the face.
by GeorgetownHoyette on Mar 9, 2011 4:43 PM EST reply actions
Not At All Surprising But...............
………..it could have been a lot closer if most of the players on the floor had executed at a higher level. We might have even salvaged a win. Too many turnovers, lost rebounds, missed shots, forced passes and lack of fight. We probably would have lost this game even with Chris Wright playing like we did. I hated to see the lack of desire to take the ball to the hoop by players like Sims and Vaughn, deferring instead for the extra (and often bad forced) pass. We need to own the floor.
The really sad thing is that this season is likely to end on a whimper with no real clue as to whether we truly had it in us to have a great year or whether we just are an incredibly inconsistent team (like the past few years). Are we, in fact, a good 3 point shooting team or an average to bad one? Are we strong defensively or are we weak? Can we rebound or not? I really don’t know.
And based on what I have seen the past few weeks, next year is going to be pretty depressing. Sims was so promising earlier in the year……………..and now is reverting to his previous form. Hollis has immense talent, but will it show every game? Lubick will be awesome…if JTIII gives him the confidence and free reign to really go for it…but will he have any help up front? The guards should be ok…………..but can’t carry the show.
With paranoia,
I liked what I saw out of Markel
He can definitely create and penetrate, will need to improve his shot, but it’s much better than Wright’s was as a freshman
by JGD on Mar 9, 2011 4:55 PM EST up reply actions
Maybe I'm delusional, but I'd still be kind of surprised if we lose in the 1st round again to something like an 11 seed
Win that one, maybe Wright is back, we play at a higher level like we did against Ohio State back in ‘06, and suddenly we’re in the Sweet Sixteen and everyone can start making out again
Casually.
only one way to guarantee the loss (and preserve the chaste virtue of casualties everywhere)
some solid historical live-blogging the night before
KBE
by SirHoya on Mar 9, 2011 5:00 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
First smile since our game ended
Thanks for that.
by J-Wall's Mom's Broom on Mar 9, 2011 5:27 PM EST up reply actions
Well,
if it were taped and used for a 1-900 number could we raise money to help the squad?
"If Austin Freeman gets a pick at the hotel across the street, you go with him"
And me, If he asks I'll carry his luggage.
by PerryMcDonald'sRightCross on Mar 9, 2011 10:27 PM EST up reply actions
i am currently pondering a blog exorcism/cleanse to be performed prior to the dance
open to suggestions…
Casually.
see hoya saxual
for expertise on vanquishing enemies via the exorcist steps.
It’s a case of choosing your poison with exorcism vs cleanse – depends which end you want the show to be at. (Yuk)
KBE
so if the BE is getting 11 teams into the dance
what chance one of them is dropped into the “first four”, just to placate the turds lurking around the middle of B10/SEC/ACC etc who will be bitching and moaning about our representation?
And if that happened, who would be candidates? Nova, Marquette, Cincy, us?
Obviously no BE team should be in that hellish limbo, based on body of work – but would it really surprise anyone if the NCAA pulled some stunt like that just to shut everyone else up?
KBE
My thoughts exactly.
Nova is the perfect candidate with an under .500 overall conference record.
Nova or Marquette will play in that.
It's a great day to be great - Greg Jennings
I'm on a drug. It's called Charlie Sheen. - Charlie Sheen
by Esteban d' Amur on Mar 9, 2011 5:35 PM EST up reply actions
Per facebook, JTIII thinks this we're in satan's territory as well:
We are all disappointed at today’s lackluster performance. We are Hoyas, we will find a way to crawl out of hell that we are in right now. Let’s give our team our unconditional support and love and let’s get them ready for the NCAAs. Let’s hope for Chris Wright’s speedy recovery.
I’m going to church to get ashes tonight…should I ask the priest what he recommends?
I always assumed this wasn't really JTIII
Anyone have any info?
by who will sex dikembe tonight on Mar 9, 2011 8:10 PM EST up reply actions
yeah
I highly doubt JTIII would spend any time on facebook. I wonder if the person who ghost writes these status updates for him has to run them by JTIII first?
You deserve a Roy Hibbert elbow to the face.
by GeorgetownHoyette on Mar 9, 2011 8:30 PM EST up reply actions
I certainly hope he doesn't actually spend minutes of his life composing these
I can’t imagine him giving carte blanche to someone he doesn’t trust implicitly, since his name’s going to be associated with something that can be seen by anyone online
by Hoya Saxual on Mar 9, 2011 8:34 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Eminem
Will he be making a sighting before the tourney?
February 9th at Iron Horse seems a lifetime ago.
by Hoya2aFinancialAnalyst on Mar 9, 2011 7:19 PM EST reply actions
How did you not..
document the peas?!?!?!? Considering both of our squads seasons might be over in about a week’s time, I’m eagerly anticipating the revival of the “document your lunch” series.
It's a great day to be great - Greg Jennings
I'm on a drug. It's called Charlie Sheen. - Charlie Sheen
by Esteban d' Amur on Mar 10, 2011 7:35 AM EST up reply actions
Ashamed and Embarrassed
No leadership , no inspiration, no spirit and consequently no success. Did anybody tell these guys they are playing in the BIg East Tournament representing one of the really big names in College Basketball. I would recommend to to withdraw from the NCAA tornament to avoid any further damage. Let’s face it we currently have 3 (+ 1 Wright) excellent, competitive players who seem to be capable of scoring and turning things around. This is not enough. Just look in the faces of some of the other team’s players. You see excitement, concentration and team spirit. The Hoyas are missing all of this.
Just watched the game on dvr
Fuck all of you!!!! I spent 6 months documenting my lunch for this shit?
I’m planning to go to the game next week but I need to talk to my psychologist first.
Section 101.
by RileysDressLikeAHoyaJersey on Mar 9, 2011 10:00 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Book me some time with that shrink as well.
I think I need it after that past two weeks. Depression/rage/bargaining/denial…they’ve all been a staple of my life since the losing streak started.
I marched on Leavey to keep the Pub open in the 90's.
by Cuse Swallows on Mar 9, 2011 11:37 PM EST up reply actions
Is it safe to assume that we are f-ed next year
when Wright will no longer play for us?
Obviously...
losing 3 seniors will do that to ya
need starks and lubick to get ton of experience for a 2012 run
Good talk.
Casual Hoya
by Hire Esherick on Mar 9, 2011 10:11 PM EST up reply actions
and sign ochefu
Good talk.
Casual Hoya
by Hire Esherick on Mar 9, 2011 10:11 PM EST up reply actions
meant 12-13 run
11-12 will be rough. starting early with maui
Good talk.
Casual Hoya
by Hire Esherick on Mar 9, 2011 10:13 PM EST up reply actions
This senior class is a disaster
Yeah yeah yeah. I’m sure they are nice kids off the floor and they’ve never gotten in trouble. So there’s that. But it’s hard not to notice that the on-court attitude and focus problems that have plagued this program the last 4 seasons began the day these guys walked in the door.
I’ll be most interested to see whether the team’s vibe is different next season.
As it stands, 2 McDonalds All Americans, 1 NCAA Tourney win. That’s a total FAIL.
No, it is not.
Nice kids off the floor, who will graduate without ever getting into trouble, and may have viable pro-careers. Or will be successful in whatever else they do.
That’s the win.
The rest is a bonus.
That said, the owner of the restaurant where I watched the game while I ate lunch comped it because he felt so bad for us.
Document fail because by the time I knew that, the food was eaten.
"If Austin Freeman gets a pick at the hotel across the street, you go with him"
And me, If he asks I'll carry his luggage.
by PerryMcDonald'sRightCross on Mar 9, 2011 10:32 PM EST up reply actions
agreed
we should be ashamed of the chicken little attitude on display.
by DownTheHallFromHollis on Mar 9, 2011 11:25 PM EST up reply actions
And that bonus includes...
- Being Big East Champions in 2008
- Getting to the BET Final in 2010, within seconds of winning it all over WVU
- Turning around from a 1-4 start to pull off an 8 game win streak in the BE this season
These “failures” of the senior class were around for all of that. Sure, NCAA wins would be nice…and guess what? The season’s not over.
by Hoya Saxual on Mar 10, 2011 12:51 AM EST up reply actions
One Shitty Day!!
OK, ladies and gentlemen, here we go…woke up late this morning and missed my alarm clock…spilled a glass of water all over my kitchen counter while I was cleaning it…saw the Hoyas get their clock cleaned by the Huskies, and it was basically over by halftime, (nor was I even surprised….so depressed by the loss that I went home and did what I hate doing most at home, (cleaned the house, including a hideous looking fishtank)….then I had the distinct pleasure of going to Mass tonight and had my ex-girlfriend with her douche bag husband sit next to me in the same pew, the whole time with a smug, “Arent I special now that I’m married” look on her fat fucking face!
Good talk.
I marched on Leavey to keep the Pub open in the 90's.
That....
and I did have a bit of “schadenfreude” thinking about what that dude’s life is going to be like in about three years down the line, when she’s even bigger after having had a kid or two, and this guy gets to find out all too well what I knew about her back then. As they said on SNL the other night about Denise Richards vis a vis Charlie Sheen, I had the good sense to walk out of that bad movie early.
I marched on Leavey to keep the Pub open in the 90's.
regarding the Rutgers-SJU mess
Obviously the calls were a travesty, and at the very least the game would have gone to overtime assuming the free throws for the T went in.
The league concedes that this outcome was bull crap. So they can do one thing – ensure Burr and Higgins (and fkit, Cahill too) never get near a court again.
But – what if SJU forfeited the game?
Let Rutgers play tomorrow. Honor restored, the league not a laughing stock, and unbelievable karma going into next week. Given that the path is likely Cuse-Pitt-ND, is SJU really going to win the whole thing? Maybe, maybe not. But whatever hit they’d take in Dance seeding would surely be outweighed by the committee’s desire not to screw the most sportsmanlike team in the country.
I fully acknowledge that this is crazy talk. But that finish was so bad. And it gives St Johns one chance to take the moral high ground for all time. Obviously that is nothing next to a trophy. But it would be the classiest thing we’ve seen in big-time college sports in a hell of a long time.
KBE
I'd agree...
with the forfeit if the game were tied. SJU sholdn’t assume the techincal FT’s were made and/or Rutgers would’ve hit a last second shot.
It's a great day to be great - Greg Jennings
I'm on a drug. It's called Charlie Sheen. - Charlie Sheen
by Esteban d' Amur on Mar 10, 2011 7:43 AM EST up reply actions
Furthermore
The garden is homecourt for the johnnies, winning the BET is probably as high a priority this year as getting to the Final 4. No chance you forfeit your first chance at a title in 10 years
Take No Prisoners, especially if they wear Orange.
by hoyabballownsall on Mar 10, 2011 8:08 AM EST up reply actions
fair points both of you
and I’m sure the Johnnies are quite content to let BYU take the “most self-sacrificial when glory was just around the corner” award for this year.
KBE
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