The Casual Awards: We're Going to the Super Bowl!

Chris Wright Heart of a Champion Award:

Can we say EVERYONE?  No, it’s against the rules.  We’re giving this thing to Roosevelt Jones.  Just kidding (but he does deserve credit for pouring in a career-high 28 points against us).  The award goes to a young dude named Jabril Trawick, and we feel pretty damn good about that.

During our little two-game home stand, Jabril played like a rock.  He was aggressive, but steady.  He was electric, but under control.  Against Butler, he had ten points, six assists and only one turnover.  Against his boys from Philly, he had another ten points, four steals, two blocks and only one turnover.

In a post-game interview, Copeland admitted that JTIII drew up a play for Jabril at the end of the Butler game to make something happen.  That confused me, until I re-watched the second half of the game.  I invite you to do the same.  Jabril was everywhere.  He scored six straight points early in the second half, he frequently drove into the lane and found open shooters, and his stingy defense was effective, most notably when he tied up Jones with under a minute to go and helped the Hoyas regain a key possession.  If you’re wondering who played the point for us in these two games, it was basically Jabril.  What was once a scary proposition, given his ball security issues and a tendency to play out of control, now seems like a viable plan.  Jabril helps DSR in the backcourt, creates offense off the dribble and directs traffic when things are too packed in the middle.  It’s a surprisingly good look for him.

By the way, in these two foul-plagued slugfests, the foul-prone Trawick played a total of 56 minutes and had EXACTLY ONE FOUL.  That has to be the most shocking statistic I’ve seen all weekend.  Good things happen when Jabril is on the court.  When ‘Nova went on its run in the second half, Jabril was on the bench.  When asked what the Hoyas needed to do to weather the storm during that run, JTIII said they needed to get Jabril back into the game.  Love Jabril.  For the last three games, he has truly been Jabrilliant.

Toyota Peak Performer Award:

Isaac Muthaf*cking Copeland. Obvi.

HI ISAAC!  Against Butler, the late-blooming freshman had ten points, six rebounds, two assists, and one massive, earth-shattering, game-winning three from the corner.  Against ‘Nova, the young ‘un had a career-high 17 points and six rebounds.  The kid put on a dazzling display over the extended weekend, with a nice combination of interior moves, perimeter shots, and deft cuts to the basket.  His defense is still  a work in progress, but he looked markedly better last weekend than he has looked at any other point this season.  The dude who lacked confidence is now brimming with confidence.  We can’t wait to see what General Ike can do in the next few games.

The Inaugural Beatles "Come Together" Award for Coming Together, Right Now:

Your 2014-15 Georgetown University Fighting Bulldogs.  OMG, we’re so like a jigsaw puzzle that has different fitting pieces, and they’re all, like, different shapes and sizes, and we’re mixing and matching, but we don’t actually know whether the pieces will form a puzzle, or if they’re just a random assortment of pieces from different puzzles.

STOP.  We just played our most complete game of the season.  Actually, it was our most complete game since we walloped ‘Cuse two years ago.  Think about it for a sec and you’ll agree.  We finally looked good on both offense and defense.  Love it.

The Colin Falls Award for Flopping Like a Little Girl Award:

Those annoying Villanova shooters.  All of them.  Can’t hit anything from deep?  Just flail and flop and make a fool of yourselves.  Aaron Bowen was a little too aggressive when closing out on shooters, but those ‘Nova guys should’ve been nominated for Oscars.

The "OMG, Our Students are So Awesome" Award:

Our students.  The student section in the wins over Butler and ‘Nova was downright awesome, particularly on Monday night.  Considering it was a long weekend, and the second game was late on a Monday night, some thought our home court advantage would suffer as a result of the scheduling.  We were wrong.  The students were loud, proud and impressive.  The massive line wrapping around the Verizon Center before Monday night’s game was nice.  The taunts during free throws were creative and effective.  And the overall atmosphere and enthusiasm at the Phone Booth was a key factor in how well our guys played.  Keep it up, young scholars.  THESE ARE MEMORIES FROZEN IN TIME.

The "OMG, Our Students are the Worst" Award:

Our students.  Listen, the crowd was awesome, but the "safety school" chant, the "overrated" chant and the storming of the court were all silly and unnecessary.  Even JTIII agreed.  The whole "but we never get to storm the court" argument is nonsensical.  Do you remember March 2013?  I mean, whatever, I’m over it.  You’re young, have fun and do your thing.  But one day, when you’re an old and grumpy alum, you’ll understand that there are two certainties in life: one, don’t do that, and two, you dropped 150 grand on an friggin education you could have got for a dollar fifty in late charges at the public library.

The Ollie Award for Hitting our Damn Free Throws:

The Georgetown Hoyas.  We made 15 of 20 against Butler and 26 of 36 against ‘Nova.  Keep in mind that the numbers against ‘Nova were inflated by a flurry of last-minute DSR foul shots to seal the game.  Mr. Peak, you still have a little work to do, brah.

The Worldwide Leader in Crappy Broadcasting Award:

We all know that ESPN’s coverage of anything other than ESPN’s product is less than stellar.  So it should come as no surprise that the Hoyas’ victory over ‘Nova (brought to you by Fox Sports 1) didn’t receive as much attention as it should have.  But even the coverage on SportsCenter and other shows was weak.  Jay Harris said that Georgetown got some "home cookin’" (I honestly just think he doesn’t understand what that term means), and he later referred to my man Comrade as "Michael".  Does Hop look like a "Michael" to you?  He’s a freakin’ world-class neo-Bolshevik who does not have time for your capitalist poo-poo.  He’s a warrior and don’t you forget it.

Did you watch "College Gameday" on Saturday?  Let’s discuss which conference is the best in the country: is it the ACC or the Big 12?  Sigh.

I’m fairly certain that 80% of ESPN announcers went to either Syracuse or Duke.

Let’s read some more about the "historic landmark decision" by the "power five" conferences to pay collegiate student-athletes $2,000 or so to cover some basic college expenses.  Congrats everyone!  You did it!  This is historic!

Special thanks to Tony Kornheiser for complaining about the court storming and then saying that we’re only the fourth-best team in the D.C. metro area (behind Maryland, UVa and GW).  We’ve got our eye on you, Tony.

The "I Think We’re Alone Now" Award:

Your Georgetown Hoyas.  So I just checked the conference standings again, just for the f*ck of it.  Turns out we are still in first place, by ourselves, all alone, at the top of the standings.  

SwordOfBrunner note:  Tiffany posed in Playboy and a documentary about her stalkers has been made, which is one of the creepiest things i have ever seen.

The Round Mound of Rebound Award:

Joshua Smith.  Over the long weekend, the Joshington Monument combined for 19 points and 12 rebounds.  We don’t need him to do everything for us.  We just need him to play smart, stay on the floor, and push people around in the paint.  You’re a beast, my dude, and Daniel Ochefu’s got nothin’ on you.  Speaking of Daniel-san…

The Daniel Ochefu Award for Wishing He Had Committed to Georgetown Award:

Daniel Ochefu.  It’s all good.  We got the better player from Philly.

The Greg Monroe Award for Mysterious Invisible Technical Fouls:

I don’t remember.  I just know that the refs called a mysterious and invisible foul and then checked the monitor to see if it was a flagrant.  When they checked the monitor, they probably discovered that no foul should’ve even been called.  Made no sense, until you remember that the refs need to check for flying elbows at least once per game against us.  

The Scotty Reynolds Award for Disappearing in Big Games Award:

Scotty Reynolds.  During the Hoyas’ magical 17-0 run midway through the first half of the ‘Nova game, you know who wasn’t there?  Scotty Reynolds.  And in the second half, when your Hoyas beat back ‘Nova’s little run, you know who was nowhere to be found?  Scotty Reynolds.  And when the students rushed the court, you know who couldn’t be bothered?  Scotty Reynolds.  Despite being in his ninth year of eligibility, the dude just didn’t even bother to show up against Georgetown.  Typical.

The Fox Sports 1 Silly Big East Scheduling Award:

Fox Sports 1.  Or the Big East.  Not sure who deserves more blame.  What’s with the scheduling?  Why do we play at such odd times?  It can’t always be because we are trying to find time slots that do not compete with ESPN’s coverage, right?  And why are we playing teams like Marquette and Xavier twice before we even play teams like St. John’s and Seton Hall once?  Doesn’t make sense.

The "I Hope Tom Brady Gets Hit by a Bus" Award:

Me.  Because that’s what I hope.  That Tom Brady gets hit by a bus.  A big bus.  Because I hate him.

[SwordOfBrunner note:  I don't share this viewpoint, but that's because my New York Giants sonned Tom Terrific and the Cheatin' Pats twice in 5 years.  YOU'RE WELCOME AMERICA]

The Ted Leonsis Award for Getting Things Done Award:

You won’t give us a dimmer switch?  Fine.  Can we at least have a kissing cam?  Those things are hilarious.  We would like to see nothing more than an awkward couple being jeered repeatedly for not smooching, only to discover that the two are brother and sister.  GIVE US WHAT WE WANT.

The "OMG, I Think I Just Heard Another Whistle" Award:

The zebras.  There were 51 fouls and 68 free throws in our game against Villanova.  Stop blowing the damn whistles, refs.  Some of those calls were atrocious.

Fouls aside, lemme tell you something.  This was our best defensive performance of the season.  Period.  We’ve been waiting for this for a long time.  When our offense is clicking, we look good.  But when our defense is clicking, watch out, Roberta.  Give me that defense every night, Hoyas.

The Green Bay Packers Award for Blowing Massive Halftime Leads Award:

Not us.

[SwordOfBrunner note:  is that the worst loss ever endured by a fanbase?  2003 ALCS and 2003 NLCS come close, so do those 2 Western Conference Championships the Blazers and Kings lost to the Lakers due to shady officiating.  I would imagine the basketball equivalent is losing on a buzzer beater despite being up 18 with 2 minutes left.  If that happened to Georgetown n the Final Four, I don't think I'd ever recover]

The Hunter S. Thompson Award for Stream-of-Consciousness Blog Posting:

[SwordOfBrunner note:  this should have been called the Howard Hughes Award.  I picture TexaHoya surrounded by jars of his own urine]

Texa Hoya.  Mazel tov, my dude.  During the Butler game, you posted 73 out of 387 posts.  No one blogged harder than you.  Your posting rate (18.86%) matched the number of minutes per game that Kris Jenkins receives for Villanova (18.8).  I still have no idea how ‘Nova plays a 360-pound retired defensive lineman on a regular basis.

The Yogi Ferrell Award for Being Almost as Good as DSR Award:

Ryan Arcidiacono.  As much as we enjoyed the constant yapping between DSR and Archie Poconos, what we enjoyed even more was DSR’s all-around better play.  Your 16 points and ZERO assists were almost as good as DSR’s 17 points, three rebounds and two assists.  Maybe next time, Ry Guy.

The Hmmm Award:

Hmm.  I’m not gonna say that our loss against Providence reminded me, in some respects, of our loss at South Florida two years ago.  I’m not gonna say that our win against ‘Nova reminded me, in some respects, of our win against Louisville two years ago.  I’m not gonna say that our massive (and unexpected) string of Big East victories two years ago  began with a big win at a Midwestern school (Notre Dame), or that our current three-game winning streak began with a win at a different Midwestern school (DePaul).  I’m not gonna say that we won the Big East regular season title that year, or that we’re starting to look really good right now.  I’m not gonna say that we have tremendous depth (and girth!) right now, or that we have nine guys averaging at least ten minutes per game.

I’m not gonna say that some projections have us playing in the East region (which includes regional games at the Carrier Dome).  I’m not gonna say that I would love nothing more than to close down that court one last time en route to the Final Four, just so we can return the damn favor from two years ago.  I’m not gonna say that I would LOVE to play anyone, anywhere right now.

I’m not gonna say any of that.  Shh.  You keep your whore mouth shut.

The "All Growns Up" Award:

Our little freshmen babies are all growns up.  Peak!  Isaac!  Paul!  Tre!  Trey!  You’re all growns up and you’re all growns up and you’re all growns up.  We’ve got a general, a marquis, a natural (or an apostle or a saint or an old man), a young man, and Alonzo’s baby boy.  Love the freshmen.  You cats can play.

The Comrade Award for Holding Down the Fort:

Mikael Hopkins.  You know what?   Give the kid credit.  Against Butler, his eight points and eight rebounds were memorable; he single-handedly kept us in the ball game towards the end of the first half..  Against ‘Nova, he was a defensive juggernaut, rotating and communicating well, blocking shots and keeping Ochefu and Pinkston in check.  The only time Ochefu scored is when Hop had to lay off because he had two fouls near the end of the first half.  He also led the Hoyas with three beautiful dimes on Monday night.  Lay off of the Comrade, folks.  He plays hard, he’s arguably our best defender, and his cousin Yuri has some of the best vodka on this side of the Volga River.

[SwordOfBrunner note:  For serious.  The kid misses a ton of bunnies, which is obviously frustrating, but man, the vitrol thrown his way after his terrible FT shooting performance at Providence was embarrassing.  "PLAY PAUL WHITE 35 MINUTES AND HOPKINS ZERO" was an actual thing people said.  Three wins later...]

The Markel Starks Award for Breaking a Press:

Your Georgetown Hoyas.  Question: what will we do against ‘Nova’s press if we don’t have a true point guard?  Answer: we won’t let them score.  They can’t press if they don’t score.  Mission accomplished.

The "Aaron Bowen is a F*cking Pterodactyl" Award:

Aaron Bowen.  He’s a f*cking pterodactyl.

The Jimmy Boeheim Award for Scheduling Cupcakes:

Remember when Coach Jim used to keep his team in the State of New York until January each year?  Well, this isn’t exactly the same thing, and it’s got nothing to do with our guy Jim, but take a look at ‘Cuse’s world-beating ACC schedule thus far: Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, Florida State, Wake Forest, Clemson and Boston College.  That’s really impressive.  Congrats on being 5-1 against these amazing teams, Syracuse.  The competition is so much better in the ACC.

The Patrick Ewing Jr. Award for Massive, Game-Ending Blocked Shots Award:

DSR.  Roosevelt Jones was unbelievable against us.  We couldn’t stop him.  He bulled his way to the basket, hitting a string of layups, floaters and quasi-teardrops at will.  With the game on the line, everyone knew that Rosie was getting the ball.  As he bulled his way to the basket for the game-tying bucket, DSR jumped out of nowhere, blocked his shot and then waved good-bye to all of those crappy West Virginia fans in the crowd.  Thank you, DSR.

The Diabetes Award for Weekend Gluttony:

Want a high-carb winning lifestyle option?  Try Vapiano.  It’s good, it’s cheap and it’s al fresco!  I like pasta and I like cheese and I like bread.  Vapiano, FTW.   No documentation because I don’t know how to use a computer.

Also, why the hell is the line so long for the Dunkin’ Donuts in the Verizon Center?  It’s crazy.  Are people getting coffee at 10pm, or are they buying snacks?  I mean, I get my two year-old a glazed doughnut with pink frosting and sprinkles because obviously.  But really, how does that line make any sense, especially on a Monday night?

The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Award:

You guys, we’re in FIRST PLACE.  C’mon everybody, let’s do the hot dog dance!  Sing it with me: HOT DOG, HOT DOG, HOT DIGGITY DOG…..

Jim Nantz Award for In-Game Commentary:

Here are a few casual nuggets from the last game thread.  Upset that your witty posts didn’t make the cut?  Write something funny or insightful next time, jerks.

Chvotkin the best

can’t they name something on campus after that man?

by talkin bout practice on Jan 19, 2015 | 7:43 PM up reply rec (5) flag

Good luck tonight

Just don’t go crying to your mommies when the ’cats are up by 20 in the 2nd half

by The Manimal on Jan 19, 2015 | 7:30 PM reply rec (2) flag

I want this game

We don’t NEED it, but this could be the game where we finally put it all together!

Take No Prisoners, especially if they wear Orange.

by hoyabballownsall on Jan 19, 2015 | 8:25 PM reply rec flag

Can I have the floor for just a minute here?

I did not come here to lose to some coked-out, silver-spoon-in-ass, fake-Philadelphia, thirteenth-grade jesuit school REJECTS. This is some old-school big east shit right here and I do not just want to beat scottie reynolds and the main line clowns, I want them DESTROYED. I want them DEMORALIZED. I want them ENDED.

Now will you raise your damn glass to the Georgetown Hoyas? Because in five minutes, it’s forty minutes to glory.

by talkin bout practice on Jan 19, 2015 | 8:55 PM reply rec (15) flag

I think. . .I think

I felt it move reading that.

Kill ’Nova!

by Hoya Paranoia (fka Hoya Paranoia) on Jan 19, 2015 | 11:39 PM up reply rec flag

Where has this offense been?

It looks…coherent. Strange.

by thejerseytornado on Jan 19, 2015 | 9:07 PM reply rec flag

JTIII winning the sartorial contest this evening.

Jay Wright’s striped tie…those earth metal colors…awful. Did his intended choice get left in the broken-down bus?

by Hoya Saxual on Jan 19, 2015 | 9:11 PM reply rec flag

I-Hop?

Show me something

by WarmupEwing on Jan 19, 2015 | 9:29 PM reply rec (3) flag

Bob Knight approves of Ike's shot fake

by Northeast Corridor on Jan 19, 2015 | 9:30 PM reply rec flag

Do you Haiku?

Air Bowen with wings
Pretty chaos but goes no where
Step on the f’in throat.

A mid 13th century haiku adapted for a modern audience.

New sig tba

by PerryMcDonald'sRightCross on Jan 19, 2015 | 9:35 PM up reply rec (2) flag

So this is what happens

When our talented lineup actually clicks. If only we had a dimmer switch, we’d be up 20

Take No Prisoners, especially if they wear Orange.

by hoyabballownsall on Jan 19, 2015 | 9:33 PM reply rec (1) flag

Alaskan snow crab with shrimp

yummm

by LeftyHookerintheLane on Jan 19, 2015 | 9:41 PM reply rec (1) flag

Trawick having the game of his life right now

I unabashedly have a man-crush on John Klingberg

Adrian Beltre HOF Class of 2022

by TexaHoya on Jan 19, 2015 | 9:47 PM reply rec flag

FIRE JTIII

"I can't believe the game's so cas" -Maxsta

by MrAwkward'sStepson on Jan 19, 2015 | 9:51 PM reply rec (3) flag

Brilly > team from Philly

by Hoya Ballin' on Jan 19, 2015 | 9:51 PM reply unrec (1)

Best no no YES shot of the year.

by thejerseytornado on Jan 19, 2015 | 9:52 PM reply rec (1) flag

i guess jay wright focuses more on his wardrobe than game tape

why we haven’t seen a zone yet is beyond me

Casually.

by CasualHoya on Jan 19, 2015 | 10:01 PM reply rec (2) flag

405-119 at the half

We outblog posted them.

by preEwingHoya on Jan 19, 2015 | 10:02 PM reply rec (21) flag

do you think you could pay to have jack skateboard through your wedding?

asking for a friend

by talkin bout practice on Jan 19, 2015 | 10:12 PM up reply rec (5) flag

Holy crap the phone booth is rocking

And Josh clearly took his Tamiflu last night!

by HOYALVR on Jan 19, 2015 | 10:30 PM reply rec flag

I should be more relaxed than I am

but I can’t help being nervous

by bleeding blue, painted gray on Jan 19, 2015 | 10:31 PM reply rec (1) flag

JABRIL IS DEAD

Casually.

by CasualHoya on Jan 19, 2015 | 10:32 PM reply rec flag

I think it's time to retire "Carry On My Wayward Sun"

Until Georgetown can recruit a trumpet that can actually play it

by Hoya Annoya on Jan 19, 2015 | 10:47 PM reply rec (4) flag

can someone punt archie into the stands

by LeftyHookerintheLane on Jan 19, 2015 | 11:03 PM reply rec (1) flag

Cope be our Hope!

by JTIV on Jan 19, 2015 | 11:09 PM reply rec flag

students, why do it

eh, fuck it

Casually.

by CasualHoya on Jan 19, 2015 | 11:26 PM reply rec flag

I need a cigarette

Swinging the Broom of Truth

by Victor's Eyepatch on Jan 19, 2015 | 11:26 PM reply rec (1) flag

@RobDauster 4s5 seconds ago
That was the most surreal court storm I’ve ever seen. Half the fans were trying to hold the students back. "Go back! We don’t storm here."

Casually.

by CasualHoya on Jan 19, 2015 | 11:31 PM reply rec (2) flag

Georgetown students with excessive and conflicting levels of self-awareness?

Never.

by Hoya Saxual on Jan 19, 2015 | 11:33 PM up reply rec (6) flag

time to switch the hate from archie to carlino

by LeftyHookerintheLane on Jan 19, 2015 | 11:36 PM reply rec flag

this is probably a good time to announce that Lady Casual is preggers with twins

it’s been nice blogging with you fine people.

i need a low carb beverage.

Casually.

by CasualHoya on Jan 19, 2015 | 11:53 PM reply unrec (35)

The Kate Upton Award for doing Kate Upton Things Award:

Kate Upton.

Let’s go Hoyas.  Beat Marquette.