The Casual Awards: Cowboy Down

Allow us to reintroduce ourselves...

to the win column.

It’s the Casual Awards, but an abridged version b/c we are both slammed at work and SwordOfBrunner didn’t see the game last night.

The Chris Wright Heart of a Champion Award:

Chuck Myers/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

Your Georgetown Hoyas.

This one goes out to all of the players and coaches who are still on the team. In what has been one of the most tumultuous weeks in program history, your (remaining) Hoyas pulled off a well-rounded win against an undefeated Oklahoma State team in Stillwater. The game wasn’t always pretty, but for arguably the first time all season this squad actually looked like a team. As Coach Ewing said in his postgame interview, when players stop thinking about “me” and start thinking about “we”, good things will happen. And tonight, they most certainly did.

The JTIII Award for Throwing Backdoor Passes:

Photo by Tony Quinn/ISIphotos.com/Getty Images

Omer Yurtseven.

If you didn’t see the first play of the game, you missed the Big Yurt standing at the top of the key and throwing a sweet backdoor pass to a wide open Jagan Mosely for his only field goal of the game. It was super unexpected and super fun. We legit thought JTIII was on the sidelines holding up a fist.

But then Omer used an array of post moves to pour in 19 points and nine boards and we were reminded that Patrick Ewing is indeed his coach. (Those turnaround jumpers, fadeaways and deep jump shots actually did remind us of some vintage Ewing plays in the mid 90s.)

So glad we have Yurtseven and not Yurtsix.

The Ewing Theory Award for Improving After Losing Your Best Player(s):

Your Georgetown Hoyas?

You’re all familiar with Bill Simmons’ silly theory. Does it apply? One game is only one game, but our passing looked better (16 assists on 29 field goals), our perimeter defense looked a little better, and yeah, we won. Mac obviously won’t crush it every night, but this may be something to (hopefully) keep our eye on.

[SwordOfBrunner note: Bill Simmons sucks and the Ewing Theory is super dumb because the Knicks lost to the Spurs in the Finals that year...who had two hall of fame big men. MORE IMPORTANTLY the Knicks have been a dumpster fire of an organization since trading Ewing to the Sonics and receiving Glen Rice, Travis Knight, and Luc Longley.]

The Markel Starks Award for Providing Heady Point Guard Play Award:

USA TODAY Sports

Terrell Allen.

So, yeah. Fifteen points and five assists in 33 minutes. He made his free throws, hit two three-pointers, and oh yes, even drilled an inexplicable running hook shot from the foul line.

The Big Country Award for Playing Larger than Life at Gallagher-Iba Arena Award:

[SwordOfBrunner note: imagine thinking basketball was better in the 90s after watching a Bryant Reeves compilation]

Mac McClung.

Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Obviously. When you score 33 points on the road, you get a larger than life award. Mac doesn’t always take the best shots, but when he’s on, he’s on. Against the Pokes, young Mac hit a range of mid-range and perimeter shots, made all of his throws, and even banked in a deep three. We needed all of his points. Well done, dude. Keep making everyone your proverbial Glass Joe.

And with that -- a big kudos to Patrick and the fellas for sticking together and clawing their way to a big victory. On a night in which everyone played a key role, it was fitting that Mac McClung scored a cool 33 points to honor that ol’ seven footer from Georgetown who knows a thing or two about the number 33.

Given the brevity, and the week we have all had, please feel free to leave your own Award suggestions in the comment section. SwordOfBrunner will go first:

The NYHoya Award for Annoying His Really Hungover Friend Into Writing the Casual Awards with Him Despite Not Having Watched the Game:

In a shocking outcome...NYHoya!

Let’s go Hoyas. Beat SMU.