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The time has come. Ready or not, the Ed Cooley era of Georgetown Hoyas basketball begins now. What is that strange feeling we all seem to have? Could it be hope? That seems a little strong. Perhaps it is just not-despair.
It’s hard to judge expectations for the Hoyas this year. They clearly added some good pieces from the portal, and they seem to be set up well for the future. But they are clearly lacking size, and with Ish Massoud’s really unfortunate hand injury, there is just a litany of question marks. But asking questions is no fun. Wildly speculating answers to questions is what we’re all about. So let’s dive into the Hoyas schedule and a breakdown of how each game will go - the quality of the game (think, watch-ability), projected grade for the Hoyas (overall performance), and the result.
Let me know what I’ve gotten wrong (which is impossible) and your own predictions for the season, and let’s have some fun this year!
Le Moyne Dolphins - Nov 7 (Tue) 7 p.m. FS2
Game Rating: A -
I realize some could look at this first game against the mighty Dolphins of Le Moyne and be totally underwhelmed. After all, this is Le Moyne’s first-ever Division One game as they leave the D-II ranks and join the vaunted Northeast Conference. They also come into this game ranked 361 out of 362 by Kenpom. But I, for one, cannot think of a better first game for the Ed Cooley Hoyas. Le Moyne College is in Syracuse, NY, allowing the Hoyas faithful to expand our rivalry from one dumb school in Syracuse to the entirety of Syracuse, NY! They are also coached by Nate Champion, which seems a little presumptuous. I am on board. The days of Georgetown messing around with early-season cupcakes are over. Georgetown wins handily
Hoyas Projected Grade: B
Record: 1 - 0
Holy Cross Crusaders - Nov 11 (Sat) 8 p.m. FS2
Game Rating: B -
Georgetown’s gauntlet first week concludes with the 337-ranked Crusaders. A team with a new head coach and new hopes. But despite winning more games than the Hoyas in the previous two seasons (yikes), the Crusaders will be no match for the new Hoyas, who will cruise to a wire-wire double-digit win.
Hoyas Projected Grade: B
Record: 2 - 0
@ Rutgers Scarlet Knights - Nov 15 (Wed) 8:30 p.m. FS1
Game Rating: A -
Long live the Gavitt Games. In what seems to be the last Gavitt Games match-up, Georgetown faces a tough Rutgers squad with high expectations and a bunch of talent and continuity. This is frankly a tough match-up for the new Hoyas and will look as such before Georgetown gets the blowout back closer to 10 by the end. A loss is a loss but we learn about the Hoyas toughness in this one
Hoyas Projected Grade: B-
Record: 2 - 1
Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers - Nov 18 (Sat) Noon FOX 5 Plus
Game Rating: D
The most interesting part of this one will be figuring out if you have FOX 5 Plus! A good bounce-back spot for the Hoyas after a reality check against Rutgers. One of the new guys goes absolutely bananas in this one. It’s probably going to be Jayden Epps, but it could be Drew Fielder !!!! And by the way, did we mention this is Georgetown’s Multi-Team Event this year?
Hoyas Projected Grade: B
Record: 3 - 1
American Eagles - Nov 19 (Sun) 4:30 p.m. FS2
Game Rating: C
Yes, you remember correctly that the Hoyas lost to American last year. No, it will not happen again this year as Georgetown takes down the Eagles of American handily in what ultimately looks like a Kenner League game. Kenner League sickos hate to love it. Everyone else just hates it
Hoyas Projected Grade: B
Record: 4 - 1
Jackson State Tigers - Nov 25 (Sat) Noon FS2
Game Rating: C
A new opponent for Georgetown, Jackson St., comes into the year as Georgetown’s highest-rated, non-Rutgers November opponent. Kenpom has them at 219 after a 14-19 campaign last year and a team with continuity. Yes, Georgetown should handle the Tigers. And they will. Many will have this circled as the potential letdown spot for the Hoyas early, but it’s not (foreshadowing!!!)l. Ultimately, I think Cooley’s Hoyas show well in this spot and give us some hope for the future against a Tiger team that can’t shoot well enough to keep up.
Hoyas Projected Grade: B
Record: 5 - 1
Merrimack College Warriors - Nov 29 (Wed) 8:30 p.m. FS1
Game Rating: B -
Merrimack College comes into this season sporting the nation’s longest active win streak - 11 games. Merrimack should have been a tournament team last year, having won the Northeast Conference tournament, but was ineligible due to the dumb NCAA rules for schools transitioning to D-I. This is the first year Merrimack will be tournament-eligible, and they will be looking at this spot against Georgetown as a winnable resume-builder. This is the spot I have circled to judge Cooley’s ability to prep his team. On paper, the Jackson St. team is better, and the Hoyas will be looking at a week off to prepare for a tough TCU test. Merrimack will (probably) not have the longest active winning streak coming into this game (if Vermont doesn’t get them, Ohio St will). But I bet the Warriors have this one circled, and I guarantee the Hoyas do not. Ultimately, I have faith in Cooley to not overlook this spot, and the defense gets it done.
Hoyas Projected Grade: B
Record: 6 - 1
TCU Horned Frogs - Dec 2 (Sat) 5:30 p.m. FS1
Game Rating: A
TCU is good and will be Georgetown’s highest-rated non-conference opponent (currently ranked 30th by Kenpom). TCU also plays the cupcakiest of cupcake schedules prior to Georgetown, with all 6 games against opponents ranked 250 or lower by Kenpom. In fact, Georgetown will be TCU’s third toughest non-conference opponent behind Clemson (51) and Arizona St (81). Look, Georgetown is probably not going to beat TCU. BUT, this has slow start written all over it for TCU, who may mistake Georgetown for another 289-ranked opponent. The question in this one will be if Georgetown can hang on…If they do, the takes will be hot Hot HOT.
Hoyas Projected Grade: B+
Record: 6 - 2
Syracuse Orange - Dec 9 (Sat) 11:30 a.m. FOX
Game Rating: A, but only because it’s Syracuse
Syracuse is the second-best Syracuse-based basketball team Georgetown will face this year. And they will lose by a greater margin than the mighty Dolphins of Le Moyne. Also, 11:30 seems extremely early.
Hoyas Projected Grade: B
Record: 7 - 2
Coppin State Eagles - Dec 12 (Tue) 8:30 p.m. FS1
Game Rating: D
Late tip-off in mid-December against Coppin State? This is the dregs of the non-conference, but one of those you have to fill out the schedule. Hoyas win
Hoyas Projected Grade: C
Record: 8 - 2
@ Notre Dame Fighting Irish - Dec 16 (Sat) 2 p.m. CW
Game Rating: B+
For those of us in the “we kinda really liked Micah Shrewsberry even though we’re happy about Ed” camp, this is an eyebrow-raiser. Georgetown and Notre Dame have a lot of similarities going into the year, but I think Georgetown’s returning roster and incoming transfers are better. This will be a really interesting road test for a team that I expect to struggle away from DC. I think ND gets the nod because they’re home, but this is a true tossup.
Hoyas Projected Grade: C or B
Record: 8 - 3
@ Butler Bulldogs - Dec 19 (Tues) 6:30 p.m. FS1
Game Rating: B
Is Butler good? Nobody knows. And come December 19th, it will still be a mystery as Butler will have gotten a surprise win against Texas Tech after playing Michigan St kind of tough but will also get blown out by FAU, who will IMHO win a national championship this year - Hoot Hoot! I kind of think Georgetown wins one of ND/Butler. So, if they sneak by ND on Saturday, this is a loss. If not, Georgetown will continue its ownership of Hinkle Fieldhouse
Hoyas Projected Grade: C or B
Record: 9 - 3
@ Marquette Golden Eagles - Dec 22 (Fri) 7 p.m. FS1
Game Rating: B-
Nobody is wondering if Marquette is good. They are good, and this is a scheduled loss. I don’t think this is close. Georgetown will be better to close the BIG East schedule but early on, and in late December, this is a blowout
Hoyas Projected Grade: C-
Record: 9 - 4
Creighton Bluejays - Jan 2 (Tue) 7 p.m. FS1
Game Rating: B
I think Marquette will be better than Creighton, but both are scary good, and Georgetown is going to struggle, even at home. I expect another Hoyas loss for their first 2-game losing streak of the year.
Hoyas Projected Grade: C-
Record: 9 - 5
DePaul Blue Demons - Jan 6 (Sat) Noon FS1
Game Rating: B-
There are no bad games in the BIG East, but this is a bounce-back spot for Georgetown. Ish Masoud has his first big game after coming back from the broken hand. Everyone else is fine
Hoyas Projected Grade: B
Record: 10 - 5
Seton Hall Pirates - Jan 9 (Tue) 6:30 p.m. FS1
Game Rating: B-
I think Seton Hall is bad… Hoyas Win
Hoyas Projected Grade: B
Record: 11 - 5
@ UConn Huskies - Jan 14 (Sun) Noon OR 4:30 p.m. FOX
Game Rating: B
I think UConn is good. And Georgetown has absolutely no one who can match up with Donovan Clingan. Blowout? Maybe the Hoyas keep it close, but no chance in this one.
Hoyas Projected Grade: C
Record: 11 - 6
@ Xavier Musketeers - Jan 19 (Fri) 6:30 p.m. FS1
Game Rating: B
A trend begins to emerge. Georgetown is competitive at home, very much not so on the road. Blowout.
Hoyas Projected Grade: C
Record: 11 - 7
Butler Bulldogs - Jan 23 (Tue) 6:30 p.m. FS1
Game Rating: C
A tight game that Georgetown drops at home. Possibly, in overtime, we all begin to question the preparation and game plan and totally overreact.
Hoyas Projected Grade: D
Record: 11 - 8
@ Providence Friars - Jan 27 (Sat) 12:30 p.m. FOX
Game Rating: A+
Look, Providence fans are obnoxious and hostile and toxic and are way too obsessed with Ed Cooley and Georgetown. But this is arguably the game of the year, and I hope Georgetown students and fans can figure out how to have some sort of a presence to support our Coach and players - they are going to need it. And they are especially going to need it after the game because…HOYAS WIN, HOYAS WIN, HOYAS WIN. Yes! Georgetown will somehow figure out how to win this game; perhaps their only away conference win and Friar Nation will spontaneously combust. This will be the high-point of the season, and deservedly so. Coach will be classy in victory, but we will know that this one really meant something, and the smugness will carry us to the Garden I cannot wait.
Hoyas Projected Grade: A+
Record: 12 - 8
Marquette Golden Eagles - Feb 3 (Sat) 2 p.m. FS1
Game Rating: B+
Holy letdown spot, Batman! Georgetown does not match up with Marquette and gets boat raced. But it doesn’t matter because we beat Providence!
Hoyas Projected Grade: C
Record: 12 - 9
@ Seton Hall Pirates - Feb 7 (Wed) 6:30 p.m. FS2
Game Rating: B-
Seton Hall remains shaky, but Georgetown can’t squeeze out a road win.
Hoyas Projected Grade: C+
Record: 12 - 10
UConn Huskies - Feb 10 (Sat) Noon FS1
Game Rating: B
NNNNNOPE
Hoyas Projected Grade: C
Record: 12 - 11
@ Creighton Bluejays - Feb 13 (Tue) 8:30 p.m. FS1
Game Rating: B
Really tough stretch for Georgetown following the Triumph at Providence (we’ll work on this). They drop another tough away game to a really good team.
Hoyas Projected Grade: C
Record: 12 - 12
Villanova Wildcats - Feb 16 (Fri) 7 p.m. CBSSN
Game Rating: B-
Everyone is really high on Villanova to have a bounce-back year. I don’t see it. I see them being very similar to last year when they largely underperformed and got bounced by Liberty in the NIT. Georgetown narrowly lost to Villanova in Philly last year, and I think they take care of business this year at home.
Hoyas Projected Grade: B+
Record: 13 - 12
St. Johns Red Storm - Feb 21 (Wed) 7 p.m. FS1
Game Rating: A
The real “what could have been” game. This is going to be a tough one for Hoya Twitter (or Xer or whatever that god-forsaken Hellscape app is called). How in the world did we get stuck not playing St Johns until February? I think that’s a tough matchup against a team that has some time to figure things out. A toss-up game that I think Georgetown probably loses.
Hoyas Projected Grade: C-
Record: 13 - 13
@ Depaul Blue Demons - Feb 24 (Sat) 6 p.m. CBSSN
Game Rating: C
Road Hoyas in late Feb…Yikes
Hoyas Projected Grade: D
Record: 13 - 14
@ Villanova Wildcats - Feb 27 (Tue) 6:30 p.m. FS1
Game Rating: B
Good game, but a tight loss on the road.
Hoyas Projected Grade: B
Record: 13 - 15
Xavier Musketeers - Mar 2 (Sat) 7:30 p.m. FS1
Game Rating: B
Equalizing win for the Hoyas at home
Hoyas Projected Grade: B
Record: 14 - 15
Providence Friars - Mar 5 (Tue) 7 p.m. FS1
Game Rating: A
Round 2? Hoyas win AGAIN ahahahahahahah. I personally think one of the most exciting and gratifying things that could happen this year is Georgetown going 2-0 against Providence. And I think it’s in the cards because it’s fun to hope! Georgetown may have an up-and-down season, but we will always remember the year that Georgetown put Providence down after stealing their coach and sending the entire fanbase/state into a chaotic and problematic frenzy
Hoyas Projected Grade: A
Record: 15 - 15
@ St. Johns Red Storm Mar 9 (Sat) Noon - FOX
Game Rating: A
On the flip side of going 2-0 against Providence. Georgetown goes 0-2 against St. Johns in the “Why can’t we have nice things” series, and Hoya Twitter consumes itself in an ouroboros-ian debacle
Hoyas Projected Grade: D
Record: 15 - 16
Season Predictions
A surprisingly steady non-conference run sets the Hoyas up for optimism going into the BIG East schedule. Can they stay above .500? Are the Hoyas a bubble team? Can they sneak a win or two against Quad 1 in the conference to make a case? We all struggle to keep our optimism tempered but come back to earth in a BIG East that is impossible to win on the road. Georgetown finishes a respectful 15-16 and 8th in the conference. They win on Wednesday in the Garden before losing in the second round of the BIG East Tournament. Ultimately, we remember the year as a great first step and as the year that we broke Providence.
MVP: Jayden Epps, and it’s not close
Fan Favorite: Supreme Cook by a mile
Player we wish would come back for another year because they show surprisingly well: Wayne Bristol
“Analytics” darling (player who some of us really-really like but has a ways to go):
Rowan Brumbaugh
“If only” player: Ish Massoud (really such a bummer about his hand injury. Hoping he’s able to get back to full strength, but it’s a tough injury for a shooter like him)
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