Georgetown basketball is seeking its first profitable season since 2018. Are the Hoyas formally again in 12 months two below head coach Ed Cooley?
When Ed Cooley introduced he was leaving Windfall for Georgetown, the faculty basketball world was shocked. Cooley had spent 12 seasons revitalizing the Friars, guiding them to seven NCAA tournaments, together with a Candy 16 run in 2021. His departure wasn’t only a transfer—it was a seismic shift inside the Huge East.
Georgetown, a storied program with only one NCAA match look since 2015, was in determined want of revival. Below Patrick Ewing, the Hoyas had struggled to regain their former glory. However now, in simply his second season in Bethesda, Cooley has Georgetown buzzing. At 10-2 general and boasting back-to-back Huge East victories, together with a commanding conference-opening win towards Creighton, the Hoyas look like turning the nook.
“It is simply good for school basketball. If Georgetown is nice and Syracuse is nice, it’s nice for school basketball.”
-Georgetown coach Ed Cooley following his win over Syracuse
The final time each applications have been ranked for the sport was the 2013 Huge East semifinals at MSG pic.twitter.com/u7fGjO86y6
— Ashley Wenskoski (@AshleyWenskTV) December 15, 2024
The query now resonates throughout faculty basketball: Is Georgetown again? Below Cooley’s management, the Hoyas aren’t simply profitable video games—they’re reclaiming their id.
Is Georgetown Basketball Again?
Most Georgetown followers would possibly argue it doesn’t matter whether or not the Hoyas are “again” as a result of what really issues is the progress already made. Below Ed Cooley, Georgetown is unrecognizable from the group that struggled to only 13 complete wins in Patrick Ewing’s last two seasons. In his first 12 months, Cooley pushed this system to 9 wins. Now, simply halfway by way of his second season, the Hoyas have already surpassed that mark with a 10-2 file.
The final three video games have been nothing in need of exceptional. Street wins towards Syracuse and Seton Corridor bookend a dominant residence victory over Creighton—a stretch that will’ve appeared inconceivable simply months in the past. Whereas the Huge East stays a brutal battleground, Georgetown’s trajectory feels totally different, brimming with risk.
Thomas Sorber completed with 19 factors, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 blocks and a couple of steals in Georgetown’s 61-60 win at Seton Corridor. #HoyaSaxa | #Hoyas pic.twitter.com/noWT5os5Zr
— The NBS Sports activities Hour (@NBSSportsHour) December 23, 2024
It’s not simply that the Hoyas are profitable; it’s how they’re doing it. In opposition to “inferior” opponents, Georgetown has been relentless, profitable seven of their ten victories by double digits. After a modest season-opening win towards Lehigh, they’ve dismantled groups like Mount St. Mary’s, Wagner, and Albany with margins of 28, 25, and 32 factors, respectively. Probably the most spectacular may be their commanding 24-point blowout of Creighton.
Georgetown isn’t simply enhancing—they’re dominating when it issues, planting the seeds for what might be a genuinely exceptional resurgence.
Does A Actuality Examine Await The Hoyas?
The Hoyas’ begin below Ed Cooley has exceeded each expectation, however the street forward will likely be a proving floor. After a non-conference matchup with Coppin State on December 28, Georgetown will face 4 straight Huge East powerhouses. The gauntlet begins January 3 at residence towards Sean Miller’s Xavier Musketeers. Whereas 0-2 in convention play, Xavier’s losses got here towards top-tier opponents: a five-point street loss to defending nationwide champion UConn and a heartbreaking two-point defeat to No. 6 Marquette. They’ll arrive in D.C. hungry for his or her first convention win.
Subsequent, the Hoyas hit the street on January 7 to face Marquette, extensively thought to be the Huge East’s high group and a professional nationwide title contender. That problem is adopted by a house recreation towards UConn, the category of the convention for half a decade. The stretch concludes with a visit to Madison Sq. Backyard to reignite a basic rivalry towards Rick Pitino’s rejuvenated St. John’s squad, presently ranked No. 22.
Actuality possible awaits for Cooley’s squad. However this Georgetown group isn’t the walkover of the previous 5 years. They’ll grind on protection, and when photographs are falling, they will shock anybody. Is Georgetown solely again? Not but. However below Cooley, they’re unquestionably forward of schedule.