Georgetown basketball is 3-0 in Big East play for the first time since the 2011-2012 season and 12-2 overall. But where do the Hoyas stand?
The Hoyas have already won more games this season than in the last three seasons and it’s only early January. After welcoming Xavier to Capital One Arena, head coach Ed Cooley, and the Hoyas have something cooking in the nation’s capital.
The first half was highlighted on the defensive end as the Hoyas jumped out to a 19-6 lead with 10 minutes to play. But Xavier slowly worked their way back into the game, as they cut the lead to six points at halftime, 30-24. In the first 20 minutes, the sides went a combined 1-16 from behind the arc and Micah Peavy was the only player on the floor to reach double figures with 11 points.
Xavier cut the lead to three out of the break and held the momentum. But after an offensive foul issued against the Musketeers and a technical foul called against head coach Sean Williams, the Hoyas pushed their lead back out to 10 points at 42-32. Xavier cut the lead to one point with four minutes to go, but in the end, the Hoyas held on for the 69-63 win.
The Hoyas’ two losses on the season have come against power five opponents, one at home to Notre Dame and on the road at West Virginia. However, the blowout loss to Notre Dame came in just the second week of the season and the country is aware of the talented WVU side that took down Kansas in Allen Fieldhouse.
Even with the hot start to the season, the Hoyas have work to do before they get into the teeth of conference play.
First, Georgetown basketball has struggled with inconsistency on the offensive end. The Hoyas have shown offensive explosions with a blowout win over Creighton and a 100-point performance against UAlbany. However, they have shown inconsistency, especially in the two losses that both came by double digits. In the first 14 games of the season, when the Hoyas score more than 70 points they are 8-0, but when they score fewer than 70 they are 4-2.
However, when the offense sputters, the Hoyas have used their defensive ability to win the close games. Currently, Georgetown basketball is ranked inside of the top 50 in defensive efficiency and 21st in scoring defense at 63 points per game. Following Friday’s matchup, Xavier head coach, Sean Miller had high praises for Georgetown basketball’s defensive ability.
“Their defense is one of the best in our league, if not the best in our league right now, I really felt that tonight,”coach Miller said. “They’re really good guarding the ball one-on-one. Very seldom did they get broken down off the dribble.”
If the Hoyas continue their defensive ways and improve their offensive consistency, they may find themselves near the top of the Big East standings late in the season.
On the individual side, Georgetown basketball has four players who are averaging over 12 points, led by Jayden Epps who is averaging 15.9 points per game. The junior guard is in his second season with the Hoyas and has proven that he is one of the best guards in the Big East. Along with averaging 2.6 assists per game, the 6-foot-2 junior is shooting an effective 39% from behind the arc. However, Epps did not play in the Hoyas’ previous game and played only four early minutes in the win over Xavier.
While Epps is a proven star for the Hoyas, the breakout player this season has been Thomas Sorber. The freshman forward from Trenton, N.J. is second on the team in scoring at 15.7 points per game, just below Epps. But where the 6-foot-10 forward stands out is on the glass, as he currently leads the Big East with 8.3 boards per game. It may be time to start putting Sorber in the conversation to be one of the best big men in a conference that is loaded at the position.
After his 12-point performance against Xavier, coach Miller believes that Sorber will be at the top of any scouting report this season. He gave high praise to the freshman.
“Thomas Sorber, for such a young player has a great feel for himself,” Miller said. “Defensively, he’s not one of those young guys who’s talented but doesn’t know what he’s doing. He has a know-how in all phases of the game.”
The Hoyas also just so happen to have two of the best facilitators in the Big East, Malik Mack and Micah Peavy who are both in the top 11 in assists in the conference. However, on the opposite side, Georgetown basketball has struggled with turnovers. Through the first 13 games of the season, they averaged 13.1 turnovers per game, which places them outside of the top 250 in the country.
Record aside, the Hoyas strength of schedule to this point in the season is one of the weakest in the country. But this included a trip to the JMA Wireless Dome which is a tough place to play, especially in a rivalry game. As well as the win over Creighton and a road victory over Big East opponent Seton Hall.
Being ranked as the 7th best team in the Big East according to the NCAA’s NET rankings may seem like a negative after Georgetown’s hot start. But it may actually be a good thing as the Hoyas should have multiple opportunities to boost their resume as they reach the thick of conference play. As the Hoyas move further into conference play, Georgetown head coach Ed Cooley has an important message for his team.
“We said from day one. Toughness travels. Physicality travels. Discipline travels.”
But the question looms for Georgetown fans, can the Hoyas make it back to the NCAA tournament?
Some Georgetown basketball fans may just be happy to see their team be competitive in the Big East once again. However, I believe this team’s ceiling is much higher than that. Without Epps on the floor, the squad loses their primary scorer. But if he has a timely return, the one-two punch of Epps and Sorber could give the Hoyas a chance to return to March Madness.