The Gauntlet: Georgetown Basketball's January Test

While the South Eastern Conference may be the power of College Football, few would disagree that the Big East is the Beast of College Basketball. 

Granted, they did not produce more Final Four or national champions then the ACC last decade; however, from top-to-bottom, the Big East has been the best college basketball conference in America the last few years. 

Proof of this can be seen when you look at the remainder of the Georgetown Hoyas schedule for January 2010. 

Over the course of two weeks, the Hoyas will play a total of four Top 20 teams; try to avenge the loss that sent the 2008-2009 season spiraling out of control, and look to win on two of the most challenging home courts for the program in recent memory.

The last time Georgetown visited Villanova, Chris Wright silenced the Wachovia Center crowd by scoring four points in the last 48 seconds including two free throws with 10 seconds remaining that sealed the deal. 

This year’s game is will give the Villanova senior class, led by guard Scottie Reynolds, a chance to do something they has not done since their freshman year: defeat Georgetown. 

In fact, the Hoyas have won the last five contests vs. the Wildcats, including three straight in Philadelphia. 

If Greg Monroe can play BIG and the Hoyas can control the tempo (and the boards), they should walk away with their sixth consecutive win in what has been a hotly contested rivalry of late. 

During the 2004-2005 season, a young Georgetown Hoya squad headed into the Peterson Event Center and handed a then ranked (#12 ESPN/USA Today and #15AP) Pittsburgh Panther team only its third setback in the schools last 46 home games. 

It was the first big win of young John Thompson III’s tenure and re-introduced Georgetown Basketball to the national media (and for some the Hoya fan base). 

The win was even more remarkable given the Panthers proficiency at the Event Center (at the time it was only the third loss Pittsburgh has suffered in their first 46 home games at their new arena, which opened in 2002). 

In fact, since the venue began hosting Panther home games in 2002, Pittsburgh has won over 110 games while dropping only 10 (95%+ winning percentage)! 

Heading into this week’s game, Pittsburgh has won 29 consecutive games including 14 in a row vs. Big East schools and five straight vs. ranked opponents. 

On Wednesday 01/20/2010 the Georgetown Hoyas play the second of a blistering five-game stretch on the court where the opponent is, dare I say, unbeatable. 

Although the Hoyas have dominated Rutgers since the Scarlet Knights first joined the Big East in 1991, this game could prove to be a trap game. 

If the Hoyas are coming off of back-to-back wins over Top 10 teams on the road; they could very easily trip up in this one.  If they return home following consecutive losses, the Scarlet Knights could be just what the doctor ordered.

February 24, 2002 was the last time Georgetown defeated Syracuse on the Orange home court.  Last year it seemed like the streak would continue rather easily.  With 8:12 to play, Syracuse guard Eric Devendorf hit a three that lifted the Orange to a 66-50 lead. 

However; the Hoyas would close out the second half on a 33-17 run and send the game into overtime.  Syracuse would eventually win 98-94 in the extra session. 

This season, the Hoyas get a chance to do something that has not been done during the John Thompson III era: defeat Syracuse in the Carrier Dome.    

Who can forget (certainly not a true Georgetown Hoya fan) Cameron Indoor Stadium on Saturday January 17, 2009 (A year ago to the day in fact) and Georgetown was in the midst of a 13-6 scoring run which cut an 11-point halftime deficit to four. 

Freshman big men Greg Monroe and Henry Sims were called for consecutive fouls; the former of which prompted John Thompson III to place the foul-plagued McDonald's All American on the bench.

The next few seconds would alter the course of the game, and for some superstitious Hoyas fans, the rest of the season. 

While sitting on the bench the Greg Monroe “allegedly” said something to the Zebras (in opposition to back-to-back blocking calls on Georgetown big men) that solicited a technical foul. 

A Blue Devil 13-3 scoring run ensued putting an otherwise competitive game out of reach.  This year the Hoyas get Duke at home and Greg Monroe will have much to prove.

The same can be said of junior guard Chris Wright (3 points on 1-6 shooting last year), who will need to win the head-to-head with fellow junior Nolan Smith. 

The X-factor will be how the Hoyas choose to defend Duke forward Kyle Singler.  In the end, I think the Hoyas should win a close one with the score hovering in the 70s.    

When the dust settles on Feb. 1, 2010, the Hoyas will have played a fortnight of basketball that included four ranked teams in the top 20 (three of which are conference road games versus two top ten teams) including Duke and an up-and-coming Rutgers program that will no doubt pose a stiff challenge.

The remainder of the month will provide the Hoyas with a true outlook of the 2009-2010 season.

Overachieve and the Hoyas will be sitting at 18-2 (8-1) with a top-five ranking.  Fall apart and you will have a 13-7 (4-5) Georgetown team with a lot more answers than questions.

I think the answer lies somewhere in between and they should win three of five including two in conference play and head into February 16-4 (6-3).  Let’s hope, for the sake of Hoyas Nation, that I am right!