Georgetown’s disappointing season came to expected end in the first round of the Big East tournament with a 68-57 loss to the Boston College. The Eagles used their superior size advantage to win their earlier Big East encounter against the Hoyas and once again utilized their interior size advantage to control the game.
“I thought we got pushed around a little bit too much,” said Head Coach Craig Esherick. “I thought we got pushed around by teams in our league, and I thought we got pushed around by teams outside our league. “
Boston College forward and All-Big East first team selection Craig Smith led with 14 rebounds and a game-high 16 points, mostly off easy buckets inside to record his ninth double-double of the year.
The game was close early on, but a first half ankle injury to Co-captain Courtland Freeman was a giant blow to the already undersized Hoyas. “Courtland is a big part of our success. His presence on the floor is very important, ” said fellow captain Gerald Riley.
Redshirt first-year Amadou Kilkenny-Diaw gave a spirited performance in Freeman’s absence, a thirty-minute effort against the commanding Boston College frontline. Nonetheless, the Eagles went on to out rebound the Hoyas 39-27, with 12 coming off offensive boards.
Smith was aided in the post by Uka Agbai who contributed 11 points. Staying on the opposite block from Smith, Agbai served as a decoy for much of the game. He kept the Hoyas honest, and restricted them from using double teams on defense. Also providing offensive support was Jared Dudley who added 12 points and showed why he was a unanimous choice to the All-Big East freshman team.
One of the lone Hoya bright spots was freshman point guard Matt Causey’s stellar play, which kept the Hoyas in striking distance. Causey finished with 12 points on four of five shooting along with five assists. Although, they trailed for most of the game, the Hoyas remained in striking distance, trailing by only five at the half. Georgetown threatened with an 11-2 run midway through the second half, but could only get within one after two Causey free throws. A crucial charge call on Causey later on killed the momentum for a Hoya comeback. Boston College’s Jermaine Watson hit 10 of 12 free throws down the stretch to put the game on ice.
“My shots were falling, and I just kept looking for the open man, ” said Causey on his strong performance. As for the charge call Causey was diplomatic by stating “One play doesn’t make the game. ” Esherick on the other hand was evidently displeased with the refereeing by refusing to comment and saying, “I’m trying real hard not to comment about the officiating. “
Riley, often inconsistent but sometimes brilliant during his four years at Georgetown, scored 12 points in his final game. Riley expressed his bittersweet emotions after ending his career with a loss.
“[The season] didn’t end the way I wanted it to end, ” he said. “It’s been a great team to play with, I’ve enjoyed playing with all the guys, and I’m leaving these same guys ready to bring the program back up. “
The ninth consecutive loss (13-15 overall), the team’s worst losing streak since joining the Big East, eliminated the Hoyas from postseason consideration for the first time in 31 years with a losing record not seen since John Thompson’s first year at the helm. Frustrated students and alumni quickly planned an on campus protest and organized an online petition to force a change in the Head Coaching position.
Esherick remained defiant after his 12th seeded Hoyas were ousted from the Big East tournament and fired back to those calling for his job. “I think every profession but the coaching profession is permitted to have a bad year, ” he said. “I certainly resent the heck out of it as a coach. But I’m not going to sit up here and say we had a great year – we didn’t … but help is on the way folks, stay tuned, stay tuned. “
Esherick was referring to an impressive recruiting class that may never make its way to the Hilltop next season in light of the coaching turmoil; Esherick was fired as this story went to press. Seemingly oblivious to the swirling winds around him, Esherick ignored the criticism and maintained his belief that the team was improving and showed positive signs. After the final nail in his team’s coffin, he finally had to address a disastrous season.
“I’m not happy with the fact that we were 13-15, or whatever we were, ” Esherick said. “I’m not happy with the losing streak. I think it’s something we have to improve on, and I think it’s something we will improve on. I think the streak [of postseason appearances] that just ended was a pretty remarkable streak. You’re talking about 30 years in a row of being invited to the postseason, and that’s a pretty incredible streak that I don’t think our school got credit for, that I don’t think I got any credit for. “
