Expectations for the men’s basketball team were so high entering the season that no one ever expected home losses to Old Dominion and Oregon, or a 5-3 record overall. Still, all you restless fans out there, have faith. Don’t jump off the bandwagon just yet. It has only just turned December and Big East basketball is a month away. Jeff Green and Roy Hibbert are too good and Coach Thompson has too much experience to let this slow start become a trend. The Hoyas will be fine. However, there are a few things that are troubling and need immediate attention. After falling out of the top 25 it is necessary to reevaluate what is working and what is not.
First and foremost is the lax production of All-American candidates Roy Hibbert and Jeff Green. No team can win when their two best players, one of the best forward-center combinations in the country, score a whopping 12.4 points per game. So here are some suggestions for utilizing the big men.
Number One: Roy Hibbert should stop playing the high post. One easy lay-up, even if it was a Sports Center highlight, is not worth the nine turnovers he has committed from that spot this season. Hibbert should be planted down low, where he can use his often-sizeable height advantage to wear down and overpower opponents. When Hibbert is inside the paint, get him the ball! Hibbert is practically tall enough to drop it in. At 7’2”, the probability of scoring within five feet of the basket is pretty high. Compare that with the probability of Hibbert scoring when handling the ball around the three-point line. Exactly.
Number Two: Jeff Green needs more freedom. He is one of the game’s most complete players, but so far he has been stymied offensively. Coach Thompson should create more isolations and set plays designed for Green to use his game-breaking abilities. Anything under 10 points per game for Green is not enough for the Hoyas to compete in February and March.
Number Three: We need to stop shooting three-pointers. Last night’s game aside (we were playing James Madison), Georgetown has shot the three abysmally. Our .347 three-point percentage is among the lowest of the top 25 teams. No one knows that better than our opponents, who have constantly left us wide open as we clank three after three off the rim (again, the James Madison game aside).
For all our early mishaps, it is important to remember that the Hoyas still have a lot going for them. Wallace has been excellent running the point and picking up the scoring in Green and Hibbert’s absence. Sophomore Jessie Sapp has improved his game and junior guard Tyler Crawford is just now returning from sickness. Couple that with the improved play of fabulous freshmen DaJuan Summers and Vernon Macklin, and there is still plenty for Hoya fans to be thankful for.
Most importantly, all fans should remain faithful and continue to expect a big year for Georgetown basketball. They have stumbled out of the gates, but as is true in most sports, the finish is more important than the start. If the coaches can implement these few minor changes, Georgetown basketball can be right back in the top 10.
