Anthony Francavilla

Sports

Going Bearcat hunting

Cincinnati basketball is less than three years removed from the ultra-intimidating, uber-athletic Bobby Huggins era. Since the current West Virginia coach’s forced resignation in 2005, the Bearcats have stepped out of the Conference USA stratosphere and into the Big East basement. The once-feared Bearcats have looked more like kittens in their first three seasons in the conference, and the Cincinnati sideline that was once stalked by the imposing Huggins is now occupied by the diminutive Mick Cronin.

By February 21, 2008

Sports

Settling scores up north

When asked about the Georgetown/Syracuse rivalry, senior center Roy Hibbert recalled a story that former coach John Thompson, Jr. told him about its roots: in 1980, the Hoyas defeated the Orange to snap a 57-game home winning streak in the last ever game at Syracuse’s Manley Field House. Now, 28 years later, the rivalry is “part of the fabric of the Big East,” according to current coach John Thompson III.

By February 14, 2008

Sports

Bleeds of glory

A bloody trail twisted from one end of the rink to the visiting bench in the Buffalo Sabers’ HSBC Arena on Sunday night. But this macabre remnant was not nearly as disturbing as the sight of a dazed Richard Zednik leaning heavily on a teammate and clutching at his neck, which had just been cut open by the errant skate of another teammate, Ollie Jokinen. For the fans present, and even for those who watched in horror at the slow-motion replays that followed, it was one of the most terrifying sports accidents in recent memory. But for a recent Georgetown grad, Jokinen’s skate-blade may have sliced a little too close to home.

By February 14, 2008

Sports

WEB EXCLUSIVE: Wallace nips ‘Nova from the line

In the country’s most physical conference, the rule of law is usually to let the little contact go, but the refs ignored very little in Monday night’s Big East slugfest between the eighth-ranked Hoyas and the Wildcats of Villanova. The two teams combined for 48 fouls on the night, but the only one anyone will remember is the last.

By February 7, 2008

Sports

Breaking the Cardinal rule

Junior guard Jessie Sapp says he will be ready when the sixth-ranked Hoyas (19-2, 9-1 BE) travel to Freedom Hall in Louisville on Saturday to take on the Cardinals (17-6, 7-3 BE).

By February 7, 2008

Sports

No Cheerocracy

It’s no secret that the two most important aspects of a home basketball game are the players on the floor and the fans in the seats. This season, Georgetown’s players have spoken for themselves, whether it’s Jessie Sapp hitting big buckets down the stretch against Syracuse or Roy Hibbert stepping back to put away the Huskies. And the fans have been spoken for by none other than head coach John Thompson III.

By January 31, 2008

Sports

Not bitter, all sweet

Going into last night’s Big East Conference match-up against St. John’s University (7-12, 1-7 BE), the sixth-ranked Georgetown Hoyas led the league in points allowed per game (57.5) and led the nation in field goal percentage defense (36 percent). After the Hoyas’ 74-42 thrashing of the Red Storm, both of those numbers will improve.

By January 31, 2008

Sports

WEB EXCLUSIVE: Hoyas barely swat away Mountaineers

West Virginia fans do not like Patrick Ewing Jr. Last year’s small scuffle with then-coach John Beilein earned the senior forward the chagrin of the Mountaineer Maniacs, but his game-ending, heartbreaking block on Saturday night placed the crown prince of Georgetown basketball somewhere between Satan and former football coach Rich Rodriguez in the current Morgantown lexicon of hatred.

By January 24, 2008

Sports

Fear the ‘neers

With more than a third of the Big East Conference season behind us, it’s time to reflect on preseason expectations. Georgetown is right where they were expected to be at the top of the conference, but just below the Hoyas in the Big East standings sits what many would call a surprise team: the West Virginia Mountaineers.

By January 24, 2008

Sports

Where’s Malibu?

Last year, the all-knowing sports sages at ESPN offered the hungry masses a veritable steak dinner amidst the tasteless buffet of daytime television. The network’s retro affiliate, ESPN Classic, lived up to its name with the re-airing of a true television classic: American Gladiators.

By January 17, 2008