2007 Georgetown Hoyas Basketball Preview

Last season the Georgetown Hoyas (30 -7 overall, 13- 3 Big East) captured first-place in the Big East and then made it to the Final Four in the conference tournament brackets where they lost to Ohio State 67- 60. In three years, coach John Thompson III (72- 30 at Georgetown, 140- 72 overall in seven years) has taken a promising team with 19 wins to a blossoming team with 30 wins. Watch out, it looks like Thompson can get this club to the Final Four and NCAA basketball betting again in 2007- 2008.

It was defense and patient shot selection that made the Hoyas competitive last season. Although they placed 11th in the conference in scoring, averaging 69.1 PPG, Georgetown’s defense was one of their best assets. The Hoyas were first in the Big East and 11th in the nation in scoring defense, allowing only 58.1 PPG. On the boards, they finished third in rebounding margin (plus-5.4). Although they scored fewer points per game than almost every other Big East team, their 50.5% shooting percentage was first and decisive for the NCAA picks.

The fact is that Georgetown doesn’t waste shots. They take good ones and make them count like our college basketball picks. Forward Jeff Green, who turned pro after last season, was better than his 14.3 PPG might suggest. The frontcourt will feature one of the best players in the country—senior center Roy Hibbert (12.9 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 67.1 FG%). Hibbert, who stand 7’ 2” tall and weighs 278 pounds, eats defenses for breakfast. Forwards DaJuan Summers (9.2 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 41.2 FG%) and Vernon Macklin (2.9 PPG, 1.5 RPG, 74.1 FG%) round out the front.

At guard, senior Jonathan Wallace (11.4 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 3.1 APG, 50.7 FG%) is able to manage the court and the game, while hitting big baskets. Junior Jessie Sapp (9.1 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 3.5 APG, 42.4 FG%) is a fine 2-guard. There’s plenty of depth in the Hoya backcourt with returning vets and some talented frosh.

The last time the Hoyas weren’t in the tournament was Thompson’s first season as coach. This year it looks like Georgetown could be national champs. It’s certainly not a done deal but rest assured that the Hoyas will be competitive to the bitter end.