Georgetown basketball is searching for its first profitable season since 2018. Are the Hoyas formally again in yr two beneath head coach Ed Cooley?
When Ed Cooley introduced he was leaving Windfall for Georgetown, the school basketball world was shocked. Cooley had spent 12 seasons revitalizing the Friars, guiding them to seven NCAA tournaments, together with a Candy 16 run in 2021. His departure wasn’t only a transfer—it was a seismic shift throughout the Massive East.
Georgetown, a storied program with only one NCAA match look since 2015, was in determined want of revival. Beneath Patrick Ewing, the Hoyas had struggled to regain their former glory. However now, in simply his second season in Bethesda, Cooley has Georgetown buzzing. At 10-2 general and boasting back-to-back Massive East victories, together with a commanding conference-opening win towards Creighton, the Hoyas seem like turning the nook.
“It is simply good for school basketball. If Georgetown is nice and Syracuse is nice, it’s nice for school basketball.”
-Georgetown coach Ed Cooley following his win over Syracuse
The final time each packages had been ranked for the sport was the 2013 Massive East semifinals at MSG pic.twitter.com/u7fGjO86y6
— Ashley Wenskoski (@AshleyWenskTV) December 15, 2024
The query now resonates throughout faculty basketball: Is Georgetown again? Beneath Cooley’s management, the Hoyas aren’t simply profitable video games—they’re reclaiming their identification.
Is Georgetown Basketball Again?
Most Georgetown followers may argue it doesn’t matter whether or not the Hoyas are “again” as a result of what really issues is the progress already made. Beneath Ed Cooley, Georgetown is unrecognizable from the workforce that struggled to only 13 whole wins in Patrick Ewing’s ultimate two seasons. In his first yr, Cooley pushed this system to 9 wins. Now, simply halfway by his second season, the Hoyas have already surpassed that mark with a 10-2 document.
The final three video games have been nothing wanting outstanding. Highway wins towards Syracuse and Seton Corridor bookend a dominant house victory over Creighton—a stretch that might’ve appeared unbelievable simply months in the past. Whereas the Massive East stays a brutal battleground, Georgetown’s trajectory feels totally different, brimming with risk.
Thomas Sorber completed with 19 factors, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 blocks and a pair of steals in Georgetown’s 61-60 win at Seton Corridor. #HoyaSaxa | #Hoyas pic.twitter.com/noWT5os5Zr
— The NBS Sports activities Hour (@NBSSportsHour) December 23, 2024
It’s not simply that the Hoyas are profitable; it’s how they’re doing it. In opposition to “inferior” opponents, Georgetown has been relentless, profitable seven of their ten victories by double digits. After a modest season-opening win towards Lehigh, they’ve dismantled groups like Mount St. Mary’s, Wagner, and Albany with margins of 28, 25, and 32 factors, respectively. Probably the most spectacular is likely to be their commanding 24-point blowout of Creighton.
Georgetown isn’t simply enhancing—they’re dominating when it issues, planting the seeds for what may very well be a genuinely outstanding resurgence.
Does A Actuality Examine Await The Hoyas?
The Hoyas’ begin beneath Ed Cooley has exceeded each expectation, however the highway forward can be a proving floor. After a non-conference matchup with Coppin State on December 28, Georgetown will face 4 straight Massive East powerhouses. The gauntlet begins January 3 at house towards Sean Miller’s Xavier Musketeers. Whereas 0-2 in convention play, Xavier’s losses got here towards top-tier opponents: a five-point highway loss to defending nationwide champion UConn and a heartbreaking two-point defeat to No. 6 Marquette. They’ll arrive in D.C. hungry for his or her first convention win.
Subsequent, the Hoyas hit the highway on January 7 to face Marquette, broadly thought to be the Massive East’s prime workforce and a professional nationwide title contender. That problem is adopted by a house recreation towards UConn, the category of the convention for half a decade. The stretch concludes with a visit to Madison Sq. Backyard to reignite a basic rivalry towards Rick Pitino’s rejuvenated St. John’s squad, at present ranked No. 22.
Actuality doubtless awaits for Cooley’s squad. However this Georgetown workforce isn’t the walkover of the previous 5 years. They’ll grind on protection, and when pictures are falling, they’ll shock anybody. Is Georgetown fully again? Not but. However beneath Cooley, they’re unquestionably forward of schedule.