2008 Georgetown Hoyas Basketball Preview

Last season, the Hoyas of Georgetown (28-6 overall, 15-3 Big East) finished first in the Big East and made their third NCAA Tournament appearance in a row. However, after making it to the Sweet 16 two years prior and the Final Four the year before, these Hoyas went two-and-out in 2008. They met and beat Maryland-Baltimore County 66-47 in round one and then they were stunned by Davidson 74-70 in the next round.

Junior DuJuan Summers (27.2 MPG, 11.1 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 1.5 APG, 42.9 FG%, 70.7 FT%) is primed to be All-Big East this year. Although he played well at times in 2007-2008, he was inconsistent. Sophomore swingman Austin Freeman (25.6 MPG, 9.1 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 1.6 APG, 51.3 FG%, 81.6 FT%), who had a solid frosh season, will play at the small forward spot. Freeman is a fine three-point shooter, hitting 40.0% of his shots from downtown. Freshman center Greg Monroe could get the nod to start, but he’ll compete against Freshman Henry Sims and Florida State transfer Julian Vaughn.

Last season, guard Chris Wright (17.3 MPG, 5.7 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 2.1 APG, 48.6 FG%, 52.2 FT%) missed 18 games with an ankle injury. When he did play, Wright was a major on-court force. He used his speed and smarts to do well on both defense and offense. Veteran Jessie Sapp (26.8, 9.7 PPG, 4.1 FG%, 3.2 FT%, 43.8 FG%, 75.9 FG%), now a senior, hit threes last season at the rate of 41.1%. He also led the club in assists. Sophomore Omar Wattad and freshman Clark Freeman will attempt to take up the slack in the backcourt slots.

Since John Thompson III became the head coach of the Georgetown Hoyas three years ago, the club has been to the Big Dance each of those years. Although, they almost made it to the Sweet 16 for the third time straight in 2008, they missed out due to an unbelievable performance by Davidson’s Stephen Curry. And although the club has seen five top players leave, they are still formidable. Look for these Hoyas to finish somewhere near fifth-place in the Big East and to go two-and-out in 2008-2009.