Let’s tip our hats to Georgetown. The Hoyas have had quite a week, but the back end was about as impressive as they could be, especially given the circumstances from the front of the week.
On Monday, the entire program was shaken up when James Akinjo and Josh LeBlanc entered the transfer portal. When that news emerged out of nowhere, you had to think there was more to it – was there a player revolt, or were they in trouble and leaving school to get away from that? Late that night, we got our answers – legal troubles involving LeBlanc and two other players. Akinjo wasn’t named in any of the allegations against the players, but it appears he’s on the move to get out before things get worse for the program.
LeBlanc was a reserve big man, while the two players not mentioned here are depth pieces at best. Their future would appear to be murky. Akinjo is the big loss, as he was the Big East Freshman of the Year last year as the best of three impact freshmen. He is their point guard, and that’s a position that is never easily replaced.
The Hoyas entered this season clearly trending in the right direction under Patrick Ewing. Many had them slotted for a return trip to the NCAA Tournament after they showed much promise as a young team a year ago. They had Akinjo and Mac McClung quickly emerge as their backcourt of the present and future, while LeBlanc was second on the team in rebounding. NC State transfer Omer Yurtseven was about to be eligible, and under Ewing that thought was that he would move to fulfill his potential.
And with all of that, the Hoyas were set to play a much tougher schedule to challenge this team and go for some quality wins. The non-conference schedule in Ewing’s first season was full of easy wins, somewhat understandable given that they were rebuilding and had a gutted roster, while last year’s was a little better and included a win at improving Illinois early on, though they also lost to Loyola Marymount in the Jamaica Classic.
The season started off promisingly enough, although Penn State knocked them off by 15 at home in the third game of the season. They headed to New York for the 2K Empire Classic and took out Texas in the semifinals in impressive fashion, then built a nice lead early on against Duke in the championship game.
But for about ten days after the first half of that game, it was all downhill.
They lost to Duke thanks to a poor second half. Then they lost at home to UNC Greensboro – a good team that might win the Southern Conference, but if you’re a good Big East team, you win that game. Then came Monday with its off-court news.
Since then, Georgetown went to Oklahoma State and knocked off the Cowboys, who won the NIT Season Tip-Off in impressive fashion, and on Saturday night they traveled to Dallas for a date with undefeated SMU. The Mustangs aren’t what they were a few years ago, but they look to be having a resurgence, and all as Tim Jankovic’s job is thought to be on the line.
All the Hoyas did was build a 20-point halftime lead and never get seriously threatened in the second half of a 91-74 win. They led by as many as 27 along the way and got a career-high-tying 21 points from Jahvon Blair, who has been a bit player for most of his career.
If the Hoyas are to still be an NCAA Tournament team, Blair and others have to emerge. McClung, who had 19 points and seven assists, has to lead the way on the perimeter while Yurtseven does his work up front along with Jamorko Pickett. This team isn’t as deep, but roles have to change, and fast.
The good thing is that Georgetown has a path forward to the NCAA Tournament. They had the two games just mentioned, plus a visit from Syracuse, on the schedule, though that assumes that Syracuse eventually solves their early offensive issues and starts winning. The Big East will have plenty of quality win opportunities as well. Getting the wins got a lot tougher, but having this path forward was a plus. So far, Georgetown is at least taking full advantage of having that.
Side Dishes
For notes on much of the day’s game action, please see the Saturday Notes.
In Colorado‘s 72-58 loss at Kansas, the Buffaloes almost lost more than a game. Star guard Tyler Bey went down on a play in the second half and then had a Kansas player land right on his leg. He grimaced as if in a lot of pain, but got up fairly quickly even though he did not return. He’s already had one injury scare this season. Bey is averaging a double-double on the season and shooting 41.7 percent from long range.
Tonight’s Menu
More early conference games and a few good rivalry games highlight a much lighter slate.
- In ACC action, Clemson travels to Florida State (2 p.m.) and Virginia hosting North Carolina (4 p.m.)
- The first game of the day should be an interesting one as Houston travels to South Carolina (noon)
- In the Jerry Colangelo Classic in Phoenix, Saint Louis takes on Tulane (1:30 p.m.), then the headliner follows as Dayton battles Saint Mary’s (4 p.m.), before Liberty takes on Grand Canyon to close it out (6:30 p.m.)
- A sleeper of a matchup is Richmond hosting South Alabama at the same time that Oklahoma State hosts Wichita State (2 p.m.)
- At long last, a rivalry in the Lone Star State is renewed as Texas A&M and Texas battle in Fort Worth (3 p.m.)
- DePaul gets another good test, this time at home as Buffalo visits (5 p.m.)
- Big Ten games on tap are Northwestern’s visit to Purdue (5 p.m.) and Michigan State hosting Rutgers (7 p.m.)
- Out west is a good in-state rivalry game as Washington hosts Gonzaga (7 p.m.)
- The last game of the night should be a good one as Seton Hall visits Iowa State (9 p.m.)
