Georgetown Hoyas
2014-2015 Overall Rank: #32
Conference Rank: #2 Big East
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Georgetown fell apart at the end of last season. They had a five game Big East losing streak in January and ended the season losing five of their last seven heading into the NIT. Some injuries and academic issues were partly to blame, but the Hoyas were never able to pull it together. There is absolutely no excuse for losing to DePaul in the Big East tournament. Coach John Thompson III will put last year behind him though and keep moving forward with a team that hopefully stays healthy and eligible.
2013-14 Record: 18-15, 8-10
2013-14 Postseason: NIT
Coach: John Thompson III
Coach Record: 227-104 at Georgetown, 295-146 overall
Who’s Out:
Georgetown loses half of their potent backcourt duo with the departure of Markel Starks. Starks averaged 17.3 points and 4.1 assists per game during his senior season. Nate Lubick is the other significant loss. His scoring dropped to 5.1 points per game as a senior, but he was still very strong on the boards and a versatile forward who could do the dirty work. Moses Ayegba provided some quality depth in the frontcourt, while John Caprio and Stephen Domingo picked up a few mop-up minutes.
Who’s In:
This is a great group of five incoming freshmen and all of them have the potential to contribute right away. Perhaps none are more capable of big things in 2014-2015 than Isaac Copeland. The versatile 6-9 forward can score in bunches and is equally comfortable facing the basket as he is backing down the opposing defender. Paul White will need to keep adding weight, but he is a great athlete who can get to the basket. Trey Mourning is another big body who can provide depth in the frontcourt if needed. Small forward L.J. Peak is an interesting prospect. He may need some time to develop his overall game, but the 6-5 Gaffney, South Carolina native is great in transition and can knock down some long balls. Tre Campbell is not as highly touted as most of the new Hoyas, but the point guard could be the most important freshman on the team. This team needs depth on the perimeter and Campbell will have to provide it.
Who to Watch:
The depth may be slim on the perimeter, but D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera and Jabril Trawick will be able to handle a bulk of the minutes. Smith-Rivera was the team’s top scorer, averaging 17.6 points per game. The 6-3 junior is a great shooter and all-around scorer, but he is also decent on the glass, defensively and in the passing game. Trawick missed some of last season with a broken jaw, but is a great slasher who can finish around the basket. He will occasionally make a three-pointer, but that is not his game. Trawick is much, much more effective using his 6-5, 220 pound frame to get in the paint. Reggie Cameron, a big 6-7 wing, showed promise as a freshman, but he is not a great fit at the shooting guard position. That leaves Smith-Rivera, Trawick and Campbell to handle all of the minutes at the two guard spots.
Final Projection:
The frontcourt is absolutely loaded now that center Joshua Smith is eligible to play. The 6-10, 350 pound center missed all but 13 games for academic reasons. Despite averaging 19.9 minutes per game, Smith was third on the team with 11.5 points per game. At this point in his career, Smith’s conditioning is unlikely to drastically improve, but when he is on the floor, the Hoyas have a bruiser who can score in the paint. Mikael Hopkins is the team’s best shot blocker and should start beside Smith. Aaron Bowen had a quality junior season, but his minutes could drastically decrease with Smith around for an entire season and the newcomers eating up quite a few minutes. This group cannot handle a major injury on the perimeter, but the depth in the frontcourt is superb. If the freshmen even come close to living up to their vast potential, Georgetown will get back to the NCAA Tournament after a one year hiatus.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA Tournament
Projected Starting Five:
D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera, Junior, Guard, 17.6 points per game
Jabril Trawick, Senior, Guard, 9.1 points per game
Isaac Copeland, Freshman, Forward, DNP last season
Mikael Hopkins, Senior, Forward, 6.0 points per game
Joshua Smith, Senior, Center, 11.5 points per game
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 71.0 (176th in nation, 8th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 68.3 (123, 6)
Field-Goal Percentage: 46.0 (83, 3)
Field-Goal Defense: 42.0 (93, 3)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 5.5 (251, 7)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 33.1 (216, 7)
Free-Throw Percentage: 72.1 (97, 4)
Rebound Margin: 0.7 (169, 6)
Assists Per Game: 13.1 (143, 8)
Turnovers Per Game: 11.7 (119, 5)
Madness 2014 Men’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#24 Isaac Copeland
#53 Paul White
#67 L.J. Peak
#108 Tre Campbell
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