7 Georgetown
There is a frenzybuilding on the Georgetown campus that hasn't been felt in more than a decade.Hanging in the front stairwell of McDonough Gym is a new reminder of the Hoyas'return to basketball prominence, a giant framed photograph of Georgetown fansstorming the court after last January's epic upset of top-ranked Duke. AtMidnight Madness on Oct. 18 a standing-room-only crowd roared as a teary-eyedPatrick Ewing stood at midcourt and embraced his son Patrick Jr., a forward forthe Hoyas. "I like the school spirit here tonight," said Ewing,Georgetown's past blessing its present. And student season-ticket sales are attheir highest levels since 1982, the elder Ewing's sophomore season.
Fans have everyreason to feel optimistic. Forward Jeff Green and center Roy Hibbert, theHoyas' top two scorers, and guard Jonathan Wallace, a three-year starter,return from last year's team, which went 23--10 and advanced to the Sweet 16for the first time since 2001. It was a remarkable achievement for a programthat just two years ago suffered through its worst season (13--15) in 31 years.Then coach John Thompson III reeled in a nationally-ranked recruiting class,featuring Maryland player of the year DaJuan Summers, McDonald's All-AmericanVernon Macklin and Jeremiah Rivers, son of Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers. AddEwing, who sat out last season after transferring from Indiana, and theexcitement is palpable. Now all Georgetown has to do is live up to thehype.
Much of thepressure sits on the shoulders of the 6'9", 235-pound Green, one of themost versatile forwards in the country, whose passing skills are key to theHoyas' Princeton-style offense. "Jeff Green is the smartest player I'veever coached," says Thompson, "in terms of understanding what I'mtelling him, why I'm telling him, when to apply it and when not to."Green's post partner, the 7'2", 270-pound Hibbert, hopes to build on animpressive NCAA tournament during which he averaged 15.7 points and 10.0rebounds. The pair anchors a deep frontcourt that in time could conjure upimages of Georgetown's glory years.
The backcourt isanother story. After Wallace, says Thompson, comes "a cast ofcharacters." Expect sophomore Jessie Sapp, who played in all 33 games lastseason, to step into a major role. Rivers should also figure into the mix.
Allen Iverson wasthe star of the last Georgetown team to spend most of the season in the Top 10.The current Hoyas hope to match that feat. "We have a lot of goals: to bethe best team in the nation, to get to the championship," Green says."We just have to continue to work to get there."
STARTINGLINEUP
6'3"Fr.13.6 ppg5.2 apg
RETURNING STARTER *2004--05 STATS AT INDIANA †HIGH SCHOOL STATS
BIG QUESTIONS
Can the Hoyasfill the leadership and experience void left by five departed seniors?... Howwill players handle the pressure that comes with greater expectations?... Otherthan Wallace, do they have a consistent perimeter threat?
SCHEDULE
Nov. 11Hartford
Nov. 15 atVanderbilt
Nov. 19 OldDominion
Nov. 22 atFairfield
Nov. 27 BallState
Nov. 29Oregon
Dec. 2 Duke
Dec. 5 JamesMadison
Dec. 9 at OralRoberts
Dec. 16Winston-Salem State
Dec. 20Towson
Dec. 23 Navy
Dec. 30 atMichigan
Jan. 6 NotreDame
Jan. 8Villanova
Jan. 13 atPittsburgh
Jan. 17 atRutgers
Jan. 19 at SetonHall
Jan. 24DePaul
Jan. 27Cincinnati
Feb. 1 at St.John's
Feb. 7 atLouisville
Feb. 10Marquette
Feb. 12 WestVirginia
Feb. 17 atVillanova
Feb. 21 atCincinnati
Feb 24Pittsburgh
Feb. 26 atSyracuse
March 3Connecticut
FAST FACTS
COACH: JohnThompson III (3rd year)
2005--06 record:23--10
Big East record:10--6 (fourth)
NCAA tournament:Sweet 16
 
PHOTO
MITCHELL LAYTON
JEFF-OF-ALL-TRADES Few players in the country are as versatile as Green, who can shoot, rebound, pass and defend.
ILLUSTRATION