Taking the reins, junior guard and co-captain D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera will determine how far the Hoyas go
D’vauntes Smith-Rivera has a lot on his shoulders right now. Between being named the Big East Preseason Player of the Year, taking over at least some of the point guard duties from graduated team captain Markel Starks and tutoring the five freshmen on the roster, the 6-foot-3-inch junior could be excused for feeling a bit apprehensive.
Hurt by suspensions, the Hoyas failed to make the Big Dance and fell in the NIT 2nd round
Reflecting on a tumultuous season, we learned to appreciate the fine careers of Starks and Lubick. We admired the unmistakable development of Smith-Rivera and Trawick. We learned to temper our expectations for players like Cameron and Hopkins, whose growth hit some speed bumps.
Last year’s bench players look to break into the playing rotation
When ESPN or The Washington Post discuss Georgetown men’s basketball, they mention the same set list: senior center Josh Smith, senior guard Jabril Trawick, junior guard D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera, the talented freshman forward recruits Isaac Copeland and L.J. Peak and of course Head Coach John Thompson III. With a roster of 14 players, however, the team will call on role players as much as it will on established stars.
Armed with a mixture of seniors and promising freshmen, the Hoyas hope to find postseason success
At the end of the season, it is not the Georgetown men’s basketball team’s body of work that appears on the banners proudly adorning the walls of McDonough Arena, but the marks of postseason success.
Opponents, not record, behind low Verizon Center attendance
Indeed, the largest influence on attendance last season was perhaps the quality of opposition that the Hoyas played. The reformation of the Big East marked a significant change in the caliber of Georgetown’s opponents.
JTIII’s impressive recruiting class heads to the hilltop with a chance at stardom
As ESPN’s seventh-best recruiting class in the nation hits the court for Georgetown this season, expectations are high, but the talent is there to match them.
This group of seniors has been through many ups and downs together. They helped Georgetown reach the NCAA tournament, only to be knocked out in the first weekend. They made headlines brawling with a professional Chinese team, but also silenced Syracuse University’s Carrier Dome with a signature win. If these seniors want to be remembered fondly on the Hilltop, it is time for them to make their mark.
After postseason mishaps, is JTII on the hot seat?
After the firing of John Thompson Jr.’s successor Craig Esherick in 2004, John Thompson III took over the reins as Georgetown men’s basketball coach. The 2014-2015 season marks his 11th year at the helm and brings a question that many among Georgetown students, alumni and supporters are asking: Is this a make-or-break year for Thompson?
A year ago, Villanova, Providence and Big East newcomers Creighton and Xavier earned bids to the NCAA tournament, while the Hoyas finished a disappointing seventh in the conference. After the graduation of Creighton all-time leading scorer Doug McDermott, and the departure of Marquette’s core contributors, the title race is likely down to the top-three teams in the Big East Preseason Coaches Poll: Villanova, Georgetown and St. John’s.
About Sports Editor
Reader Interactions
Trackbacks
[…] basketball’s second game on Tuesday and check out The Hoya’s Basketball Preview for the men’s and women’s […]
[…] basketball’s second game on Tuesday and check out The Hoya’s Basketball Preview for the men’s and women’s […]