Preview Georgetown 2014-15

[Bill Marsh]

Despite its disappointing 2013-14 season, Georgetown seems to have the most talent and therefore has the best chance to challenge Villanova. Bolded numbers means team leader in this category.

Significant Players Gone from 2013-14:

Markel Starks 6-1, G, 37 mpg (17.3 ppg, 4.1 apg)
Nate Lubick 6-8, F, 25 mpg (5.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg, .582 FG%)
Moses Ayegba 6-9, F, 13 mpg (1.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg)

Significant Players Returning from 2013-14:

D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera Jr, 6-3, G, 36 mpg (17.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.2 spg, .873 FT%, .393 3P%)
Jabril Trawick Sr, 6-5, G-F, 26 mpg (9.1 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.7 apg)
Mikael Hopkins Sr, 6-9, F-C, 21 mpg (6.0 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.5 bpg )
Josh Smith Sr, 6-10, C, 20 mpg (11.5 ppg, 3.4 rpg, .655 FG%)
Aaron Bowen Sr, 6-6, F, 20 mpg (6.0 ppg, 3.7 rpg)
Reggie Cameron So, 6-7, F, 13 mpg (3.8 ppg, 1.3 rpg)

Significant newcomers for 2014-15:

Isaac Copeland 4/5* PF (6-9)
Paul White 4* PF (6-8)
LJ Peak 4* SF (6-4)
Tre Campbell 3/4* PG (6-2)
Trey Mourning 3* PF (6-9)

Georgetown is loaded with talent, returning starters Smith-Rivera and Trawick as well as Hopkins, Smith, and Cameron who all started at least a dozen games. Cameron is an outstanding talent who struggled at times in his freshman season but who is expected to have a bright future. Add one of the best freshman recruiting classes in the country and JT III has a lot to work with. PG Markel Starks will be the most difficult player to replace and probably the most important, which could mean significant minutes early Campbell. It could also mean increased responsibility for Smith-Rivera with expectations that he be more than a scorer. Copeland, White, and Peak all have the ability to contribute immediately , so there should be a lot of competition for playing time in the front court.

[GumbyDamnit!]

The Starks loss is huge. If Campbell is not ready for prime time G'twn could again struggle with consistency. DSR may have to play like B. Cotton did for PC last year and do a little of everything for them, if they want to take a big step forward. Their front court will certainly be solid. Expect a bounce back year for G'twn but I am of the belief that if you want to make noise in college basketball you better have some talent in the backcourt. Not sure G'twn has enough outside of DSR.

[TheHall]

If any offense can handle losing a PG of Starks' level its the Hoyas. They ask a lot from their bigs in terms of making the offense flow. They are bringing in 2 forwards with that are perfect to help in that area in White & Copeland. Starks was actually more important as a scoring option last season than as a true PG. Next year's team will have many more scoring options. Also if DSR wants to have a shot at the league he's going to need those minutes at PG. Lastly, I have confidence that Campbell will do well at the position next year, there's a chance he may even be the starting PG by conference play.

What's scary is that outside of that glaring hole, the hoyas are loaded. Given that, I think JT3's not going to let that issue limit this team's success.

[DudeAnon]

I think Georgetown fans, regardless of how this year goes, should be happy. They have a killer freshman class and an even better one in 2015 if I remember correctly.

[PhillyPirate]

I am interested to see if A) Josh Smith stays eligible and B) how well his conditioning is. Ochefu and Stainbrook seem like the only two bigs in the big east that could bang with him down low. How that plays out I think will be huge for the hoyas

[GumbyDamnit!]

If any offense can handle losing a PG of Starks' level its the Hoyas. They ask a lot from their bigs in terms of making the offense flow. They are bringing in 2 forwards with that are perfect to help in that area in White & Copeland. Starks was actually more important as a scoring option last season than as a true PG. Next year's team will have many more scoring options. Also if DSR wants to have a shot at the league he's going to need those minutes at PG. Lastly, I have confidence that Campbell will do well at the position next year, there's a chance he may even be the starting PG by conference play.

What's scary is that outside of that glaring hole, the hoyas are loaded. Given that, I think JT3's not going to let that issue limit this team's success.

Fair enough. I get that their offense involves a lot of touches from a lot of players but they are losing 45% of their assists from last year's team. You also have to consider who handles the ball up the floor. Starks was a really good guard. Underrated I believe. Just expecting a frosh to come in and pick up the offense, play good D and control the tempo is asking a lot. Just ask the Marq fans how that worked out for them last year when they needed to replace a lead guard.

[hoyahooligan]

If any offense can handle losing a PG of Starks' level its the Hoyas. They ask a lot from their bigs in terms of making the offense flow. They are bringing in 2 forwards with that are perfect to help in that area in White & Copeland. Starks was actually more important as a scoring option last season than as a true PG. Next year's team will have many more scoring options. Also if DSR wants to have a shot at the league he's going to need those minutes at PG. Lastly, I have confidence that Campbell will do well at the position next year, there's a chance he may even be the starting PG by conference play.

What's scary is that outside of that glaring hole, the hoyas are loaded. Given that, I think JT3's not going to let that issue limit this team's success.

I agree with all of this. I think DSR and Trawick will be able to manage the offense just fine until Campbell gets up to speed whether that's BE play or next year. Like you said the offense doesn't need a pure PG as much as other offenses do.

I think what will really benefit the team this year is not having offensive liabilities on the court and having better spacing. Smith will occupy space down low and we will surround him with guys who can knock down jumpers, break people down of the dribble, and slash. I liked lubick more than a lot of Georgetown fans did, but I will admit that often he obstructed the flow when teams were able to sag off him into the paint.

[Bill Marsh]

If any offense can handle losing a PG of Starks' level its the Hoyas. They ask a lot from their bigs in terms of making the offense flow. They are bringing in 2 forwards with that are perfect to help in that area in White & Copeland. Starks was actually more important as a scoring option last season than as a true PG. Next year's team will have many more scoring options. Also if DSR wants to have a shot at the league he's going to need those minutes at PG. Lastly, I have confidence that Campbell will do well at the position next year, there's a chance he may even be the starting PG by conference play.

What's scary is that outside of that glaring hole, the hoyas are loaded. Given that, I think JT3's not going to let that issue limit this team's success.

Fair enough. I get that their offense involves a lot of touches from a lot of players but they are losing 45% of their assists from last year's team. You also have to consider who handles the ball up the floor. Starks was a really good guard. Underrated I believe. Just expecting a frosh to come in and pick up the offense, play good D and control the tempo is asking a lot. Just ask the Marq fans how that worked out for them last year when they needed to replace a lead guard.

I agree with both of you. There is no more important position on a college basketball team than PG. And no team this side of PC was more dependent on their PG than Georgetown where Starks played 37 mpg. So, it will be irritant for DSR to make a Cotton like transition to the point.

However, it is also true that no team is less dependent on the PG to run the offense than Georgetown where every player is expected to make passes and set up their teammates. The fact that Georgetown is bringing in a quality PG means that DSR can get some relief and will be able to spend some time off the ball to concentrate on scoring.

[TheHall]

If any offense can handle losing a PG of Starks' level its the Hoyas. They ask a lot from their bigs in terms of making the offense flow. They are bringing in 2 forwards with that are perfect to help in that area in White & Copeland. Starks was actually more important as a scoring option last season than as a true PG. Next year's team will have many more scoring options. Also if DSR wants to have a shot at the league he's going to need those minutes at PG. Lastly, I have confidence that Campbell will do well at the position next year, there's a chance he may even be the starting PG by conference play.

What's scary is that outside of that glaring hole, the hoyas are loaded. Given that, I think JT3's not going to let that issue limit this team's success.

Fair enough. I get that their offense involves a lot of touches from a lot of players but they are losing 45% of their assists from last year's team. You also have to consider who handles the ball up the floor. Starks was a really good guard. Underrated I believe. Just expecting a frosh to come in and pick up the offense, play good D and control the tempo is asking a lot. Just ask the Marq fans how that worked out for them last year when they needed to replace a lead guard.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say they won't net anywhere near -45% in assists, why? Because they will have way more scorers on the court this season than last. Like Hooligan mentioned some of the line-ups JT3 featured last season were brutal offensively. This season the Hoyas are basically gaining 4 potential scorers (Peak, Smith, Copeland & White) and losing only one in Starks.

As far as Campbell whether or not he is good enough to start next year isn't going to determine this team's success. The Hoyas offense is totally different than Buzz's. Otto, Jeff Green, Greg Monroe, hell even Hopkins & Lubick had/have as much to do with JT3's offensive flow as the PG. But like Buzz, this team is going to field so many "switchables" I'm sure they'll find a way to bring the ball up. Think about it we're talking about their "bring the ball up" game lol.

[BEhomer]

great point regarding gtown not reliant on pg play. I would still be nervous if i'm gtown fan. a true ballhandling pg is essential when closing out games.