The Rise of the Hoyas: A New Era in Georgetown Basketball?
In the world of college basketball, the Georgetown Hoyas are making waves and giving their fans a reason to believe. After a long period of ups and downs, last year's team offered a glimpse of hope, and now, the question on everyone's lips is: Can they keep the momentum going?
The BIG EAST Conference witnessed the Hoyas climb to seventh place, achieving a conference record of 8-12 and an overall record of 18-16. This marked a significant milestone, as it was the first time since 2019 that the Hoyas finished with more wins than losses. But here's where it gets controversial: the team's success wasn't just about the numbers.
Post-season, the Hoyas participated in two exhibition tournaments, showcasing their potential. At FOX's College Basketball Crown tournament, they secured a win over Washington State University but faced a tough loss against the eventual champions, the University of Nebraska. However, it was in Canada's GLOBL JAM tournament that the Hoyas really made their mark, finishing as runners-up to a strong Japanese national team. And this is the part most people miss: despite losing key players to the NBA and other universities, the Hoyas proved that they're a force to be reckoned with.
The GLOBL JAM tournament was a turning point, solidifying the status of junior guard Malik Mack as a crucial offensive player. Mack's adaptability and versatility were on full display, as he seamlessly stepped into different roles, showcasing his ability to rise to the occasion. At the College Basketball Crown tournament, Georgetown's victory over Washington State was largely attributed to Mack's exceptional performance. With Epps out of the picture, Mack took on a primary scoring role, finishing with an impressive 37 points - his highest-scoring game as a Hoya.
But Mack's skills go beyond scoring. He's a master facilitator, connecting teammates and creating opportunities for others. Joining him is the towering 7-foot-1 senior center, Vince Iwuchukwu, a transfer from St. John's University, who is ready to fill the shoes of the departed Thomas Sorber and become the Hoyas' dominant presence in the paint. Sophomore forward Caleb Williams, who impressed with his aggressive rebounding skills during the tournament, will also play a crucial role, filling the defensive guarding position previously held by Micah Peavy.
The team's depth is further strengthened by sophomore forward Jayden Fort, who redshirted last year, and incoming junior transfer guards KJ Lewis and DeShawn Harris-Smith. Coach Ed Cooley has set his sights high, aiming to compete in both the BIG EAST championship and the NCAA tournament this season. In an interview with The Voice, Cooley expressed his ambition to have "the most hard-playing and connected team in America."
The 2025-26 season brings another significant change: the team will not include any undergraduate freshmen. Cooley opted to fill all open spots with transfers, a decision that could impact the team's dynamics and performance. Last year, the Hoyas were one of the youngest high major basketball teams in the nation, with six freshman recruits. However, with multiple redshirted players from the 2024-25 season, Cooley believes he can utilize academically sophomore members who are still "athletically freshman." According to Cooley, the team's higher average age will bring more experience and development to the court this year.
As the new season kicks off on November 3rd, the men's basketball team must leave the past behind and focus on the present. It's time to shift their attention from the players they lost to the NBA and the transfer portal and lock in on the task at hand. Shooting, especially free throws, should be a top priority this season. The Hoyas need to work on their accuracy, as they ranked in the bottom half of the conference last season, with a mere 70.4% success rate. Additionally, they attempted the fewest free throws on average across the BIG EAST, indicating a need to force opposing defenses into tougher positions.
The Hoyas' field goal attempts were in the top half of the conference, but their accuracy left room for improvement. While they aren't afraid to shoot from beyond the arc, their three-point accuracy needs work, with a success rate of only around 32%, again placing them in the bottom half of the conference. By focusing on improving their accuracy and gaining confidence at the free-throw line and from long range, the Hoyas can aim to climb the rankings.
This season also holds a special treat for the Hoyas: a game against George Washington's men's basketball team for the first time in over 40 years. With a long-standing geographic rivalry between the two universities, this game is sure to attract a lot of attention and excitement. The exhibition game will take place on Saturday, October 18th, at GW's Charles E. Smith Center. The last time these two teams met was on December 16, 1981, resulting in a 61-48 win for the Hoyas.
As the regular season approaches, the Hoyas will face Morgan State University on November 3rd for their first regular-season game and then take on Marquette University on December 17th for their first conference game. With a strong core of players and a determined coach, the Georgetown men's basketball team is ready to make a statement and continue their rise. Will they live up to the expectations? Only time will tell. So, what do you think? Can the Hoyas keep the momentum going and make a deep run this season? Let us know in the comments!
