Deep breaths, blank stares, and slumped shoulders for Georgetown players and fans alike today. North Carolina State, the #11 seed in the Midwest Region, stole a heartbreaker, winning 66-63 over #3 seed Georgetown in a game so emotionally exhausting that it's hard to do anything other than walk aimlessly into oncoming traffic. The Wolfpack took a 30-9 run from 5:08 left in the first half through 13:00 in the second half and never looked back. The Wolfpack won the game by doing what they do best - balanced scoring and offensive rebounding. Four NC State players combined for 54 points, and didn't have one guy score more than 14 points. They grabbed 15 offensive rebounds, which made the difference in the aforementioned run that the Hoyas could never recover from.
For Georgetown, their offensive effort was the exact opposite. It was the Hollis Thompson show and everyone else was a bit player. Thompson, for the second time in two years, did all he could in Georgetown's last game of the season, scoring 23 huge points and keeping Georgetown in the game when it looked like it was going to get out of hand. For seniors Jason Clark and Henry Sims, their college careers ended in a whimper. Sims was hampered by foul trouble throughout, picking up two early fouls for the second consecutive game, and was never able to get into a rhythm. Clark took the last shot of the season for the Hoyas, missing a 30 foot three pointer that would have tied the game.
Sadness prevails after The Jump.
What a relief. Georgetown dominated upstart Belmont today in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, handily defeating the Bruins 74-59 in a game that was never in question. The seniors led the way for the Hoyas. Jason Clark was spectacular, scoring 21 points on 9-12 shooting from the field. Clark set the tone for the game, racing out to 10 points in the first 6 minutes. His brother-in-arms, Henry Sims, led the way in the second half and finished with 15 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists.
The freshmen weren't too bad either. And by weren't too bad, I mean they were so fantastic that it makes me want to pee myself in sheer delight. Otto Porter did a ton of damage, scoring 16 points and grabbing 8 rebounds while Greg Whittington was all over the floor on defense. Whittington's effort on defense was arguably one of the best single defensive games I've ever seen a Georgetown player have under John Thompson III.
After The Jump it's all good.
Damn. Georgetown lost an absolute battle today in Madison Square Garden, outlasted by Cincinnati 72-70 in a double overtime thriller. Otto Porter and Henry Sims were the stars once again, each making last second buckets to send the game into overtime and double overtime, respectively. Sims put on a show today, battling Yancy Gates in one of the best toe-to-toe matchups of the season. The big man from Baltimore scored 22 points, grabbed 15 rebounds, dished 3 assists, and had 2 blocks. Unfortunately, his three pointer at the buzzer in the second overtime clanked off the back rim after Cashmere Wright banged home an impossible layup with 9 seconds to go.
Gates was unstoppable in the low post, absorbing contact and matching Sims play after play. Both overtimes were fantastic to watch, albeit life threatening for all Hoya brethren. Yet, it was regulation that cost the Hoyas this game. Georgetown was up 49-38 with 8:32 to go in the second half. A litany of turnovers and missed free throws allowed Cincinnati to claw back and take the lead 54-52 with 26 seconds to go in regulation. In those eight minutes and six seconds, Georgetown could only muster 1 free throw and 1 Sims made jumper. Hollis Thompson was particularly loose with the ball during that time, but no one on Georgetown stepped up. Uncharacteristic turnovers by Sims and Porter contributed, along with missed free throws that have plagued the Hoyas all season.
More sadness after The Jump (off a bridge).
What a casual game. The Georgetown Hoyas, led by Otto Porter and Henry Sims who each scored 20 points, dismantled the Pittsburgh Panthers 64-52 in the second round of the Big East Tournament. Sims, in particular, was amazing today, as the Hoyas dominated Pittsburgh on the interior. The senior added 13 rebounds and 5 assists, taking over the game in the first half after Pittsburgh got out to a 21-15 lead. Porter made every Big East coach that left him off the All Rookie team even more embarrassed, annihilating Pittsburgh from all over the court. Greg Whittington added 11 crucial points off the bench.
The Hoyas destroyed Pittsburgh without much help from leading scorers Jason Clark and Hollis Thompson. Clark, in particular, struggled today. The 1st Team All Big East selection scored only 3 points and did not have a field goal. Thompson added only 7 points, making only one field goal. Yet, this year's team is different from previous years in that we don't rely on only three guys to provide offense. Whittington and Porter played well beyond their years today, showing that the bright lights at Madison Square Garden is somewhere they will shine, not wilt.
More talking after The Jump.
Just one of those games. Nothing went right for Georgetown today as Marquette outpaced and outclassed the Hoyas 83-69 to finish the regular season. The Hoyas finished an impressive run through the Big East with a disappointing loss in Wisconsin. Jae Crowder led Marquette with 26 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 steals while Darius Johnson-Odom added 17 points. Hollis Thompson and Otto Porter each had 19 points, while Jason Clark struggled with 11 points on 4-14 shooting.
The Hoyas have outperformed even the most delusional fans thus far this season, so before getting into the loss today, it'd be silly not to acknowledge how much fun this season has been already. Georgetown came into this season considered barely a bubble team, and will end the regular season as a consensus top 12 team, having spent the majority of the season in the top 15. Watching Henry Sims and Clark turn in memorable senior seasons, coupled with Porter and the freshmen's brillance, has been fantastic to watch.
More rambling after The Jump.
What a night. Georgetown thoroughly dismantled the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 59-41 in the most complete and dominant performance of the season. To have that performance on the night that Jason Clark and Henry Sims played their last games in a Georgetown uniform at home made it even more special. Clark set the tone on both ends, scoring 13 points and grabbing 6 rebounds, while holding Notre Dame guard Jerian Grant to 8 points on 2-13 shooting. Clark looked like a man amongst boys tonight, just better, faster, and stronger than any player on Notre Dame. Sims regained his confidence as well, scoring 12 points, grabbing 6 rebounds, and dishing 5 beautiful assists. He was menacing on both ends, attacking the glass, confidently posting up, and swatting shots as if his last name were Ewing, Mourning, Mutombo, Hibbert, or Monroe.
While this night will be remembered as a terrific sendoff for Clark and Sims, it will also be remembered for Greg Whittington's coming out party. The super freshman scored a team-high 15 points on 5-6 shooting, including a perfect 3-3 from the three point line. Whittington confidently stepped into shots on the offensive end, and used his length and quickness to help force Notre Dame to shoot 3-16 from beyond the arc.
Pure, unbridled joy after The Jump.
Georgetown shouldn't have even gotten off the bus tonight. The Seton Hall Pirates destroyed the #8 Georgetown Hoyas 73-55 in a game that was out of reach by the time the first half ended. Pirates guard Jordan Theodore dropped a cool 29 points on 8-11 shooting and 5-5 from three point range. Herb Pope, despite his Pillsbury Dough Boy frame, scored 12 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. The Pirates shot above 60% from both inside and outside the three point line.
As inept as Georgetown was on the defensive end, they were even worse offensively. Four different Pirates scored in double figures, while not one Hoya did. Jordan Theodore outscored THE ENTIRE Georgetown starting five. I had the pleasure of watching the game in the lovely Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey and I can tell you that it looked like the entire Georgetown team had pooped itself with no one able to clean it up.
After The Jump, more rambling.
Georgetown, the same team that was picked to finish 10th in the Big East at the beginning of the season, has won its 20th game of the season. The Hoyas won a hard-fought battle at Providence 63-53 that wasn't in doubt for most of the second half. Georgetown's starters led the way, scoring 51 of the 63 points, buoyed by strong performances by Hollis Thompson, Jason Clark, and Henry Sims. Thompson scored 13 points and collected 10 rebounds, while Sims stuffed the stat sheet, scoring 10 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and dishing 5 assists.
Nate Lubick was tremendous in limited minutes as well. The sophomore did not disappoint his legion of family and friends that came out to Providence while he was on the floor. He scored 9 points, including a monster dunk and a shockingly sweet three pointer. Unfortunately for his crew, he was saddled with four fouls and forced to sit for long periods in both the first and second half.
More stuff after The Jump
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