Originally Posted by DownyBoy
^ any big men on the way? how 'bout some "thugs" like JT2 put it.
for next year...it's doubtful..the Riley loss hurt...if Greg stays we'd be in great, great shape.
There are a few guys that Hoyas have been monitoring...Tahj Tate, Andre Marhold, Latavious Williams. Williams would be the ideal forward to step in that Dajuanrole down the road.
Tate is a combo guard and Marhold is a 3 man. Maybe we get involved with Vinson now, too.
The 2010 class should be GREAT. Starks, Lubick then 2/3 of Roscoe, Kendrick or Odom.
The Cuse game was great....the bench is coming along...I LOVED seeing Henry, Greg and Dajuan in a lineup together...with Freeman and Clark in the back courtthat is a huge lineup. Julian was terrific for the first time.
Two zone defenses in a row we played great against.
We fix the rebounding some more and find consistency shooting (we should) this team really can go places.
,,,,
Staff writer
Liz Clarke will be online
Friday, Jan. 16 at noon ET to discuss the Georgetown Hoyas, the team's play sofar, their showdown with Duke this weekend and the expectations for the rest of the season.
Submit your questions and comments any timebefore or during today's discussion.
Georgetown:
Full coverage.
More college basketball:
Press Break blog.
____________________
Liz Clarke: Good morning. Georgetown is heading to NC later today for Saturday's game against third-ranked Duke. Should be aninteresting match-up at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Let's talk Hoyas! Liz
_______________________
Washington, D.C.: If you had to guess right now at the number of teams the Big East will get into the tourney, what would it be?
Liz Clarke: This is a fine place to start, I think, because Saturday's game at Duke will rouse up all kinds of talk about whether theBig East or ACC is the stronger team.
I'd guess eight, which is fairly safe and conservative. Many who've covered the league far longer than I predict nine. College-basketball guru JerryPalm is among those predicting nine Big East schools make it this year (and seven for the ACC). Your guess?
_______________________
Arlington, Va.: Would love to see Monroe stick around for at least one more year -- any sense on that now that the freshman interviewmoratorium is over? Is he asked about it often?
Liz Clarke: That's probably the question weighing most heavily on the minds of Hoyas fans. Now that Monroe is permitted to grantinterviews, he actually hasn't been asked about it much. But for what it's worth, I've been very impressed with how thoughtful, smart and selflesshe is. And how much he wants to improve personally and, even more so, wants the team to improve. I have no inside-dope to give you on the question, but Ican't help but feel that he'll stay more than one. To me, if an incredibly gifted 18-year-old player only intended to stay in college only one year, Idont see why he'd have picked Georgetown in the first place. There are other schools that would have been happy to spotlight him far more, if all he wereinterested in were highlight reel footage and raising his draft status. But we'll see in a few months...
_______________________
Newark, N.J.: There were over 20 NBA scouts at the G'town/Cuse game on Wednesday. Were they more impressed with Summer's offensiveskills? Or Monroe's ability to impact the game on multiple levels? Your thoughts.
Liz Clarke: Summers has really come on strong in the last few games, hasn't he. And I loved the tenacity and aggression he played withon both ends of the court. I'd think that really caught some scouts eyes. That said, there is enormous fawning over Monroe--both his ability now and hispotential going forward. he is seen as uncommonly skilled and gifted. So I bet those scouts were scribbling away in their notebooks about both.
_______________________
Arlington, Va.: What's surprised you the most about Georgetown this year?
Thank you.
Liz Clarke: How quickly they have progressed. This may seem obvious, but I have been struck most by seeing the needle move, if you will--oneverything from their shot selection, rebounding, communication overall. And, on an individual level, seeing Chris Wright really take charge. I love theconfidence he brings to the game, especially after missing so many games as a freshman. Sometimes when you cover teams (esp pro teams), they are a finsihedproduct, more of less. Covering Georgetown this year is like getting the chance to watching a team grow, quite literally, week by week. It must be verysatisifying for JT3.
_______________________
Mclean, Va.: Why doesn't the Post feature the Hoyas more? There's a Terps blog but no Hoyas blog even though the Hoyas are clearlythe better team, have been for the past few years, and probably will be as long as JTIII is around.
Liz Clarke: As I understand it, the Post does extensive polling of its readership to see what topics, teams draw most interest. And thosestudies show Terps outstripping Hoyas by a good bit. I don't think that has as much to do with quality of teams, per se, as number of living alumni.
But I really appreciate the question.
_______________________
Arlington, Va.: Liz, great coverage of the Hoyas so far this season! I've been very impressed by JTIII's ability to developfreshmen. Strong performances from Clark and Sims against Syracuse the other night. It is a very tough transition from HS to NCAA basketball. What does JTIIIdo to build up and maintain the confidence of his younger players?
Liz Clarke: Thanks so much for the kind words. I'm really enjoying the beat and am quite humbled to follow Camille Powell, who did aterrific job with the Hoyas for several seasons.
I coudln't agree more with your thoughts on JTIII's work with freshmen. Reporters aren't allowed to attend practice, so I can't share any goodbehind-the-scenes insight with you. But I have been struck with how careful JTIII is to lower expectations for his freshmen. Since my first conversation withhim in September and in every setting since, he has worked to de-fuse the hype around Greg Monroe and put veyr little pressure on Monroe, at lest outwardly.The same of Sims and Clark. It's all very positive, encouraing--but at the same time, nothing he says makes it sound as if the team's fortunes willrise or fall based on how ONE freshman--or any one player--does. I think it's a very smart way to bring them along. I love your question.
_______________________
San Diego: Which team shows up tomorrow? Crushed-by-Pitt Georgetown, or crushed-Syracuse Georgetown?
Liz Clarke: Boy, good question! Those really DID look like two different teams, didnt they? I dont think we'll see'crushed-by-pitt" version again, even if they do struggle against Pitt shoudl they meet in Big East tournament.
Hoyas are far tougher when JTIII can mix in Julian Vaughn, Henry Sims should Monroe and/or Summers get into foul trouble.
I'm can't imagine they'll be able to score against Duke's defense lights-out like they did against Syracuse. But I'd think you'd seemore the latter version of the team than the former.
_______________________
Washington, D.C.: The question of supremacy between the Big East and ACC is long-settled, even if certain members of the media haven'tfigured it out yet. The ACC has become a very top-heavy league. Duke and UNC are great programs, and it seems that there is always another team that has a goodyear (like Wake this year), but the middle of the conference and the bottom are largely irrelevant. The fall of Maryland highlights that. The Big East can notonly compete with the ACC at the top, but has much greater depth, even when you control for its larger size.
Liz Clarke: Yes, I think most everyone in the country agrees with you. Still, it's an interesting topic and a debate that'sparticularly live in the South. But I can't take issue with anything you've saiod
_______________________
Tysons Corner, Va.: Any thoughts as to who are the more "interesting" Hoyas to interview? Nobody can replace Big John, ofcourse.
Liz Clarke: I think Jessie Sapp offers a terrific perspective. He's really insightful about people, great at describing his teammatesand a joy to talk to. Chris Wright has many of those qualities too, plus is a serious basketball historian with a broad perspective of the game. And I love thesound of Monroe's voice!
_______________________
Washington, D.C.: Has coach giving you any sense of what Hollis Thompson's role will be now that he has enrolled and is on the bench?Should we treat this as a practice semester or could he enter a game sometime soon?
Liz Clarke: No. Georgetown has clearly said that Thompson has enrolled for spring semester and will only practice with the team during thattime.
His NCAA eligibility will not begin until next season, fall 2009. So unless they want to squander a year of eligiblity, you will not see him in a game.
_______________________
San Francisco: Not that you're not doing a bang-up job, but what happened to Camille?
Liz Clarke: Camille, who truly did a bang-up job on the Hoyas,is doing great. I am asked about her often, so I know she has many fans.She's still at the Post, now covering Navy football and Maryland women's basketball.
_______________________
Baltimore: Do you think Greg Monroe could safely land an aircraft on the Potomac river?
Liz Clarke: THIS is a fabulous question!
Monroe IS a terrific passer, isn't he, and has remarkable ball control and quick reflexes for a Big man. Good hands and a quick mind surely help one land aplane on a river!
My dad is a former Air Force fighter pilot, so I shall ask him. I may also ask JTIII after tomorrow's game.
_______________________
No. of Big East teams prediction: Nine make it (Pitt, UCONN, ND, GU, 'Cuse, Marquette, Nova, Louisville, and either Providence or WVU)but only because 10 is too many and would produce a lot of protesting from the mid-major promoters.
Liz Clarke: Well done! Thanks for weighing in!
_______________________
Arlington, Va.: I was very depressed by the crowd on Wednesday against Syracuse. The upper deck was at least 80-percent 'Cuse, minusthe students. Georgetown is a top ten program, what can they do to get more people behind the school. Was that just a rare poor showing by the crowd, or doesis speak to a larger problem the university may have connecting with the average college basketball fan in D.C.
Liz Clarke: Wow, I have no answer becasue I didn't perceive the crowd as being imbalanced at all. Maybe my perspective is skewed fromthe reporters' seats. I was very taken with how vocal and involved the student section was behind the baskets. but I'm posting this in case others havea thought.
Surely georgetown (and every school) would have better attendance if it played on campus. I also believe the university reduced (or did away with?) itssubsidies for students' metro passes to take subway to Verizon Center. Whether that has resulted in fewer students attending, I'm not sure. But Ihonestly thought the atmosphere was electrick for Syracuse. And until loss to Pitt, Hoyas had won 28 (or 29?) consecutive at Verizon Center, which theyconsistently credit to fan support. Many thanks for comment
_______________________
Capitol Hill: Do you think that the Hoyas play will even out and become more consistent or is the whole season going to be either a 60percent shooting night or a 30 percent shooting night?
Liz Clarke: I DO think they play will even out, as you say. but you're totally right: we have seen two extremes in recent games, and ithas been tough to figure out just who these Hoyas were.
But I think they're coming into their own.
_______________________
Washington, D.C.: Should/will Thompson sit Sapp and start Simms - switching Monroe to the 4 and Summers to the 3?
Liz Clarke: I have not heard this nor contemplated this myself. I know fans are mindful of Sapp's strugglings to score lately. But hemakes big defensive contributions. And Thompson often says that Sapp understands better than any player what he wants from the team when he's on the floor.I'd think it would be difficult for JTIII to sit Sapp, the lone senior and a chief energy-guy on the team. But perhaps you're picking up on somethingI'm not...
_______________________
Washington, D.C.: Projecting to next year and based on what you have seen what pieces are missing from the Hoyas and from a recruitingstandpoint are those pieces being addressed?
Liz Clarke: John Thompson Jr. caught some heat for saying on his radio program a week or so ago that the Hoyas needed a few"thugs." While people can argue about the metaphor, the point Thompson made, I thought, was quite valid. They needed a much stronger defensivepresence--specially, gusy would attack the boards. The Hoyas were getting killed at rebounding, and they've done better. And rebdounding--and defense mostbroadly-is as much a function of attitude and will as skill. So I think when looking to add pieces, they'd look for a really physical, strong, tough guy.(and of course that a few of those guys maye be lurking on the roster now.....)
_______________________
Mt. Lebanon, Pa.: Georgetown dodged a bullet not having to play at PITT this year. Yes?
After all, who wants the Panthers if you don't have to tangle with them?
So.. what's the plan? How do the Hoyas get the trophy at the conference tourney without running into Biggs, Blair, Fields, Young, and company?
Note: That would be DeJuan Blair, the leading offensive rebounder in the nation.
Good luck down there. Thanks much.
Liz Clarke: Mercy, I can still see the rim reverberating from DeJuan Blair. He is an incredible athlete and incredible player. Sounds as ifyou're way ahead of me on this topic, so all I can do is agree. Pitt has given Hoyas fits these last outings, and Blair is only emerging as a betterversion of himself.
The only answer is to hope that Sims, Vaughn grow in presence and confidence with each game. Monroe is only going to get bigger and better, too.
But Blair makes Pitt an aweseom force this year--for ever opponent. and maybe the Hoyas are better off for having faced them early ..
_______________________
Sapp: He'll come around. It's a confidence thing with him right now, so sitting him could ruin him for the season. He's atough, hard-nosed kid who leaves it all on the floor. When he comes out of this funk, he'll be dominant. (Big East/NCAA tourney time????)
Liz Clarke: I totally agree with you! Am glad you wrote
_______________________
Washington, D.C.: You answered the question about Monroe sticking around for another year. What's your sense on whether Summers will beat Georgetown next year?
Liz Clarke: Oooh. this is not a small matter, is it?
I don't know. I hope he'll stay, if only because he talks so eloquently about how much he has grown and matured and benefitted--both as a player andperson--from his years with JTIII. I'm sure he'll feel a strong tug for the NBA. very strong...
Washington, D.C.: You often give very thoughtful analyses, Ms. Clarke, but I constantly disagree with your lens on Georgetown basketball.I'm fortunate to see those young men practice from v-e-r-y close-up, and think that deficit for you omits the severe focus, broad talent, and colossalrespect each among them has for that program. (Side-note: my companion likes your work, and wonders if you and she held jury-duty May 2008.)
Liz Clarke: I am puzzled by your note. It sounds as if you indeed have a closer lens than I; and I'd be thrilled if mine were as closeas yours.
I welcome all disagreement. But I don't believe I have ever writte or implied that Hoyas lack focus, talent and colossal respect for the program. In factI'm sure I havent.
As for the other point, I am proud to serve on jury duty when summoned, as I believe it's part of being a good citizen. and indeed, I did so in May! And Ienjoyed every one of my fellow jurors, so please extend my greetings to your companion!
Fan support question re: the Phone Box: The question as to why the Phone Box isn't always sold out to capacity is a simple one:you're talking about filling a 20,000 seat arena. And as you pointed out before, folks around here are bigger on UMD than the Hoyas, though God knowswhy.
The question of an on-campus arena is one that comes up A LOT, and for which though I am pretty plugged in on the Hilltop, no good answer.
Liz Clarke: Thanks for the note and your insight On related matter, I was very sad to see that not a single Hoyas home game was played atmcDonough this year. what a pity.
Glover Park, NW DC: I'm happy to see the youngest Hoyas logging minutes and playing well (especially Sims and Clark since Monroe was agiven). In my opinion, this isn't Georgetown's year, but if the freshmen are given the minutes they need to develop and with DaJuan Summers back as asenior, next year could be. Your thoughts?
Liz Clarke: I think Georgetown will do better than projected this season (picked to finish 8th in the Big East). I think we've alreadyseen that. How far they can go, I'm not sure. but the NCAA tournament is full of high seeds that get bounced early, isn't it?
and yes, the Hoyas should be even more formidable next season--particularly with Summers and Monroe back. This freshman class--Clark, Sims and Monroe--has aton of talent.
_______________________
Liz Clarke: I'm sorry I didnt get to all the questions, but have to get ready to catch a plane. I really enjoyed the chat and theprovocative comments, questions. I look forward to doing this again this season. And I'll pass on everyone's regards to Camille!
All the best, Liz
..
For Duke, be strong with the ball, limit 2nd chances...Greg and Dajuan avoid foul trouble and we'll be in it to the end.