The Georgetown Voice, November 6th, 2015

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November 6, 2015

The Preview

VOICE The Georgetown

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NOVEMBER 6, 2015

THE GEORGETOWN VOICE Volume 48 • Issue 6 Cover: Megan Howell

All Bark, No Bite Joe Pollicino

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Running the Gauntlet Chris Almeida

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DSR Alex Boyd

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Bradley Hayes Brendan Crowley

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Big East Preview Chris Dunn, Tyler Pearre, and Phillip Steuber

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Isaac Copeland Chris Castano

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LJ Peak Robbie Ponce

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Meet the New Guys Ethan Levy and Alex Lewontin

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Hard at Work Matt Jasko

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Dorothy Adomako Hannah Schmidt

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Battle-Hardened Santul Nerkar

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EDITORS

staff

designERS megan howell ALLISON KAUFMAN JOHNNY JUNG PATRICIA LIN ABBEY ROBERTS pam shu eleanor sugrue sophie super ellie yaeger

Chris Almeida ALEX BOYD christopher castano BRIAN MCMAHON Joe pollicino ROBBIE PONCE max roberts daniel varghese PHOTO editor JOSHUA RAFTIS

copy Chief suzanne trivette editors Sharon Mo, Hanh Nguyen, Amal Farooqui, Maddi Kaigh Anna Gloor, Clara Cecil, Greer Richey, Hannah Wingett Dana Suekoff, Rachel Greene, Matthew Soens general manager tim annick

Follow @GUVoiceSports on Twitter for all things Georgetown Basketball editor@georgetownvoice.com Leavey 424 Box 571066 Georgetown University Washington, DC 20057

The opinions expressed in The Georgetown Voice do not necessarily represent the views of the administration, faculty or students of Georgetown University, unless specifically stated. Columns, advertisements, cartoons and opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editorial Board or the General Board of The Georgetown Voice. The university subscribes to the principle of responsible freedom of expression of its student editors.

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THE GEORGETOWN VOICE

All Bark No Bite

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By Joe Pollicino

Can Georgetown Rebuild Its Damaged Reputation?

EVAN CHVOTKIN

People used to fear Georgetown.

Up until recently, any time Georgetown came up in a discussion among college hoops fans, it had a presence. It had the feel of other big-time programs like Duke, Kentucky, and North Carolina. The Hoyas, however, are no longer in this conversation.

For any Georgetown basketball fan, the success enjoyed by the program during the eighties and early nineties does not feel like it occurred decades ago. It feels like centuries ago. Even the memories of the Jeff Green and Roy Hibbert-led squad that went to the Final Four in 2007 fade further and further into the depths of the Georgetown fanbase’s collective memory each day.

Sure, since then the Hoyas have won two Big East regular season titles and have earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament six of the last eight years. They’ve had NBA lottery picks in Greg Monroe and Otto Porter Jr. and have won their share of big games in the regular season against top opponents. This would be good enough for most college basketball programs. But not Georgetown.

While these are all nice consolation prizes, the pinnacle of success in college basketball is the NCAA Tournament. And unless you have been living under a rock for the past eight years, all college basketball fans, not just those bleeding blue and gray, know that the Hoyas and March Madness have gelled together about as well as a hair-dryer and a bathtub.

Attribute the causes as you may. Some fans say they have the bad luck of playing each year’s Cinderella story, whether it’d be Stephen Curry-led Davidson or Dunk City residents Florida Gulf Coast. Others say that the Princeton offense cannot lead a team to postseason success. Whatever the cause may be, one fact is certain. Georgetown has not made it past the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament since 2007. And that’s troubling.

Every program, big or small, has undergone its share of tournament disappointments. March letdowns are ingrained in the fabric of college basketball. Duke lost to a 15 seed. North Carolina fell victim to George Mason’s Final Four run. Kentucky didn’t even make the tournament three years ago. Shit happens.

But for Georgetown, this run of tournament impotence has damaged the reputation of the program, relegating it from a national powerhouse to a punchline. Last year, many pundits believed Georgetown to be the underdog in their first-round matchup against Eastern Washington.

It even enabled Eastern Washington Head Coach Jim Hayford to go on a national radio show and guarantee a victory. I don’t think that Hayford would make the same guarantee if he were facing

Duke, North Carolina, or Kentucky. But that’s how far the Hoyas’ reputation has fallen. The home of Jack the Bulldog has become the home of the underdog. Everyone loves an underdog, but in no way, shape, or form should Georgetown ever be considered an underdog, especially against Eastern Washington, of all teams.

And that matters, especially for a program that has to fight even harder for national relevance in the wake of the new Big East and conference realignment. Although the level of play in the conference has not subsided, the aura surrounding the league is gone. Due to the loss of the league’s relationship with ESPN, there are fewer opportunities for Georgetown to receive true national attention. I’m sorry but Fox Sports 1 doesn’t count, and I have a few million viewers reasons why.

It’s because of this loss of relevance that Georgetown, despite having finished in the Top 25 in four of the last five seasons, is not ranked in either of the national preseason polls for the fifth consecutive year. I’m well aware that it only matters where you finish, not where you start. But preseason polls are based on nothing but perception. And the national perception is that Georgetown will not be a factor this season, due in large part to their postseason ineptitude.

And perception matters. It drives the crucial elements of whether or not a program is successful, including recruiting, television ratings, and attendance. While the Hoyas have been able to recruit solid high school prospects, they haven’t directly recruited a McDonald’s All-American since Greg Monroe in 2008. Television ratings are down and attendance at Verizon Center has declined since the Hoyas last went to the Final Four.

Fortunately for the Hoyas, however, they have the power to reverse this tide of negativity that has belittled what was once one of the great college basketball programs. A returning and motivated D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera, a slew of sophomores ready to take the next step, and a tough but exciting schedule that will challenge the Hoyas throughout should have Georgetown fans optimistic for this season.

This group has the opportunity to lead the resurgence of Georgetown nationally and craft a new national identity that will make fans on the Hilltop proud and fans nationwide awe. A deep run in March following a successful regular season will make all of these gripes forgotten and strike fear into the hearts of many who have written off the program as one whose best days are behind it.

Only then will the doubters fear.

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NOVEMBER 6, 2015

Freddy Rosas

Freddy Rosas

This year’s Hoyas seek to prove they can compete with national powerhouses

BY CHRIS ALMEIDA

Running the Gauntlet

Freddy Rosas

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THE GEORGETOWN VOICE

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made Trawick a valuable contributor during his tenure on the Hilltop.

“Kaleb brings a lot of things to the table that Jabril did in a different way. He’s got a hardness, a toughness. He makes hustle plays,” said Thompson. “He’s one of our better defenders and can guard multiple sizes.”

Sophomore guard L.J. Peak called Johnson the team’s best defender, while others marvel at his offensive abilities.

“I didn’t know Kaleb was a guard, but he’s been playing strictly guard since he’s been here,” said Copeland. “That’s kind of scary, he’s like 6’7” or 6’8,” playing guard the whole

much off the court and in the locker room as what’s happened on the court. That being said, being quite honest, he played well in the NCAA tournament, and he hasn’t stopped, so it’s kind of like an ‘aha moment.’”

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ohn Thompson III looks tired. He could be tired because he is the head coach of a program which could face three ranked teams in the first ten days of its season. Or maybe it’s because it’s been eight years since his team last reached the Sweet Sixteen. Either way, Thompson and his Hoyas have the expectations of a downtrodden fan base on their shoulders as they get closer to the beginning of one of the toughest schedules in college basketball.

The Hoyas ended last season with a loss in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, the program’s best result since 2012. Yet, on the Hilltop, where players and fans alike will always expect a deep postseason run, this result was underwhelming. For these Hoyas, none of whom have played past the first weekend of the NCAA tournament, winning in March is already a pressing concern.

“It’s something that I’ve thought about since my freshman year,” said senior guard D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera. “We were top five in the country, expected to do great things. Up until this point, I just want to continue to get better and continue to help guys understand what it takes to win and what it takes to get past that first step.”

The path to taking the next step started for the Hoyas long before practices began this fall. After the end of last season, Smith-Rivera, who was expected to be the leader for the Blue and Gray during his senior season, declared for the NBA Draft. Though the Indianapolis native wasn’t projected to be selected to the NBA, it was assumed that he would play overseas. However, within a week Smith-Rivera had a change of heart, and decided to return to the Hilltop for his last year of eligibility, a welcome development for Georgetown fans and Smith-Rivera’s teammates.

“It was great. Like I said before, D’Vauntes is more than just a basketball player on the court for us. When he’s on the court and things are going down, we kind look to him like ‘What’s next?’ He’s one of the best players in the country, so just having him on the court with us is a confidence booster,” junior forward Reggie Cameron said.

While Smith-Rivera is sure to give the Hoyas leadership learned from three years of court time, the departure of last year’s seniors Joshua Smith, Jabril Trawick, Mikael Hopkins, and Aaron Bowen, and the season-ending injury to sophomore transfer Akoy Agau leaves the Blue and Gray without many regular frontcourt contributors. In their place will be freshmen Marcus Derrickson, Kaleb Johnson, and Jessie Govan.

Derrickson, a native of nearby Bowie, Maryland, a beefy 6’8” forward with a “mean streak,” is expected to contribute in the post and on the perimeter for the Hoyas. During the summer and the fall, the freshman has impressed his teammates with his preparations.

“I’m most excited about Marcus Derrickson. His work ethic is incomparable to anyone else’s … He’s always the first one in the gym, the last one out of the gym, and the first one in the weight room, last one out of the weight room,” said Hayes. “I see him, when I’m in there all the time, and, as a freshman, you don’t really see that.”

Derrickson, at 250 pounds, is far from fitting into the recently created mold of the wiry Georgetown swingman.

This extra weight will hopefully allow the Virginian to make much-needed contributions in the post where skinnier forwards like sophomores Isaac Copeland and Paul White are usually pushed around while also spreading the floor when necessary.

“He’s also one of the better three-point shooters, probably second-best three-point shooter on the team, and he’s also physical down low, he’s not afraid to bump with the big guys,” Hayes said of his new teammate.

Johnson, a speedy 6’6” guard also drew praise from his teammates and his coach for many of the same qualities that

ast year was more of a learning experience, like just growing, watching the older guys. This year, I have one year underneath my belt. Basically, I’m more of a teacher, more vocal this year. So, I’m definitely seeing my role change from this year compared to last year,” Copeland said.

This sentiment was echoed by fellow sophomores Peak,

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“I just want to continue to get better and continue to help guys understand what it takes to win and what it takes to get past that first step.” - D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera time, seeing him being able to use the ball screens, guarding everybody, and getting to the rim like he does.”

Govan, however, is the Hoyas’ most prized recruit. At 6’10”, the center is expected to be a high-volume scorer in the post who will open up the floor for the team’s many shooters.

His size will be needed when the Hoyas have to deal with top flight big men like Maryland’s Diamond Stone.

“Jessie is going to allow us to do some things that we haven’t been able to do in a while,” said Thompson “He’s a big, rugged kid that can go down in the block and have success.”

Though the Georgetown roster’s future looked bleak after Smith-Rivera’s declaration a few months ago, with his return and the supposed skills of the incoming class, it looks as if the Hoyas will have many players who can be depended on to play important minutes, if nothing else. radley Hayes does not look tired. In fact, for the first time at media day, he looks excited.

The senior has spent much of his Georgetown career as an afterthought. He’s heard it all: too slow, too clumsy; but in last season’s penultimate game, Hayes made a statement.

In ten minutes of court time, the center scored eight points and pulled down six rebounds, both career highs. For those who worried about the Hoyas’ frontcourt future, this was not necessarily a sign that Hayes was ready to be an offensive cornerstone, but a glimmer of hope that the seven-footer was ready to start stepping onto the court with regularity. Now, with the team needing him to play significant minutes, by all accounts, Hayes is ready to play.

“Our expectations of Bradley are very high. Seeing his growth over the summer, it was tremendous, man. I’m excited to be playing with him finally, consistently, as a peer and a brother of mine,” Smith-Rivera said.

Hayes and Smith-Rivera are now team captains. Smith-Rivera’s appointment was a no-brainer, but given Hayes’ lack of in-game experience, his role as captain seems questionable.

Some wonder if the captainship is being used as a motivator to push Hayes toward larger contributions, but Thompson emphasizes that this is not the case.

“He earned it. It would not make sense to put anyone else in that position,” Thompson said. “It’s how he’s gone about his business, the leadership that he’s displayed. And I mean as

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White, and guard Tre Campbell. The Hoyas will need their sophomore core to be playing their best as they begin their schedule with matchups against some of the strongest and most historic programs in college basketball. After their season opener at home against Radford, the Blue and Gray will travel to College Park to face No. 3 Maryland, which sports its most promising roster in years.

“Yeah, I mean it’s the talk of the town right now. I’m excited for it,” Smith-Rivera said.

This early season test is a chance for the unranked Hoyas to prove themselves as a national contender, but also possesses the potential to be the beginning of a hell week for Georgetown. Three days after the matchup with the Terrapins, the Hoyas will travel to New York City to face No. 17 Wisconsin as part of the 2K Classic, an early-season tournament. On the other side of the four-team bracket are VCU and No. 5 Duke.

“I felt like we all looked at it at the same time and looked at each other and just kind of grinned...Wisconsin at the Garden, possibly Duke after that. We’re excited. We look at it like an opportunity to make a lot of noise early this year,” Cameron said.

This year will also bring back two of Georgetown’s old Big East rivalries, with Syracuse coming to the Verizon Center on Dec. 5 and the Hoyas traveling to face No. 20 Connecticut in January.

If the Hoyas are prepared, this daunting out-of-conference schedule could be a springboard to the national spotlight. If Thompson and his players are right, fans should expect the Hoyas to hang with all of their top-tier opponents.

But, the season hasn’t started yet, and optimism is everywhere, whether or not it is warranted. eorgetown buys into the strength of its basketball program unconditionally. There was a time when the Hoyas were the most respected team in college basketball. That is no longer the case. Away from the Hilltop, reverence is in short supply, and there are many teams who have performed more consistently than the Blue and Gray.

The Hoyas have what seems to be one of their most complete rosters in recent memory to go along with one of the country’s most difficult schedules.

If Georgetown is a national powerhouse, it’s time to prove it.

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PROFILE

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NOVEMBER 6, 2015

DSR

Returning for Unfinished Business

On March 31st, D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera dropped a bomb on Hoya basketball fans.

The Indianapolis native announced he would forego his senior year of college to declare for the NBA Draft, leaving Head Coach John Thompson III to deal with a literal changing of the guards.

The 2014-2015 Big East Preseason Player of the Year, Georgetown’s leader in scoring and assists, the man who went toe-to-toe with the national scoring leader, the single anchor of consistency in a program that went from a two-seed in the NCAA Tournament to the NIT in one year, was gone.

For one week, Georgetown students stumbled around campus dejected and bewildered. Then, just as suddenly as the star guard disappeared, he was back. On April 7th, Smith-Rivera announced he would return to the Hilltop, ready for one last run at a national championship.

“At the time I just felt like I was ready,” said Smith-Rivera. “I prepped up until that point. I worked on countless things to try to develop my game, and I thought I was ready with that. Over some time, I thought about finishing school. I’ve come this far, to not finish would be a disappointment, more so to my family than anything. I’m the first generation from my family to go to college and I’ll be the first to graduate, so that was a major factor.”

The 6’ 3” guard will enter his final year at Georgetown following an impressive 2014-2015 campaign, tallying 16.3 PPG, 4.2 RPG, and 3.2 APG, while plugging away at a clip of 42.1 percent overall from the field, 38.7 percent from downtown, and 86.1 percent from the free-throw line. Smith-Rivera made it clear in his breakout sophomore season that he could score, but his junior year proved that he’s more than a scorer—he’s a ballplayer. Smith-Rivera leads returning Hoyas in points, assists, rebounds, and steals per game.

Smith-Rivera dueled national stars from Kansas, Villanova, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Florida with an unparalleled fearlessness.

His confidence to take low-percentage shots raised questions about his judgement, but his unique, inexplicable ability to miraculously find the net at impossible angles when the team needed it most raised questions about his mortality.

DSR gunned his way to the All-Big East First Team after finishing fourth in the league in scoring, en route to leading the Hoyas back to the NCAA Tournament after a depressing relegation to the NIT in 2013-2014.

“I think last year we did well,” said the star guard. “We did okay. We finished in the top 25, but I think we lost maybe a handful of games last year by five or fewer points so hopefully as a team we can all be better.”

Smith-Rivera brings far more than statistics to the court. He is the last remaining Hoya to play significant minutes for the twoseed 2012-2013 team alongside the Washington Wizards’ Otto Porter and to have the experience of facing the despised rival Syracuse Orange, a ritual that will resume this season.

The senior has sought to play a role in molding the talented sophomore class, and will continue to be a resource for them again this year, as well as for the new promising freshmen class.

“Since my sophomore year I’ve always felt like I could be a leader in different ways, not always a vocal leader, more by example,” said Smith-Rivera.

Smith-Rivera, now a captain, will be responsible for leading the young Hoya team through perhaps the most difficult schedule in recent program history. Non-conference commitments include regional rival Maryland, last season’s national runner-up Wisconsin, a possible matchup with national champion Duke, and the rekindling of rivalries with Syracuse and UConn.

By Alex Boyd

“It was exciting for me just to have that level of competition to start off the season,” said Smith-Rivera. “I think it’ll be a great test for us. Hopefully we can come out with all wins.

The guys, I’m most certain that they’ll be ready, and we’ve done a lot of preparation. Leading up to that, we want to have high expectations.”

Those early non-conference battles will serve as a prologue for another grueling season of Big East basketball against national names DSR knows all too well. He’ll have to go toe-to-toe with Providence’s Kris Dunn, Villanova’s Ryan Arcidiacono, and Butler’s Kellen Dunham, plus the newly retooled teams set to bounce back from the bottom of the conference last year.

“The teams that don’t get as much appreciation, even those teams are just as tough to battle night in and night out, because they have tremendous players also,” said Smith-Rivera. “So we’ll see how it goes and hopefully at the end of the race we’re on top.”

The Hoyas were picked second in the Big East Preseason Coaches’ Poll, but Smith-Rivera is thinking bigger.

“I think as a team, coming into the season we’ve gotten a lot of recognition but I feel like, as many players as we have returning, and with the group that we have, I think we’re better than people perceive us to be,” said Smith-Rivera. “We’ve just got to go out and prove that. I won’t really say too much about what we can do. You’ll see when the games come around and the teams that we play.”

In an offense with a plethora of scoring weapons, as sophomore stars Isaac Copeland, Paul White, and LJ Peak all left their marks on the box scores in their first years of college ball, Smith-Rivera plans to shift his focus to the other parts of the game for his final collegiate run. The prolific scorer already gave us a glimpse of his diverse skill set last year, and he plans to prioritize defense even more going forward.

“Just defend,” said Smith-Rivera. “We’ve got a lot of different kind of guys who can score the ball so points won’t be an issue. It’s just defending and rebounding. We’ll be fine.”

The final chapter, as it always does, will carry some extra weight for the face of the Hoyas. With the talented young group around him, there’s a real chance for a magical conclusion to Smith-Rivera’s career on the Hilltop.

“I just want to make the most of it, man,” said the senior. “That’s all it is. Especially with this team.”

Throughout all the drama of early tournament exits, blowout conference upsets, and a turbulent week as a pseudo-professional, one thing has never changed. It’s a feeling he found the words to express during the team’s preseason trip to Italy.

“Ti amo Georgetown.”

Sports Information

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THE GEORGETOWN VOICE

“Our expectations for Bradley are very high,” Smith-Rivera said. “Seeing his growth over the summer, it was tremendous. I’m excited to be playing with him finally, consistently, as a peer and brother of mine…He talks about people not recognizing him or knowing what he could bring to the table. Well I told him just wait, they’ll see.”

Cautious optimism aside, however, Hayes remains a wholly unproven commodity. The senior has never played more than 13 minutes in a single game and has showcased a bad habit for fouling, averaging .77 fouls per game during his career despite only playing for an average of 4.1 minutes per game. The importance of just staying on the court for long stretches of time is something Hayes has focused on.

“I’m physically and mentally prepared,” Hayes said.

Hayes’ gradual development as a post player is a process that should look familiar to Georgetown fans. Before Hayes, former Hoyas Roy Hibbert and Henry Sims also struggled to excel in their early years, only to blossom into legitimate NBA prospects at the back end of their time on the Hilltop. John Thompson III recognizes Hayes’ place in this lineage, but emphasized that the Jacksonville, Florida native remains unique, especially compared to Sims.

“I don’t mean to talk negatively about Henry [Sims] in the next statement, but I think Bradley cared the whole time,” Thompson said. “The coach [Thompson] didn’t give him [Bradley] an opportunity…whereas Henry had the opportunities, but it was just senior year and he was like ‘Uh-oh, I’m almost out of the tunnel.’ He changed who he was senior year. I don’t think Bradley has changed as a person, I just think he’s a more confident person.”

Hayes, meanwhile, has communicated with his predecessors and understands the opportunity in front of him.

“I’ve actually talked to Roy Hibbert a couple of times and I’ve talked to Henry a couple of times too,” Hayes said. “They know it’s my one full year, and they said it’s a lot of pressure…It depends on how much I want it.”

“I mean, I came in my freshman year thinking I was going to make a large impact,” Hayes added. “Unfortunately, I had to sit back and learn from the older guys, but I feel like I learned a lot…I feel like I can come in and be a real leader.”

Individual potential aside, however, Hayes remains focused on Georgetown’s prospects as a team this year, viewing his final season as a great opportunity to leave an indelible mark on the Georgetown program.

“I like to leave whatever I come to better than it was when I got here,” Hayes said. “If that’s putting a banner up on the wall or that’s getting a ring on my finger, that’s the goal…in the end, I just want to go as far as we can go.”

BRADLEY Sports Information

HAYES

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PROFILE

In just ten minutes, Bradley Hayes saved his college career.

During last year’s round of 64 NCAA tournament game against Eastern Washington, Georgetown Hoyas’ head coach John Thompson III was forced to put the seldom-used seven-footer into the game, after big men Joshua Smith and Mikael Hopkins each picked up two quick fouls. The presence of Hayes, a perennial benchwarmer, didn’t instill much confidence in Hoya fans; heading into the tournament, the junior had committed more fouls in his career than he had scored points. As Hayes shuffled onto the court, the reaction of the game’s announcers mirrored that of the Georgetown faithful: this wasn’t going to end well.

Hayes, however, had other plans. Two offensive rebounds produced two easy scores for the 275-pound center, a surprising spurt of production that had color commentator and NBA legend Reggie Miller at a loss for words. Hayes added four more points and four more rebounds to close out the first half, sparking a 28 to 12 run for the Hoyas that would prove to be the difference in the game. Hayes wouldn’t see the court in the second half, but his message to Hoya fans was clear: I’m not done yet.

“That was just a small image of what I can do,” Hayes said. “I can do a lot better and a lot more. So now I just try and go out in the season and show it.”

Hayes’ coaches and teammates also viewed the Eastern Washington game as a major turning point in the center’s development.

“Being quite honest, he played well in the NCAA Tournament,” Thompson said. “And he hasn’t stopped, so it’s kind of like an a-ha moment.”

“He’s had a great summer, and in practice he’s been killing,” sophomore Isaac Copeland said. “Scoring in the paint, clearing the rim, doing what we need out of a seven-foot big man right now.

Hayes’ rapid improvement will certainly be put to test this season, as the senior will be tasked with anchoring a Georgetown frontcourt that has very little depth. With Smith and Hopkins lost to graduation and Louisville transfer Akoy Agau out for the season with a torn ACL, only Hayes, freshman Jessie Govan, and unproven sophomore Trey Mourning are available to play down low. As a result, Hayes committed himself this offseason to improving his defense and his rebounding, two skills that will have to be consistently on display for the Hoyas to be able to compete in the hard-nosed Big East Conference.

“They need me as a presence down low and they need me on the boards heavy,” Hayes said. “I’m ready to step up for that role.”

Senior D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera is also confident that his teammate and fellow team captain is up for the challenge.

Stepping into the Spotlight by brendan crowley

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NOVEMBER 6, 2015

BIG EAST PREVIEW

The Voice’s Outlook for the Nation’s Toughest Conference

BY CHRIS DUNN, TYLER PEARRE, and PHILLIP STEUBER

1.Villanova

WILDCATS

Head Coach: Jay Wright (15th Year, 359-152, 10 NCAA Appearances, 1 Final Four) Player to Watch: Senior guard Ryan Arcidiacono.

The local senior from Langhorne, Pa. will likely dominate in his final year as a Wildcat, after sharing Big East Player of the Year honors with Providence’s Kris Dunn last year. He will also pose a major threat in the Big East Tournament. Many fans remember last year when he sank two crucial free throws with 3.1 seconds left in the Big East Semis to break the tie against Providence and lead the team to the Big East Final.

Why We’re Optimistic: The Wildcats are always contenders in Big East play and have led the pack in recent years. They’ve also been consistent national contenders the past few seasons; the team was a 1 seed in the East region for the 2015 NCAA Tournament and a 2 seed in 2014. There’s no reason to doubt that they’ll be back at it this year, with returning players like Arcidiacono and the 6’ 11” senior Daniel Ochefu, who was named the Philadelphia Big Five Most Improved Player of the 2014-15 season. There’s also a lot of excitement around the new Wildcat recruits, specifically Jalen Brunson, who some are already comparing to all-time great Scottie Reynolds.

Why We’re Pessimistic: They’re a Philadelphia team. There’s something painfully familiar to the City of Brotherly Love about teams that are expected to dominate the upcoming season, only to fall miserably short and leave the city with a bitter taste of wasted talent (read: the Philadelphia Eagles and the disappointment of Chip Kelly’s unprecedented offseason).

The Wildcats certainly fall into that category. The 2014-15 regular season was shaky for Villanova at times, with two crucial losses to Georgetown and Seton Hall in Big East play. An early NCAA Tournament exit for the second year in a row last year also doesn’t bode well for the team, so breaking the trend of choking in Philadelphia is a must for Villanova.

2.Georgetown

HOYAS

Head Coach: John Thompson III (12th Year, 249-115, 8 NCAA Appearances, 1 Final Four) Player to Watch: Senior guard D’Vauntes Smith Rivera.

Smith-Rivera decided to return to the Hilltop after initially declaring for the NBA Draft last spring. The senior guard is by far the most experienced player on this year’s squad, averaging 16.3 points in 34.4 minutes per game last season. The value of his leadership ability cannot be understated. With a talented group of young players around him, DSR will be the one to guide the team throughout the season.

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Why We’re Optimistic: The development of an elite sophomore class headlined by Tre Campbell, LJ Peak, Isaac Copeland, and Paul White will act as a catalyst for the Hoyas this season. Following a long summer with Team USA Basketball, Peak is much improved. His 6’5” frame presents numerous matchup problems for opponents, as it allows him to play both the guard and forward position. Isaac Copeland, who started the final ten games of the season last year, is also primed for a breakout year. Copeland’s combination of size, shooting touch, defensive ability, and slashing prowess make him a dangerous threat for opposing teams. The return of senior guard D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera will also be a key component to the success of the Blue and Gray.

Why We’re Pessimistic: The Hoyas have already lost sophomore transfer big man Akoy Agau for the season due to a torn ACL. Agau was touted to be a defensive stopper coming off the bench for the team when he became eligible in the second semester. Georgetown has depth at the position, but the loss of Agau certainly changed Head Coach John Thompson III’s game plan. The lack of experience on the team is also a bit daunting. The Hoyas have the talent, but their youth could stunt their overall success.

3.Butler

BULLDOGS Head Coach: Chris Holtmann (2nd Year, 23-11, 1 NCAA Appearance) Player to Watch: Senior forward Roosevelt Jones.

The junior forward is one of the most versatile players in the conference, and he is crucial to the success of Butler this year.

Jones was named to the Preseason All-Big East First Team, and he is consistently praised for his attitude and knowledge of the game. He takes his defensive play very seriously and is a strong offensive threat, even though he has never taken a three point shot in his college career.

Why We’re Optimistic: The Bulldogs proved themselves last year when they took Notre Dame to overtime in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, and have only gotten stronger since then. The Bulldogs return their top three scorers from 2014: Roosevelt Jones, Kellen Dunham, and Andrew Chrabascz.

The three form one of the best offensive groups in the Big East.

They’ve added guard Tyler Lewis, a transfer from NC State, and freshman center Nate Fowler, which will strengthen the team even more. Butler only plays one challenging non-conference game, on the road at Cincinnati on Dec. 2, so they should be able to use the first part of their season to work out whatever kinks they may find.

Why We’re Pessimistic: The Bulldogs lose two of last year’s starters: Alex Barlow and Kameron Woods. Each started in 34 games and averaged over 30 minutes per game last year.

While their offensive statistics were not stellar, they provided a seniority and knowledge of the game that will be missed, and their defensive skills were crucial on a Butler team that consistently values defensive ability. Chrabascz, a sophomore forward, while averaging dominant offensive numbers last year, was also inconsistent. With even more pressure on him, there is a chance that he won’t be able to maintain his level of play, which would seriously hurt the Bulldogs.

4.Providence

FRIARS

Head Coach: Ed Cooley (5th Year, 79-56, 2 NCAA Appearances) Player to Watch: Junior guard Kris Dunn.

Little is left to be said about Dunn, who averaged 15.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 7.5 assists last year. He was named Big East Preseason Player of the Year this year and was last year’s Big East co-Player of the Year. Dunn skipped the 2015 NBA Draft, where he would have been a probable lottery pick, to rejoin the Friars this year, and certainly has a lot to prove. He may be the best all around player in the country, and may win National Player of the Year honors.

Why We’re Optimistic: Providence is coming off of two straight NCAA tournament appearances and is looking to continue this success. A strong freshman class including guards Ryan Fazekas and Ricky Council, who have been described as strong outside shooters that can help to take some pressure off Dunn, the strongest player on the team.

Sophomore guard Jalen Lindsey, whose 2014-15 season was hampered by a constant finger injury is now healthy, and he should be able to make a big impact as a shooter. In order to be a good team, Providence will undoubtedly rely on Dunn, who could easily be the strongest player in the conference.

They seem to have built a relatively strong core around him that will let him shine.

Why We’re Pessimistic: The Friars are a very young team with no seniors and only three juniors. The lack of experience means that there is uncertainty with almost every player, even those who will need to make an impact for the Friars to be successful.

Banking on freshmen and players who didn’t get much playing time last season could hurt Ed Cooley’s squad.

5. Xavier

MUSKETEERS Head Coach: Chris Mack (7th Year, 134-71, 5 NCAA Appearances, 3 Sweet 16s) Player To Watch: Junior forward Jalen Reynolds.

Clutch late season play became a staple for Reynolds last

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year. As a sophomore, he recorded 17 double digit scoring games, and averaged just under 10 points per game, but Reynolds’ best play came in the postseason. He improved his average points per game to 12, and picked up a careerhigh 21 points on 8-of-9 shooting with six rebounds in the Musketeers’ win over Georgia State in the third round of the NCAA Tournament last year. The 6’ 10” junior looks like he’s developing into a serious threat for Xavier, and the Musketeers are likely going to be counting on him to come up big in Big East play.

Why We’re Optimistic: Xavier is a strong team when it counts, especially in conference games. Perhaps the biggest sign for optimism this year was how Xavier shined in tournament play, in both the Big East Tournament and the NCAA Tournament.

In the Big East Tournament, the Musketeers took down No. 22 Butler in overtime and squeaked out a win against No. 23 Georgetown to face off against No. 4 Villanova in the Big East Final. Villanova handled Xavier easily with a 69-52 victory, but the Musketeers cemented themselves as national contenders with their play in the Big East. In the NCAA Tournament, Xavier advanced all the way to the Sweet Sixteen where they fell to No. 5 Arizona 68-60. Losing to a team like Arizona certainly is not a knock on the strength of Xavier, and if the team can replicate its late season play of last year, the Musketeers might be making another NCAA Tournament run in 2016.

Why We’re Pessimistic: The loss of Matt Stainbrook is huge for Xavier. The redshirt senior led the team in points per game, 12.3, and rebounds, 6.9, in the 2014-15 season, and is a big reason that the Musketeers were so successful in the postseason. Stainbrook was a major threat on both sides of the court; he was a go-to defensive rebounder for Xavier, and he was dominant in the paint on offense. While there is certainly promise in young, up-and-coming players like Jalen Reynolds, without the leadership and experience of a player like Stainbrook, Xavier may find itself in a rebuilding year for the 2015-16 season.

6.Marquette

GOLDEN EAGLES Head Coach: Steve Wojciechowski (2nd Year, 13-19, 0 NCAA Appearances) Player to Watch: Junior center Luke Fischer.

While his hairdo sometimes resembles that of a boyband wannabe, the 6’11” junior center represents an old style Big East big whose play in the paint and on the post can be nothing short of dominant. He transferred to Marquette from Indiana and averaged 11 points and 4.8 rebounds per game last year with the Golden Eagles.

Why We’re Optimistic: Marquette will field an interesting mixture of strong returning talent and an excellent recruiting class. The returners include guard Duane Wilson and center Luke Fischer. These two play two very important roles on the team, and their seniority will be invaluable. The incoming class is led by 6’ 10” forward Henry Ellenson. Ellenson was a top 10 prospect in his class and was excellent in the team’s recent preseason trip to Italy. Marquette fans should certainly be excited about him as a player.

Why We’re Pessimistic: Although the Golden Eagles have a very strong freshman class, the lack of experience could prove dangerous to Steve Wojciechowski’s team. The seven freshmen on the team will need to mature quickly for Marquette to pose a threat. Along with this, the team has a very challenging nonconference schedule including a game in Madison against what will probably be their toughest competition, last year’s national runner-up Wisconsin. They also play against San Jose State and Iowa early in their schedule, and it will certainly pose a

challenge for the Golden Eagles to step up early against such stiff opponents.

7.Seton Hall

PIRATES

Head Coach: Kevin Willard (6th Year, 82-80, 0 NCAA Appearances) Player to Watch: Sophomore forward Angel Delgado.

Delgado may not be the McDonald’s All-American that Whitehead is, but he is undoubtedly the best player on the team in terms of his efficiency. He averaged 9.3 points and 9.8 rebounds per game last year on 55 percent shooting. If Delgado gets more touches this season, which he should, his numbers could explode.

Why We’re Optimistic: The Pirates are loaded with raw talent.

Sophomore guard Isaiah Whitehead has the skills to be a great NBA prospect. Following a freshman season in which he averaged 12.0 points per game on 37% shooting, Whitehead will be the primary ball handler for Seton Hall. His play will be a good measure of the Pirates success this year. Whitehead’s running mate, sophomore guard Khadeen Carrington, is a volume shooter whose scoring will be needed if Seton Hall has any chance of making the NCAA tournament this year. The development of this backcourt duo will be absolutely crucial for the Pirates.

Why We’re Pessimistic: Basketball is a team game. For Seton Hall, it doesn’t seem to be. Chemistry issues have plagued the team in the past, and whether or not Head Coach Kevin Willard has been able to form a cohesive unit remains to be seen. At one point last season, the Pirates were a top-25 team following a major upset over Villanova. But after minor setbacks, the team absolutely fell apart, and finished 4-13 in their final 17 games.

Immaturity and selfish tendencies could once again kill the Pirates’ postseason dreams.

8.DePaul

BLUE DEMONS Head Coach: Dave Leitao (1st Year) Player to Watch: Junior guard Billy Garrett Jr. The 2013-14 Big East Rookie of the Year continued to improve last season, leading the Blue Demons in both scoring and assists.

If DePaul wants to be a contender in the Big East this year, the 6’ 6” junior guard is going to have to put the team on his back.

Why We’re Optimistic: This is a tough sell. The freshman recruits provide the Blue Demons with some height in the paint but overall DePaul is a fundamentally unsound basketball team.

The team has two returning players who started in all 32 games (Billy Garrett Jr. and senior Myke Henry), so DePaul is going to have to rely heavily on leadership and experience from those two to compete with some of the powerhouse teams in the Big East.

Why We’re Pessimistic: If you read our preview of the Big East for last season, you know that we were not too optimistic about DePaul’s chances. Not much has changed over the past year. The team finished 12-20 on the season, went 6-12 in Big East play, and lost in the first round of the Big East Tournament to Creighton . But hey, like we said last year, Chicago is a really nice city this time of year.

9.St. Johns

RED STORM Head Coach: Chris Mullin (1st Year) Player To Watch: Freshman guard Marcus Lovett.

If you haven’t seen LoVett’s highlight tape, I highly suggest searching YouTube for it. His combination of incredible

ball-handling skills and lefty shooting stroke made him nearly impossible to defend at the high school level. While the transition to the college game is never easy, LoVett has a high ceiling and certainly has the potential to blow up once he finds his groove. While growing pains are expected, LoVett is poised to be one of the Red Storm’s best players this year.

Why We’re Optimistic: The Red Storm hired NBA Hall of Famer and alumnus Chris Mullin this past summer. With a wealth of basketball knowledge that includes 16 NBA seasons and 2 Olympic Gold Medals, Mullin’s IQ should help direct the young St. John’s team in the right direction.

Speaking of youth, the Red Storm welcome eight, yes eight, newcomers to the team this year. Junior college transfer Darien Williams, freshman guard Marcus LoVett, and Italian import Frederico Mussini will have to live up to expectations to make this season a successful one for New York City’s favorite team.

Why We’re Pessimistic: Make no mistake about it, St. John’s is in full-on rebuilding mode. The team lost six players following the end of last season, including their best player in Sir’Dominic Pointer. With a group of players who have no experience with one another and a new coach, there is an incredible amount of uncertainty surrounding this season for the Red Storm. Teams with very little experience have had mixed results in the past,but to be fair this team isn’t exactly as talented as the Kentucky Wildcats. Unfamiliarity is the biggest source of concern for St. John’s this year.

10.Creighton

BLUEJAYS

Head Coach: Greg McDermott (6th Year, 121-57, 3 NCAA Appearances) Player to Watch: Senior guard James Milliken.

Milliken is one of two seniors on this young team. Second on the team in scoring last season, averaging 9.6 points per game on 40% shooting, he is extremely efficient on the offensive end, and will have to carry more of the load this season with the aforementioned Chatman out of the picture. While his offense may not be of any concern, his defensive ability is questionable, at best. If Milliken can develop his game on the defensive end on the floor, he could very well be the star in Omaha.

Why We’re Optimistic: The Blue Jays are entering their second season of the post-Doug McDermott era, and the prospects aren’t much better than the 14-19 record they posted last season. If there is any source of hope for the team it is the eligibility of transfers Cole Huff and Maurice Watson Jr. After sitting out their obligatory one season due to transfer regulations, Huff and Watson are additions the Blue Jays will welcome with open arms. Two seasons ago, Watson was third in the NCAA in assists per game, averaging 7.1 per game. If he can bring that same court vision to a Creighton team that loves to score, they may just put together a potent offensive attack.

Why We’re Pessimistic: Still no Doug McDermott. It took one of the most prolific scorers in recent college basketball history to put Creighton on the national stage, and without his presence it’s hard to see the team returning to that level of play. The Blue Jays also lost their top scorer, Austin Chatman, from last season. Creighton has also never been known for their defense, and barring some miracle, it doesn’t seem that their defensive ability will be improved at all over last season’s dismal effort. Gone are the days when Creighton could rely on their offensive ability to overcome their defensive woes.

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isaac copeland A Star in The Making NOVEMBER 6, 2015

PROFILE

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By chris castano

e’s a Hoya, stands six-foot-nine, and plays small forward.

He’s tall, lanky, and prefers making plays that don’t always make it into the box score. And he might just be the team’s next superstar.

Thinking Isaac Copeland? You also wouldn’t be wrong if you picture a former fan favorite and Washington Wizard Otto Porter Jr. Porter had a breakout season his sophomore year, and Copeland’s style of play during his first year got fans talking. Now at the beginning of his second season, almost everyone who pays attention to Georgetown basketball has heard the comparison.

That is, except Copeland himself.

“That’s my first time ever hearing that, but I guess I could see that,” says Copeland. “We’re both tall, play on the wing, and pretty athletic, and we play here. So I guess I could see it.”

It would be fair to accuse the small forward of padding the truth, but it seems like if it doesn’t happen on the court, Copeland doesn’t pay it too much mind. Take his thoughts on his recognition as a Big East Preseason Honorable Mention.

“It’s cool,” said Copeland. “But I don’t really pay too much attention to that stuff. That’s about it.”

The comparisons began when Copeland found his game halfway through last season. The sophomore strung together a number of impressive performances, including a game-winning three against Butler that made him stand out in an otherwise-impressive freshman class. He became the guy that all those in attendance at Verizon Center wanted to see on the court. So what clicked?

“Just having confidence in myself and being more comfortable. Obviously after hitting the game winner against Butler, I mean everything kind of took care of itself. So, a big event like that will help anyone in their career,” he said.

And while Hoya fans were excited about finding a spiritual successor to Porter, one aspect of the comparison is frightening: Copeland may follow in the steps of the Wizards forward and leave for the NBA at the end of his sophomore year. An amazing season from the sophomore will be both a blessing and a curse.

He could help take the Hoyas to the next level, but it could also mean that he departs well before his graduation date.

Thankfully, Copeland has a lot to think about between now and draft season. The sophomore is still developing his game at

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the college level and seeking to help his teammates improve, especially the new additions to the team.

“Last year was more of a learning experience, like just growing, watching the older guys. This year, I have one year underneath my belt. Basically, I’m more of a teacher, more vocal this year. So, definitely seeing my role change from this year compared to last year,” Copeland says.

Part of that process is the possibility of Copeland moving into the backcourt, which would represent a shift in his style of play and a shift in the Hoyas’ style as well.

“Last year I would get the ball and be like ‘ok’ and I’ll slow it up, take five seconds off the shot clock, and give it to a guard and go back to my spot,” said Copeland. “It makes our team a lot better, with the short shot clock now. It makes our team better, me being able to play the guard spot.”

It’s that kind of utility, not just on Copeland’s end, but on the parts of all the returning sophomores and the new recruits that leads the star small forward to believe the Hoyas will find success this year.

“I think we’re more versatile this year. We’re deep, very deep this year. I mean we have some experienced guys who didn’t really play that much last year that can be called upon this year. And then some young guys like me, LJ, Paul, Tre, who were thrown in the fire last year, thrown into the mix without a solid role, but this year we’re gonna be more of a pivotal piece of the team.”

With Maryland, Wisconsin, and possibly Duke awaiting Georgetown in just the first ten days of the season, Copeland and company will be thrown in head first. And regardless of Copeland’s post-grad aspirations, he has a lot of work to do this season before he can follow in Porter’s footsteps.

“If he exceeds that level of expectation this year then yeah, you can make those comparisons,” said teammate Bradley Hayes.

“But right now, Isaac’s still going through the process. He’s developed a lot over the summer though so hopefully he can bring that same energy, same thing that Otto brought to our team.”

Comparison aside, Copeland’s personal goals are the team’s goals. A successful season for the Hoyas would be a successful season for him.

“I want to just win games, win championships, and make it farther in the tournament this year.”

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PEAK resh off of a stellar freshman first-year campaign and a gold medal win at the FIBA U-19 World Championships, sophomore forward L.J. Peak hopes to build upon a solid foundation as an instrumental contributor and vocal leader for a young Georgetown team.

“I’ve never been much of a talker, but I lead by example and play hard all the time,” said Peak. “Being a part of the national team this summer, I’ve worked on becoming a better leader. It was a great honor to be a part of the team. There were a lot of young guys out there, so I just took on the leader role.”

He’s right. From his first game last season, Peak’s play spoke louder than his words. In a record-breaking debut for the Hoyas, Peak scored a staggering 23 points against St. Francis, connecting on all nine of his field goal attempts. Peak’s ability to cut through opposing defenses and slash into the paint from the wing was decisive last season. The sophomore’s ability to find holes in the opposition, and exploit them with explosive pace, added a much needed element of dynamism to the Hoya offense.

Despite his inexperience at the college level, Peak was a biggame player. In the preseason, he was Georgetown’s best offensive threat when No. 10 Kansas visited Verizon Center, scoring 19 points off 6-of-12 shooting from the field. In Georgetown’s Round of 32 defeat to Utah in last year’s NCAA Tournament, Peak was as dangerous as ever, leading the team in scoring with 18 points.

Even though the Hoyas postseason ended a little earlier than they would have liked, Peak had much to be proud of, starting 32 of the team’s 33 games. He wasn’t the most consistent Hoya, but he provided the offensive and defensive spark that made him a vital complement to Coach John Thompson III’s starting lineup. In addition, Peak was named to the All-Big East Rookie team alongside fellow Hoya Isaac Copeland. And though he wasn’t always called upon to guard star wings from other teams last season, his on-ball defending and ability to anticipate opposing ball movement often helped to create turnovers.

When asked about what Peak brought to the Hoyas last season, fellow sophomore standout Copeland complemented Peak’s hustle. “He’s really good in transition, finishing, and is probably one of our best defenders too. He plays really hard on defense, and that’s something that separates him from everybody else,” Copeland said.

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The Sophomore Jump By robbie ponce

With the graduations of Jabril Trawick and Aaron Bowen, the Hoyas will now call upon Peak to guard some of the most talented wing players that the NCAA has to offer.

“L.J., I said this last year, is a very good defender,” said Georgetown Head Coach John Thompson III. “He’s not one to get a bunch of steals, but he stays in front of his man and his man has a hard time. I think he’s really starting to take pride in his defense and have fun on defense as opposed to just being good at it.”

This summer, Peak was a member of Team USA’s U-19 team at the FIBA World Championships. Thompson is sure that experience will benefit Peak in the coming years.

“Representing your country, that’s unique,” said Thompson said. “Overall, it’s great. It was a long summer for him though. You go from our season, to USA basketball, to Italy, to coming back and starting workouts here. We’ve got to pace him a little bit because it’s been a long, continuous season for him.”

Several of Peak’s teammates commented on his offensive refinement since last spring. Though he shot 24.6 percent from threepoint range last season, Peak spent hours this summer working on becoming a consistent mid-range and outside threat.

“L.J. has gotten a lot better,” said senior center Bradley Hayes.

“He’s gotten a lot faster and a lot stronger, and he’s starting to find his way into the offense. His three-point game is a lot better. He’s not just somebody who can go to the hole and lay it up. Now, he’s pulling his game out to the three-point line, hitting a lot more open shots, off-the-dribble and without a dribble.”

With the Hoyas losing key graduates, Peak will be expected to carry a heavier load on both ends of the floor. On offense, his ability to push the tempo of the game, get to the basket, and stretch opposing defenses will take some of the pressure off of senior guard D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera and will force teams to be more cognisant of a fast-paced and wing-driven offense. Defensively, Peak will need to help anchor wing coverage and bring the intensity and toughness in the absence of Trawick.

With one year under his belt, the Hoyas will rely heavily on Peak’s influence and leadership in order to make a jump into discussion for a Big East Championship. Georgetown’s success this season will be highly contingent upon the strides taken by its core of sophomores, and Peak will be an instrumental piece on both ends of the floor for the Hoyas this season.

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NOVEMBER 6, 2015

Meet the New Guys By ethan levy and alex lewontin

AKOY AGAU Forward, 6-8, 235 lbs OMAHA, NE isappointment struck early this year for sophomore Akoy Agau, who will miss the upcoming season with a torn ACL. Agau transferred to Georgetown from Louisville midway through the 2014-15 season, in hopes of seeing more minutes in a less crowded frontcourt rotation. However, due to NCAA transfer regulations, he has not yet seen time on the court for Georgetown, and wouldn’t have even been eligible to play for the first semester of this year. Still, Agau figured to be a boost for the Hoyas in the second semester before his injury.

While his offensive abilities lack polish, the Hoyas will miss Agau’s defensive physicality, especially his shot-blocking ability, and his work on the glass - akin to a mix of departing seniors Aaron Bowen and Mikael Hopkins.

While Agau’s injury is clearly a loss for the team, Georgetown Head Coach John Thompson III isn’t worried that this will leave a gaping hole in the rotation.

“I don’t want to say it’s not a loss, because it is, but we have depth there” Thompson said.

Although touted as a forward, it iss unclear whether Agau would have spent more time at the 4 or the 5, but the team is deep enough in bigs that either way the position will be covered. Hoya fans should expect Agau to spend this season rehabbing and recovering, and to make his debut for Georgetown in the 2016-17 season.

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MARCUS DERRICKSON Forward, 6-7, 250 lbs BOWIE, MD

KALEB JOHNSON

JESSIE GOVAN

GUARD, 6-8, 205 lbs SOUTH HILL, VA

CENTER, 6-10, 270 lbs QUEENS VILLAGE, NY

errickson comes toenters the Hilltop with high expectations. A complete and dynamic forward, Derrickson figures to be ready to contribute immediately, adding another talented player to the Hoyas’ offense. Both Georgetown Head Coach John Thompson III and sophomore forward Isaac Copeland referred to Derrickson as the best shooter on the team next to DSR, lauding his scoring and rebounding ability during the Hoyas’ trip to Italy this summer.

Look for Derrickson to immediately compete for a starting job this season, complementing one of the more traditional big men in either freshman Jessie Govan or senior Bradley Hayes. His size and scoring abilitytalent should provide much- needed spacing for a team that finished 156th in the nation in three-point shooting percentage last year.

While his scoring will be a huge factor, Derrickson will also be leaned on heavily to rebound and defend in the post, helping to fill the void left by departing seniors Joshua Smith and Mikael Hopkins. His performance and development only became more important following the news that sophomore forward Akoy Agau, a transfer from Louisville, will miss the season with a torn ACL.

t’s always tough to replace a player like Jabril Trawick. Trawick, who graduated last year, gave the Hoyas a competitive edge and toughness reminiscent of the brand of bruising Hoyas basketball played by the likes of Ewing, Mourning, and Mutombo. While it’s early to crown the next tone-setter for this year’s Hoyas, comparisons are already being drawn between Trawick and incoming freshman combo guard/forward Kaleb Johnson.

“Kaleb brings a lot of things to the table that Jabril did… He’s got a hardness, a toughness,” said Georgetown Head Coach John Thompson III. Johnson has already been called one of the Hoyas’ best perimeter defenders. Although still raw, Johnson’s athleticism and tenacity should earn him more minutes as the season progresses and he becomes more comfortable in the Hoya’s offense.

The learning curve will be steep, but Johnson’s size and ability to defend three to four positions on the court will prove valuable against many of the talented teams on the Hoyas’ schedule early in the season. While JTIII does have a backlog at the wing position, don’t be surprised if Johnson cracks the rotation with his defensive energy and hustle.

he departure of former center Joshua Smith is a huge loss for the Hoyas, both literally and figuratively. The Hoyas relied heavily on his size and abilities in the low post to generate points and spread defenses to create open shots elsewhere.

Listed at 6’ 10”, 270 pounds, freshman center Jessie Govan looks like the likely plug to fill the hole left by Smith’s departure. Govan has the post abilities to fill Smith’s scoring role, but he is far more versatile in other areas.

Despite his imposing stature, Smith was a notoriously poor rebounder, so look for Govan to provide a much needed boost on the boards for the Hoyas this season. Govan can also be a threat with a midrange jump shot and from behind the arc, two things that Smith certainly didn’t have in his arsenal.

“He’s a good passer. He can make threes, not that that’s going to be his thing, but you’re going to have to play him past three feet, which may be different for us” said Georgetown Head Coach John Thompson III. Govan will likely only compete for playing time with the only other center on the team, senior Bradley Hayes. In past seasons, Hayes has played limited minutes behind Josh Smith and Mikael Hopkins, so Govan will likely have an opportunity to play significant minutes fairly quickly. Overall, Govan’s versatility in a position that is fairly shallow for Georgetown figures to make him an important factor for the Hoyas this season.

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THE GEORGETOWN VOICE

HARD AT WORK

ander into McDonough Arena on a weekday afternoon and you’ll hear sneakers squeaking on hardwood, hands clapping together, and booming voices echoing across an otherwise empty gymnasium. Move further inside and you’ll find a group of women quickly zigging and zagging across the floor and spiraling basketballs piercing through white, nylon nets.

At this point, you would probably jump to the conclusion that the phenomenal display of skill you are observing is a Georgetown women’s basketball practice, and you would have no reason to believe otherwise—that is, you would have no reason to believe otherwise until 15 minutes later when second-year head coach Natasha Adair walks into the arena.

That’s when you realize you weren’t watching practice; practice is only just about to start.

You were watching what team members do every single day before practice.

“They just want it,” said Coach Adair at the team media day last week. “As a coach, you come in and they’re already there. They’re on the baseline, and they’ve been there for 15 or 20 minutes getting shots up.”

Amazed by what you’re seeing on the floor, you stick around to see what the Hoyas do during their official practice. The team starts drills, and you see one concept being stressed: defense. Over half the practice is dedicated to it, and that very word, “defense” is on everyone’s lips. From the head coach to coaching staff to the star players, all the way to the last player on the bench, the defensive mantra does not rest.

The team runs through defensive schemes, some of which are similar to last year’s and some of which are drawn up by newly added assistant coach James Howard. Their rotations are sharp and their communication is on-point.

Then you see a small lapse—nothing big but a half-step too slow here, or a half-second too slow there. Immediately, senior forward Ki-Ke Rafiu, runs over to coach Adair. They have a quick exchange, nod, and Rafiu huddles the team up.

“Ki-Ke has a great basketball mind, and I wouldn’t be surprised if one day she was a coach,” said Coach Adair. “Because she just has the right mannerisms, she knows how to talk to each player.”

Rafiu talks in the huddle for a moment, the team breaks, and they come out of the huddle even sharper and crisper than before. Still stressing defense, two players, numbers 11 and 44, stand out impressively. You glance at an online roster on your phone and you’re surprised to see that these players, Dionna White and Jodi-Marie Ramil, are only freshmen. It seems like each time you look up White is stealing the ball, as she did 11 times in one game during the Hoya’s summer exhibition trip to Italy and France this August, and Ramil provides support—both athletically and vocally—rarely seen from a freshman.

A few minutes later, the team switches over to focusing on more offensively-based drills, and you find this year’s scheme is new. “[Our offense] is more of a motion this year,” said Adair, who will be the first head coach this season’s seniors will have for two consecutive seasons.” It’ll keep the defense on-guard, and we want to tire [our opponents] out.”

Another player who shines brightly is sophomore guard Dorothy Adomako. Last year, she used her inside ability to score a team-leading 13.1 points per game en route to earning Big East Freshman of the Year and Preseason All-Big East honors. But this season, in addition to that skillset, Adomako also sports an impressive mid-range and outside game.

“She’s shooting the ball at a very high clip,” said Coach Adair. “Where she was more of a slasher and driver, now she’s shooting the three too.”

You also take notice of senior guard Katie McCormick, sporting a very impressive jump shot.

Her precision from the outside racked up a team-best 53 three-point field goals during 2014-2015.

Alongside McCormick is the teammate she’s played with since the age of 12, Logan Battle.

She also can clearly deliver from the perimeter, but it seems if you look away for a split second,

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Practice Makes Perfect for Women’s Hoops

By Matt Jasko

she’ll be playing another position equally well by the time you look back. The two combined to make a potent duo.

“Katie is the ultimate competitor… I want her to have a good senior year; she deserves it,” said Coach Adair. “[And Logan] is just that kid who can play every position, she can defend every position, and she has one of the highest basketball IQs of anyone I’ve ever been around.”

The firepower you witness from the outside is impressive, but equally so is what you see down low. senior forward Dominique Vitalis, last year’s second-highest scorer, is tough as nails on the inside, and it clearly pays dividends in the form of points. “[Dominique] is another person I think is going to have a great year,” said Coach Adair.

“She finishes around the rim.”

Practice continues, and you see juniors Faith Woodard and Jade Martin along with sophomore Yazmine Belk ripping down rebounds and converting them into points at high rates as well.

And the impressive execution doesn’t stop there. Jasmine Jackson, a grad student who returned to Georgetown, is clearly on a mission to finish what she started. So too do juniors Tyshell King and Mykia Jones and sophomore DiDi Burton, who are looking to build off their success from last season.

“I want to play them all,” said Coach Adair. “They’ve all earned that right. They’re working.”

When you glance up at the clock you suddenly realize how much time has passed, and practice is ending. But disappointed as you are that the Hoyas ’athletic display is complete for the day, you look forward to their first game —6 p.m. on November 13 at Maryland Eastern Shore. A few days later they play their home opener at McDonough, on November 18 at 7 p.m. against Virginia Tech.

They’ll see you there.

Katie McCormick and the Hoyas enter this season with high hopes.

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Freddy Rosas

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PROFILE

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NOVEMBER 6, 2015

DOROTHY ADOMAKO

Spectacular Sophomore Living her Dream on the Hilltop

by Hannah Schmidt Sophomore guard Dorothy Adomako has always wanted to play basketball at Georgetown.

“My parents were always talking about Georgetown,” said Adomako.

“They would come here and say ‘Oh, my kid is going to go to Georgetown.’ So, I mean, it’s kind of weird how things happen, and I’m here.”

But when the Maryland native decided to attend Georgetown, the women’s basketball team was not a source of stability. With the hiring of Head Coach Natasha Adair, the program was about to have its fourth different head coach in four seasons. But Adomako would not let that deter her from pursuing that lifelong dream.

“I always had dreams of playing at Georgetown,” said Adomako. “I had to just continue to trust in what God told me to do.”

Coming off a stellar freshman season in which she was named Big East Freshman of the Year, Adomako returns to the court looking to improve, knowing she represents one of the Hoyas’ best hopes in turning the program around after winning just four games last season.

“I didn’t know what role I was going to be taking,” said Adomako.

“But every team that I’ve played on I’ve always had a big role, so I didn’t expect to be not having a big role on the team.

I always go in with high expectations, so I think that’s what I did.”

The mature sophomore realizes her strengths, but isn’t getting too far ahead of herself. She wants more for herself and for the program.

“Getting Big East Freshman of the Year was a good accomplishment, but I can’t really look at that and take that to the head. I have bigger goals-- being the Big East Player of the Year, and just helping my team win as much as possible.”

Having a winning season for the first time in a long time would be one way to get this done for the Hoyas this season.

And while that may be trickier than expected, Adomako and her teammates believe that the program’s newfound

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consistency, with the same head coach and same core of players returning, will benefit the Hoyas this season.

“I think it’s a great thing because now everyone’s jitters are all gone,” said Adomako. “People can just be relaxed. “ While Adomako may not be the oldest player on the team, or the player with the most experience at Georgetown, she does know how to make big plays when her team needs it most - which is something that will continue to make the Hoyas stronger on the court. Her senior year in high school, Adomako lead her team to a 25-0 season, but unfortunately things did not turn out that way for the Hoyas last season. She has taken the lessons from last year’s struggle to heart and will use it as fuel for this season.

“You can’t really look at last year because if you do, this year the season won’t turn out as well as we want it to,” said Adomako. “We have to just look at it as a new note, and work as hard, and know what we did last year, and just bring it back this year, and just do the things we didn’t do.”

That said, the team has been focusing on two main things in this offseason: preparation and moving on. Adomako says the team is looking at the season on a “new note entirely,” and everyone is focused on working hard.

The Hoyas are also boosted by the number of seniors returning to the court. Last season, the team had no seniors, and there was a dearth of leadership. Now, those six have the chance to step up and be leaders. Adomako feels this will be a huge benefit.

“They know what they’re doing, you ask them any questions and they give you a feedback about where to go,” Adomako says.

Adomako also knows what she’s doing. She recognizes the dream of playing under the esteemed traditions associated with Georgetown basketball. Coming in at a time of instability for the women’s team, Adomako had to adjust to the team. This season, it’s all different – and for the better.

“We know Coach knows us, so it’s awesome. And you know, I mean the seniors have gone through a lot of coaches throughout their years, so it’s just good that they can have two years of one, same coach. I’m really happy about that.”

As for Adomako personally, she has been putting in the work this offseason to make sure she is in tip-top shape to take this team to new heights.

“I’ve worked on my communication; I’ve worked on my jump shot. I just need to improve both on the court and off the court, so I’ve been doing those things.”

Although this season is of course the focus for now, there is of course talk of the near future.

“We just gotta keep working hard. That’s everyone’s goal. Coach said it last year-- we’re not going to never go to the NCAA tournament again as long as she’s the coach here. And I mean, that’s true. That’s my goal too - to play in the NCAA tournament. Those are things we’re looking for.”

SPORTS INFORMATION

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THE GEORGETOWN VOICE

BATTLE-HARDENED The Women’s Basketball Seniors By santul nerkar

ogan Battle sits up straight, smiles, and speaks straightforwardly about her time at Georgetown. A turbulent career has not diminished the senior guard’s candor, nor has it dimmed the hope for any of her teammates.

“We’ve come a long way over these past four years, from changing coaches when we first got in to changing coaches again our sophomore year,” said Battle. “Each one of us has been through something difficult. Each one of us has had some type of surgery, going through the four years.”

The Georgetown women’s basketball team did not find much success last season, finishing 4-27 overall and 2-16 in Big East Conference play. This has largely been attributed to many of the problems Battle described. Along with a plethora of injuries, the Hoyas have dealt with a coaching carousel of sorts, with four head coaches in the last four seasons.

“It was definitely pretty tough,”said senior guard Katie McCormick. “It was tough for my class in specific just because coming in you’re like ‘this is the dream: Georgetown’ and it definitely didn’t pan out like we wanted it.”

Ultimately, though, the Hoyas’ ability to make the best of these situations, from personnel changes to injuries, will determine the success of their season. This year, that flexibility will be largely dependent upon the leadership of the team’s four seniors. Battle, McCormick, Ki-Ke Rafiu and Dominique Vitalis have dealt with these issues since the beginning of their Georgetown careers. They have the perspective to conquer any adversity this year’s schedule has to offer.

“They’ve had the experience on and off the court,” said Georgetown Head Coach Natasha Adair. “Now they’re stronger; now they’re tougher. And they want it. Just their determination now, and their grit in practice and just as a coach-- you come in, and they’re already ready.”

Battle feels that her and her teammates are ready to take on the challenge, maintaining that all this turmoil has strengthened the team’s resolve.

“It means that we stuck through it together, that we really had to pull each other along as the years went by,” Battle says.” “The adversity has made us all stronger, in different ways.”

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The desire to improve, to finish strong, and to leave a mark on the program is heavily shared throughout the team. “We’re just trying to better the program and leave it in a better shape so the people that come behind us have something to look up to,” Rafiu says. “It means everything to me.”

Rafiu, who has forgone playing on the team due to nagging injuries and who will serve as a player-coach, feels one of the responsibilities of the battle-tested seniors is to help ease the adjustment of the freshmen into the program, laying a foundation for the seasons to come.

“I talk a lot to the freshmen about listening, paying attention to detail,” said Rafiu. “You’re just coming in from high school, star of your team, but it’s a whole different dynamic here. Listening more, that will help you adjust into the team really fast.”

Jasmine Jackson, a fifth-year graduate senior, expanded further on the keys for the newcomers’ success at this level. “Just get up extra shots, get in the gym, work hard,” says Jackson. “And listen. That’s important, as a freshman. Sometimes you think you know it all, but you don’t.” “[As a freshman] I had a hard time listening to others, but over time, as I’ve matured, I’ve learned,” Jackson said. “Even now, I tell people what to do, but I’m expecting the same thing back.”

Several Hoyas have spoken on their goals for the season, with responses ranging from “playing harder” to being more disciplined. For the outspoken Vitalis though, finishing her Georgetown career strong only means one thing: winning.

“Winning,” says Vitalis firmly. “Winning the championship, going all the way. Being my last year, I do not want to see it end. Staying together, staying positive, and just finishing strong.”

Vitalis points to the new defense coupled with togetherness and consistency as attributes that will elevate the team to a new level this year. And of course, there is no shortage of confidence.

“We have a new defense called the pack defense which kind of puts everything into perspective, because it focuses on coming together as a team, finishing together, and having each other’s backs,” said Vitalis. “We have to be the same team throughout, from the beginning to the end.”

For Adair, the collective experience of her squad can only bolster its prospects.

“Experience is the best teacher.”

Sports Information

DOMINIQUE VITALIS

KI-KE RAFIU

LOGAN BATTLE

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KATIE MCCORMICK 15

By Johnny Amon and Max Roberts

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