Hoops Habit
Fansided

Georgetown Hoyas: Thompson III Picks A Good Year To Be Loaded

By Matthew Parker

Feb 27, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Georgetown Hoyas head coach John Thompson III during the post game press conference following game against the Marquette Golden Eagles at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Marquette won 75-73. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Georgetown Hoyas head coach John Thompson III during the post game press conference following game against the Marquette Golden Eagles at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Marquette won 75-73. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Many say this is a do-or-die year for John Thompson III. That may be accurate. But the nine-year head coach picked a great year to have the a Preseason Player of the Year, one of the best recruiting classes in the country, and the return of two other key contributors marred by injuries and academic woes last season.

It is an exciting and tense time on the Hilltop. Picked to finished second in the “new” Big East. The conference does not run as deep as it once did which should bode well for stalwarts like Villanova and Georgetown.

It all starts and finishes with first team All-Big East player D’Vaun Smith-Rivera:

D’Vaun Smith-Rivera: Many would say the fate of the 2014-15 Hoyas begin and end with the junior. After a stellar sophomore year where he averaged 17.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game while shooting nearly 40% from three. The junior guard returns with even more expectations, as the Blue Ribbon Big East Preseason Player of the Year. Expect big numbers from Smith-Rivera but also great leadership of freshman who will scatter throughout the rotation.

Joshua Smith: It seems like Smith has been playing college basketball forever. The 350-pound big man enters his final year with the Hoyas and his services would be much appreciated on the Hilltop. The team unraveled after his first season as a Hoya ended due to academics. Spiraling from a 10-3 record prior to his departure to losing seven of their next eight without Smith and finishing 18-15. They will need good minutes and leadership from Smith, and also more than 3.4 rebounds per game. John Thompson III has not been overly optimistic about Smith’s weight and conditioning during the preseason so a lot is still left up for discussion.

Jabril Trawick: Trawick will be needed to provide leadership, defensive intensity and scoring for the Hoyas. His absence was devastating to the Hoyas during a stretch of games where they lost four straight conference games mid-season. It will be a great narrative ending to see Trawick immerge as a senior leader and help lead the Hoyas deep into March.

Reggie Cameron: A sweet shooting forward from New Jersey will play a major role on the Hilltop this season. He is expected to build on his freshman campaign and see more than his 13.3 minutes per game (his minutes went up late in the season.) He only shot 32 percent from three last season so he will need to shoot at a much higher clip, but Hoya Nation seems to be excited about Bullock this year.

Issac Copeland: Copeland may be the most talented player JTIII has had since Jeff Greene roamed the Hilltop in 2007. He is an exceptional athlete, with size and skill and should thrive in the Princeton Offense. Copeland, also know as @Issac_CurlJuice on Twitter, can make Georgetown a contender if he makes a smooth transition. Expect big things and athletic finishes and for Copeland to possibly emerge as the teams best player as the season wears on.

L.J Peak: Hailing from Gaffney, SC home of the notorious Frank Underwood. Peak is an interesting asset that John Thompson III will have to figure out where to use his skills the best. Peak is a flat out scorer, but may be need to fill some point guard duties with the departure of Markel Starks. If he finds his rhythm on this team expect a few high scoring nights, if he does not, expect the team to have some scoring issues.

These players are quintessential for John Thompson III to reestablish himself as the legend he was clearly on his way to be a few short years ago and for the Hoyas to return to their dancing ways which did not happen last season for the first time since 2009.