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Georgetown Hoyas: Conference Schedule Preview

By Paolo Santamaria

Feb 28, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Georgetown Hoyas center L.J. Peak (0) shoots a free throw during the first half against the St. John's Red Storm at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Georgetown Hoyas center L.J. Peak (0) shoots a free throw during the first half against the St. John's Red Storm at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
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The other day, I covered the Georgetown Hoyas’ non-conference schedule and how difficult it would be, given their marquee matchups with Wisconsin, Maryland and either Duke or VCU.

What’s crazier, however, is the fact that their conference schedule is even tougher. Butler, Providence and Villanova all project to be ranked to start the season, and with two games against each program, Georgetown will have at the very least, eight or nine games against ranked opponents on the year.

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Last year, the Hoyas took down number four ranked Villanova in nothing short of a perfect basketball game. Everything went right for Georgetown, and they blew out the Wildcats by a score of 78-58. This year, Villanova returns co-Big East Player of the Year winner Ryan Arcidiacono and brings in a top recruiting class.

Once again under head coach Jay Wright, Villanova is the favorite to win the Big East.

DateOpponent
 12/30/15at DePaul
 01/02/16vs. Marquette
 01/05/16at Creighton
 01/09/16vs. DePaul
 01/13/16at St. John’s
 01/16/16vs. Villanova
 01/19/16at Xavier
 01/26/16vs. Creighton
 01/30/16vs. Providence
 02/02/16at Butler
 02/06/16at Seton Hall
 02/08/16vs. St. John’s
 02/13/16at Providence
 02/17/16vs. Seton Hall
 02/20/16vs. Xavier
 02/27/16vs. Butler
 03/01/16at Marquette
 03/05/16at Villanova

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But I think Georgetown should once again proves their most formidable challenge, with the Hoyas returning their top level recruiting class from last year and adding a well rounded recruiting with center Jessie Govan, forward Marcus Derrickson and wing Kaleb Johnson.

However, the wild card here, that I believe most preseason rankings are discounting is Louisville transfer wing Akoy Agau.

While he won’t be eligible to play until January, this timing puts him in perfect position to take the Big East by storm. With a soft shooting touch and versatile wing and post defense, Agau should help disrupt the Wildcats’ free flowing offense that allowed them to dismantle Georgetown’s defense in the two team’s second meeting last season.

Moreover, the presence of Agau and the other recruits will help shore up Georgetown’s weaknesses against Butler and Providence. While the Hoyas handily dispatched Butler three times last season, Providence (along with Xavier) was the Hoyas’ kryptonite, defeating Georgetown in every game they played.

With their strong inside presence and arguably the best player in the Big East (and by far the best NBA prospect), Kris Dunn, Providence might be the dark horse for the Big East title. While I can see the Hoyas winning anywhere from 13 to 15 games in the Big East, at least one loss is almost sure to come at the hands of the Friars.

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    • As far as Xavier goes, their prowess when it comes to dispatching Georgetown may very well have come to an end with the departure of Matt Stainbrook and a lackluster recruiting class.

    Overall, Georgetown’s schedule is one of the toughest in the country, with every other team in the Big East being formidable in their way. Also of note is Marquette, who absolutely improved their team with their top ten recruiting class in the nation.

    While their team’s strength remains uncertain, they will almost certainly start the season ranked, adding to an already difficult schedule numbers wise for Georgetown.

    Best case scenario, Georgetown can finish the season with around 27 wins and just seven losses, which hopefully would be good enough for another four seed. Though it remains to be seen just how well the team will mesh at the start of the season, I’m confident Georgetown will have all cylinders firing when the Big East season rolls around.

    With a retooled offensive lineup and a gritty defense as always, the Hoyas should be poised to make some noise in one of the toughest conferences in the nation.

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