100 Teams in 100 Days: Georgetown Hoyas

2016-2017 Season Review

Coming off a 15-18 season in '15-16, the Hoyas needed to turn things around for John Thompson III's sake. But they didn't. The Hoyas went 14-18, their worst season since, wait for it…1971-1972 (3-23 that season)!! They did have a few nice wins over Oregon (though Dillon Brooks played just 13 minutes for the Ducks), Butler and Creighton, but they also had losses to Arkansas State, DePaul and St. John's twice. Their 5-13 record was ninth in the Big East. The back to back losing seasons were enough for JT3 to be fired.

Key Losses

After 13 seasons, Georgetown decided it needed a fresh start and decided to part ways with JohnThompson III on March 23. The Hoyas went 278-151 (.648) under JT3, winning 3 Big East regular season titles (2007, 2008, 2013). They made 8 NCAA Tournaments with a Sweet 16 berth in 2006 and a Final Four appearance in 2007. On the court, the Hoyas lost their two best players from last season in LJ Peak and Rodney Pryor. The 6'5 Peak declared for the NBA Draft following a junior season in which he averaged 16.2/3.8/3.5 and also had 1.1 SPG. The 6'5 Pryor graduated after averaging 18.0/5.0/1.3, hitting 84 threes at a 41.4% clip and being named All Big East Honorable Mention. 6'8 forward Akoy Agau decided to go to SMU as a grad transfer following a junior season that saw him average 4.5 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. 7 footer Bradley Hayes graduated after averaging 4.2 PPG and 4.0 RPG in 24 games, 11 of which he started in. Reggie Cameron also graduated after playing 8.1 MPG in 17 games. Tre Campbell would've been a senior guard, but was released from the team. He averaged 3.5/1.2/1.3 in 14.0 MPG.

Key Returners

Jessie Govan averaged more points and rebounders than any other Returner for the Hoyas. The 6'10 junior averaged 10.1/5.0/1.4, blocked a shot a game and was 14 for 35 from three (40.0%). Govan started 19 games. 6'7 junior Marcus Derrickson started 15 games last season, averaging 8.3/4.4/1.4. Jagan Mosley, a 6'3 sophomore, averaged 4.2/2.2/2.5 and started 20 games for the Hoyas. Jonathan Mulmore, a 6'4 senior, started 10 games for the Hoyas and averaged 3.6/1.3/1.9. 6'6 junior Kaleb Johnson played 10.7 MPG, averaging 2.3 points and 1.9 rebounds per game while Trey Mourning is a 6'9 senior that appeared in 10 games last season.

Key Newcomers

Following the firing of John Thompson III, the Hoyas hired Patrick Ewing to be their next head coach. Ewing was a star at Georgetown from 1981-1985, earning All American honors three times and leading the Hoyas to a national championship in 1984. He is second in school history in scoring and first in rebounds and blocked shots. The NBA Hall of Famer's coaching experience is all as an assistant at the NBA level. He's been an assistant in the league since 2002 with Washington, Houston, Orlando and Charlotte. This is his first head coaching job. On the court, the Hoyas have the 8th ranked recruiting class in the Big East. Late pickup Jamarko Pickett leads the way as a 6'9 four star recruit. Pickett is a super long, athletic wing that can defend and score at all three levels. Antwan Walker is a 6'7 four star recruit that is another long, athletic wing with a high motor and an improving skill set. Jahvon Blair is a 6'3 three star guard that can play the point. He's good at getting others involved and is also a threat from beyond the arc. Rounding out the 2017 recruiting class (for now, the Hoyas do have one scholarship still open) is 7'3 giant Chris Sodom. Sodom is a three star recruit that moves well for his size, can protect the rim but is raw on the offensive end. The Hoyas will also have graduate transfer Trey Dickerson at their disposal this season. The 6'0 guard played a season at Iowa in 2014-2015 and played last season at South Dakota. Last season he averaged 10.4/2.2/2.8 for the Coyotes.

Final Take

The new Big East has only been around for four seasons, but it has established itself as one of the toughest leagues in the country. It's done that in spite of college basketball power Georgetown being a non factor in all but one season. It's amazing to think what will happen to this league when the Hoyas get back to the level we're used to seeing them at. Getting them there is Patrick Ewing's job now, but he won't get them anywhere close to it this season. The Hoyas struggled last season and now lose their best two players from that team. The additions of Pickett and Walker are good for the long term and Dickerson should help them this season, but there simply isn't enough talent there to be a factor right now. Expect the Hoyas to finish at the bottom of the Big East this year.

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