Will the Big East Player of the Year stay or go?
JM
The annual underestimation of the Georgetown Hoyas basketball program has already begun. ESPN, the “total” sports network, totally has it wrong- again.
Georgetown was again victim to Cinderella in the NCAA tournament. The loss to Florida Gulf Coast will go down in college basketball underdog lure. Yet, even though the Hoyas fizzled out when the lights were brightest, lets not forget- they were a #2 seed. They earned that seed by tying for the Big East regular season Championship.
The Hoyas beat National Champion Louisville once and Final Four participant Syracuse twice- handily. So why are the Hoyas not on this list? (Click link below)
That’s right, they’re not listed in ESPN’s “very early” look at next season’s potential top 25. Then ESPN lists “fifteen others to watch.” Still no Georgetown Hoyas.
People who don’t follow the program closely will immediately tell you that it’s because of Otto Porter’s pending departure. Otto was the Big East’s player of the year. He finished 2nd in AP player of the year voting behind Trey Burke. He was also a Wooden Award finalist, finishing 4th. If Porter does opt to leave and enter the NBA draft, sure that would leave a hole on the Hoyas.
A player as important as Porter would certainly alter any outlook for 2013-14. However, even if Porter does go to the NBA, the cupboard is not bare. Everyone else on the roster will be back. The Hoyas will also add incoming Freshman, sharp-shooter Reggie Cameron. Greg Whittington should also provide a big boost. The Hoyas second best player was suspended for the second half of the season
John Thompson III also has a pension for “coaching-up” players. Brandon Bolden and Stephen Domingo were virtually unknown last season. If JT3’s track record is any indicator, both will be much better in 2013-14. D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera should be a star next year. Markel Starks should be a calming Senior leader at point guard. So what’s with this list?
Bottom line- even without Porter, there is no way that the Hoyas should be outside of the top 25, let alone outside the top 40…. particularly a list compiled while Otto Porter is still on the roster.
ESPN annually ranks the Hoyas well down the list in their rankings at the start of every season- this time it’s a ridiculous oversight. If Porter does comeback, the Hoyas will be a contender for a National Championship. If he goes, they’re still top 25 worthy.
Listen, in the grand scheme of things, this list means absolutely nothing. It will be far different in November and December. It’s just frustrating that they could leave out one of the top 8 seeds in this tournament. Maybe that’s the other thing that losing in the first round gets you besides disrespect- the ability to be completely forgotten.
If ESPN is going to release such a ridiculously early top 25, they should at least do their research.
