Georgetown News, Jeff Borzello

GEORGETOWN WILL NOT FORGET 2008-2009 DISAPPOINTMENT

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BY JEFF BORZELLO

When a team finished the previous season losing 12 of its final 18 games, the common advice is to forget about it and move on.

That’s not the mindset Georgetown is bringing into this season, though. The Hoyas want to use the disappointing finish as a tool to improve and motivate them.

“It’s a learning process,” junior swingman Austin Freeman told NBE at the recent Big East Media Day at Madison Square Garden in New York City. “We want to learn from our mistakes. We’re going to take what happened last year and bring it into this season.”

After beginning the year 10-1, a record that included wins over Connecticut, Memphis and Maryland, Georgetown went just 6-12 the rest of the way en route to a 16-13 record, 7-11 in the Big East conference.

However, despite the loss of starters Jessie Sapp and DaJuan Summers, many people expect them to improve.

Many people point to a disconnect between the upperclassmen and the younger players as a key point in last season’s struggles.

“We won’t necessarily have better players, but we want to win more games,” sophomore forward Greg Monroe said. “We have to start finishing games.”

Even though the chemistry will likely be better this season, there is a lack of leadership heading into the season without Sapp and Summers as, for the second year in a row, the roster is void of seniors.

The Hoyas aren’t worried.

“Me, Chris [Wright] and Greg are going to have to step up even more,” Freeman said.

Added Monroe, “Everyone will have to become more vocal.”

Another question mark for Georgetown will be its supporting cast. The trio of Wright, Freeman and Monroe ranks up there with some of the best in the Big East, but only one other player returns who averaged more than five points per game – Jason Clark.

A deep group of freshmen and sophomores will need to play a big role immediately.

“All of them [will make an impact],” Monroe said. “It’s definitely a talented group of guys.”

Freeman also mentioned that the underclassmen will have to step up and become solid players, and singled one player out in particular.

“Jason Clark,” Freeman responded when asked which young player has impressed so far. “He’s been playing really well in the preseason.”

Expect Clark and several other unsung players to become major factors if the Hoyas are to return to the NCAA Tournament this year and put the 2008-2009 disappointment in the rearview mirror.