Hoyas aim for work of art this year

WASHINGTON (Map, News) - The moment Georgetown’s basketball team arrived at McDonough Gymnasium to meet with the media yesterday afternoon, their eyes were drawn to the new mural above, a montage of Hoyas basketball history.

Ewing, Mourning, Mutombo, Iverson, Thompson. Names and faces that recall the 1984 national championship and times when the Hoyas were the toast of Washington.

“We usually come in the back way and go straight to the gym,” said junior guard Jonathan Wallace. “I usually don’t get to see too much of what’s going on out here, but it’s impressive.”

Hoyas coach John Thompson III is no longer rebuilding. On the heels of their first NCAA tournament appearance since 2001 and with the return off All-Big East forward Jeff Green and center Roy Hibbert, it appears the Hoyas will be the best team in the area entering their first official practice Friday at midnight. Not only has Georgetown risen back to the top of the local field, the Hoyas are in most national experts’ preseason top 10 and a common pick to make their first Final Four appearance since 1985.

“You got Patrick Ewing and Alonzo up there,” Green said of the mural. “We want to be the team that they were. Those were tough teams and we’re working hard to get to that level.”

Green (Northwestern High) is a versatile 6-foot-9 forward who led the team in scoring (11.9 points per game) and assists (3.27 apg) last season. Hibbert ranked second on the team in scoring (11.6 ppg) and led the team in rebounding (6.9 rpg) and blocks (54). Georgetown’s NCAA region semifinal loss to eventual champion Florida served as offseason inspiration for the Adelphi native and Georgetown Prep grad, who has trimmed down from 285 pounds to 270.

“I feel like I had to condition myself because my team needs me a lot longer,” Hibbert said. “I remember the Florida game, they rotated four big guys and I was guarding those guys. In the middle of the game I was getting real tired so I said, ‘You know what, I don’t want any excuses next year so I’m going to condition myself from start to finish.’”

The Hoyas also welcome junior Patrick Ewing, Jr., to the roster, another link to the glory days of the mid-1980s. Ewing, Jr. sat out last season per NCAA guidelines after transferring from Indiana.

“When Coach Thompson’s father was here they had that respect,” said Green. “When he left, it kind of went downhill and now it’s kind of picking up so we want that respect back; to bring the fear back.”

October madness

» Maryland coach Gary Williams and the Terps prep for a season-opening celebration alongside the defending national champion women’s team. Despite two seasons absent an NCAA Tournament berth, Rick Snider says Gary and Co. remain the top draw in a basketball-crazed locale.

» Want to catch the Madness in person? You’ll have your choice of several local schools to support.

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