Upbeat For Saturday's Game

[DFW HOYA]

I can't share in the communal bloodletting on the board over the Villanova game--while a tough loss, it's nothing that we haven't seen before when it comes to strange finishes versus the Wildcats. This will be a better team in March and lessons learned from that game that will pay dividends.

Some teams just match up well with other teams (e.g., how Marquette beat up UConn again tonight) and I suspect that the passing issues will be addressed over the next week or so. This team is nothing if not responsive to moves by the coaching staff, and for that the team will respond accordingly.

Pitt is a very good team but, again, the matchups will test the Panthers against a team that can play them very close. Fields and Ramon are very capable guards and the defensive sets on them may well tell the story. Hibbert will have a good game agaisnt Gray and Green likewise, but the backcourt must be prepared for a 40 minute battle.

[aggypryd]

Amen, DFW...

I think most of us understood that we were going to have a few tough losses this year. We just got one more out of the way.

I say we get two more out of the way, then we're ready to make that run for Atlanta...

[wildhoya]

sounds great.. pass the kool aid, please

hoya saxa

ps. this is the dfw, right?

[YB]

Eventually, we HAVE to break this Vanillanova jinx on Verizon Center....

[DanMcQ]

Agree. This team also has significant inexperience and will likely have more fits and starts along the way. When they get it right (ND) it is pretty to watch. Matchups are a not insignificant part of getting it right.

[hoyatables]

I'd personally love to break the Huskies jinx. I don't think I've seen a victory in the past ten seasons.

[SirSaxa]

dfw said:

I can't share in the communal bloodletting on the board over the Villanova game--while a tough loss, it's nothing that we haven't seen before when it comes to strange finishes versus the Wildcats. This will be a better team in March and lessons learned from that game that will pay dividends.

Some teams just match up well with other teams (e.g., how Marquette beat up UConn again tonight) and I suspect that the passing issues will be addressed over the next week or so. This team is nothing if not responsive to moves by the coaching staff, and for that the team will respond accordingly.

Pitt is a very good team but, again, the matchups will test the Panthers against a team that can play them very close. Fields and Ramon are very capable guards and the defensive sets on them may well tell the story. Hibbert will have a good game agaisnt Gray and Green likewise, but the backcourt must be prepared for a 40 minute battle.

Very good post DFW.

As for the "communal blood letting", the angst and immaturity displayed on this board after every loss is not something of which we as Hoya fans can be proud. Each time we lose, it is blamed on the Princeton Offense, the inflexible coaching, the point guard, and a host of other "usual suspects". Somehow when we beat the heck out of 17th ranked ND, beat undefeated Duke, extend UF to the last minute in the NCAAs, or any of our other remarkable accomplishments over the past 2 1/2 years.... well, I guess that was "despite the Princeton Offense, the coaching, the point guard" and all the rest.

As for Saturday, I have no doubt the coaching staff and the team will be well prepared and have an aggressive, ready-to-fight attitude. One thing about our team, we tend to play to the level of the competition. No one will be looking past Pitt.

I think we are going to win Saturday. The team and the staff want it, and they are eminently capable. Go Hoyas! Give it your all!

[HoyaFanNY]

i would not be shocked if we win saturday based on how up and down everyone is our league seems to be. lets hope it's not another 'learning experience'.

[Locker]

The poor defense we displayed in November was troubling, because it wasn't clear we had what it takes to fix it. The last three games the Hoyas have put together as impressive a string of defensive performances as Georgetown fans have seen in years. I like our chances to neutralize Pitt's excellent offense.

As for handling pressure, avoiding turnovers, and running our stuff efficiently, I also think we'll be okay againt the Panthers. They are not a very good defensive team this year (#76 in adjusted defensive efficiency), and they are especially poor at forcing turnovers (#315 in defensive turnover percentage). Should be a good match up for us.

[hilltopper2000]

And I'm convinced that the curse of Bob Smizik will never allow us to lose to Pitt again.

[CAHoya07]

Thanks, DFW. It's gotten to the point where I cannot read the board after losses anymore. Every time there is a six-page thread about how horrible JT III is, and a five-page thread about how we need a true point guard, posts about how we're in danger of missing the tournament, etc. etc. Back up off the ledge, people. We're still a good team. Monday's loss was very disappointing and to be frank, a bit shocking considering how well we played against Notre Dame just two days before. But remember, we lost to friggen' South Florida last year (almost twice), and ended up making the Sweet 16. If Villanova is our "worst" loss this year, I'll take it.

We match up well against Pitt, and while it is probably our hardest conference game of the year (especially because it's on the road), I like our chances. But hey, even if we do lose on Saturday night, our conference schedule goes through an easy stretch afterwards, so I feel we'll be fine in the Big East. But I really want to beat Pitt in front of Dickie V and a College Game Night audience.

As much of an emotional rollercoaster any season can be, practice a little optimism, people. You'll live longer.

[AustinHoya03]

cahoya07 said:

Thanks, DFW. It's gotten to the point where I cannot read the board after losses anymore.

Ditto. I now typically stay away from the Hoyatalk portion of the board for at least a few days following a loss.

Another reason to be optimistic/excited about Saturday's game: it's a perfect payback opportunity for 2001. It's the first conference game at home the students will get to see, the Panthers are ranked in the Top 10 and wondering how high they can rise, and it's the feature game on ESPN. What a wonderful opportunity to ruin their day.

[KHoyaNYC]

cahoya07 said:

Thanks, DFW. It's gotten to the point where I cannot read the board after losses anymore. Every time there is a six-page thread about how horrible JT III is, and a five-page thread about how we need a true point guard, posts about how we're in danger of missing the tournament, etc. etc. Back up off the ledge, people. We're still a good team. Monday's loss was very disappointing and to be frank, a bit shocking considering how well we played against Notre Dame just two days before. But remember, we lost to friggen' South Florida last year (almost twice), and ended up making the Sweet 16. If Villanova is our "worst" loss this year, I'll take it.

We match up well against Pitt, and while it is probably our hardest conference game of the year (especially because it's on the road), I like our chances. But hey, even if we do lose on Saturday night, our conference schedule goes through an easy stretch afterwards, so I feel we'll be fine in the Big East. But I really want to beat Pitt in front of Dickie V and a College Game Night audience.

As much of an emotional rollercoaster any season can be, practice a little optimism, people. You'll live longer.

Not to split hairs, but I think our worst loss was (and will be when all is said and done) Old Dominion.

The defense was great against Nova. The offense wasn't, but it really was just one thing --- couldn't handle the pressure. But JTIII is so good about addressing and fixing problems that I think we'll be fine. We're still working out some of the kinks. I know the season is half over, but I think this team really found its stride mid-January last year (except for the USF clunker), and there is no reason it cant do that again.

[SFHoya99]

Just so people realize...South Florida's RPI was 236 last year.

ODU: 85
Oregon: 29
Duke: 13
Villanova: 23

We don't have a bad loss this year. Of course, no marquee wins yet, either.

ND: 37
Michigan: 55
Vandy: 125
Oral Roberts: 127
Towson: 147 (that's a pleasant surprise)

[HoyaDestroya]

did vandy's RPI improve significantly after last night's win?

[SFHoya99]

hoyadestroya2 said:

did vandy's RPI improve significantly after last night's win?

I don't know. That's Vandy's RPI with the win included.

[HealyHoya]

Sanity...like a refreshing warm summer breeze whispering lazily across the message board brings with it concise, rational posts...

JTIII is a teacher. He teaches basketball. Given a talented, competent teacher, every student knows more about a subject at the end of the course. It is a progression. JTIII is a talented, competent teacher of basketball. Mistakes are teaching opportunities. Loses are teaching opportunities. Wins are teaching opportunities.

This team is evolving.

This may very well be the best Georgetown men's basketball team we have had since 1995-6. The best team in over a decade! Enjoy this ride.

Pitt is a tough game but I honestly believe we are a better team.

[hoyaeighties]

I agree DFW...yes indeed...

[hoyaeighties]

I agree Dan...kb

[lichoya68]

dfw thanks for the psychiatric calming go hoyas beat pitt one by one and have some fun ps think we need 75 to win yupp that much go hoays hibbs and jeff come out strong and somebody besides jon hit a few just a few threes by the way great going miami you beated the twerps.. ;D