Post by MCIGuy on Jun 26, 2007 22:59:18 GMT -5
My Top Ten Jeff Green Performances
In tribute to Jeff here are the best performances by Green (in my opinion) in a Gtown uniform. List goes from worst to first.
#10 - Cal State Fullerton vs Georgetown 3/22/05
(This game just beats out the two losing contests against Illinois, the January ’06 game against Cincinnati and the ’07 game at St. John’s when Jeff scored, at the time, a career high 24 points in MSG.)
This was the second round NIT game played at McD that was broadcast live on ESPN. GJeff, the frosh, put on a show of athleticism and versatility and had himself a block part as he helped lead the Hoyas to a 74-57 victory.
#9 - Syracuse vs Georgetown 2/27/06
Jeff’s 18 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists not only helped the Hoyas pull away at the end to give the seniors (Bowman, Cook, Owens) a victory in their final home game to cherish, it also keyed the Hoyas’ first win over the hated Orange in quite some time. In fact none of the senior had experienced a win against Syracuse until this game I which Jeff was the best player on the floor.
#8 - Vanderbilt vs Georgetown 3/23/07
Some will cry foul that this is too low considering the magnitude of the game and the excitement it generated. But while Jeff did indeed put up an admirable 15 points and 3 assists, it was only his clutch shots down the stretch (especially the final shot of the game) in a contest of such magnitude that will cause people (like myself) to consider it one of his all time performances. And even then it is knocked down a notch or two because of the controversy and debate that still rages on concerning his final basket. For the record put me in the “didn’t walk” corner.
#7 West Virginia vs Georgetown 2/12/06
This is the only lost on the list. But I can’t deny the spectacular display that Jeff exhibited against one of the finest teams in the nation. He scored 22 points, most coming in the second half via spectacular moves that mixed power and grace. If just one of his teammates had stepped up to match his effort the Hoyas would not have had their win-streak snapped that cold Sunday night.
#6 Georgetown vs North Carolina 3/26/07
What you say? Arguably the greatest (considering what was at stake and the history of the two programs) victory for the Gtown program in over twenty in years in which Jeff played like a champion is not even in the top half of my selection? Well, if just the game itself was being judged then, yes, this would be numero uno for me. But again this is about Jeff;’s performance. And while his 22 points and 9 rebounds performance was spectacular in this overtime classic, the Hoyas had such a well-balanced attack and so many Hoyas contributed such important plays, that it is clear that Jeff did not carry his team on his back as he did in other games on this list. It was truly a team effort. Still, Jeff’s fine efforts and the outcome being a trip to the Final Four leads me to ranking it here.
#5 Marquette vs Georgetown 2/12/07
Streaks on the line. 100th Anniversary ceremony. The #11 team in the nation in your house. Sold out arena…..well, almost.
If the Hoyas were truly going to catch and challenge Pitt for the Big East title they had to beat Marquette that day. And that’s what happened. It essentially became a two-team race for the BE after this and the nation had finally bee convinced that the Georgetown team that had been predicted to be dominant in the pre-season polls had truly arrived. The tandem of Green and Hibbert helped the Hoyas pull away late as they pummeled the
Golden Eagles/Warriors/Whatever throughout the contest. It was perhaps the finest display of the two-headed attack of Jeff and Roy. Jeff led all scorers in the game with 24 points.
#4 Pitt vs Georgetown 2/6/06
The Hoyas knock off #9 Pitt in a hard fought game that saw the Hoyas climb back from a double digit halftime deficit and keep their momentum alive with another victory. Green was easily MVP of the game as he, in the second half, help shut down the Panthers’ Aaron Gray as well as pick up the scoring o the offensive end. The Panthers are probably still in disbelief over how much the Hoyas (especially Jeff) dominated in that second half. At the end Big Game Jeff wound up with 22 points to lead all scorers.
#3 Georgetown vs Villanova 2/18/07
With Roy Hibbert once again held in check by the Wildcats, it was Jeff Green to the rescue. His play in the first half kept the Hoyas close. And his play down the stretch in the second half, including what was essentially a game-winning jumper, clinched the deal. Jeff finished with 19 points, nine rebounds, eight blocks (!!!) and four assists. And every last one of those boxscore stats were crucial considering the Hoyas won 58-55.
I put this game above Pitt because of the clutch jumpshot towards the end, the fact that the Hoyas won on the road I front of a hostile crowd and because Gtown ended a three-game losing streak to the Cats with this win. And, oh yeah, Green had never looked more like a pro than he did in this game.
#2 Duke vs Georgetown 1/22/06
Much doesn’t need to be said about this game. Defeating #1 and unbeaten Duke during a nationally televised game. The rushing of the court at the end. The game that told the country that the Hoyas were back. Arguably the most cherished game in a long time for hardcore Georgetown fans. Blah, blah, blah.
But again the focus is on Jeff. While he did not lead the Hoyas in scoring in the contest (that honor went to Bowman who arguably played the best game of his career to boot against Duke), Green was the best and most important player on the floor. Not only did he show a calming demeanor and high basketball IQ on offense (18 points and 7 assists), but his stifling defense on Al American and future lottery big man Sheldon Williams was perhaps the key to the win. Gane MVP.
#1 Notre Dame vs Georgetown 3/11/07
In another instant overtime classic that took place in the Mecca of hoops during the Big East Tournament, the Hoyas outlast a game Irish squad that came out firing and hitting on all cylinders. It could not have been done if it wasn’t for Jeff delivering his best performance in a Hoya uniform. He had 30 ( a career high) points and 12 rebounds. He led the charge that help the Hoyas slowly but surely get back in the game and in the second half he put on a show that propelled the Hoyas into the tournament championship game. He displayed all of his arsenal and delivered probably one of the greatest individual Hoya performances in the history of the program.
Please discuss my selections and feel free to give your own list if you so wish.
In tribute to Jeff here are the best performances by Green (in my opinion) in a Gtown uniform. List goes from worst to first.
#10 - Cal State Fullerton vs Georgetown 3/22/05
(This game just beats out the two losing contests against Illinois, the January ’06 game against Cincinnati and the ’07 game at St. John’s when Jeff scored, at the time, a career high 24 points in MSG.)
This was the second round NIT game played at McD that was broadcast live on ESPN. GJeff, the frosh, put on a show of athleticism and versatility and had himself a block part as he helped lead the Hoyas to a 74-57 victory.
#9 - Syracuse vs Georgetown 2/27/06
Jeff’s 18 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists not only helped the Hoyas pull away at the end to give the seniors (Bowman, Cook, Owens) a victory in their final home game to cherish, it also keyed the Hoyas’ first win over the hated Orange in quite some time. In fact none of the senior had experienced a win against Syracuse until this game I which Jeff was the best player on the floor.
#8 - Vanderbilt vs Georgetown 3/23/07
Some will cry foul that this is too low considering the magnitude of the game and the excitement it generated. But while Jeff did indeed put up an admirable 15 points and 3 assists, it was only his clutch shots down the stretch (especially the final shot of the game) in a contest of such magnitude that will cause people (like myself) to consider it one of his all time performances. And even then it is knocked down a notch or two because of the controversy and debate that still rages on concerning his final basket. For the record put me in the “didn’t walk” corner.
#7 West Virginia vs Georgetown 2/12/06
This is the only lost on the list. But I can’t deny the spectacular display that Jeff exhibited against one of the finest teams in the nation. He scored 22 points, most coming in the second half via spectacular moves that mixed power and grace. If just one of his teammates had stepped up to match his effort the Hoyas would not have had their win-streak snapped that cold Sunday night.
#6 Georgetown vs North Carolina 3/26/07
What you say? Arguably the greatest (considering what was at stake and the history of the two programs) victory for the Gtown program in over twenty in years in which Jeff played like a champion is not even in the top half of my selection? Well, if just the game itself was being judged then, yes, this would be numero uno for me. But again this is about Jeff;’s performance. And while his 22 points and 9 rebounds performance was spectacular in this overtime classic, the Hoyas had such a well-balanced attack and so many Hoyas contributed such important plays, that it is clear that Jeff did not carry his team on his back as he did in other games on this list. It was truly a team effort. Still, Jeff’s fine efforts and the outcome being a trip to the Final Four leads me to ranking it here.
#5 Marquette vs Georgetown 2/12/07
Streaks on the line. 100th Anniversary ceremony. The #11 team in the nation in your house. Sold out arena…..well, almost.
If the Hoyas were truly going to catch and challenge Pitt for the Big East title they had to beat Marquette that day. And that’s what happened. It essentially became a two-team race for the BE after this and the nation had finally bee convinced that the Georgetown team that had been predicted to be dominant in the pre-season polls had truly arrived. The tandem of Green and Hibbert helped the Hoyas pull away late as they pummeled the
Golden Eagles/Warriors/Whatever throughout the contest. It was perhaps the finest display of the two-headed attack of Jeff and Roy. Jeff led all scorers in the game with 24 points.
#4 Pitt vs Georgetown 2/6/06
The Hoyas knock off #9 Pitt in a hard fought game that saw the Hoyas climb back from a double digit halftime deficit and keep their momentum alive with another victory. Green was easily MVP of the game as he, in the second half, help shut down the Panthers’ Aaron Gray as well as pick up the scoring o the offensive end. The Panthers are probably still in disbelief over how much the Hoyas (especially Jeff) dominated in that second half. At the end Big Game Jeff wound up with 22 points to lead all scorers.
#3 Georgetown vs Villanova 2/18/07
With Roy Hibbert once again held in check by the Wildcats, it was Jeff Green to the rescue. His play in the first half kept the Hoyas close. And his play down the stretch in the second half, including what was essentially a game-winning jumper, clinched the deal. Jeff finished with 19 points, nine rebounds, eight blocks (!!!) and four assists. And every last one of those boxscore stats were crucial considering the Hoyas won 58-55.
I put this game above Pitt because of the clutch jumpshot towards the end, the fact that the Hoyas won on the road I front of a hostile crowd and because Gtown ended a three-game losing streak to the Cats with this win. And, oh yeah, Green had never looked more like a pro than he did in this game.
#2 Duke vs Georgetown 1/22/06
Much doesn’t need to be said about this game. Defeating #1 and unbeaten Duke during a nationally televised game. The rushing of the court at the end. The game that told the country that the Hoyas were back. Arguably the most cherished game in a long time for hardcore Georgetown fans. Blah, blah, blah.
But again the focus is on Jeff. While he did not lead the Hoyas in scoring in the contest (that honor went to Bowman who arguably played the best game of his career to boot against Duke), Green was the best and most important player on the floor. Not only did he show a calming demeanor and high basketball IQ on offense (18 points and 7 assists), but his stifling defense on Al American and future lottery big man Sheldon Williams was perhaps the key to the win. Gane MVP.
#1 Notre Dame vs Georgetown 3/11/07
In another instant overtime classic that took place in the Mecca of hoops during the Big East Tournament, the Hoyas outlast a game Irish squad that came out firing and hitting on all cylinders. It could not have been done if it wasn’t for Jeff delivering his best performance in a Hoya uniform. He had 30 ( a career high) points and 12 rebounds. He led the charge that help the Hoyas slowly but surely get back in the game and in the second half he put on a show that propelled the Hoyas into the tournament championship game. He displayed all of his arsenal and delivered probably one of the greatest individual Hoya performances in the history of the program.
Please discuss my selections and feel free to give your own list if you so wish.
"Schooled" may be a bit strong, but Gray certainly did have a fine game against Big Roy that day, as many who saw the game have mentioned.