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Georgetown appeals to Monroe
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What's not to like about Georgetown right now?
The Hoyas are coming off a Final Four appearance.
A potential lottery pick in Roy Hibbert chose to stay in school because he likes it.
The Big East Player of the Year Jeff Green was the No. 5 pick in the draft and was praised for his unselfish play while playing for the Hoyas.
John Thompson III just received a long-term contract, proving that the Hoyas aren't as cheap as their reputation in coaching circles.
Nike's name attached to the Hoyas is still a strong tie that
players can relate to, especially in the summer scene.
John Thompson's Hall of Fam at practice and at games.
Georgetown big men alumni like Patrick Ewing, Alonzo Mourning and Dikembe Mutombo are still loyal.
So, should it be a surprise that the top big man in the class of 2008, Greg Monroe out of Louisiana, decided to commit to the Hoyas?
It's cool to be a Hoya again. Monroe, whose passing ability was as much a draw for the Georgetown coaches as anything else, should flourish as Hibbert's replacement next season.
The Big East doesn't need the New York-area schools to stay atop in the country. But the Big East did need a renaissance in the District. Georgetown is a national name. St. John's, Seton Hall and Rutgers are not. The Hoyas who are now shaping up to be a league title rival with Louisville for years to come. (Memo to Syracuse, Pitt, Connecticut, Marquette and Villanova: The chase to stay with Louisville and G'town is on.)
"We're fortunate that we're at a place, a terrific school, that people want to be," JT3 said. "Throw in the history of this program and that's been pretty good too."
The Hoyas' recruiting pool continues to widen and don't be surprised to see Georgetown knock on doors just about anywhere in the country.
"Getting to the Final Four should put to rest a lot of the [negative] recruiting about the style of play," JT3 said of the knock some opponents would try to play on the elements of the Princeton style that clearly hasn't inhibited Thompson's success. He always said better athletes, who could pass, catch, dribble and shoot would flourish in the style.
"Style of play is not an issue," JT3 said. "You see the way we play puts us in a position to win in a very good conference. The way we play helps to prepare our players for the next level. Look at someone like Jeff."
Green was praised for his versatility when he left Georgetown after three years there.
As for replacing Green, JT3 isn't looking at one player and dismisses the notion that Vernon Macklin, DaJuan Summers or Patrick Ewing Jr. will suddenly be able to do everything Green did.
So far in practice, the Hoyas are evolving with more of an emphasis on Hibbert's post production, Thompson said. The rest of the moving parts, notably the aforementioned wing/forwards, will find their way. The loss early in the season on the perimeter with Chris Wright's broken foot shouldn't be too much of an issue. The Hoyas are deepest on the perimeter with Jonathan Wallace (clearly the most underrated lead guard in the country), Jessie Sapp, Jeremiah Rivers and Tyler Crawford.
JT3 said Wright picked up the system quite quickly before he got hurt (and he's got a month more of likely sitting out) so his catch-up time won't be "dramatic."
Team Pizziaolo- RED SOX FOR LIFE -
