Overreaction time here on a Tuesday evening. After a first week of uninspiring wins and missed opportunities, it’s hard to say any team in the Big East impressed anyone. St. John’s and Marquette lost to a pair of very good teams in Alabama and Indiana. Providence was a buzzer-beater away from beating Virginia Tech. Xavier looked awful against Santa Clara. The most notable win early in the season is Georgetown’s victory over Maryland last Friday. While Maryland is far from the toughest opponent, the Hoyas showed signs that not only are they are ready to be competitive in the conference, but could actually win the Big East.
Why Georgetown is a Dark-Horse Candidate to Win the Big East
Defensive arrival
Head coach Ed Cooley coached some horrendous offensive teams at Providence, but it was usually the defense that carried the team to the tournament. If Cooley has one strength, it’s getting guys to play hard. In his first season, the Hoyas were 321st in defensive rating according to KenPom. That number hopped up to 58th last year (mostly thanks to Thomas Sorber). In the preseason, Jon Rothstein said the team had the makeup to be a great defensive team. It’s VERY early, but through two games, the Hoyas are in the top-50 in that rating this season.
That defensive effort showed up against the Terrapins. Georgetown held Maryland to 25% shooting from the field. Vincent Iwuchukwu came off the bench and had three of the team’s 11 blocks. Sophomore Caleb Williams looked vastly improved and recorded a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double.
KJ Lewis and Malik Mack are a legitimate scoring duo
If you want to win the Big East tournament, you need to have a guy or two to look for when the team needs a bucket in crunch time. Juniors Malik Mack and KJ Lewis looked like they are capable of shouldering the offense. Against Maryland, the duo combined for 35 points (half of Georgetown’s total). Lewis upped his shooting percentage to 47.4% while scoring 15 points a game. His efforts got him named to the Big East Weekly Honor Roll. Mack scored 19 points against Maryland. While he is struggling from three early on (just 28.6%), his 90% rate from the free-throw line is a big jump from last season.
Georgetown needs these two scoring in double-figures on a nightly basis if it wants to a have a chance to win. The league’s coaches elected Lewis to the Preseason All-Big East Second Team and Mack to the third team, setting high expected for the duo.
The return of Langston Love
Neither Lewis and Mack have been consistent shooters from behind the arc. Lewis attempts about 1.5 threes a game in his career and Mack is a career 34.6% shooter from deep. This is where Cooley really needs Baylor-transfer Langston Love to come through. The senior has made 38.6% of his threes in his college career. He peaked at 48% in 24 games during his sophomore year. His downfall has been multiple injuries during college, beginning with an ACL injury in 2021.
Right now, Love is working back from a hamstring injury that put him out of the preseason and the team’s first game. He played just four minutes against Maryland. He can become a consistent threat from deep, that’s going to open up the driving lanes for Mack and Lewis.
© Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
