- Washington Post: McDonough Renovation A Possibility
- Sweetney Stars At Capital Classic
- Off-Season: The 2000-01 Hoyas
| Washington Post: McDonough Renovation A Possibility | 4/22/00 |
Note To HoyaSaxa.com Readers: The issue of facilities renovation has not been discussed on this page prior to the article below, mindful of the many important issues which must be settled by the University before any such effort could conceivably be discussed. However, the issue is now found on the pages of the Washington Post and is being reported as such. More discussion will certainly follow, but here is the initial article as released by the Post last week.
The April 22 issue of the Washington Post discussed the possibility of three words not heard on the Georgetown campus in two decades: "on campus basketball."
Although the subject has been the subject of hushed tones among hopeful fans and briefly discussed at the awards banquet, Ken Denlinger's story in the Post publicly discusses the issue of a renovation of McDonough Memorial Gymnasium, built in 1951 and the smallest facility among the soon-to-be 14 Big East schools. Here is the link to the story.
Since leaving McDonough for the Capital Centre in 1982, only one Big East game has been played on campus in 18 years, that being a 1984 game vs. Providence brought on campus due to a snowstorm. All other Big East games (and most non-conference games) have been off campus, requiring students to ride buses to attend Georgetown games, which has hurt student attendance over the years.
The present seating capacity (2,200, down from 4,000 permanent and temporary seats in the early 1980's) also prevents Georgetown from hosting post-season games, as evidenced by five consecutive NIT road games in the past three years, more than any other school.
The potential renovation is part of a comprehensive University master plan of what could be called "West Campus", namely, that area from New South down to the university's western boundary. The development is beginning with the proposed Southwest Quadrangle (a dormitory, dining hall, and Jesuit residence), located on the site of the present main parking lot. Following the quadrangle, a multi-sport facility is envisioned to be the permanent home of Georgetown's football and lacrosse programs. The new multi-sport facility, which the Post says "will greatly bolster the football program", is one part of Georgetown's move to Patriot League football in 2001.
| Sweetney Stars At Capital Classic | 4/12/00 |
Michael Sweetney scored 15 points to help lead the Capital All-Stars to a 112-101 win in the 27th Capital Classic April 11 at MCI Center. The game will be broadcast at 8 pm EDT Saturday, April 29 on Home Team Sports, seen in the Mid-Atlantic region and nationally on DirecTV channel 629.
The 6-9 Sweetney, who will enroll at Georgetown this fall, struggled early in a matchup against 7-6 North Carolina recruit Neil Fingleton, but helped pilot a 12-0 run in the second half to seal the win, scoring seven of his 15 points down the stretch. Sweetney was selected with the Classic's "Mr. Basketball" award.
| Off-Season: The 2000-01 Hoyas | 4/2/00 |
The Big East has posted final season statistics on the 1999-2000 Hoyas. Here's a summary:
Graduating:
The Hoyas lose two players to graduation but neither were starters. Grad student Jameel Watkins' stats were down from 1999, where he averaged 7.8 ppg and 7.2 rpg. In 2000, Watkins averaged four points and three rebounds, and saw his free throw percentage drop to 49 percent, down from 71 percent in 1999. Rhese Gibson averaged about one shot per game in a limited role, finishing with 1.6 ppg and 2.6 rpg.
Juniors:
The leaders of next season's team had plenty of ups and downs this season. Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje scored 12.8 ppg and led the team in rebounds (7.7). RBB improved his free throw shooting from 55 percent in 1998-1999 to 71 percent in 1999-2000. The surprise player of the year, Lee Scruggs actually led the team in three point shooting (33 percent). After scoring seven points in his first six games, Scruggs averaged 13.7 per game down the stretch. On the other side of the ledger, Anthony Perry entered the 1999-2000 Big East race at 12.9, but averaged only 6.5 ppg in conference play. Nat Burton's two point shooting was over 53 percent (56 for 105), but shot a team-low 26 percent (21 for 81) from three point range, diminishing his effectiveness. While walk-on Gharun Hester saw only eight minutes in 16 Big East games, his bench play in the Big East Tournament and NIT was invaluable.
Sophomores:
Kevin Braswell led the team in scoring (14.8 ppg), free throw shooting (75.2%) assists (179), and steals (90). After two years, Braswell is on pace for an 1,800 point career and will cross the 1,000 point threshold early next season. However, the 2000-2001 Hoyas need its leading scorer to shoot better than 36 percent.
Freshmen:
A mixed bag. Demetrius Hunter was a better two-point threat (40 percent) than from three (30 percent), but shot 72 percent from the free throw line. Victor Samnick showed flashes of potential, with 18 points and 15 rebounds against Seton Hall. However, in his final ten games before falling prey to injury, he scored only 15 points. Courtland Freeman struggled throughout the season to get time, finishing at 3.1 ppg. Last season on December 6 versus Howard, Jason Burns (0.7 ppg): missed all four shots taken in three games. Among the walk-ons, Trenton Hillier held his own defensively, but was limited to one shot or one turnover, whichever came first. Until the Hoyas improve their depth at point guard, he'll see more time next year. David Paulus took only one shot in his four games, but made it count--a three pointer.
HoyaSaxa.com:
The One-Stop Web Site For Hoya Basketball™
An independent web site not affiliated with Georgetown University. All rights reserved.