Georgetown Basketball: September 2002 News Archive

• RPI Analysis
  
• Reid Traded To Pistons
  
• 2002-03 Roster
  
• No Princeton Scrimmage
  
• Third Verbal for 2003?
  
• Ewing Retires
  
• J.Y.D.
  
• GU #24 In US News Ratings
  
• Mourning's Health May Cost Him 2002-03 Season
  
• Iverson: Charges Dropped
  
• 2002-03 Schedule Announced
  

RPI Analysis

9/30/02

With two weeks to go until the opening of practice, all Division I schools have finalized their schedules. Some brief statistics to report:

Four of Georgetown's 2002-03 opponents finished in the top 50 of the Ratings Performance Index (RPI) last season, the most of any Big East school according to a review of 2002-03 Big East schedules vs. end of season RPI totals. As a whole, however, its mean RPI for out of conference games hasn't changed much from last season's mark.

The 2001-02 out of conference (OOC) schedule posted an average RPI of 179.1 for its Division I opponents. This year's list shows an improvement to only 171.3. While Duke (RPI=4) is a higher ranked opponent than Georgia (RPI=18), the schedule's reliance on teams ranked below 200 keeps the overall average at a comparable level from last year.

Here's how Georgetown's out of conference schedule compares against other Big East teams. Schools with an asterisk (**) play in tournaments where second round opponents could affect the overall rating:

 

NBA: Reid Traded To Pistons

9/25/02

Forward Don Reid (College '95) has been traded from the NBA's Denver Nuggets to the Detroit Pistons, according to the Detroit Free Press. Reid began his NBA career with Detroit as a 2nd round selection in 1995.

2002-2003 Roster

9/23/02

The official Georgetown basketball web site has posted the roster for the 2002-03 Hoyas.

A new name has been added to the list--Ryan Beal, a walk-on freshman from Miami. Beal was a second team selection on the Florida 2A All State Team and is listed by Georgetown as a 6-2 guard, though he was also listed as a 6-5 forward on some recruiting sites.

Another player seems to have a name change of sorts. Walk-on freshman Amadou Kilkenny-Diaw is incorrectly listed as Amadou Fall. (Fall is a NBA scout with the Dallas Mavericks.)

The roster by numbers is as follows:

For fans who like to follow the evolution of these numbers across the years, you can link to the Jersey Numbers page to see the Hoyas who have worn the numbers of the freshmen and other Georgetown players.

No Princeton Scrimmage

9/23/02

Without comment, the official 2002-03 schedule no longer lists an exhibition game at Princeton. At present, the lone pre-season game is against a unnamed international team Nov. 1 at McDonough Gym.

Third Verbal For 2003?

9/17/02

A pair of recruiting publications are discussing a possible junior college transfer for the Class of 2003.

Big Apple Sports, a junior college recruiting site, listed the unofficial commitment of 7-1 center Reda Rhalimi to the Hoyas. Rhalimi, a member of the Moroccan national team, will play at Daytona Beach CC this fall.

Georgetown cannot comment on any verbal commitment until letter of intents are signed in November. The Hoyas have four scholarships open for 2003 but it is possible that senior Courtland Freeman could be back for a fifth season, reducing the number to three for 2003.

Speaking of Daytona Beach, Big Apple Sports also reports that former Georgetown forward Harvey Thomas has transferred after a summer at Daytona to Northeastern Oklahoma Junior College.

Patrick Ewing Retires from NBA

9/17/02

Patrick Ewing (College '85) announced his retirement from the NBA Tuesday, surrounded by former coaches, former players, and lifelong friends. Ralph Dalton (C'85, G'86) was there, as was Alonzo Mourning (C'92), who grew up revering Ewing and, at the same time, probably mindful that his health could lead him to an early retirement. They were all there to honor a man who was among the best ever...but Georgetown fans have always known that.

"Patrick was the reason the Knicks were successful, why New York was revitalized as a basketball town, and why people came to see us play," said former Knicks president Ernie Grunfeld. "And there was no measuring Patrick's character. He was a professional. He was fiercely loyal and he was totally committed. There aren't too many guys like him in this world."

For the most part, even the press has begun to realize Ewing's achievements, even though Ewing and the press have been on opposite corners for two decades. Some will not forgive Ewing for not bringing an NBA championship to New York, yet others concede that he could not do it alone.

"Ewing is to be appreciated. Someday, that will happen in Springfield, Mass," said Stephen A. Smith of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

A sample of coverage follows below:

Among all the stories, among the most interesting is a column in the Boston Globe acknowledging that Ewing, Massachusetts' greatest prep player ever, has never been embraced by the city which he grew up.

"I don't think they ever got over me not choosing BC," said Ewing.

And a column from USA Today provides a rare insight into Ewing's family, which embodied the American Dream we read much about but don't appear to see in person. But we did.

Ewing's next role will be as an assistant with the Washington Wizards, according to the Washington Post.

"The Washington Wizards offered me a position as an assistant coach and I decided to take it," Ewing said at his retirement news conference. "It's a great way for me to stay around the game, make my transition from not playing basketball a lot easier. I think I have something important to add to the team."

"I might be able to teach Michael [Jordan] some post-up moves", he added."

Today's Georgetown students never saw Patrick Ewing in a Georgetown uniform. Some were not even alive when he played his first game in Madison Square Garden, a 30 point rout over a top-10 St. John's that stunned even the most jaded New York basketball fan. For Hoya fans, he remains the standard by which every Georgetown basketball player is held to.

For those that were a part of it, our memories are still cherished. Here are some thoughts from "RDF" on the HoyaTalk board:

As a young boy who loved basketball and was born in the era that ESPN was, I found my team when I saw a young, lanky, and intimidating kid named Patrick Ewing manning the backcourt of the Georgetown Hoya press. He was what I remembered the most at the age of 7 and my love affair with Hoya basketball was born the first day I saw him and the Hoyas play on tv. They were different from other teams I watched--mainly Big Ten growing up in Midwest-- with a huge coach, never say die attitude, all up in your face defense, and the big guy who was so good, a blind man knew who owned the game with Patrick on the court!!

He is, was, and will be the reason I am a Hoya fan. I love the entire program but Patrick Ewing is not only why I am a Hoya but he is one of the reasons college basketball is as big as it is today. When a young kid from Twin Cities tunes into EVERY game GU and Patrick played in to see this SPECIAL player and team, it crosses to a phenomenon. He was loved by few--Hoya fans and FEARED BY ALL!! There was nothing better than watching "my Hoyas" go into Carrier Dome, Garden, Spectrum, etc.. and beat these teams on their floor while everyone was against them and it became something only Hoya fans could share. We sold out arenas, were the "TV Draw" and it all had to do with Patrick.

With his T-Shirt under the jersey and scowl, you just knew that this fierce warrior would not let us go down without giving his best. He was a classy kid and competitor which many overlooked because they hated GU--reasons go from jealousy to racism-- but he was special to GU fans and people who love college basketball. There was no doubt who the best player was on the floor when he played and you could count on shot blocks, rebounds, soft jumpers, feathery hooks, or the thunderous baseline flushes after a Michael Jackson assist when we were spread out to finish the game with another W!! Then he would send the faithful into a frenzy with his intensity and our team would attack the backcourt in press like sharks to blood knowing big #33 was defending the goal.

Whether it was his performance against UNC in '82, the National Championship in '84 or the numerous Big East Thrills he provided, I will always remember him most for what he did at our most painful moment as GU fans:

Patrick rallying the troops around a huddle after Nova's perfect game to upset us in '85. He didn't cry, act like a child, blame officials, or walk off the floor, he gathered the team together, they huddled, and acted like the men that JT molded them into and Patrick led. I remember being so impressed by his leadership at such a hurtful moment as a fan that I knew that my days as a Hoya fan could never be better than watching my hero, and that era play for 4 years. What a thrill and for what he did to entertain me and bringing me into Hoya family, I say thank you big fella! #33 the GREATEST HOYA EVER."

J.Y.D.

9/16/02

The Washington Times has an article on the Toronto Raptors' Jerome Williams (C'96). In the story, Williams talks not just about his basketball skills, but his longtime interest as a pro wrestling fan. (Even his nickname, "the Junk Yard Dog", is a nod to a former pro wrestling star in the 1980's.)

An earlier article and photo of Williams as a special guest referee was profiled in the Toronto Sun.

GU #24 In US News Ratings

9/13/02

Off the sports pages, US News has released its annual ranking of America's Best Colleges. Georgetown finished 24th among "national universities", down from 23rd last year.

Other Big East schools finished as follows. Groups below Tier I (top 50) were not ranked individually but alphabetically. Villanova and Providence are grouped with smaller schools as "regional universities" under US News' methodology.

How has Georgetown fared over the years? Courtesy of a study at the University of Florida, Here's a rundown of Georgetown's rankings since 1991:

 

Mourning's Health May Cost Him 2002-03 Season

9/12/02

Alonzo Mourning may miss the entire 2002-03 NBA season because of his ongoing kidney condition, according to the Miami Herald.

Mourning, a ten year NBA veteran and eight time NBA All-Star, was diagnosed with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in October 2000 and is in the final year of a seven year contract with Miami. Mourning's publicist told the Associated Press that "He's not retiring. There will be no announcement that he's retiring."

Charges Against Iverson Dropped

9/12/02

Philadelphia prosecutors have dropped the last of two charges against Allen Iverson from this past summer, according to ESPN.com. Twelve of the original 14 counts were dropped in July after Iverson's accusers gave conflicting testimony.

2002-03 Schedule Announced

9/10/02

Georgetown has announced its schedule for the 2002-03 season. The press release can be found at GUHoyas.com, and here are some highlights:

• No regular season games are scheduled at McDonough Gym this year in the midst of considerable campus construction, In fact, a November exhibition against an unnamed "international team" will be the only opportunity to see the Hoyas on campus this season.
• The schedule lists a Nov. 10 scrimmage at Princeton, but fans shouldn't expect any widespread coverage of the game. Why? According to the NCAA rule book, "an informal practice scrimmage with outside competition [is allowed], provided it is conducted in privacy without official scoring."
• The regular season opens with seven straight opponents at MCI Center; however, none of the opponents (with the possible exception of South Carolina) have drawn much fan interest in the past.
• Following televised games at Virginia (Dec. 28) and Duke (Jan. 8), there are no national broadcasts for the Hoyas until a February 3 game at Syracuse on ESPN. However, six of the Hoyas' final nine games will be televised, including home games against Syracuse and Notre Dame.
• Eight games will be broadcast on national TV versus 11 last season. ESPN2 has no games scheduled; however, the acquisition of the NBA package by ESPN/ESPN2 may have reduced coverage of many college games on ESPN2.
• The Hoyas' toughest stretch comes in early February, where they face four out of five games on the road, with games at Notre Dame, Syracuse, Rutgers and Virginia Tech. The lone home game will be a tough match against UCLA. However, the Hoyas end up with three or its last four at home.

 

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