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For some schools, large scale overhauls have decimated rosters, but Georgetown’s fresh start has sparked one of the more impressive turnarounds in the nation. Last season was a joke, but Ed Cooley’s second season at Georgetown has vastly exceeded expectations.
The biggest difference is the defense: Last year, the team finished with the 321st most efficient defense, this season 30th, and with Jayden Epps out, the offense has taken a hit, but the defense has gotten even more monstrous. Playing just four minutes over the last three games, Epps is nursing an undisclosed injury, so if he can play, his bucket-getting abilities will be welcome, but for the sake of this preview, I’ll assume he’s out.
That being said, if Epps is out, Georgetown will roll with a HUGE roster. 6’2 sophomore Malik Mack has been impressive after his breakout freshman season at Harvard. He’s not able to attack the rim with the same frequency and efficiency as he was able against an athletically inferior Big East, but he is an excellent perimeter shooter and is certainly a Big East caliber point guard, but he also ranks as Georgetown’s least effective defender. If Epps is out, Mack will get all of the minutes he can get at point.
The rest of Georgetown’s starting lineup is 6’7+. With Epps out, the 6’8 215 Micah Peavy has been playing the 2 and he’s one of the most versatile defenders in the conference. With Samson in the game, he can guard all five positions. Not a strong shooter and he’s most confident using his slashing ability to score inside the arc.
At the 3, 6’7 230 freshman Caleb Williams has stepped into the starting lineup. A low usage, but high efficiency offensive player, Williams is an elite offensive rebounder and is also a very strong and capable defender. Physical guy. Baking up Caleb Williams is Curtis Williams, a 6’6 205 sophomore who is turnover prone, but has been an efficient three-level scorer, although his scoring volume is inconsistent.
A major reason for Georgetown’s surprise success has been the impressive breakout of their freshman center Thomas Sorber. He’s got all the classic center gifts in terms of size, length, strength, defense and rebounding, but he possesses more savvy than typical freshmen bigs. He’s got good vision and isn’t afraid to let it rip from three, although his shot efficiency from three is not strong.
When Sorber is on the bench – which is rare since he’s played 35+ minutes in each of the last four games – sophomore Drew Fielder plays the five, but the 6’11 235 sophomore starts at the 4. Ranking as Georgetown’s third most efficient defender, Fielder is not a strong rim protector, but he’s got excellent defensive awareness as his length clogs passing lanes and his presence harrasses opposing shooters. He’s a fantastic rebounder on both ends too. Like Caleb Williams, Fielder is a high-efficiency, low-ish volume offensive player, but he hasn’t been as efficient from three (20%) as last year (41%).
Backing up Fielder at the 4 is Kentucky transfer Jordan Burks. The 6’9 sophomore is a bouncy, efficient scorer from all three levels, is an excellent offensive rebounder and while his defensive metrics are not strong, he is a capable rim protector.
Like most Ed Cooley teams, there’s not a ton of versatility in their game plan: The offense pushes the tempo, shares the ball well and doesn’t rely on threes, however, they are mistake prone and give up a lot of turnovers. On defense, Georgetown generates all types of turnovers, rebound well on both ends and are also one of the best interior defensive teams in the nation.
If Epps is out, Georgetown’s offense will predicate on Malik Mack controlling the tempo and possession by finding open shots, feeding Sorber inside and finding ways for Peavy to get open on the floor to best utilize his athleticism. Without Epps, their size will be a lot to handle, so I cannot imagine a lot of three-guard lineups if they’re going to roll out with a 6’7 and 6’8 player in their backcourt.
Potential rockfight!
The biggest difference is the defense: Last year, the team finished with the 321st most efficient defense, this season 30th, and with Jayden Epps out, the offense has taken a hit, but the defense has gotten even more monstrous. Playing just four minutes over the last three games, Epps is nursing an undisclosed injury, so if he can play, his bucket-getting abilities will be welcome, but for the sake of this preview, I’ll assume he’s out.
That being said, if Epps is out, Georgetown will roll with a HUGE roster. 6’2 sophomore Malik Mack has been impressive after his breakout freshman season at Harvard. He’s not able to attack the rim with the same frequency and efficiency as he was able against an athletically inferior Big East, but he is an excellent perimeter shooter and is certainly a Big East caliber point guard, but he also ranks as Georgetown’s least effective defender. If Epps is out, Mack will get all of the minutes he can get at point.
The rest of Georgetown’s starting lineup is 6’7+. With Epps out, the 6’8 215 Micah Peavy has been playing the 2 and he’s one of the most versatile defenders in the conference. With Samson in the game, he can guard all five positions. Not a strong shooter and he’s most confident using his slashing ability to score inside the arc.
At the 3, 6’7 230 freshman Caleb Williams has stepped into the starting lineup. A low usage, but high efficiency offensive player, Williams is an elite offensive rebounder and is also a very strong and capable defender. Physical guy. Baking up Caleb Williams is Curtis Williams, a 6’6 205 sophomore who is turnover prone, but has been an efficient three-level scorer, although his scoring volume is inconsistent.
A major reason for Georgetown’s surprise success has been the impressive breakout of their freshman center Thomas Sorber. He’s got all the classic center gifts in terms of size, length, strength, defense and rebounding, but he possesses more savvy than typical freshmen bigs. He’s got good vision and isn’t afraid to let it rip from three, although his shot efficiency from three is not strong.
When Sorber is on the bench – which is rare since he’s played 35+ minutes in each of the last four games – sophomore Drew Fielder plays the five, but the 6’11 235 sophomore starts at the 4. Ranking as Georgetown’s third most efficient defender, Fielder is not a strong rim protector, but he’s got excellent defensive awareness as his length clogs passing lanes and his presence harrasses opposing shooters. He’s a fantastic rebounder on both ends too. Like Caleb Williams, Fielder is a high-efficiency, low-ish volume offensive player, but he hasn’t been as efficient from three (20%) as last year (41%).
Backing up Fielder at the 4 is Kentucky transfer Jordan Burks. The 6’9 sophomore is a bouncy, efficient scorer from all three levels, is an excellent offensive rebounder and while his defensive metrics are not strong, he is a capable rim protector.
Like most Ed Cooley teams, there’s not a ton of versatility in their game plan: The offense pushes the tempo, shares the ball well and doesn’t rely on threes, however, they are mistake prone and give up a lot of turnovers. On defense, Georgetown generates all types of turnovers, rebound well on both ends and are also one of the best interior defensive teams in the nation.
If Epps is out, Georgetown’s offense will predicate on Malik Mack controlling the tempo and possession by finding open shots, feeding Sorber inside and finding ways for Peavy to get open on the floor to best utilize his athleticism. Without Epps, their size will be a lot to handle, so I cannot imagine a lot of three-guard lineups if they’re going to roll out with a 6’7 and 6’8 player in their backcourt.
Potential rockfight!
