2025-11-16 09:00
How Georgetown Basketball Can Dominate the Big East Conference This Season
As I sit here watching the Hoyas practice at the Thompson Center, I can't help but feel this season could mark Georgetown's return to Big East dominance. Having followed this program for over fifteen years, I've seen both championship glory and frustrating rebuilding years. What strikes me about this current squad is something coach Ed Cooley mentioned during our conversation last week - "He doesn't mind." This simple phrase actually reveals the team's entire philosophy this season. He doesn't mind taking the tough shots in clutch moments. He doesn't mind putting in extra hours when everyone else has gone home. Most importantly, he doesn't mind making the unpopular decisions if they serve the team's ultimate goal.
The transformation really begins with our backcourt, where Jayden Epps has emerged as that "he doesn't mind" player Coach Cooley was referring to. Last season, Epps averaged 17.5 points per game, but what impressed me more were his 4.3 assists and willingness to take charges in crucial moments. I remember watching the Villanova game where he played 38 minutes despite a nagging ankle injury, and that's the kind of toughness that defines championship teams. What makes this backcourt special isn't just individual talent - it's how Epps and Rowan Brumbaugh complement each other. Brumbaugh's court vision has created at least 12 easy baskets per game in our preseason analysis, and his assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.8:1 would rank among the conference's best if maintained through the regular season.
Our frontcourt presents what I believe is the most underrated advantage in the conference. Supreme Cook has added fifteen pounds of muscle during the offseason, and it shows in his rebounding numbers during closed scrimmages. From what I've gathered through team sources, he's pulling down nearly 11 rebounds per forty minutes of play. But what truly excites me is Dontrez Styles' development. Having watched every minute of his play since he arrived at Georgetown, I can confidently say he's improved his three-point percentage from 28% to what appears to be around 36% based on preseason metrics. That floor spacing is absolutely crucial against teams like UConn and Marquette that pack the paint defensively.
The defensive scheme Coach Cooley has implemented this year deserves particular attention. We're seeing more aggressive hedging on ball screens and what I'd describe as "controlled chaos" in passing lanes. The stats from their secret scrimmage against Virginia showed 9 steals and forced 18 turnovers - numbers that would have led the Big East last season. What makes this system work is that every player has bought into the "he doesn't mind" mentality. They don't mind switching onto bigger opponents, they don't mind sacrificing their bodies for loose balls, and they certainly don't mind doing the dirty work that doesn't show up in highlight reels.
When we look at the conference schedule, three crucial stretches will determine Georgetown's fate. The January road trip through Creighton, UConn, and Providence will be particularly telling. Having attended games at these venues for years, I can tell you the environment can overwhelm young teams. But this Georgetown squad has what I'd call "quiet confidence" - they don't get rattled easily. The analytics show they actually performed better in road games last season despite their overall record, losing by an average of just 6.2 points compared to 8.7 at home. That resilience will serve them well during this brutal stretch.
Recruiting has been another area where Georgetown's "he doesn't mind" approach pays dividends. Coach Cooley and his staff don't mind pursuing players who might be overlooked by other programs but fit their system perfectly. The commitment from four-star forward Thomas Sorber exemplifies this - he turned down higher-profile offers because he bought into Georgetown's vision. Having spoken with several recruits' families, I've noticed they consistently mention how Georgetown's coaching staff emphasizes development over immediate playing time, which creates the kind of program stability that leads to long-term success.
The bench depth might be Georgetown's secret weapon this season. Wayne Bristol Jr. has shown flashes of being that microwave scorer every contending team needs, and Drew McKenna's length causes problems for opposing offenses. What impressed me during a recent practice was seeing how the second unit competes against the starters - they don't just run through plays, they genuinely challenge each other. This internal competition has raised everyone's level, and I'd estimate the bench is contributing 28-32 points per game in scrimmages, which would place them among the nation's elite if translated to actual games.
As we approach conference play, I'm particularly optimistic about Georgetown's ability to control tempo. They've shown remarkable maturity in knowing when to push the ball and when to slow things down. The numbers from their first five games indicate they're averaging 72 possessions per contest - right in that sweet spot that allows them to utilize their athleticism while maintaining defensive discipline. Having studied Big East champions throughout the decades, this balanced approach typically separates the contenders from the pretenders.
The mental aspect of this team might be their greatest strength. During timeouts, I've noticed players gathering themselves rather than looking immediately to the coaches for guidance. That leadership from within the roster is something you can't teach, and it's why I believe this team can exceed expectations. They've embraced that "he doesn't mind" mentality not as a burden but as their identity. When March arrives, this psychological toughness could be the difference between an early exit and a deep tournament run.
Looking at the broader Big East landscape, this might be Georgetown's best opportunity to reclaim their throne in several years. The conference, while talented, doesn't have that one dominant team like Villanova of recent memory. The parity creates openings for well-coached, disciplined squads to rise quickly. Based on what I've observed, this Georgetown team has all the ingredients - veteran leadership, emerging young talent, strategic coaching, and that intangible "he doesn't mind" attitude. They might not be the most talented team on paper, but they have the potential to become more than the sum of their parts, which is often what separates good teams from great ones in this conference.
