WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 31: Malik Mack #2 of the Georgetown Hoyas handles the ball against the Butler Bulldogs at Capital One Arena on January 31, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
Some pleasantly surprising news arrived for fans of your Georgetown Hoyas from one of the most connected reporters in college basketball. Jon Rothstein, for CBS Sports, attended a recent Georgetown practice and shared his insights on his podcast, “Inside College Basketball Now.” Rothstein’s remarks offered a cautious but optimistic outlook on the Hoyas and their defense as they head into Coach Ed Cooley’s third season. Be sure to give his podcast a listen or watch.
Rothstein’s biggest takeaway was the team’s physical prowess, calling the Hoyas “the most physically imposing team I saw unequivocally.”
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This praise for the team’s defensive potential is a promising sign for fans who have yearned for a return to the “Hoya Paranoia” of the past.
Georgetown fans have heard that while St. John’s and UConn are a tier above the rest of the Big East, the Hoyas are a part of that competitive second tier of teams, along with Creighton, Marquette, and Providence.
“I think Georgetown’s in play for that group of teams that could be vying for the third or fourth spot in the Big East,” Rothstein said.
The veteran college basketball journalist believes this team can be a truly elite defensive unit, stating, “Georgetown has the potential to not be a good, but be a great defensive team in 25-26.” He even compared the team’s physical makeup—specifically, its length and ability to get into passing lanes—to some of Mick Cronin’s rugged Cincinnati teams.
However, Rothstein balanced his optimism with a clear question that many Georgetown faithful must be pondering: “The question is, can this team score? The question is, can this team get 65 points per game?”
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He concluded that if Coach Cooley can find a way to get the offense to that level, the Hoyas are “going to win a lot of games.” Well.
On the personnel side, Rothstein singled out a few players who stood out. He noted that Arizona transfer KJ Lewis “shined in the practice,” and “looked like he has a lot more offense than he showed during the first couple of years of his college career.”
He also praised Maryland transfer DeShawn Harris-Smith, saying that Cooley told him he “loves” Harris-Smith, calling him “a potential glue guy to monitor in the Big East and beyond.”
Rothstein pointed to key non-conference games, such as the season opener at Maryland on November 7th and the matchup with Dayton in the ESPN Events Invitational, as “opportunities for me, for Ed Cooley to prove that he has turned a corner in year three.”
Many of the Hoya faithful have said that a tournament appearance is long overdue. As Rothstein reminded his audience, the last time Georgetown was an at-large team in the NCAA Tournament was in 2015.
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He also pointed out that the program hasn’t advanced to the second weekend of the tournament since the 2007 Final Four. Much appreciated.
While the path to a postseason bid is always difficult, Rothstein’s assessment offers a reason for optimism. The Hoyas appear to have the defensive identity and physical tools to compete in the Big East, and with a few key offensive pieces, they have a legitimate chance to be a factor in the conference standings and beyond.
Your Hoyas face George Washington in an exhibition in 11 days.
