Hoyas look to regroup in first Big East conference home game against the Blue Demons

GLIDE

PLEASURE

HOYA SAXA!

LET'S GO HOYAS!

VS.

The Hoyas first big conference road game against the Notre Dame Irish ended up in a  69-55 loss.  In early conference play, it was a game not to be forgotten.  I think the only good thing that came out of this game is it's still early in the Big East season. But the Hoyas do not want to make it a habit of losing especially in road games for their 2010-11 Big East season journey.  “We had some mistakes in this game that we haven’t had and we aren’t going to have in the future,” Coach John Thompson III said.  “To say we’re out of sync probably would be accurate, and we have to take care of that. This is not the time to be out of sync.” 

Senior Preseason All-American Hoya Austin Freeman leads the Hoyas in scoring at (19 pts.).  Senior forward Julian Vaughn is leading the team in rebounds (6.7 rpg) and block shots (1.4).

The DePaul Blue Demons (6-7 0-1) come into D.C. seeking to sneak out a win against the Hoyas (11-2 0-1) in their fecond Big East conference road game.  DePaul's first conference loss this season was against Cincinnati 76-60.The Last Meeting:  Georgetown handed DePaul a 67-50 decision on Jan. 3, 2010 at Allstate Arena and  the Hoyas shot .571 from the field in the game and had four players reach double-figures.  Chris Wright led all scorers with 18 points.  Austin Freeman added 17, Jason Clark scored 13 and Greg Monroe chipped in 10 points.  Mac Koshwal led the Blue Demons with 16 points and eight rebounds. After trailing early, DePaul closed to within 27-25 before an 8-0 run by Georgetown to close the first half.

Saturday is the 25th all-time meeting between the two programs.  Georgetown has won nine straight meetings and leads the series overall, 18-6. In BIG EAST play, the Hoyas have posted victories in each of the five meeting.  DePaul’s last win in the series was a 78-51 decision in Rosemont on Jan. 22, 1994.  A win would end a 24-game losing streak in road games.  D.C.'s own Freshman guard Brandon Young (Friendship Collegiate Academy, DC) leads the Blue Demons in scoring at (12.8 pts) and assists (3.9).

The Hoyas will "regroup" because WE ARE GEORGETOWN!

REGROUP

Hania Stach

Glidehoyas

The Irish suprise the Hoyas on the road 69-55

Hoyanation and friends, the game is wasn't what I expected to be, but I can and will live with it because I love my Georgetown Hoyas.  For the their first Big East conference game at home Notre Dame (12-1) surprises the Hoyas (11-2) on the road.  The game was not a fast paced game for the Hoyas as Notre Dame seemed to have some of the patience the Hoyas normally have in slowing the more faster and athletic team.  It's almost like the Irish beat the Hoyas with some of their own medicine running a somewhat familiar offense.  I think they beat us at our own game. 

“I thought we imposed our will,” Brey said. “We’re old, and you like when you have an old team and they play maturely.  “I thought our poise was really good in how we responded,” Brey said. “Tim Abromaitis is a veteran guy and he senses the moment when we need a little bit of a dagger type shot. He’s been doing it a while now.”
Playing only 7 players with 4 players in double digit scoring the Irish came out fired up playing terrific defense.  “We set the tone and we focused early,” Hansbrough said.  “We really want to impose our will on people.  I think we increased our focus and that our will to win won us the game tonight.”
Tim Abromaitis scored 20 points and Tyrone Nash added 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Irish.  Ben Hansborough also had 17 points, 9 rebounds and was 10-10 from the free throw line for the Irish.  He match the same amount of rebounds as junior Hoya center Henry Sims, 9 rebounds.

“I think that part of our maturity is that we have been in situations like that where teams have made runs on us and we have been able to come back from that and we know we can do it if we stay poised,” said Abromaitis, one of five senior starters for the Irish.  “We slow it down if we need to and get the stops when we need to.”  Damn, this sounds a lot like the Hoyas.  If it's any other Big East conference team that knows us to a "T" and plays like us I would have to say it's Notre Dame.

In the first half the Hoyas were 3-15 20% from the arc and were 10-29 in field goals at 35.4%.  Overall the Irish held Georgetown 4-22 from the arc and 23-54 field goals.  Senior Hoya Austin Freeman (21 pts.) had a stellar game tonight setting an example and "finding" a way to get to the basket.  It takes lots of heart and toughness to do this, so his teammates have to catch onto this very quickly.  The did not play smart, tough basketball.  They have to in the Big East or they will be left behind.

I would've of like to have seen the Hoyas attack the basket a lot more in this game.  Also, I would like to the Hoyas in attack mode in future games.  I think when our bigs get the ball they need to go up with the shot instead of "always" kick the ball out to the perimeter.  We give the bigs the ball because they are nearer to the basket but they "always" kick the ball back out to perimeter.  I think the bigs need to take a lot responsibility and go up with their shots because they're going to have to.  The Hoyas cannot rely on the 3 pointer.  I thought this was out of their heads.  I don't like when they think like this.  Here in the East it's all about "going hard!" 

Quotes:

“You have to give their defense credit,” Georgetown coach John Thompson III said of the Irish. “Everything was contested and they did a good job. It seemed like, once we started to miss, it began to snowball.”

We had some mistakes in this game that we haven’t had and we aren’t going to have in the future,” Thomson said.  “To say we’re out of sync probably would be accurate, and we have to take care of that. This is not the time to be out of sync.”

"Faith Develops in Adversity" - John Thompson, Jr.

"As a Hoya fan I guess you could you say, "it's better sooner than later", but I hope this won't happen too many times this season."  I don't think it will.  After all, this is still part of the "Hoya Dream Season."  It's about overcoming the odds is what makes "dreams" so special.  It's about getting back up and brushing the dust off and moving to next phase.  It's amazing when you win, it's sad when you lose, but it's even more amazing when you find a way to win again" - GLIDEHOYAS

This was "UNBELIVABLE"...

Can u believe this as soon as I got off of the blue line train I was waiting for the yellow line and this dude just happens to walk up with the Notre Dame sweatshirt and my Hoyas play them tonight SMH...bold huh? But he let me take this photo SMH LOL! What a coincidence...12/29/10

After I got off of the train I got on the bus another dude gets on the bus and comes walking down the aisle with Notre Dame sweatshirt on. I asked myself "is someone trying to tell me something? This was unbelievable!  He didn't want  me to take a pic at first but I convinced him.  The guy could not speak english so I showed him a newspaper with Georgetown and Notre Dame.   My day had gone good until I was on my way home.  Take in mind this was about 2 hours before the Hoyas vs. Irish game.  OMG!

GET BACK UP HOYAS!

WE ARE GEORGETOWN!

Glidehoyas

South Bend awaits the Hoyas return

VS.



First off, I would like to pray for the legendary songtress Teena Marie and her family, friends and fans.  I would like to honor her by playing two of her greatest hits Beyond the Groove and Magic as it relates to our Hoyas! 

IT MUST BE MAGIC HOYAS!

THE LEGENDARY TEENA MARIE

Hoyanation and friends, although the mighty Hoyas were not playing, I was thrilled when Big East play started.  The first Big East conference started off with a bang with #4 UConn play #6 Pitt.  Other than the Hoyas what more could you ask for.  Hearing the crowd and student section sure brought back memories from last season Big East wars.  One thing I can say about the Hoyas, they've played in these types of hostile environments so far this season, so it won't be anything new for them to hear and deal with this Big East on the road hostile activities.  They are used to it now.  It's the Hoya Dream Season in full swing!

For their first Big East conference game, the Hoyas (11-1) roll into South Bend on Wednesday night to take on the Notre Dame (11-1) Fightin' Irish.  Fielding an all-senior starting lineup, Notre Dame has shown itself to be capable of making a strong showing in the Big East.  Guard Ben Hansbrough has emerged as the leader, both in the locker room and on the court.  Irish senior forward Tim Abromaitis is leading scorer with a (16.1 average).  Senior Carlton Scott has 23 blocked shots so far this season.  Senior Irish guard Ben Hansborough is leader in assists, averaging almost four a game.  The the Hoyas know who they have to control, I think junior guard Jason Clark is the man with the plan for Han.  Notre Dame's last big win came against the University of Maryland in Baltimore County (UMBC) Terriers 93-53

Notre Dame Coach Mike Brey comment on the Hoyas:

"There's not a team playing better than Georgetown in the country right now," Brey said. "They're in an unbelievable rhythm, a very confident group.  A skilled offensive group.  I've been impressed with their transition. 

One of the reasons they're shooting a high percentage is they're getting easy baskets in transition.  They're really running more than I've seen them run.  ‎"It's an older group that's played together for a while, they know who they are. It's certainly come together very well for them."

The Georgetown Hoyas are led in scoring by senior Austin Freeman (18.9 pts.).  Senior point guard leader Chris Wright leads the team in assists at (6.3).  Senior forward Julian Vaughn leads the Hoyas in two categories (23) block shots and rebounding (9.5).  The Hoyas have prepared themselves a great deal so far this season in playing nonconference games going into rigors of the Big East Conference.  They have used these tough nonconference games as a springboard to dive into Big East play.  They are confident, poised, unselfish, and continue to play with a sense of urgency each and every game.  the motto for the Hoyas is step by step and game by game and in due time the mighty Hoyas will shine!

GET "BEHIND THE GROOVE" AND LET THE HOYAS MAKE YOU MOVE

TEENA MARIE

RIP TINA!

HOYA SAXA!

Glidehoyas

Hoyas Nonconference Report Card A+

MUST HAVE DONE SOMETHING RIGHT HOYAS!

RELIENT K

First off, Happy Holidays to you Hoyanation and friends!  Ever since our last nonconference road game against  Memphis, I have been sitting around thinking about the brillant minds of the Hoyas Coach John Thompson III and his coaching staff on the scheduling of the nonconference games.  These games were made to test the Hoyas especially with some of the toughest nonconference games (ODU, Charleston Classic Champs, Missouri, Temple and Memphis) being scheduled on the road with only a loss at Temple that could of been anybody's game.  After that loss, the Hoyas refocused on their "Hoya Dream Season" and came out on top.

Sport Illustrated's Luke Winn on Georgetown's nonconference scheduling 10/5/10:

Will Georgetown, this year's No. 1-ranked team (nonconference games), use its schedule as a springboard for a deep NCAA tournament run ... or simply be exposed before it even hits the Big East?   Well Luke, I think the Hoyas will use these tough nonconference games as springboard to "WIN" the National Championship. That's just my honest opinion Hoyanation, how about you?  Hoya Saxa!

Georgetown could be a contender or toast before Big East play begins - Sports Illustrated's Luke Winn

I'll take CONTENDER Luke Winn!

Bold move by the Hoyas, building a schedule this difficult for their first season without big man Greg Monroe.  Greg WHO? lol, no disrespect.

They're the lone potentially ranked, major-conference team with three true road games and a semi-road game. The trips are hardly easy, either -- visits to the best team in the CAA (Old Dominion), the best team in the A-10 (Temple), the best team in the C-USA (Memphis) and a Big 12 contender (Missouri in Kansas City). Georgetown's multi-team event, the Charleston Classic, isn't a blockbuster, but the bracket should set up a meeting with the best team in the Southern Conference (Wofford) and either the second-best CAA team (George Mason) or an improved N.C. State squad. A home game against WAC favorite Utah State completes a slate of non-BCS all-stars, most of them better than the Ohio team the Hoyas were upset by in the first round of last season's NCAA tournament. Well Luke Winn the Hoyas passed the tests!

I wanted to go back and take a few exerpts from previous quotes by Coach Thompson III on the scheduling of nonconference games.  Check it out!

ESPN COLLEGE BASKETBALL ANALYST ANDY KATZ'S BLOG 11/21/09:

"I wanted to see who we were,'' JT3 said.  "It's not the normal opening stretch.  What we didn't do at Tulane is better ourselves.  The game against Temple was ugly as both teams played good defense.  We had to hold on to win.  I wanted to see how this team would handle adversity, grow from these situations and how they'd deal with it.  This schedule is by design to give us adversity since that's the way our league works.''

Washingtonpost sports article written by Tarik El-Bashir 11/29/10:

"Most people think I'm crazy," Thompson said with a laugh as he pored over video of Missouri early Monday.  "And I might be.   Most people don't put together a schedule like I did this year, or even last year.   But I felt like this was the best way to prepare this group for Big East play."  Coach, if you have the heart to do it, the Hoyas has the heart to accomplish this goal, and they did, so now, on to the Big East.



"In my opinion, you have to look at the personality and composition of your team," Thompson said. "Some years, you have to have a very difficult schedule and some years you don't. But with this group, I think we need a test every night. I want this team to get the mind-set of, 'Hey, we play 30, 40 or however many games this year, but every game is urgent. "   I can say, that's some mastermind coaching there by Coach Thompson III and staff, awesome.

"We have the hardest non-conference schedule in the country," Thompson said.  "There isn't a game that you can look at and say, 'Okay, we just walk in the door and we'll be fine."

Senior point guard Chris Wright said he and his teammates understand Thompson's reasons for challenging them.

"Last year, a lot of people noticed that when we played against top teams, we showed up," Wright said.  "But when we played lesser-level teams, or lesser-name teams, we didn't have enough intensity or energy.  So Coach did this for two reasons:  to get us tuned up for Big East play and also to make sure we come out prepared and focused for "every" game."   There's that coach on the court again, Chris Wright. 

The upside is that Thompson will know where his Hoyas stand on Dec. 29, when they open their Big East schedule at Notre Dame.


"By that time," Thompson said, "we'll have a feel for what we need to do.  So let's go get tested, see where we stand."   They did!  Overall, the Hoyas passed the test with flying colors playing the "toughest" nonconference schedule of 2010 of any NCAA Division 1 college basketball team in the USA!

I went to all of the home games and two of the away games ODU and Temple and believe me those two venues were very hostile environments.  It felt like March Madness in November I kid you not.  Totally crazy.  In all the games the Hoyas played they played confident, mature, tearm oriented, poised, intensity, focus and with a sense of urgency in every last one of these games.  Of course there were lulls at times, but very few as the Hoyas prevailed in all but one nonconference game which could of went either way (Temple).

The upside is that Thompson will know where his Hoyas stand on Dec. 29, when they open their Big East schedule at Notre Dame. 

"Coach John Thompson III, now knows where his teams stands going into Big East play, but he also know it's a new season and is up for the challenge" - Glidehoyas

HOYAS VS. ODU IN NONCONFERENCE ROAD GAME WIN

COACHES JOHN THOMPSON III, COACHES KENYA HUNTER AND MIKE BRENNAN AND THE HOYA GANG

HOYAS WINNERS OF THE 4TH ANNUAL 2010 CHARLESTON CLASSIC

Coach Thompson III on Charleston Classic Champsionship win:

"When league play starts, you have to come prepared every night," Thompson continued. "We're going to play good teams every night and we have to mentally, physically, emotionally be honed in and focused like we were in the second half tonight."

Chris Wright on Charleston Classic Championship win:

"This just shows that any night we can fight adversity," said Wright, selected the tournament's MVP.  Sounds like someone has got it all together.  It must be nice to have a coach on the floor.  After all, the point guard is an extension of the coach on the court.  Sounds great Hoyanation and friends, we are very fortunate to have Coach Thompson III and Chris Wright's brains.  Kudo's!

THE 2010 JOHN F. MCLENDON CLASSIC IN KANSAS CITY, MO

BASKETBALL LEGEND AND CIVIL RIGHTS PIONEER

According to ESPN, that during the month of November this Georgetown vs. Mizzou game was the favorite game to watch:

Georgetown 111, Missouri 102 (OT) -- We’ve seen a few close games this season, but none have featured two teams this good, or been as full of twists and turns, as Georgetown’s win Tuesday night. The Hoyas built a big lead early, saw it dwindle as Missouri made its run, looked dead in the water with less than a minute to play, tied the game on a Chris Wright 3, went into overtime, and pulled away from Missouri again. It was technically in Kansas City but should count as a big road win for Georgetown, a heartbreaking loss for Missouri, and an incredibly entertaining affair for everyone else.

Best moment: Chris Wright's last-second 3 -- The best moment of the season came in its best game. With 10 seconds left in regulation Tuesday, and Georgetown trailing by three, forward Hollis Thompson launched a 3 that caromed off the rim. In the ensuing scuffle, Missouri guard Kim English made a cardinal mistake. Instead of letting the ball fall out of bounds, English threw it back at the court, where it eventually landed in the undeterred hands of Georgetown guard Chris Wright. With the seconds ticking away, Wright took his wide-open 3 and cashed it, forcing the most unlikely of overtimes and sending his team to an OT win in hostile territory. It was as thrilling as buzzer-beaters get -- as thrilling as we’ll see all season -- and we didn’t even have to wait until March. - Eamonn Brennan (ESPN Hoops Blogger)

COACH JOHN THOMPSON III CALLING OUT SIGNALS IN THE 2010 JOHN F. MCLENDON CLASSIC

SENIOR CHRIS WRIGHT HIT'S BIG BASKET WITH O.4 SECS. TO PROPEL THE HOYAS TO OVERTIME VS. MIZZOU

SENIOR HOYA POINT GUARD CHRIS WRIGHT SHOWING MAD LEADERSHIP AFTER HE KNOCKS DOWN THE BIG THREE POINT TO PUT HIS TEAM INTO OVERTIME AGAINST THE MISSOURI TIGERS

SENIOR JASON CLARK HIT ONE OF HIS TWO THREE POINTERS IN OVERTIME TO SEND THE HOYAS HOME WITH A BIG "WIN" ON THE ROAD AGAINST THE MISSOURI TIGERS

JASON CLARK HIT THE SECOND THREE POINTER IN OVERTIME AS COACH JOHN THOMPSON III LOOKS ON WITH MUCH CONFIDENCE IN HIS DYNAMIC HOYA PLAYER

AMAZING!

GLIDEHOYAS BEFORE UTAH STATE VS. HOYAS AT THE VERIZON CENTER, IN WASHINTON, DC

HOYAS' FRESMAN NATE LUBICK AND JUNIOR HENRY SIMS GOING UP FOR THE REBOUND AGAINST UTAH STATE

SENIOR JULIAN VAUGHN AT THE TIP OFF OF GAME AGAINS THE UTAH STATE BLUE AGGIES

SENIOR CHRIS KNOCKS DOWN THREE POINTER WITH ME KNOWING THE SHOT WAS GOING IN BEFORE BALL WAS RELEASED (GLIDEHOYAS TO THE LEFT IN THE BACKGROUND HANDS UP LOL)

COACH JOHN THOMPSON III ON HOYAS WIN ON THE ROARD AGAINST THE MEMPHIS TIGERS:

“Hopefully, the schedule, and the venues that we’ve played, will help prepare us because it’s going to be like that every night on the road,” Thompson said.  “Hopefully, this game (and other non-conference opponents) will help prepare us.  Not just because of the opponents, the quality of the opponent and the quality of players we’ve gone against, but also the venues have been extremely difficult.  So, we’re used to it.”

Senior Memphis Tiger player Willl Coleman on the Hoyas win:

"It definitely shows a lot maturity to be able to run that Princeton offense,” Coleman said. “It takes a lot of patience, control, concentration. So, you could definitely tell those are some veteran guys that have been playing together for awhile.”  Correction Will, "GEORGETOWN OFFENSE" not Princeton offense!

WE ARE GEORGETOWN!

STRONGER HOYAS!

COLISEUM

HOYA SAXA!

Glidehoyas

 

Hoyas smart, tough and poise rip the heart out of the Tigers in the jungle 86-69

KEEP TAKING ME HIGH HOYAS!

SKYY

The mighty Hoyas (11-1) stay poised, tough and thump the Memphis Tigers (9-2) in a key road game before Big East play.  In a game where two of Memphis star players' weren't suppose to play the Hoyas remained focused on each other.  Wesley Witherspoon, the Tigers leading scorer was out with a knee problem, but played tonight along with injured teammate Chris Carmouche (groin pull).  Neither had a great outing tonight.  The Hoyas stepped their defense up and was able to sustain the Tigers for the rest of the game.

The Hoyas were lead by senior Austin Freeman (9-12 FG's 24 pts.).  Freeman's performance tonight was stellar in All-America fashion.  His old school play was phenonmenal draining three point shots from all over the court.  Some three point shots were off of the dribble.  Freeman just took the game in his hands.  His great senior leadership was something to reckoned with.  The other high scorer's for the Hoyas tonight were senior Julian Vaughn (7-10 15 pts. 10 rebs.) and senior Chris Wright (15 pts.)  Junior Henry Sims lead the Hoyas in assists (5).  One thing I can say about Big Hank, it looks like he been watching Greg Monroe ove the last two seasons with crisps passed in the "Georgetown Offense".  The atmosphere was as intense as any Memphis home game this season, and the Hoyas continually showed why it’s the second-best shooting team in the nation (52.5 percent).

The Hoyas remained poised from start to finish.  I figured Memphis would try to make a run, if they did make a run it wasn't very effective tonight.  The Georgetown offense was in full bloom tonight in FedEx arena.  The spectator noise was kept to minimum. 

Sophomore Hoya Hollis Thompson goes up for the and 1 12/23/10

 

Senior Julian Vaughn makes perfect pass as defender is late to the party 12/23/10

Hoyas' junior #21 Jason Clark and freshman #34 Nate Lubick defending the paint 12/23/10

Hoyas' Jason Clark and Austin Freeman going for the steal 12/2310

Hollis Thompson squeezes through as Julian Vaughn tries to set screen 12/23/10

Hoyas' #11 Vee Sanford #14 Henry Sims and #20 Jerrelle Benimon hustle up for loose ball in big win over Memphis 12/23/10

#14 Henry Sims defending as teammate #34 Nate Lubick looks on

Hoya point guard "glides" in for two points 12/23/10

CHAMPION

B.O.B

WE ARE GEORGETOWN!

Glidehoyas

Hoyas glide to the "Birthplace of Rock 'N' Roll" and "Home of the Blues" to take on 16th ranked Memph Tigers

GLIDE

HOYAS

VS.

 

When I think about Memphis, I think about the blues music and sadly, the city where the late great civil rights leader, Martin Luther King, who was assasinated at the Lorraine Motel.  While my father was in the Air Force when we traveled through Memphis and stayed at the Lorraine Motel prior to the assasination.  It was one of the very motels blacks could stay at.  Most of the time when we traveled through the South my father told me we had to sleep in our car, and the car we had was a 1966 black Thunderbird. 

I hope I got the year of the car right.  I was a baby and don't remember any of this.  For some reason, I do remember the uproar of something that was going on.  Many renowned musicians grew up in and around the Memphis and Mississippi Delta.  These included such musical greats as Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Muddy Waters, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Robert Johnson, W. C. Handy, B.B. King, Howlin' Wolf, Isaac Hayes, Booker T. Jones, Al Green, and many others.

Hoyanation and friends, the #9 mighty Hoyas (11-1) glide into action Thursday night to face the #17 Memphis Tigers (9-1) of  Conference USA.  The tigers' one lost came from Big 12 conference foe #4 Kansas U on December 7, 2010.  Memphis is second in Conference USA at the present.  The Tiger's have been short-manned with their play as of late with their leading scorer junior Wesley in IR (injury) and junior Angel Garcia (gone back to Puerto Rico to get a paycheck).  The Tigers have been pushed by teams with lesser reputations.  Arkansas State and Austin Peay took Memphis to overtime earlier this month.

Freshman Joe Jackson, led the Tigers in scoring in their last win with 23 points.  He was 9-10 at the free throw line with 2 blocks and 6 rebounds.  “We’ve been going through this for the last couple of games,” Jackson said of the struggles. “I knew we were going to win. That’s how the game goes sometimes.   It’s up and down.  We’re young too.  You have to take that into consideration.”

Regardless of Memphis' situation, the Hoyas look to dismantle the Tiger's in a tough road game in a hostile environment.  Senior Hoya Austin Freeman is leading the Hoyas in scoring at 18.5 per outing.  The Hoyas are playing great team basketball with a "sense of urgency."  With the Hoyas there have been some improved development team wide especially in the paint with the bigs.

ALL YOU NEED IS NOW HOYAS!

DURAN DURAN!
HOYA SAXA!

WE ARE GEORGETOWN!

Glidehoyas

Bulldogs beat the Greyhounds in the race to the finish line in blowout fashion 99-75

Junior Hoya Jason Clark glides in for the dunk on Loyola player 12/18/10

GLIDE

HOYAS!

I was glad to say this I'm satisfied I got a chance to see my Hoyas (11-1) play today.  As I arrived to the Verizon in D.C. everyone had to get searched by security because there were suppose to be some dignitaries attending the game and the Miami Heat vs. Wizards game.  I guess most folks thought President Obama was supposed to attend.  After leaving the game, we found out that the special security had left and there had been a change in plans for the dignitaries and perhaps the President of the United States. 

On a second note the crowd was pretty much amazing.  I thought all of the student second would be gone home, but they were there cheering their team Hoyas on in full force.  Most of the students weren't there but it was more than half present.  I know the Hoya players appreciated the love from their students peers.  Great atmosphere. 

Loyola (4-5) challenged the Hoyas but were not match, but this was a fine tune-up game for the the Hoyas before going into Memphis later during the week.  The Greyhounds were lead in scoring from freshman Justin Drummond (21 pts.).  The Hoyas used their full court pressure most of the game.  It also gave the Hoyas a chance to get most of the their bench in early during stretches of the game.  Senior Austin Freeman was 5-6 fromt the field with 14 pts.  With the team having finals during the weeks the Hoyas probably didn't get much sleep.  But, as we all know, when it comes to this game of basketball we so dearly love the Hoyas shook off the dust and gave it all their love.  “I was extremely nervous coming into this game, just because of exams,” Thompson said. “I wasn’t sure how sharp were going to be.”

As I was sitting behind the bench I notice that most of the Hoya players needed haircuts, lol.  Of course I care how our Hoyas and I know they do as well, but I was like those guys need some serious haircuts, but I know they've been studying and taking those finals.  The Hoyas work hard on and off of he court. School is tough,” said Wright, whose scruffy beard gave him the look of someone who hasn’t shaved in a week.  “As you can see, I don’t have no haircut.  I’ve been in the books.  It’s tough, but it’s part of what we’ve got to do and we have to do it.”

Loyola Coach Jimmy Patsos on Georgetown:  “It looks like Georgetown studied a little harder than we did—at basketball,” Loyola coach Jimmy Patsos said.  “They came out more prepared for us mentally.  I thought we may catch them sleeping, to be honest with you, and I think they caught us a little on our heels.”

Once again, my unsung Hoya hero of the game was junior center Henry "Big Hank" Sims, 12 pts., 5 assits, and 3 rebounds.  Sims went 5 for 5 from the field two dunks, two layups and a jump-hook shot.  After the game I had a chance to talk with Henry's mom about him.  I talked to her how much Henry has grown up especially out there on the court.  He has stepped up to be a leader that I expected him to be, and I could clearly see this in the Hoyas game today.  His mom was so proud of him all she could do is smile.  Someone had asked me if I was going to the Memphis game, and I was like if someone could send or a plane ticket could drop out of the sky or somewhere I would be there,  Henry's mom said to let her know if I could get a plane ticket.  If I had a plane ticket I would respectfully give the plane ticket to her for sure.  I would sacrifice and stay home and watch the game with no problem at all because that is her son.

It was great to see the whole team get to play again.  The "Free Moses" crew was in the house and Moses Ayegba was freed was once again.  Moses had a team leading (2 blocks, 6 pts. 4-4 at the charity stripe in 10 minutes).  Freshman Nate Lubick had a game high of (5 assists, 2 rebounds, 8 pts).  The Hoyas had an unselfish 23 assists as team.

Also, it was great to see former Hoya Billy Martin after the game and talk with him.  He said his son was playing high school basketball for St. Patrick's in New Jersey.  What a great Hoya Billy Martin was, wow.  I got a chance to talk with Markel Starks parents, they are some great people too.  Markel mom's calls me Mr. Georgetown all the time.  She introduced me to some friends of the family or family members as Mr. Georgetown and the woman said hello Mr. Hoya and told her son, "hey, this is Mr. Hoya", all I could do is laugh it off in modesty, lol.  After the game, I went over the Green Turtle next to the Verizon Center, and was told that I was the spirit of the Hoyas.  

I forgot to mention, I talked with Minnesota Coach Tubby Smith and mentioned to him that we met at American University when he was trying to recruit DeMatha All-American Keith Bogans and my son Chavis was with me.  He wanted to meet the legendary Morgan Wooten because he said he'd never met him.  Tubby also asked my young son, "how are your grades", my son son said good.  Tubb Smith then said, "Chavis, I'm gonna be watching you, and just remember "your attitude determines your altitude." 

When I went for a school meeting for my son, I told his teacher that Chavis met Tubby Smith and what he told my son.  The teacher said, "hey I wanna use that motto for the whole year", "your attitude determines your altitude."  She did!  Tubby then asked me how and what Chavis is doing, so I told him the bad news and the look on his face was not good, but gathered himself together to ask me how I was doing, and I told him I'm doing good. Tubby, "man you still love your Hoyas", me, "yes I do Coach Tubby, yes I do."  I tell you what a man Tubby Smith is, a great father, coach and my friend.  It was a great Hoyaday for me Hoyanation and friends.

Here's the autograph and motto Coach Tubby Smith gave my son that particular night at the Gonzaga D.C. Classic Bball Tourney 1997.

Junior Henry Sims with a two handed dunk on Loyola player  12/18/10

Sophomore Hollis Thompson zeroes in on his target and knocks the 3 ball down 12/18/10

Hoya center Henry Sims making quick decision as Glidehoyas (Kent A. Boone)looks on (behind Chris Wright on bench) lol

Freshman Aaron Bowen glides in for two 12/18/10

Senior Austin Freeman "glides" in for the mean and nasty dunk 12/18/10

Austin Freeman touchdowns with the emphatic dunk 12/18/10

Henry Sims grabs strong rebound from Greyhound defenders 12/18/10

Jack The Bulldog takes in the game too 12/18/10

WE LIKE TO MOVE IT HOYAS, KEEP IT MOVING!

HOYA SAXA!

Glidehoyas