Hoyas pull out a "gritty" win over Providence 49-40 on New Years Eve

TEAMHOYAS!

Winners

Kleer

First off Happy Hoyalidays and Happy New Year! We earn ours period! May be pretty some nights, may be rough some nights, but that's when you get "tougher" physically and mentally then dig in and grind the game out second by second. Keeping that confidence up through adversity proved to be key in the mighty Hoyas 49-40 win over the Providence Friars at home on New Years Eve. This is a conference where the game is played inside out and won on the foul line. Attack mode is on high alert at all times. "You get em down,  keep em down." Easy to say in the Big East huh. Think again, the other team wants to win to. Hands up! 


The Hoyas (12-1  2-0 BE) came blazing out of the gates in the first half. At 1:50 the score was 27-13 in favor of the Hoyas. At 1:47 of the first half  Providence (11-4  0-2) went on a 6-0 run, score 29-17 at the half. 


The tide started changing in the second half. After a Friar full timeout with  the score in favor of the Hoyas 35-30 at the 13:27 mark the Hoyas missed a jump shot and Providence grabbed the rebound went down the court and Friar G Vincent Council knocked down a three pointer, score 35-32 with 12:34 to go. Score was finally tied with eight minutes to go in the game. The score remained 35 all from the 8:01 mark until 7:24 Hoya senior Jason Clark made a layup to put the score at 37-37.

The rest of the game was physical. It was about who's the toughest! Towards the six minute mark the Hoyas' rebounding kick in. Afterwards, they were able to get senior C Henry Sims
( 11 pts. 2 assts.) the ball in the post. He was fouled byFriar Brice Kofane and went to the line to knock down two critical free throws at the 6:14 minute. Score, Hoyas 39-35. Freshman Otto Porter (6 pts. 12 rbs. in 33 mins.) made got a key defensive rebound at 5:59. Sims shot a jumper and missed got his own rebound and made a layup at 5:32. Score Hoyas 41-35. Again, Otto was everywhere! Everybody played a part in one way or another.


Providence would not go away. Providence junior guard Vincent Council came down a made a three point shot. Score 41-38, Hoyas. Off of a Hoya missed layup, Providence scored two more points. Score 41-40 Hoyas. Georgetown timeout! 4:23 to go in game. Great timing to call a timeout! After the timeout the Hoya shot a and missed a jump shot, but again,Otto Porter, brought his lunch pail and he proved to be a major factor in this game with a "save the day rebound" of a Sims miss. Porter then scores two points on a layup. Score 43-40. Thank God and the Hoyas staff for having to this young man Otto Porter attend Georgetown including the rest of the Hoyabunch.

From 4:06 to 1:07 the score remained deadlocked at 43-40 Hoyas. Jason Clark did grab a key rebound. His leadership was so valuable today. "This was just an ugly game," Thompson said. "We went for a long period when we weren't scoring, so you just have to figure out how to get stops, you have to figure out how to get rebounds."


 Afterwards, Sims was fouled by Kadeem Batts, he made first free throw to put the score 44-40, missed second. With the score still 44-40, the relentless rebounding freshman sensation Otto Porter grabbed another key, (perhaps the biggest rebound of the game) rebound with 1:07 remaining in the game, and sophomore point guard knocking down a crucial jump shot with .45 seconds to go in the game. Score 46-40. "Otto made the plays that you have to make to win games," Thompson said. "And it was glaring today."


After a Friar turnover, it was all she wrote, as Markel Starks picked up the tab (steal) and assisted fellow guard Jason Clark for two points. Score 48-40, Hoyas. Senior Jason Clark ends the game on the foul line for the Hoyas making a free throw. Score 49-40, Hoyas. Game Over!  Good "gut check game!" Hoyas are tough! 

Hoyasaxa!

We Are Georgeteown!

DC Is Our Playground!

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Friars, Hoyas face-off on Christmas Eve

Two great Hoya rebounders this season Hollis Thompson and Otto Porter (Dick Vitale on Porter, "look at him, he's everywhere!")

(11-3  0-1 BE)

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(11-1  1-0 BE)

Keep on Movin' Hoyas!

Hoya Saxa hoya saxa hoya saxa! We Are -- George-town! I'm just as ready for this game as any other. The Memphis and Louisville wins over the holidays were magical to me. Two Christmas gifts from the Hoyas! I hope everyone is having a great holiday season. One more game for the holiday season on Christmas Eve what a better way to end the Hoyaliday season with a win against Providence.

The Hoyas in their first Big Conference game are coming off of a big road win against Louisville. The Hoyas stepped their game up knowing it's conference time. Georgetown is enjoying its longest run since an 11-game streak Jan. 17-Feb. 24, 2007. The Hoyas won 30 games that season before losing to Ohio State in the Final Four.They have continued to play smart, unselfish, determined basketball. 

Three freshmen reserves combined for 25 points in Wednesday's 71-68 upset at previously unbeaten No. 4 Louisville. "You say freshman class, and they are freshmen and this is their first Big East experience, but they've been doing that since the summer," coach John Thompson III said. "It's a group that plays hard and competes."

The Providence Friars are coming off of a big 91-67 loss to St. John's in their last outing on the road. Providence, which has dropped 16 straight conference road games, is seeking to recover after its seven-game win streak was snapped in its Big East opener, a 91-67 loss at St. John's on Tuesday. The Red Storm shot 56.5 % the worst mark allowed by the Friars all season. So, we all know the story, Providence will be coming out fired up, but one thing I do know, the Hoyas will come out "more" fired up than the Friars because they already know the deal. It's Big East play!

AWESOME!

WE ARE GEORGETOWN!

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On the road Hoyas glide over Louisville 71-68

Hoyas Ambition!

Hoyanation and friends, the Louisville Cardinals (11-1...0-1) are no longer undefeated!  The Hoyas (11-1...1-0) broke Louisville's win streak at home tonight in "confident fashion" for their first Big East Conference win of the 2011-2012 season. What a game it was.


The Hoyas are definitely a team that fights! This team has a bond. Great to see the reserves get a shot and take advantage. They look fully aware of what time of the season it is and folks still call them freshmen. Yes, technically, they are freshmen, but not on the court. They seem to know they are basketball players that work hard on and off of the court. Very unselfish play, comraderie is great.


The way this teain handled adversity was a sight to see. I have "consistently" seen this from the Hoyas. The Hoyas stepped their game up in the first half when Jabril Trawick (9 pts.) made a three  point jumper assisted by teammate Greg Whittington (2 rebounds) (4-5 ft's) at the. Smart, tough play by Trawick. Dick Vitale gave Trawick lots of respect tonight said,"he's a tough kid from Philly."

Markel Starks (20 pts.) put on a shooting exhibition tonight for Georgetown shooting (4-4) from three point land.“When you’re in the heat of the battle you’re just playing in the flow of the game, shots are going to come,” Starks said. “Whether you make them or miss them, those are shots you’ve got to be able to take. I took them and they were able to fall.”


It's great to see the Hoyas have each other's back. This team has got it together.All of them played their hearts from the seniors to the freshman. “It was a very good, big win against a very good team in a difficult place to play,” Georgetown coach John Thompson III said. “We aren’t worrying about validation right now.”


Otto Porter (14 pts.) also had a "crazy" 14 rebounds. Otto is everywhere! I call Otto (Other Teams Problem - OTP). Well, he is! I can other coaches in the league, "yeah that kid Porter, yeah he's a problem." They're right, he's OTP! Definitely great to see everyone contribute, great to see staff on the Hoya bench cheering their troops on. One could only imagine how Hoyanation looked as this thing of beauty too place tonight. It was such delight to see the Hoyas fight fight fight! The Hoyas a "tough mob!" Otto seems to be everywhere on the court! 


Great job Hoyas! 


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Hoyas first Big East conference game is at Louisville

What Rocks!

I'm hoping everyone had a great Christmas! Loving the time off this holiday season still having so much to do outside of work. Hoyanation I was so excited from the Memphis win I didn't do a blog after the game, but I have these two videos one of my former players Philip Wiafe (Wiafe Highlights) made for me to share with you:

Georgetown vs. Memphis Highlights 2011

Jason Clark Highlights vs. Memphis 2011

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Coming off of a second win over the  Memphis Tigers. "It's always good to beat a team two times in a row. That's the type of game we're going to be playing when we get into the BIG EAST so this will boost our confidence."  - Jason Clark The Hoyas (10-1 0-0) are back in action for their first Big East Conference matchup of the 2011-2012 season against undeafeated Louisville Cardinals (12-0 0-0). 

The Hoyas have taken games step by step and have fared pretty well so far this season and hope to keep it going on the road at Louisville. “They are one of the best teams in the country and that’s one of the most difficult places to play,” he said. “They have a lot more energy at home than on the road.” - Coach John Thompson III

Hoya senior Jason Clark (15.7 pts.) had this to say about entering Big East conference play against the Cardinals. “This is where everything gets real,” he said. “We’re ready to go. I can tell guys are ready for conference play.” The fact still remains the Hoyas are "focused" and "determined" and know they still have "some things to prove and unfinished business" to take care of "one game at a time."

Louisville's last outing was a struggle against Western Kentucky."I don't have to tell you guys we didn't play good basketball tonight," coach Rick Pitino said following his Cardinals' 70-60 victory over Western Kentucky on Friday night. "But we haven't been playing good basketball the last three games."

According to Cardinal point guard and teammate Peyton Siva on sophomore reserve Russ Smith, "He makes some mistakes coming off the bench but his energy and his hard work are paying off." "He's winning us games on just pure intensity, pure heart," Pitino said of the 6-foot sophomore guard. "He's the reason we're winning but we've got to get the rest of the guys playing like that."

Our last meeting 1/31/11 went like this: 

Hoyanation, as we go into the new year things will be exciting. Clearly, I think my Hoyas are on a mission!. Happy Holidays! 

Memphis vs. Hoyas Part II

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Pump Me Up Hoyas!

Trouble Funk

D.C. Is Our Playground!

First off, I'm looking at this game as if we haven't played Memphis at all this year. Why? Simple. I have to stay focused on this game. Hey, the Hoyas have a chip on the shoulder, and they have "something to prove." 

In their last meeting the Hoyas (9-1) used their size against Memphis (6-4), setting up senior C Henry Sims in the post on a designed play. Though his man fell down, thanks in part to some contact on the low block, Sims' shot was off the mark. Freshman F Greg Whittington was there, though, and followed with a tip-in to tie the game.

Memphis had the final shot, but was unable to find a good shot. After Joe Jackson dribbled around the perimeter for a moment with time winding down, he found a wide-open Adonis Thomas. Of course, Thomas was open because he was 26-feet from the basket, and his buzzer-beater never had a chance.
After 40 minutes of play, the Hoyas and Tigers headed to overtime in the Maui Invitational with the score tied at 78.

In overtime, Georgetown was able to open up a three-point lead, only to see it disappear as Memphis made a run to take the lead. A Jason Clark three turned out to be the difference, though, as Georgetown sealed the win at the line while holding off the Tigers.

Memphis' last-second three to tie was short, and Georgetown capped its Maui trip with a huge win over the top-10 Tigers. "It was really frustrating, because we didn't play our best ball," Will Barton said. "We regrouped and got ourselves together then we come here in our last game and we just came up short."

"Tonight we made plays as opposed to making mistakes at key points, so hopefully that's growth for this group." - Coach Thompson

Memphis' last game was played Monday night at home against Lipscomb where they shot 56.9 percent for the game (33 of 58) compared to 44.4 percent (28 of 63) for Lipscomb. Both teams took care of the basketball, the Tigers committing nine turnovers, while the Bison had only five.

Senior G Jason Clark welcomed the challenge on Thursday night of finishing the nonconference slate with a talented team like Memphis instead of a lower-tier opponent. “I would definitely have this game last,” he said. “It’s a huge test and games from here on out are going to be like this one.

Jason Clark after first Memphis win this season: We're getting better," Clark said. "I think we responded well after the loss after Kansas. I think everybody's starting to pay a lot more attention to what we need to do on the court."

Twice is Nice! Beat Memphis!

Slow start, second half Hoyas go hard in the paint beat American 81-55

Care

Kid Rock, T.I. & Angaleena Presley

American (8-4) came out aggressive and took advantage of the Hoyas (9-1) slow start, but the Hoyas got things rolling in the second half. "Clearly, that was two very different halves. Georgetown came out in the second half and came right at us and obviously, we didn't respond very well," Jones said. "We didn't have an answer."  The second half was "all inside the paint affair" which was outstanding and smart. It was a thing of beauty the way the Georgetown offense was ran today.

Three Hoyas scored in double digits. Sophomore point guard Markel Starks (18 pts.) lead his team in scoring tonight shoting 6-8 and 4-6 in 3 pointers. Some of Starks shots made were "money shots" well needed to lift his team up. Senior C Henry Sims (17 pts. 6 assists) right behind in scoring - shot 7-10. Sims continues to put his precise passing on display."Teammates were cutting hard," Sims said, "so my job was to give them the ball." Jr. F Hollis Thompson's (15 pts.8 rbs.) smart, tough play was a major factor. 

Good to see all the freshman on the court at one time. Everyone played and scored with exception of two players. 

Off the bench for the Hoyas freshman Otto Porter (8 pts. 2 asst. 10 rbs.). The Hoyas outrebounded the Eagles (31-19). Also, the Hoyas won the assist battle also with 18-12. I see so many "consistent" and "postive" things from the Hoyas. This is a good sign, but we know it's about "one game at a time".

Now the focus is on Memphis again! I can't wait! "Two times is better than one". 

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Eagles vs Hoyas

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Walk This Way Hoyanation

Aerosmith ft. Run DMC

Next game is against Patriot Conference's American University Eagles (8-3). These two teams know each other well from playing in the Kenner Summer league at Georgetown's McDonough Gymnasium.. 


The two teams last met in December 2009 with the Hoyas winning 73-46. Hoyas Senior G Jason Clark set a career high with 5 steals and 9 points in 32 minutes. Former C Greg Monroe (Detroit Pistons) set a career high of 13 rebounds and 12 defensive rebounds. That was the 7th double digit rebound game of  Monroe's career. Hoyas C Henry Sims (4-7) had 13 points, 4 rebounds in 12 minutes, F Hollis Thompson 5 points in 19 minutes in the 2009 meeting.

The Eagles are coming off of a 66-61 road loss against St. Francis in Pennsylvania. After losing their first two games the Eagles went on a eight game winning streak, but the winning streak ended in a loss to St. Francis of Pennsylvania 66-61. The Hoyas (8-1) last game against crosstown foe Howard U was a lesson well learned. With a team as young as Hoyas - a total of 10 freshman and sophomore Coach Thompson wanted to see them get out of the jam by themselves. They did.

Playing its first game this as a ranked team, Georgetown held Howard scoreless for nearly 10 minutes at the start Saturday, then staved off a strong comeback bid before dominating down the strech to win 62-48 behind freshman Otto Porter's 13 points. "They've got to figure some things out on their own. We can call a timeout, but I wanted to see who was going to step up, who was going to talk, who was going to try to make adjustments on their own," Coach Thompson said.

"I mean, yes, we can go debate the nuances of whether that's a good coaching move or not. But this group needs to figure out at certain point of the game. "Ok we need to handle this. We need to talk about this. We need to grow up. Because they know what we should do," Coach Thompson said. 


The Hoyas quickly grew up once again. Another test from a different angle. They handled it well when they need to. So, "What Rocks" more than that..


Hoyasaxa!


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Hoyas learn life lessons on the court in 62-48 victory over crosstown foe HU

Hoyas, Jam On It

Newcleus

Hoyanation, the Hoyas (8-1) came out of the gates very fast using lots of pressure defense and scoring at will in transition. At the half the score was 30-17 in favor of the Hoyas. From the 8:10  to 5:25 mark the Hoyas hadn't scored. Freshman F/C Mikael Hopkins (3 pts.) knocked down a free throw to make the score 24-10. It took the Hoyas a minute to put up two more points. Senior G Jason Clark ( 12 pts. 10-10 from the ft line) was fouled and made both free throws. Score26-10 with 4:36 to go before the half.
Howard (3-6  1-1 MEAC) went on a four point run to make the score 26-14. 

The Hoyas remained scoreless for 2 more minutes until freshman F Otto Porter (14 pts. 6-11, 4 rebs.) scored two points to make the score 28-14 with 2:33 to go before halftime. Sophomore PG Markel Starks (5 pts.)  made the next two points at the 1:03 to make the score 30-14. Howard scored two points and was fouled made free throw to end the half 30-17 Hoyas. 


Howard's Dadrian Collins came out in the second half knocking down a three pointer to pull within 10 points of the Hoyas 30-20. From then on in the second half the Bison hung around to pull within 4 points off of a jumper made by Howard's Simuel Frazier 34-30 with the Hoyas still leading. At 12:20 Freshman F Otto Porter came right back for two score 36-30 Hoyas. 


From the 11:20 to 9:23 the Hoyas hadn't scored. Finally, Bison Simuel Frazier fouled Jason Clark, he knocked down two free throws 42-34 Hoyas. From then on it was bump and grind for both teams. The Hoyas continued to go straight to the basketball no matter what it took. This was determination and toughest on display. I definitely felt it.


Hoya freshman G Jabril Trawick fouled Bison Mike Phillips - he went to the line and knocked down two free throws. Score 36-32 Hoyas. Sophomore F Nate Lubick makes a big put back on a miss by teammate Markel Starks, Hoyas 38 Howard 32, 11:24 minutes to go in the game. Otto Porter's big steal and dunk at 6:19 inthe second half is the "jumpstart" the Hoyas need to win the game. A timeout was called by Howard. Score 46-38. 2:46 was an "amazing" play made by point guard Markel Starks in transition with a "slick behind the back pass" to forward Otto Porter. 


The crowd raised up in a loud roar! You know I did too. (Get up Get up Wave Your Hands!) Going inside for the rest of the game and Howard fouling put the Hoyas on the line, and they were able to knock down critical free throws to put their team up for good. Good decision making with game on the line. Poise and smart play until the end were some of the good things on display. One thing about the Hoyas, never lost their lead. Hoyapride was on the line and it took over. Yessssssss! 


The ability to overcome adversity played the biggest part in the win today for the Georgetown Hoyas. This game was a good gut check and wake up call. Life lessons. Learning to keep your head up through storm whether it be in life or on the playing field.   


BTW: One thing I did notice is how much Howard Coach Kevin Nickleberry looks and sounds exactly like Comedian Kevin Hart. Too funny!

HOYASAXA!

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All D.C. affair Howard vs. Georgetown in crosstown matchup

VS.

Riding High Hoyas

Faze O

Feels good to be back after a week Hoyanation and friends. Next up for the Hoyas (7-1) are the Bisons (3-5) of Howard University here in the nation's capital. Howard plays in the Mid Eastern Atlantic Conference. Both teams are coming off of wins, but the Hoyas are boasting a record of only one loss while the Bisons have five losses. Howard senior guard Calvin Thompson (11.3 pts.) is the team leader in scoring. Hoyas senior guard Jason Clark (16.8 pts.) leads his team in scoring.

Freshman Otto Porter (8.1 rebs.) leads the Hoyas in rebounding, and senior C Henry Sims (3.9 assists & 12 blks.) leads the team in assists and blocks. The last time these two teams met was 2004-05 season in which Georgetown won 79-56. The Bison will be missing two of their most promising players, transfers Tre Lee and Glen Andrews, are not eligible until the spring semester.

Everyone seem to be on the same page playing great unselfish, team basketball. “Everyone knows what’s expected of them and is comfortable,” he said. “We have a group that believes in how we’re doing things.”  - Coach John Thompson III

With all due respect, on behalf of the college basketball rankings - Hoyanation, which I don't think the Hoyas are paying much attention to in order to stay focused in game by game mode. It's so early in the season those rankings don't mean a thing as the present time.  “We’re still going to play like we don’t have a target on our back,” he said. “We’re still going after guys.”  - Senior guard Jason Clark

The Hoyas control their own destination, so right they'll continue to play with a sense or urgency, intensity, and determination in a game by game mode.

Team Hoyas

Hoyasaxa!

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New Jersey Institute of Technology Highlanders it is!

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Keep Rising To The Top Hoyas!

Hoyanation, I always ask myself  who are the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) Highlanders when I see them in the newspaper playing other Division 1 teams. So, after doing a bit of research here it is. They are a public research university. Where? Located in an area known as University Heights, formerly known as the Newark Highlands in Newark, New Jersey. 


Where did they the sports teams name from? While classified under the former location, NJIT’s mailing address used to be High Street, until it was renamed in memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This reference to NJIT’s past is what brought about the mascot The Highlander.


It is often also referred to as Newark College of Engineering which was the official name of the university between 1919–1975. A school comprised of 16 sports teams 9 mens sportsteams, 6 women sports teams. 


The Highlanders (3-3) ride into D.C. to take on the "something to prove" Hoyas (6-1). The Hoyas are coming off of a big win against #12 Alabama. Although I did consider the Hoyas two wins against ranked opponents an "upset," it was a great accomplishment for the Hoyas and Hoyanation. I did! (confident voice) 

Hoya senior G Jason Clark (17.7 pts.) and junior F Hollis Thompson (14.3 pts. 6.1 rebs.) lead the Hoyas lead the Hoyas in scoring, Hollis also leads the team in rebounding. Highlanders are coming off a one point win over Army, so they have some momentum coming into the phone booth (Verizon Center) on Saturday.


Senior Highlander G Isaiah Wilkerson (15.7 5.5 rebs.) leads his team in scoring. I thnk the Hoyas will stay in their "something to prove" mode with a "sense of urgency" because they know they have a long ways to go. This is why the Hoyas take things "one game at a time." Shine!

WE ARE GEORGETOWN!

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Hoyas glide and roll over the Tide in a game thrilling 57-55 win

WIN HOYAS!

YOUNG JEEZY

Hoyanation and friends, I can honest say I am not suprised at what the Hoyas (6-1) have accomplished, but I can say I'm AMAZED at what I'm seeing for so many reasons. I've been writing about what I saw in the Hoyas since the summer in the 2011 Kenner League especially the freshmen.

No fear and something to prove. Once again, Hoya senior leader G Jason Clark (22 pts. 7-11 field goals, 4-7 3's 4-4 free throws) proved just what he is. A "born leader". His leadership has surely put the doubters on hold. The Hoyas gave Alabama (7-1) their first loss of the season and broke the Tide's four game winning streak. 

There's one of many things I like about Georgetown the developing and maturing of the players from young men to men. I think this is awesome. It's always been like this and is a joy to see. Senior C Henry Sims (13 pts. 3 rebs. 3 assists 2 steals 1 blk) continued his stellar play for the Hoyas.

With time running out in the game Jr. F Hollis "Hollywood" Thompson (12 pts. 8 rebs.) proved to be the saviour of the game knocking down a "prayer three point shot" that was delivered on a pass from teammate Jason Clark in the closing seconds of the game leaving 1.8 seconds on the game clock. "Jason didn't have anything so he went to Hollis, and Hollis did what Hollis does," Georgetown coach John Thompson III said. Hollis was the hero of the game after that dagger three point shot. The Alabama fans were "stunned" in Coleman Coliseum.

The stats were almost the same with the exception of the three shot - Hoyas shot 7-17 @ 41.2%, Crimson Tide shot 3-16 @ 18.8%. So, I think Hollis Thompson's game winning three pointer made all the difference in the Hoyas win on the road against the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Hoyas made it a team effort, played with a sense of urgency, withstood the Tide's run's, stay composed, overcame adversity in a "hostile environment". "It was our third game against a Team in the Top 15," John Thompson said. "To come in and win against a team on their home court that's so well-coached, that's a big, big victory."

Coleman Coliseum shocked by Hollis Thompson's game winning 3



HOYASAXA!

WHAT ROCKS!

Let's Goooooo!

Two Twitter messages from my friend and ESPN college basketball analyst that commentated on the game Fran Fraschilla

franfraschilla Fran Fraschilla

Very impressed with growth of Thompson, Sims, Clark. NOT No.10 in Big East! RT @GlideHoyas: we got that one close game #Hoyas have no fear!

franfraschilla Fran Fraschilla

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@GlideHoyas going to have fun following Hoyas this season. Tell those few fans that don't like the O, that last basket was vintage Carril.

 

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