Busting Brackets
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Big East Basketball: 2019-20 offseason questions facing each team

By Lukas Harkins

PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 21: A detailed view of a Wilson college basketball during the third round of the 2015 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Consol Energy Center on March 21, 2015 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 21: A detailed view of a Wilson college basketball during the third round of the 2015 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Consol Energy Center on March 21, 2015 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – MARCH 09: Akinjo of the Hoyas shoots. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – MARCH 09: Akinjo of the Hoyas shoots. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

Georgetown: Will there be any sophomore slumps?

Georgetown looks like a program on the rise. Ever since former star Patrick Ewing was named the head coach a couple of years ago, the Hoyas have improved both on the court and on the recruiting trail. During this past season, the program even made a bit of a push for an NCAA Tournament bid while securing a 19-14 (9-9 BE) record. Looking ahead to this coming season, many are expecting a major leap but it is important to mention the youth on the roster. Now that Georgetown’s best player, Jessie Govan, has graduated, the three leaders on the roster are all underclassmen.

James Akinjo, Mac McClung, and Josh LeBlanc clearly put up strong freshmen campaigns a year ago but they will need to all avoid the “sophomore slump” in 2019-20. These three will now be the go-to players on every single possession and all will have to show some improvements in order to make a run at the NCAA Tournament. Even though the program is bringing in Omer Yurtseven to offset the loss of Govan, replacing his level of production (17.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg) will not be easy. His graduation is being a bit undersold as his impact on the team was monstrous. (Terrell Allen is also an addition in the backcourt that I shouldn’t ignore.)

The Hoyas are widely expected to be a middle-of-the-pack team in the conference during this coming season, but it would surprise me if that’s where they end the season. If the youngsters all take big steps and assimilate into their new roles with ease, the Hoyas could comfortably finish in the upper echelon of the league. But, if their youth shows and they struggle to emerge as the stars of the roster, Georgetown could struggle against the more experienced rosters in the league and fall to the bottom of the rankings.

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