Georgetown Basketball: Top 3 opponents on non-conference schedule for 2024-25 season

In the first year of the Coach Ed Cooley era, Georgetown Basketball went 9-23 overall. That included four losses in non-con play, including a home loss to Holy Cross in the first week of the season.

The Hoyas are hoping for improvement this upcoming season and their non-conference schedule has recently been released. It includes nine home games, as well as two true road games against former Big East rivals. Here's a look at the clear three best opponents for the Hoyas.

3. West Virginia Mountaineers

It's a completely new roster for the Mountaineers after last season's disaster, including the father-son duo of Coach Darian DeBries and 2-time MVP wing transfer, Tucker DeVries. He and OK State transfer guard Javon Small give them proven starpower but the rest of the roster is unproven at the power conference level. Illinois transfer duo Sencire Harris and Amani Hansberry are potential breakout players to watch on the roster.

2. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Speaking of second-year head coaches, Micah Shrewsberry and Notre Dame returns its top four players from a 13-win team, including star sophomore, Markus Burton (17.5 ppg and 4.3 rpg). He's set to be one of the best players the Hoyas face all season but it's important to see if the supporting cast can step up to make them more competitive. Princeton transfer Matt Allocco joins to boost the shooting, while transfer bigs Burke Chubuhar and Nikita Konstantynovskyi make up the new frontcourt.

1. Syracuse Orange

The Orange are without star guard Judah Mintz but still has double-digit scorer JJ Starling back, while also adding Jaquan Carlos and Lucas Taylor from the transfer portal. Colorado transfer Eddie Lampkin gives them a proven player at the center position, while Donnie Freeman is a top-40 freshman forward prospect to watch.

Coach Red Autry is entering his second season and it remains to be seen if he can lead a team to the postseason without now its top player. It's an opportunity for Coach Cooley to pick up some wins in the non-con before Big East play since all three of these teams are vulnerable. If they can't beat them the league play could once again be rough.