The Ed Cooley Era officially begins tonight!
Game 1: Le Moyne Dolphins (0-0) at Georgetown Hoyas (0-0)
When: Tuesday, 7 PM
Where: Capital One Arena
TV: FS2 (Dan Kolko and Dickey Simpkins)
Radio: 1067 The Fan, Sirius XM 85 or 201 (The legendary Rich Chvotkin begins his 50th season calling the Hoyas)
Happy @GeorgetownHoops season, everybody! Looking forward to a new era, starting tonight!! Hoya Saxa!!
— Rich Chvotkin (@HoyasWin) November 7, 2023
Series: Hoyas lead 1-0
KenPom Projection: Georgetown 83, Le Moyne 62 (97%)
Line: Hoyas -18.5, 144.5 o/u
A NEW era begins tonight …#HoyaSaxa pic.twitter.com/oRUAjgoIc9
— Georgetown Hoops (@GeorgetownHoops) November 7, 2023
It’s been a rough couple of years around these parts. If we are being totally honest, that probably doesn’t even really do it justice. But that was in the past and today is the start of something new as Big East coaching veteran Ed Cooley takes control from the home bench for the first time at Capital One Arena as Georgetown welcomes in Division 1 newcomer Le Moyne to kick of the 2023-24 season.
Syracuse now has two DI basketball teams!@JonRothstein reports that Le Moyne will join the NEC on July 1. pic.twitter.com/hPhr8JoBdb
— Mid-Major Madness (@mid_madness) May 10, 2023
What can we expect and when can we expect it?
Well patience has been the theme from most of Cooley’s recent public remarks. That seems fair as this once storied program was left to completely bottom out over the last 24 months. As far as opening night is concerned, the Hoyas should be able to pull out a comfortable victory given the opponent. That’s a good thing as the last two season openers have included two items found on a college basketball disaster scenario bingo card in the form of a shock loss to Dartmouth as well as needing OT to survive KenPom 300-plus Coppin State. It would certainly be nice for Georgetown to have the luxury to go deep into the bench against a 300-plus opponent. That’s why these games get scheduled.
It’s that time … YOU pick Cooley’s Kicks for the SEASON OPENER against Le Moyne!
️: https://t.co/tP0pv0XDns #HoyaSaxa x @Jumpman23 pic.twitter.com/e3vtsGp5Dp
— Georgetown Hoops (@GeorgetownHoops) November 6, 2023
What to look for: There’s really no wrong answers here because it’s anyone’s guess as to what we see in terms of minutes and rotations. Outside of Jay Heath and Wayne Bristol, everybody is new. Heck even Ryan Mutombo only played 64 minutes last season. A heavy does of Jayden Epps is expected but unfortunately we won’t see Ismael Massoud (broken hand) for at least a few more weeks. For me, I’m probably most interested in freshman Drew Fielder and how he’s used. As far as style of play goes, it would be a sight for sore eyes to see a Georgetown team defend as a cohesive unit and limit wide open 3s. Again, the list of choices here are endless given, well, everything.
It’s Time! Cheer on @GeorgetownHoops tonight in their season opener against Le Moyne, 7pm at Capital One Arena (FS2). Go Hoyas! pic.twitter.com/kutqRfFQkw
— Hoya Hoop Club (@HoyaHoopClub) November 7, 2023
Scouting the Dolphins: Coach Nate Champion is in his fifth year at his alma mater. Last season the Dolphins were 15-15, 11-9 in the Northeast 10. Back in 2009, Le Moyne beat crosstown foe and then-No. 25 Syracuse in an exhibition. Also, John Beilein (former WVU and Michigan coach, among others) coached at Le Moyne College for nine seasons beginning in 1983.
Notes: Cooley coached teams have won 14 straight season openers, including a perfect 12-0 at Providence. Cooley last loss a season opener in Nov. 2008 while at Fairfield….Georgetown will face one more Northeast Conference team this season when Merrimack comes to DC on Nov. 29…Nats starting pitcher Josiah Gray played shortstop and pitcher for Le Moyne before being selected in the second round of the 2018 draft….
Please leave your comments before, during and after the game!