Many changes are happening at Capital One Arena. There are construction vehicles everywhere with new, updated items still in their original packaging. Capital One is getting an overdue makeover of what it once was—the sparkling new MCI Center.
One of the arena’s tenants is going to a similar makeover.
Season three of the Ed Cooley era brings a roster more in line with his vision, and the school moves further away from the Thompson (and his associates) Era.
Like the arena they play in, the makeover was long overdue.
As the Hoyas worked through one of their first practices since the George Washington scrimmage, for the first time in weeks, the entire roster participated in all drills and scrimmages.
Langston Love and Caleb Williams give Georgetown one of the best catch-and-shoot duos in the Big East.
Malik Mack and KJ Lewis aren’t your traditional point guards, but both can play the lead guard position while playing some off-the-ball minutes. Mack and Lewis bring two different skill sets. Mack can dip into his bag of tricks, plus he can heat up from the three-point line. Lewis is a stronger, more athletic guard who can make plays using those strengths.
Hoyas’ fans should watch who takes over the backup lead guard role. DeShawn Harris-Smith and Kayvaun Mulready have taken some possessions in that role. Both need to improve in the ball-handling department and could be susceptible to live-ball turnovers.
That’s something Georgetown cannot live with.
Georgetown’s paint presence has veteran Vince Iwuchukwu flanked by two players who have minimal experience, Julius Halaifonua and Seal Diouf.
All three bring something different to the table, but they have to be more than 15 fouls. Offensive rebounds and stick-backs will be important to offensive success.
Iwuchukwu’s athleticism is a strength, and he has a jump hook he can go to. He can also stretch out to the three-point line, but not at a higher volume.
Halaifonua’s footwork in the post has improved over the last season. There’s still a long way to go, but he’s more willing to play with his back to the basket. Consistency from the three-point line isn’t quite there yet, but he’s on his way down that road. If he’s a more consistent three-point shooter in the second half of the Big East season, taking 3-5 attempts per game would open up the floor on screen action.
At the end of the month, Georgetown will head to Kentucky for its second and final exhibition of the season.
