Like it or not, the Georgetown men’s basketball team’s first road game at Ball State on Wednesday will be overshadowed by off-court circumstances. Both teams’ head coaches and administrative staffs would rather just get it over with.
It was supposed to be a meeting between Georgetown’s John Thompson III and his brother, Ronny Thompson, at Ball State. The Hoyas won, 69-54, when the two met last year at Verizon Center. Things are quite different this time around following Ronny Thompson’s acrimonious resignation last summer, a situation that apparently has soured the entire family’s relationship with his former employer.
“Don’t be surprised if the Hoyas go for the kill, in what surely will be the last visit ever by a Thompson to Muncie,” said ESPN.com columnist Pat Forde earlier this month.
Thompson III was not made available for comment Tuesday, but told the Muncie Star-Press the game itself would be less awkward.
“It was awkward coaching against my brother last year,” said Thompson III. “It’s a more normal game now that he’s not on the sideline.”
New Cardinals head coach Billy Taylor, whose roster has no player taller than 6-foot-5 (the Hoyas have six), agrees.
“No, [it isn’t awkward,] not for myself, our kids or their kids either,” said Taylor. “I think everyone is focused on the game. Georgetown has a great team, and they do a lot of special things. For us, we’re trying to build and look toward the future. It’s a special game and it should be fun going up against a top-five team in the nation.”
No. 5 Georgetown (2-0) at Ball State (0-2)
» When: Tonight, 7
» Where: John E. Worthen Arena, Muncie, Ind.
» Radio: WTNT 570 AM
