Hoyas’ foul problems become balancing act
John Thompson III won’t play by the rules.
He knew coming into the year that he wouldn’t adhere to conventional methods when it came to foul trouble, and with four regular season games remaining, there’s no way he’s changing things now.
With such a limited roster, the Hoyas have no choice.
“Some years, you have the basketball manual on how you’re supposed to coach the game, and it says when your key guy gets into foul trouble, he’s not supposed to go back in the game,” said Thompson after last week’s loss to Syracuse. “That’s one part of the manual I’m not looking at this year.”
Instead, Thompson’s players know they have to adjust and remain productive when they’re on the floor. Georgetown went to offense-defense substitutions for Greg Monroe almost immediately last week against the Orange after the sophomore center picked up two personal fouls in the first three minutes.
After fouling out in two of the Hoyas’ previous three losses, Monroe stayed controlled and stayed in the game. Carrying four fouls, his consecutive layups and a free throw late in the second half nearly completed a comeback from 23 points down.
“I’ve been playing with fouls all my life so I pretty much know how to handle it,” said Monroe.
Thompson said, “That’s life. That’s the only way to put it. We were able to function. We have guys that when he’s out, can step in and play their role. We’re able to wade through it.”
With four regular season games remaining, the Hoyas (18-7, 8-6 Big East) also have a thin margin for error. Consecutive losses have dropped Georgetown from a comfortable perch among the top four in the conference — home of a crucial double-bye into the Big East Tournament quarterfinals — back to seventh, behind Louisville (18-9, 9-5), which has won five of six.
The Cardinals are one of three NCAA Tournament bubble teams that Georgetown will face down the stretch. The fourth of the Hoyas’ remaining games is at No. 8 West Virginia on March 1.
