Of course Jonathan Wallace was supposed to take the game-winning shot for Georgetown with the Big East regular-season title on the line last weekend against Louisville. He’s the Hoyas’ senior leader and a premier 3-point specialist who’s started every game of his college career.
But Wallace had other ideas. He called it a “no-brainer” to give up the ball to an open DaJuan Summers, who until that point hadn’t attempted a single shot the entire second half against the Cardinals, but promptly nailed his three from the wing.
The result was another in Georgetown’s steadily growing list of victories in games decided by one possession — the Hoyas have won 19 of 23 such games over head coach John Thompson III’s four-year tenure, including six this season. Each seems to have come via a different Hoya.
“That’s what we pride ourselves on, that’s how we’ve played all year,” said Wallace. “All of us are confident in one another and confident when it comes down to the latter part of games. We’ve proved that through the different types of situations we’ve been in.”
Georgetown (25-4) is all but certain to have a chance to add to that list in the postseason, beginning its Big East Tournament title defense today against Villanova (20-11), which came within a controversial foul call and two points of a win at Verizon Center last month.
The Wildcats were also held to just four second-half field goals and 25 percent shooting from the field in that Feb. 9 game, proof that the Hoyas’ suffocating and nation-leading defense (36.4 opposing field-goal percentage) has been as much responsible for their success as their poise with the ball in their hands.
Senior center Roy Hibbert has ratcheted up his aggressiveness, averaging 3.3 blocks over the last 12 games, while resisting any temptation make comparisons to last season.
“It’s just staying focused and not worrying about last year, just that mental toughness, realizing that we’re not the same team as last year,” said Hibbert. “There’s a different outlook.”
Wright could play at MSG
Georgetown freshman guard Chris Wright dressed last weekend for the first time since Dec. 31, and Hoyas head coach John Thompson III said he could play in the Big East Tournament.
“It was tempting to put him in [against Louisville] because he can make a difference, but he’s been out so long, I didn’t want to throw him out there,” said Thompson. “I wanted to protect him, but it felt a lot a better having him there.”
