Hoyas Pull out Double OT Thriller Versus Seton Hall. Time to Dance?
The Hoyas came into Saturday’s game against Seton Hall wondering if this was a play-in game for the NCAA Tournament. Both teams entered the game with 7-8 Big East Records. In a conference in which five teams are within a game of third place, this game had a lot on the line.
Just as in the first game, the Hoyas could not contain Myles Powell as he poured in 35 points. Only one other Pirate, however, reached double digits, Sandro Mamukelashvili with 14. They Hoyas were led in regulation by Josh LeBlanc and James Akinjo with 14 and 16 points, respectively. LeBlanc added a career high 21 rebounds. Senior leader, Jessie Govan was on a milk carton during regulation going 1-11 that included a hook shot miss at the end of regulation. Apparently, he was saving his best for last.
During the first overtime, each team scored seven points, that included a last second dunk by Seton Hall’s Jared Rhoden sending the game into double overtime. This is where Jessie Govan took over, as he scored all of the Hoyas 11 points in the last frame putting an exclamation point on his Hoya career at Capital One Stadium. The home crowd of over thirteen thousand loudly celebrated their hometown Hoyas’ 77-71 double overtime victory.
The win certainly helps Georgetown’s NCAA tournament hopes. CBSSports has listed Seton Hall as one of its “last four in” giving them a twelve seed. They have the Hoyas as one of their “last four out.” One would think that the committee would have a tough time not switching that outcome as things stand today. ESPN Insider Jason Gasaway listed Georgetown as a team “with work to do” in his “Bubble Watch” column. ESPN lists Seton Hall and St. Johns both as “first four in” and Georgetown as one of its “next four in”.
What does all of this mean for the Hoyas? Georgetown has two different paths to make it to the big dance. A win over Marquette would give them a second signature win and a victory over both of the top two teams in the Big East. This would likely be enough to put them into the first four in category. Beating Marquette on the road is certainly a tall order. Assuming that they lose against Marquette, they will need to make something happen in the Big East Tournament. The Hoyas are likely to receive a first round bye due to being one of the top six teams in the conference. They would likely need one win, at least, in the tournament, putting them in the final four. A second win and a berth in the Big East Championship (which would likely mean defeating Marquette or Villanova) would virtually guarantee a berth.
The Hoyas need to come through once more in a big game this season to avoid the NIT. An NCAA tournament appearance in Patrick Ewing’s second season would be nothing short of remarkable and very unexpected. Time will tell if the young Hoyas will pull it off.
