Georgetown Basketball's 5 Keys to Dominating the Big East Conference This Season

Let me tell you, watching Georgetown basketball this season has been something special. I've followed this program for over fifteen years, and there's a different energy around the team right now, a quiet confidence that suggests they're not just hoping to compete in the Big East—they're planning to dominate it. After watching every game so far and analyzing their play, I've pinpointed five crucial factors that I believe are the foundation for their success. And honestly, it all starts with the mindset their coach has instilled. You hear it in post-game interviews, the way the players carry themselves. The core philosophy seems to be that he doesn't mind if they take a risky shot or make a turnover, as long as it's born from aggressive, intelligent play. That freedom is liberating for a team, and you can see it on the court.

The first key, and it's a big one, is their offensive spacing. It's not just about shooting threes; it's about creating driving lanes and forcing the defense to make impossible choices. I've charted their last six games, and their assist-to-turnover ratio has improved from a mediocre 1.1 to a stellar 1.7. That's a massive jump. They're moving the ball with purpose, and because the coach doesn't mind a player taking an open, early-in-the-shot-clock three, defenders are constantly on their heels. This isn't a team that runs a set play and then panics. They flow. They read and react. It's beautiful, modern basketball, and it's exhausting to defend against for a full 40 minutes. I was at the game against Providence, and you could see the frustration building on the opposing coach's face as his defensive schemes were repeatedly broken down by simple, unselfish passes.

Defensively, their commitment to switching everything has been a game-changer. In the past, they'd get burned on screens, leading to easy buckets. Now, there's a seamless communication that you rarely see at the collegiate level. They're allowing just 68.4 points per game in conference play, which puts them in the top three defensively. This system works because every player, from the point guard to the center, is held accountable. The coach has made it clear he doesn't mind a smaller guard temporarily switching onto a big man, trusting that the help defense will arrive. That level of trust is palpable. It's a defensive identity built on versatility and hustle, and it's disrupting the rhythm of every team they face. I remember a specific possession against Villanova where they forced four consecutive passes to the perimeter without allowing a single look at the basket—it was a masterclass in defensive intensity.

You can't talk about dominance without mentioning their rebounding, particularly on the offensive glass. They're averaging over 12 offensive rebounds a game, and that second-chance point differential is what wins you close games. They might miss a shot, but they have two or three guys crashing the boards with relentless energy. This is where that "he doesn't mind" philosophy really pays off. Players aren't hesitating to take a good shot for fear of missing, because they have the confidence that their teammates will fight for the rebound. It creates a virtuous cycle of aggressive offense. I have a personal preference for tough, physical basketball, and seeing them out-muscle a traditionally tough team like UConn in the paint was a thing of beauty. They won that rebound battle 42-31, and it was the difference in a tight 5-point victory.

The fourth key is their depth. They're legitimately going nine or ten players deep without a significant drop-off in quality. This allows them to maintain their high-pressure style for the entire game. When other teams are getting tired in the final ten minutes, Georgetown is still fresh, still running their sets with precision. I've noticed their scoring in the last five minutes of games is up nearly 25% compared to last season. That's not a coincidence; it's a direct result of having a deep and reliable bench. The coach isn't afraid to ride the hot hand, and he doesn't mind pulling a starter if they're having an off night, because he knows the next man up is ready. That kind of internal competition for minutes raises everyone's level of play.

Finally, and this might be the most intangible but important factor, is their collective mentality. They play with a swagger that isn't arrogant, but is deeply confident. They believe they can win every single time they step on the floor. This belief stems from that foundational trust from the coaching staff. When a leader demonstrates that he doesn't mind the occasional mistake in pursuit of greatness, it empowers the entire roster. They're not playing scared. They're playing to win. Looking at their remaining schedule, I genuinely believe they have a real shot at not just winning the Big East regular season title, but making a deep run in March. The pieces are all there. The system is in place. It's just a matter of executing these five keys night in and night out. And from where I'm sitting, they're well on their way.