With three conference games remaining, Georgetown’s post-season seeding remains largely undetermined. While NCAA bracket projections have held the Hoyas as a #2 or #3 seed for most of the past two months, the Big East standings are much more fluid. Currently, the Hoyas are tied for fifth in conference with Marquette and Louisville, and would be a 6 seed in the Big East tournament, by virtue of Marquette’s win over Georgetown (and the Hoyas’ win over Lousiville). Sneaking into fourth place would mean an extra day’s rest in the Big East tournament; the top four are assured of two byes, while seeds five through eight get only one day off before beginning tournament play. (This bracket provides a somewhat clearer graphical explanation of seeding implications.)
Last night, two games had particular ramifications for the Hoyas: Marquette eeked out a road victory over St. John’s, while Pitt lost at Notre Dame. The Hoyas cannot pass Marquette without a Golden Eagles loss, and Marquette’s remaining schedule is full of winnable, if difficult, games. The Panthers have an easy remaining schedule, but last night’s loss leaves them just one game ahead of Georgetown, due to the Hoyas’ January win in Pittsburgh.
Ultimately, as Greg Monroe observed after the Louisville game, the only thing the Hoyas can do to improve their fortunes is to win. Still, I’m not playing the games, and it’s good to know where the enemies stand, so here you are, in order of current standing (excepting those teams that are far above or below in the standings):
- West Virginia (10-5). Remaining games: home for Cincinnati, home for Georgetown, at Villanova.
- Pittsburgh (10-5). Remaining games: at St. John’s, home for Providence, home for Rutgers.
- Marquette (9-6). Remaining games: at Seton Hall, home for Louisville, home for Notre Dame.
- Georgetown (9-6). Remaining games: home for Notre Dame, at West Virginia, home for Cincinnati.
- Louisville (9-6). Remaining games: at Connecticut, at Marquette, home for Syracuse.
The Hoyas appear to be right in the middle in terms of difficulty of schedule, with West Virginia and Louisville having more difficult slates, and Marquette and Pitt having easier ones. This will be updated as the games go forward.
At this point, it does not make much of a difference if Georgetown is a 2 seed or a 4 seed (which is where I think they will end up).
When they’re on, this team can beat any team out there. I say this as a Kentucky fan who has Georgetown season tickets and has seen G-MON at his best. I would not want them in my side of the bracket. But at the end of the day, this team has shown the potential to lay an egg birthed from Clark’s loins against any opponent, no matter how crappy the opponents may be. They also can win it all if the a couple players heat up and Benimon doesn’t assist the opposing team on 4 fast breaks.
Point being, I wouldn’t mind if this team to tread water for the rest of the season. They’ve shown the “spurtability” that scares opponents come March, and I just don’t want any injuries to affect the RIDICULOUSLY thin bench. Hope I didn’t jinx anything.
Great blog.