Georgetown came within a few seconds of a Big East championship Saturday night, but Da’Sean Butler’s leaner with five seconds remaining gave West Virginia the win and the conference crown, 60-58. A bit late to the party here, but a few thoughts:
- A memorable run. All Hoya fans were disappointed by the narrow miss, but hopefully just as many recognize the boys’ terrific play, their dominant run through the tournament, and their big hearts when the final seemed to be slipping away.
- Chris Wright. Nearly every Hoya fan has noted that was Chris giveth, he taketh away. The opposite was equally true Saturday night. Wright made a bone-headed intentional foul in the last minute, despite a tie game, but made up the two points lost on the free throws just moments later with a stunning spin move and finish to tie. He played his heart out all week and against West Virginia in particular. Had two bounces gone in different directions, Wright may have found himself the tournament MVP.
- Reading into things. There were plenty of poor decisions to second-guess. Why Jerrelle Benimon got minutes in a clutch game is beyond me. Why Greg Monroe, stifling defense or no, took only seven shots in a title game, is baffling. Why Georgetown left one timeout on the board instead of setting up a play after Butler’s game clincher is unfathomable. But that obscures two larger points. First, the Big East championship game down to an unlucky bounce. Second, the Hoyas played their hearts out for four days, re-controlling a season that seemed out of their grasp, and reminding fans everywhere why they spend hours watching these games. The overriding word I heard to describe fans’ emotions Saturday night was proud. It’s been at least two years, maybe three, since such a groundswell of emotion has come behind this team.
The Hoyas return to action Thursday in the NCAA Tournament.
