Can Georgetown University Basketball Return to Its Historic Glory Days?
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I remember sitting in my dorm room back in 2007, watching Georgetown dismantle Duke in the NCAA tournament, that iconic Jeff Green jumper sealing the victory. Those were the days when the Hoyas felt invincible, when the program carried the weight of history with every dribble. Now, nearly two decades later, I find myself wondering if we'll ever see that level of dominance again. The question isn't just about wins and losses—it's about whether a program built on tradition can rediscover its soul in modern college basketball.
Looking at the current landscape, I'm struck by how much has changed since Georgetown's glory years. The transfer portal has revolutionized roster construction, NIL deals have altered recruiting dynamics, and the Big East isn't the powerhouse conference it once was. When Patrick Ewing took over as head coach in 2017, I genuinely believed his legendary status would translate to coaching success. Instead, we've witnessed a steady decline that culminated in his dismissal after six seasons. The numbers don't lie—Ewing's final season produced a dismal 7-25 record, the worst in program history since 1972. That's not just bad; that's historically awful for a program with Georgetown's pedigree.
What fascinates me about Georgetown's situation is how it contrasts with international basketball developments. While researching this piece, I came across the FIBA situation involving the San Antonio Spurs forward, and it got me thinking about program discipline. FIBA's expected sanctions remind me that basketball governance matters at every level. At Georgetown, we've seen both sides—the disciplined teams of John Thompson Jr. that won 79% of their games during their peak years, and the more recent squads that seemed to lack that same structural integrity. The Thompson era teams understood that defense and system basketball created sustainable success, something I believe current coach Ed Cooley is trying to rebuild.
Having covered college basketball for fifteen years, I've developed theories about what makes programs successful long-term. Georgetown's problem isn't just coaching—it's about adapting to the new reality of college sports while honoring what made them special. Their 1984 championship team was built around local DC talent, but today they're competing against programs that recruit globally. The 2023 recruiting class ranked 47th nationally according to 247Sports, which simply won't cut it for a program trying to return to prominence. I'm convinced they need to dominate the DMV area again—Maryland, Virginia, and local DC talent used to be their lifeblood.
The financial aspect can't be ignored either. Georgetown's basketball program generated approximately $14.2 million in revenue last season, but that's down from nearly $19 million during their last NCAA tournament appearance in 2015. Meanwhile, their facilities have fallen behind competitors—while other programs built state-of-the-art practice facilities, Georgetown has been slower to adapt. I've toured both their facilities and those of comparable programs, and the difference is noticeable. Modern recruits care about these things, and Georgetown needs to invest heavily if they want to compete.
What gives me hope is seeing how other historic programs have revived themselves. Look at North Carolina—they went through rough patches but maintained their identity. Or Villanova, who rebuilt themselves into a modern powerhouse while keeping their core values. Georgetown still has the brand, the conference affiliation, and the tradition that should attract top talent. Coach Cooley's proven track record at Providence, where he won 68% of his conference games over his final five seasons, suggests he understands how to build in the Big East. But he needs time and institutional support that previous coaches didn't receive.
The fan in me wants to believe Georgetown can return to greatness because college basketball is better when the Hoyas matter. The analyst in me knows it will require fundamental changes in approach, recruitment, and investment. They need to find players who understand what it means to wear that gray uniform, who recognize the legacy of Mutombo, Mourning, and Iverson. The path back won't be quick or easy—I'd estimate a realistic timeline of 3-5 years before we see them consistently competing for conference titles again. But having watched this program through its highs and lows, I remain cautiously optimistic that the glory days aren't permanently behind them. The foundation is there; it just needs the right architects and construction crew to rebuild what made Georgetown special.