Friday, Oct. 12 Craig Esherick did a great job last season, and won without many skilled players. Georgetown won in 2001 by owning the paint and the backboards and throwing bodies at you. The long and strong Hoyas were patient in pounding people, and led the Big East by outrebounding their opponents by over 9.2 per game, and blocking over six opponent shots per game. The Hoyas will not be as big and deep up front in 2002, but will still have bodies and still be formidable. Mike Sweetney will be the Hoyas best player, and is an absolute load inside. Sweetney is a power player who gets wide inside, shoots a lot of free throws and has good hands and a nice touch. Lefty point guard Kevin Braswell is an outstanding leader, defender and passer, but needs to improve upon his shooting percentages. Without Demetrious Hunter, sophomore Gerald Riley needs to raise his game by making shots and some of the younger players, like Drew Hall and Harvey Thomas need to contribute. If the Hoyas ever shoot it, look out.

18
Georgetown
LAST SEASON: 25-8
2001 FINAL RANKING
ESPN/USA Today: No. 17

Why No. 18?
The Hoyas slipped a bit with us because of Demetrius Hunter's transfer. They needed the experienced shooting guard to go next to Kevin Braswell. But don't think they'll slide too much. Mike Sweetney is still one of the top finishers in the country and the Hoyas are still long and lean inside. Georgetown will be tough to score against and has the confidence of getting to the Sweet 16. Expect them back in the NCAA Tournament and ready to make noise again.

Will Rise If ...
The Hoyas can get a breakthrough season out of Wesley Wilson. Michael Sweetney will be the focal point of the offense but Wilson needs to take pressure off him and also be even more of a defensive presence. He can and if he does then the Hoyas will have the inside depth that makes them tough to matchup against in the post. Gerald Riley or Drew Hall have to take up for Demetrius Hunter's scoring and athleticism on the wing.

Will Fall If ...
The Hoyas don't give Kevin Braswell help on the perimeter and they go through scoring droughts again. Georgetown's offense can disappear at times. The talent drops off a bit after last season, but the personnel are still in place to make another run in the NCAA Tournament. But the Hoyas need more production from role players after losing players like Hunter, Lee Scruggs, Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje, Nathaniel Burton and Anthony Perry.

-- Andy Katz, ESPN.com

SCOUTING REPORT: One Big East coach's take on the Hoyas

“

It's good to get them into an uptempo game. Kevin Braswell doesn't shoot the ball as well. They've got quickness but you've got to make them make shots. It's not a bad idea to zone them because they can't shoot. They're inside game is strong especially Michael Sweetney, but they need more help from the perimeter. They can rebound and have good shot blockers and quickness so they're tough to score on offensively." ”

2001-02 GEORGETOWN ROSTER
Player	Yr.	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Key 2000-01 Stats
(22) Tony Bethel	Fr.	G	6-2/175	May find PT at both backcourt positions
(12) Kevin Braswell	Sr.	G	6-2/190	PTS: 11.5 | AST: 6.1 | 3PT%: 30.2
(3) Omari Faulkner	So.	F	6-6/215	PTS: 1.2 | REB: 0.5 | FG%: 37.5
(2) Courtland Freeman	Jr.	F	6-9/222	PTS: 2.7 | REB: 3.2 | FG%: 35.7
(5) Drew Hall	Fr.	G	6-2/175	Best bet of freshman to pick up minutes left behind by Hunter
(20) Darrel Owens	Fr.	F/G	6-6/192	Versatile wing player who can handle the ball very well
(32) Gerald Riley	So.	F	6-6/205	PTS: 6.7 | REB: 2.8 | FG%: 35.7
(10) RaMell Ross	So.	G/F	6-4/185	PTS: 2.0 | REB: 1.3 | FG%: 31.6
(13) Victor Samnick	Jr.	F	6-8/208	PTS: 3.8 | REB: 3.4 | FG%: 40.5
(34) Mike Sweetney	So.	F	6-8/260	PTS: 12.8 | REB: 7.4 | FG%: 51.6
(15) Harvey Thomas	Fr.	F	6-8/220	Can play the four spot as a rebounder, as well as step out and shoot the trey
(50) Wesley Wilson	Jr.	C	6-11/235	PTS: 5.5 | REB: 3.3 | FG%: 48.2
Head Coach: Craig Esherick (52-33, 3 years) Assistant Coaches: Mike Riley, Ronny Thompson, Chip Simms Home Court: MCI Center (20,600); Washington, D.C.

2001-02 GEORGETOWN SCHEDULE

November 16: Marymount 19: Georgia (a) 21: Coastal Carolina 24: Towson (b) 26: Grambling 28: Bethune Cookman

December 6: at South Carolina 10: Morgan State 15: Norfolk State 17: Howard 20: Virginia (c) 29: at UCLA

January 2: Miami 5: at Rutgers 12: at BC 16: Seton Hall 19: Pittsburgh 21: at Notre Dame 26: at Pittsburgh 28: Syracuse

February 2: West Virginia 9: Notre Dame 12: at Seton Hall 16: at Villanova 19: Connecticut 24: at Syracuse 27: at West Virginia

March 2: Rutgers 6: Big East Tournament