Having won just a pair of BIG EAST games over nearly two seasons and 37 tries, the last game of this campaign wouldn't have settled the disarray HC Pat Ewing and staff face, nor would it have secured the coach's job - per sources it's widely believed on The Hilltop changes will be made.
Yet beating Creighton would have been positive reinforcement for a program desperately in need of some. Additionally a victory could better prepare these Hoyas for the upcoming BIG EAST Tournament.
It didn't happen. In fact the opposite occurred. As G'Town seemed to quit early, this contest was never close.
Yes, close.
CU's Ryan Kalkbrenner (16 points) started the onslaught 37 seconds after tip-off dunking the ball, with CU never stopping. Around halfway through the period the Blue Jays led 29-7, with a high mark of 49-17 being earned with two minutes and two seconds before halftime.
After entering intermission up 51-24, the Blue Jays continued boat racing G'Town, first going up 40 points at the 15:03 mark. That advantage ballooned to 43, and CU's lead always stayed above 30.
Final score? An embarrassing 99-59 mark.
"It was a disappointing effort" correctly noted Ewing afterward. In his mind "That was just an old fashioned butt kicking".
Team numbers reinforce the carnage:
One Hoya starter, sophomore guard Primo Spears, made double figure scoring with 21 points, while reserve, graduate forward Bryson Muzone, managed 13 points.
Conversely, Doug McDermot's Blue Jay bunch saw all five starters score more than 10 points; A game best 25 points from sophomore guard Ryan Nembhard, senior forward Baylor Scheierman's 23 points, plus 22 points apiece from sophomore guard Trey Alexander and sophomore wing Arthur Kaluma. Don't forget Kalkbrenner's 16 point contribution.
Boarding leader comparison stands as senior Hoya center Qudus Wahab's eight rebounds, vs. Scheierman's s game best 13.
Ewing placed the cross hairs for this performance, personally, saying ""Me as the head of the program, i have to take the responsibility. I didn't get my guys ready to perform. I have to come up with a better game plan".
Next up for Creighton is DePaul, in Chicago, Saturday, a 9p EST start. McDermott's bunch stands 19-11, 13-6 and ?? in the BIG EAST. In current national polls have the 'Jays are situated as high as 23rd nationally.
Georgetown, 7-24/2-18/11th or last in the BIG EAST, has concluded their regular season slate, off until the BIG EAST Tournament. Surging Villanova awaits them next Wednesday at NYC's Madison Square Garden. Tip-off happens at 8p EST.
It could be Ewing et al's last ride of not only 2022-23, but likely this program iteration's last time together. If G'Town loses, that will be 2-39 in BIg EAST competition this past two seasons.
