Who says Hoya guards dont get love

October 13, 2015 - There's a common school of thought out there, one that suggests Georgetown's guards get no love, no recognition, no 'shine' so to speak. Somebody forgot to share that with a major preseason award's braintrust.

Said President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame, John L. Doleva, "The athletes on this list represent the most dedicated and skillful point guards in college basketball", a group that displays "many of the characteristics that made Mr. Cousy, such a successful player and we are pleased to be recognizing them for their accomplishments".

That would be this year's watch list for the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award, a group of 20 Division I players that standout at the lead, point or one guard position. Cousy starred at Holy Cross, winning a national 'chip in 1947, also being tabbed first team All-American in '50. His pro exploits include 13 NBA All-Star awards and half a dozen championships (five straight between '59-'63). Cousy was one of the greatest Boston Celtics ever.

The G'Town guy included in this prodigious group named after a NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team member? Senior D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera.

His inclusion makes sense based on last year's personal achievements for the Indianapolis, IN native; in 2014-14 Smith-Rivera or 'DSR' as he's been dubbed paced the Hoyas in scoring at 16.3 points each contest and dimes (3.2), fourth and 10th in the BIG EAST, respectively. League-wide Smith-Rivera was the second best free throw shooter (86.1%), sank 2.3 three balls a game (fifth), drilling 38.7% of them (ninth). DSR was also one of the league's iron men, playing the 6th most minutes at 34.4 per contest, while owning an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.9, slotting him fifth in the conference.

Returning to a Hoya stat focus, DSR tallied 1.6 swipes per game - leading the Hoyas in steals - dropped 20 points or more nine times, tops amongst the team, and pulled down 4.2 rebounds each contest (3rd on the squad). In the annals of Blue and Grey ball, after last year Smith-Rivera now stands 18th all time in scoring with 1,386 points, and is the 45th Hoya Destoya to notch a thousand points.

Smith Rivera and the other 19 hopefuls will get a better picture of this year's Cousy winner in 2016, as the group will stand at 10 by the middle of February. Cousy himself and the Hall of Fame's Collection committee consider the final five in March. The winner will be announced early April.

G'Town's regular season schedule pits five Cousy Award watch list guys against Smith-Rivera, including Melo Trimble of Maryland (11.17.15), Bronson Koenig and Wisconsin (11.20.15), Providence's Kris Dunn on (1.30.16, 2.13.16) along with a pair of Villanova Wildcats, Ryan Arcidiacono and Jalen Brunson, who the Hoyas battle 1.16.16 and 3.5.16.

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