STF Super Awesome Team Previews: #5 Georgetown Hoyas

Team: Georgetown Hoyas

Conference: Big East

Last Season Recap: 30-7 (13-3) The Hoyas might have beat Ohio State and gone to the championship game if Roy Hibbert could have stayed out of foul trouble. This team took care of business after losing to Old Dominion at home in November, losing a few tough road games, but winning the rest. Had a great run to the Final Four.

Key Players Returning: Hibbert. The 7'2" Center returns for one last shot at the title. Jeff Green was the only starter to leave, taking his game to the NBA's Celtics. Patrick Ewing, Jr. is not nearly as good (nor as big) as his father, but he might earn some more playing time following that development.

What's to Love: Well, for starters, I love saying "Hibbert" in the voice of Ernie from Sesame Street. But, beyond that, there's just something bad-ass as all get out about this team. They reflect their coach well, and don't seem to have problems with sharing the ball, which is key to a championship run.

What's Not to Love: Jeff Green left for the NBA. That second scorer void must be filled, and point guard Jonathan Wallace's 11.4ppg is as close as the Hoyas can get right now. Louisville is willing and able to spoil the ride for Georgetown.

Key Player: 6'8" Forward DaJuan Summers was a bit of an enigma last season, sometimes scoring in double figures, sometimes as low as two. He earned his playing time last season, but this year the Sophomore needs to become more consistent. If he can become Hibbert's reliable buddy in the frontcourt, this team can go right back to the promised land.

Best Case: The team learns how to play well with or without Hibbert, and Hibbert makes that a moot point by staying in tough games. Summers gets steady, and a couple of dynamite freshmen make their mark, and the Hoyas go to that elusive championship game.

Worst Case: Nobody can fill Jeff Green's slippery shoes. No third scorer emerges to take the pressure off of Hibbert and Wallace. The Hoyas are out in the second round.

STF Prediction: The baseline expectation for the Hoyas would seem to be a return to the Sweet 16, at least. But I don't think you'd find too many basketball fans who would balk at putting them in the Final Four today. Big expectations have a way of tripping some teams up in the NCAAs (but we'll talk about my Jayhawks tomorrow), but JT3 and Hibbert with the gang are enough for another Final Four.