Georgetown has yet to optimize its rotation during its non-conference slate, but that mission is at least moving in the right direction ahead of Saturday’s home game against St. Francis (Pa.) in Washington, D.C.
The Hoyas entered the season with plenty of questions as to who would play where and when under second-year coach Ed Cooley. Georgetown retained just two starters and welcomed 14 new players after last year’s 9-23 finish.
Jayden Epps predictably has been solid so far his second season with the Hoyas, averaging 15.3 points per game, but two newcomers have provided Cooley some much-needed stability early on.
Freshman forward Thomas Sorber logged two double-doubles in his first four games and leads Georgetown (3-1) in both scoring (17.8 points per game) and rebounding (9.5). TCU transfer guard Micah Peavy averages 12 points and is shooting 48.7 percent from the field.
The duo combined for 26 points, 16 boards and nine assists in Wednesday’s 79-51 home win over Mount St. Mary’s.
The blowout also let Cooley substitute players who need more experience ahead of the Hoyas’ Big East opener against Creighton on Dec. 18. All four reserves who checked in logged at least 14 minutes.
“We purposely wanted to cut our rotation a little bit to get a little bit more chemistry and synergy, and I thought our young guys did a really good job,” Cooley said.
Saturday could bring more opportunities for Georgetown’s inexperienced players to get valuable minutes.
The Red Flash (2-4) have dropped four of their five road games this season, including a 66-58 setback to Mount St. Mary’s last Saturday. Each of St. Francis’ other three road losses have come by at least 26 points.
“We are good about digging ourselves into holes, especially on the road,” Red Flash coach Rob Kimmel said. “I told the guys to leave the shovels behind as we prepare for Georgetown.”
St. Francis put the shovels to good use during Wednesday’s home opener, burying Division III Penn State-Schuylkill 96-57 to snap a two-game skid. Jeremy Clayville hit 6 of 10 3-pointers off the bench and had a team-leading 21 points, while fellow reserves Miles Webb and Chris Moncrief scored 17 points apiece.
