Georgetown Basketball

As you gather around this holiday season, reflecting back on what you're thankful for this year, Otto Porter should come to mind rather quickly for Georgetown fans.

If he keeps playing at anywhere near the level he did against UCLA and Indiana, Porter isn't only leaving Georgetown after his sophomore year; he's going to be drafted higher than any Hoya since Jeff Green was the No. 5 overall pick in the 2007 draft.

To say he dominated the Legends Classic would be an understatement. I've watched a vast majority of Georgetown games since 2005 and can't remember a time where a player put up as complete of a stat line as Porter did against UCLA.

He finished with 18 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, a career-high five blocks, three steals and two three-point field goals in 35 minutes against the No. 11-ranked Bruins, asserting his will on both ends of the court.

He opened each half with a basket and only got better from there. Twice in the second half, as UCLA threatened to cut into Georgetown's seven- or eight-point lead, Porter drained three-point shots, extending the Hoyas' lead to double digits each time.

"Otto's first full game and look at the stat sheet. That was a full game," Hoyas coach John Thompson III said after the game, according to the Associated Press.

Porter struggled in the first half against No. 1 Indiana the next night, only scoring three points on 1-6 shooting in the first 20 minutes of the game.

Whatever JTIII said to Porter during halftime worked like a charm, though, as he finished the game with 15 points, five rebounds, four assists, three three-point field goals, two steals and two blocks.

Porter bailed out the Hoyas time and time again in the second half against the No. 1 team in the nation, picking apart Indiana's 2-3 zone by splashing jumpers from the free-throw line.

He scored the Hoyas' last five points in regulation, stepping behind a Nate Lubick screen to nail a three-pointer with 30 seconds left, then forced his way to the basket for a difficult off-balance shot to tie the game with 4.6 seconds remaining.

Georgetown couldn't keep up with Indiana in the overtime period as foul trouble finally caught up to the team, but the Hoyas' performance at the Barclays Center all but guaranteed their berth into the Top 25 post-Thanksgiving.

Porter is the engine that makes those soon-to-be-ranked Hoyas go.

He's the most natural inheritor to the "Jeff Green" role in Georgetown's offense since Green himself.

DaJuan Summers, Hollis Thompson and even Greg Monroe were all miscast in that role during their Georgetown careers, but none of those players were the do-it-all point forward that Green was back in his Hoya days.

In fact, while it's too early to say this with any sort of long-term confidence: Porter might be better than Green in terms of being able to make an impact across the box score.

Over Green's three-year Georgetown career, he averaged 13.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.2 blocks and .9 steals per game, shooting 48.7 percent from the field and 35.8 percent from three-point range.

Porter has some work to do if he hopes to catch Green's career averages, especially if he decides to declare for the NBA draft at the end of the 2012-13 season. That's not to say he can't make an equal impact, though.

Porter's last-second shot against Indiana likely conjured the memory of Green's last-second shot against Vanderbilt in the 2007 Sweet 16, a shot Vandy fans are still likely to say Green traveled while taking.

It's the type of shot that most players have absolutely no business hitting, but when it does go down, it can absolutely demoralize an opponent.

That's what Porter brings to Georgetown this year, and that's what makes Georgetown so potentially dangerous.

Indiana bounced back on Tuesday, but Porter and the Hoyas proved that they're a force to be reckoned with in 2012-13. They're going to be competitive in every game they play this season if their play at the Legends Classic is any indication, and Porter will be a large reason why.

When you've got a player who can make his impact felt everywhere on the court, why wouldn't he and his teammates believe they can take down anyone?

Enjoy Porter this year, Hoya fans. Barring a catastrophic injury or other act of God, he's going to declare for the NBA draft after the 2012-13 season.

There's no reason to hold a grudge against him for that. He's proven that he's ready and able to take on the best players in the country.

Instead, just enjoy the ride for his remaining time at Georgetown, and pray that the experience gained in November at the Legends Classic only helps the Hoyas in February and March.

Georgetown's storied tradition of great big men begins with Patrick Ewing. Nerlens Noel could be the next in line, if he commits to the Hoyas this evening.

Noel is a star from Tilton High School in New Hampshire and considered to be one of the top three players in the country.

The 6'11" big man weighs 215 pounds, has a wing span of 7'3" and a standing reach of 9'1.5". In other words, he's real tall and thin.

As of now, he hasn't committed to any school. He apparently has limited his choices to three top programs: Georgetown, Kentucky and Syracuse.

It's a special time all around for Noel, as he also turned 18 yesterday. All three schools are hoping he gives them the gift of his presence—on his birthday.

Noel's presence would make either program contenders, but his game screams Georgetown.

The Hoyas-centric site casualhoya.com, is already fantasizing about adding Noel to the Hoyas big man fraternity. Behold, Mount Flushmore:

Like Dikembe Mutombo, Alonzo Mourning and Ewing before him, Noel is a classic rebounder/shot blocker first. He will likely develop his offensive game later, but his defensive prowess and length is what has grabbed the attention of college coaches.

We saw last year what a fantastic, defensive minded, freshman center could accomplish when Anthony Davis led the Wildcats to a national championship.

Noel could have a similar impact on a program this season.

Noel recently released a statement via Twitter, claiming that he would shock the world with his decision. Unless he elects to go to Troy, I'm not sure how choosing the Hoyas, Wildcat or Orange would shock anyone.

The prospects of the bluegrass state and the defending champions may be great; as is the lure to play in Jim Boeheim's match-up zone.

But for Noel, the Hoyas' big-man fraternity is something special, and he'd look great in Georgetown's colors.

Today is selection day for several top high school basketball stars. ESPNU's Signing Day Special will start at 7:30 p.m. ET and bring the announcements live, including the decision of Nerlens Noel and the other top recruit, Shabazz Muhammad.

While the Syracuse Orange and Kentucky Wildcats are still in the mix, look for him to name the Georgetown Hoyas as his brief NCAA stomping grounds. His announcement is scheduled for 8:45.

The Kentucky Wildcats have been the odds-on favorite to land Noel. They have reached two consecutive Final Fours, and won the championship game this season. 

Head coach John Calipari has shown an ability and willingness to sign and win with one-and-done players. In fact, his 2012 championship team featured three freshmen and two sophomores, most of which will be heading to the NBA. 

However, the Hoyas and head coach John Thompson III have something else to offer Noel. They, along with Syracuse, play in the Big East and will offer Noel better exposure against top basketball talent. 

More important, Thompson has established a name for himself on the backs of his big men. He helped launch the NBA careers of Roy Hibbert and Greg Monroe, and it is hard to ignore the mystique that still surrounds the program.

Patrick Ewing started the line of big men in the mid-1980s, leading them to a national title in 1984. Dikembe Mutombo followed, but was not able to lead them past the Elite Eight.

The Hoyas have continued to be a competitor in the Big East, but NCAA Tournament success hasn’t followed. They last made the Final Four in 2007 and bowed out in the first round this season to No. 11 seed North Carolina State.

However, the Hoyas have virtually no option but to improve with Noel in their lineup. They have the talent to get back to the tournament, and the addition of shooting guard D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera and power forward Brandon Bolden will help refill the roster.

Guard Jason Clark is one of the two departing seniors. The other is Center Henry Sims, leaving a ready-made hole for Noel.

Instead of being one of the gang at Kentucky, look for Noel to make a name for himself by bringing the magic back to Georgetown.

With 6'10" center prospect Nerlens Noel expected to announce his college choice at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, there is plenty of speculation with regard to where he might end up.

According to Rivals.com, his final three choices are Kentucky, Syracuse and Georgetown, and while Georgetown may seem like the underdog in this case, it is the right landing spot for Noel.

Noel is considered to be the No. 1 or No. 2 prospect in this recruiting class by essentially every outlet, so regardless of where he goes, he's going to play a big role immediately.

It is well-documented how much success Kentucky has had with freshmen under John Calipari, and Syracuse just heavily utilized Fab Melo at center last season. But if Noel truly wants to develop, then Georgetown makes the most sense.

When you think of centers in the collegiate game, it's difficult not to think of the Hoyas.

Going back to the 1980s and 1990s, Georgetown produced the likes of Patrick Ewing, Alonzo Mourning and Dikembe Mutombo. While that may not seem pertinent to the present day, the Hoyas continue to churn out quality NBA centers like Roy Hibbert and Greg Monroe.

Under legendary coach John Thompson and his son, current head coach John Thompson III, the Hoyas have always gotten the most out of their centers. All signs seem to point to Noel declaring for the NBA draft after one collegiate season, and although that would rob him of a chance to develop properly under Thompson, he can learn a lot in just one season.

There is no question that Noel would be under the spotlight much more at Kentucky and probably even Syracuse, but Georgetown seems to be a much better fit.

There isn't much question that he would be the main man at Georgetown, whereas he would have to share the spotlight at both Kentucky and Syracuse with other elite recruits and returning players.

For whatever reason, Georgetown doesn't seem to have the same mystique that it once did, but it is still a top-notch program in the competitive Big East conference. Because of Kentucky's incredible run of success over the past couple of years, it is viewed as the ideal landing spot, but Noel is likely to get more out of going to Georgetown.

Perhaps the Hoyas won't contend for the national championship like Kentucky or Syracuse might, but all three of those teams are fairly barren right now, so wherever Noel goes, he'll be charged with being one of the main guys.

Despite that, Kentucky and Syracuse are expected to be contenders, so if he takes them deep, then it wouldn't have the same effect as if he brought Georgetown back to prominence.

We can pretend that Noel intends to stay in school beyond his freshman year, but if he lives up to the hype, then he could very well be the No. 1 overall pick next season.

With that in mind, Noel's main goal in terms of his college choice would have to be getting prepared for the NBA as quickly as possible. There is no doubt that Calipari has proven that he can do that, but Thompson knows how to refine and harness talent at the center position.

Right now Noel has a lot of raw talent, but if he wants to be NBA ready, then he needs to go to Georgetown and allow Thompson to work his magic.

When Nerlens Noel reclassified from 2013 into the recruiting class of 2012, he immediately became the top-rated prospect in the country according to both ESPN and Scout.com. The 6’10” center is set to make his college selection tomorrow from a list that’s been whittled down to three candidates: Georgetown, Kentucky and Syracuse.

With the paint still wet on Kentucky’s national championship, it’s hard not to see the Wildcats (behind master recruiter John Calipari) as favorites for Noel's services. Should Noel pick Georgetown instead, though—and it’s a distinct possibility—he’d give John Thompson III his best chance yet to raise the Hoya program back to the heights attained by the coach’s legendary father.

The first John Thompson era at Georgetown was, of course, built on world-class centers such as Alonzo Mourning and national champion Patrick Ewing. Noel may not be a full seven-footer, but he has the potential to blossom into a big man at that level of dominance (depending on how long he stays on campus).

The mere fact that Georgetown is among Noel’s finalists also suggests that he’s interested in being more than just a physical specimen who can overpower opponents with his size and athleticism. JTIII’s variant on the Princeton offense demands passing, teamwork and decision-making from its centers, and if Noel is willing to put that kind of work in, he’ll be a special player indeed.

The Hoyas couldn’t have asked for a better time to grab a top-tier pivot because their last mammoth center (6’10”, 245-pound Henry Sims) is graduating without a clear heir-apparent. The 6’10”, 205-pound Noel isn’t quite as bulky at this stage, but that will come with time, and he certainly has the mobility and defensive acumen to start from day one.

Lastly, adding Noel would turn what’s already a very good Hoya recruiting class into a sensational one. Brandon Bolden, another 6’10” center, will help with depth in the post, but the prize of Georgetown’s current signees is D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera, a slick-passing combo guard from Oak Hill Academy, the same high school that produced Brandon Jennings and Rajon Rondo.

Smith-Rivera outside and Noel inside would give Thompson III a foundation that would (arguably) be even better than the pairing of Jonathan Wallace and Roy Hibbert that carried the coach’s only Final Four team to date.

If Noel does join the Hoyas, they’d become instant Big East favorites with a real chance to challenge for the program’s first post-Ewing national title.

Noel Nerlens still has no clue where he’ll be playing his collegiate basketball in 2012, but I have a suggestion: pick Georgetown.

With the Hoyas, Syracuse Orange and Kentucky Wildcats all still alive for his services when he makes his official decision on April 11th, there is no doubt Georgetown is the best fit.

Syracuse is in the midst of multiple NCAA scandals that could lead to sanctions during his tenure at the Carrier Dome. That’s not something Nerlens wants to deal with.

That leaves two storied programs with great coaches, passionate fanbases and a long history of winning.

So why is Georgetown, a team that got bounced in the first round yet again, a better fit than the national champs?

Blame Anthony Davis.

The freshman sensation ruined it for Nerlens once he won National Player of the Year as a freshman, in addition to being the Most Outstanding Player at the Final Four en route to cutting down the nets.

The bar has been set for Nerlens, and anything short of a title will be considered a disappointment. The expectations are far too great for an 18-year-old to handle. The second-guessing and overreaction to poor play would be far too great for a freshman trying to learn the game.

The pressure is off at Georgetown.

John Thompson III, a coach known for his ability to improve skilled big men, can run the entire Hoyas offense though Nerlens. The Hoyas have a long history of producing dominant big men, and Nerlens would be given the opportunity to display all of his talents on a Georgetown team that is in desperate need of a 6’10" forward with the talents of Nerlens.

He can be the savior for a team that has struggled mightily in the tournament recently. An Elite Eight appearance at Georgetown is a much bigger deal than at Kentucky. Wildcat fans expect it at this point.

When you factor in all of the talent departing Kentucky and the question marks hanging over John Calipari and the NBA, it’s a much safer bet to choose a school that will treat you like royalty, give you everything you want and provide you with the most touches and best opportunity to succeed. With the Big East projected to be wide-open, Nerlens can be the guy that leads the Hoyas to a top seed in the NCAA tournament.

If Nerlens wants to get the most out of his college experience (aka get drafted No. 1 in the NBA draft) with a shot at winning a title in a low-pressure environment, Georgetown should be the school he utters on Wednesday night.  

Follow Eric Ball on Twitter.

If you're Nerlens Noel, the No. 1 high school prospect in the class of 2012 according to Scout.com, and you have your pick of scholarship offers from the top programs in college basketball, then, really, there is no "wrong" choice.

Especially when your final list of destinations consists of Georgetown, Syracuse and Kentucky. All three programs boast decorated records of success on the national level, along with top-notch coaches who've prepared more than their fair share of stars for NBA success.

Which, for the big kid from Massachusetts with the flat-top fade, comes first and foremost.

At Georgetown, Noel would have the opportunity to be next in a long line of great big men to rock with the Hoyas, joining the likes of Patrick Ewing, Alonzo Mourning, Dikembe Mutombo, Roy Hibbert and Greg Monroe, the latter two of whom are currently shining in the NBA after developing under the tutelage of John Thompson III.

JT3 may not be the "sexiest" name in college coaching, but the guy is certainly no slouch, especially after guiding a depleted Hoyas squad to a fourth-place finish in the Big East this season, and he would likely work wonders with a star like Noel at his disposal.

Not that Jim Boeheim would let Noel's considerable talents go to waste at Syracuse. The Orange may well have hoisted the NCAA Tournament title on Monday night had star center Fab Melo not been ruled academically ineligible prior to the start of March Madness. After all, the 'Cuse claimed the top spot in the Big East during the regular season, spent significant time at No. 1 in both polls and nearly cracked the Final Four even without their big man in the middle.

Plug Noel into the middle, and the Orange would find themselves right back in the national title hunt.

Of course, Boeheim won't necessarily be left high and dry if Noel opts to go elsewhere, not with another five-star center (the 6'9", 275-pound DaJuan Coleman) already committed to the 'Cuse.

And, surely, John Calipari wouldn't mind picking up Noel if the Big East proves to be a little too close to home for him. He could certainly use another superstar in the middle after likely losing All-Everything big man Anthony Davis to the NBA Draft.

That is, if Cal is keen to defend his and Kentucky's national championship.

Noel is no Davis clone (who is?), but he's not all that far off. Like Davis, Noel is a long, athletic shot-blocker with a surprisingly deft passing touch and a unique 'do who still has some work to do in the weight room. Noel isn't quite as well-versed at scoring the ball as Davis is, but he wouldn't have to be at UK, not alongside fellow five-stars Alex Poythress and Archie Goodwin (not to mention potential returnees Marquis Teague and Doron Lamb).

With the Wildcats, Noel would have the opportunity to compete for an NCAA title while putting himself in position to be the fourth out of six No. 1 picks in the NBA Draft to have been tutored by Calipari.

So, really, whichever way you slice it, Noel's got some excellent options on the table, the sort of options that should put him in fine position to strike it rich in 2013.

Follow @J0shMart1n.