Georgetown legend turned head coach Patrick Ewing was not satisfied with his team’s performance against Marquette on Friday night. The Hoyas lost 92-64 at home in their first Big East Conference game.
This was Georgetown’s first contest in nearly a month after its last four games were postponed or canceled due to COVID-19 issues within the team. The Hoyas (6-6, 0-1 Big East) last played on December 18, losing to TCU 80-73. The extended layoff did not appear to help them Friday as they shot 29.9 percent from the field.
Ewing didn’t hold back and expressed his disappointment with the team during his post-game press conference. He made his feelings known about the team’s mistakes before leaving the session. Reporters who were present said he “stormed out” from the press room.
“We don’t compete,” Ewing said, via Georgetown men’s basketball website. “Every effort we needed to put in, we didn’t. If we want to be successful in the Big East, we have to compete every night.”
Ewing is 68-65 with Georgetown since he was named head coach before the 2017-18 season. As a player, he helped lead the Hoyas to the 1984 NCAA Tournament championship and two other title games. He was selected No. 1 overall by the Knicks in the 1985 NBA Draft.
Ewing played for the late John Thompson in Georgetown. Thompson led the Hoyas to three Final Fours and a national championship over 27 seasons. The Hall of Fame coach died in August 2020. Ewing referenced Thompson in his responses on Friday.
“As a player who helped build this program, I am disappointed in the performance of my team,” Ewing said. “This is not what Georgetown basketball is about. Big John is rolling in his grave for the performance we show tonight.”
Patrick Ewing is Pissed off. He said the team didn’t compete enough.
“Big John is rolling in his grave”
He said everyone is on notice.
Then he stood up and walked out of his media session.– Kareem Copeland (@kareemcopeland) January 8, 2022
Georgetown’s troubles this season come a year after Ewing led the Hoyas to the Big East Tournament championship game and the NCAA Tournament. They lost in the NCAA first round to Colorado.
This year’s team will look to match their conference record in their next game, on Thursday, January 13, when they face Butler.