1997-98 – Record: 9-4 (Conference: 5-4)
Senior Class: Boubacar Aw, Jahidi White

This was Georgetown’s inaugural season in the building known at the time as the MCI Center. A season-ending injury to Center Jahidi White turned a marginal team into a below average one. Boubacar Aw did an excellent job of trying to carry the team on his back, but he didn’t have enough support. Throughout the season Georgetown really struggled offensively, especially on the road, but they did a decent job of defending their home court. As the disappointing season was coming to an end, the Hoyas found a slight silver lining by annihilating Notre Dame on Senior Day. The 20-Point win was a fitting end to Aw’s home career, and that scoreline remains the Hoyas biggest rout ever against the Fighting Irish.

The Good: Early in the Big East season, the Hoyas hosted Providence. Georgetown was going for the final shot with the score tied. Shernard Long made a baseline move and put up an shot that spun around the rim about 15 full rotations before settling into the net and giving the Hoyas the dramatic 58-56 win. As Rich Chvotkin said on the air, “IT WENT AROUND AND AROUND AND AROUND AND AROUND AND BEAT THE BUZZER!” It was first last-second win for the Hoyas in their new home.

The Bad: Villanova spoiled opening night at MCI Center with the 73-69 victory. To be sure, it seems as though whoever scheduled Villanova as the first opponent must not have been thinking clearly. Since that game, the Hoyas have been unable to break the Wildcat curse; Villanova has never lost to the Hoyas at the Verizon center. Georgetown is 0-6 vs. Villanova, including back-to-back three point defeats in 2001 and 2002.

The Ugly: Syracuse’s first trip to the MCI Center was one the Hoyas would like to forget. Georgetown never got off the ground in that game, as the Orangemen cruised to an 18-point win in a nationally televised game.

 
Ten Years in Ten Days:
1997-98 | 1998-99 | 1999-00 | 2000-01 | 2001-02 | 2002-03 | 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07