We’ve already discussed the importance of starting Big East play with a “W”, and now it’s time to delve into some specifics. Here are our five favorite Georgetown Big East Regular Season Opening games.

#5 – 2007: Georgetown vs Notre Dame

Georgetown 66 – Notre Dame 48

There was a lot riding on the game last season – Notre Dame came into Verizon center with a lot of hype, as is often the case, and the Hoyas were an unknown commodity after three early losses. Georgetown quickly showed that they were poised for greatness with a completely dominating performance, highlighted by a fast break one-handed alley-oop slam from Jeff Green. The play was so energizing that even Green let out a rare primal yell, sending the Hoya fans into chaos. The final score was much closer than the game itself.

#4 – 2003: Georgetown vs West Virginia

Georgetown 84 – West Virginia 82 (OT)

Mike Sweetney’s final Big East season at Georgetown began in a huge way. Sweetney scored 35 points and grabbed 19 rebounds to go along with 5 blocks, 4 assists, and 3 steals. The Hoyas trailed by 5 with 1:05 to play, but they scored and made a steal to set up the final play. A desperation double pump 3-pointer in the corner from Tony Bethel tied the score in the final seconds and the Hoyas prevailed in overtime.

#3 – 2005: Georgetown @ Pittsburgh

Georgetown 67 – Pittsburgh 64

This was the Big East opener for JTIII. The Hoyas hadn’t looked very good during the early portion of the season, having to go into overtime to defeat Norfolk State just a week earlier, but they were definitely ready for Pitt. The Hoyas started the game 9-12 from 3-point range and led by as many as 19. Pittsburgh made a run in the second half and had the ball with a chance to win, but the Hoyas made a final defensive stand to seal the win. Ashanti Cook had a career-high 23 points to lead all scorers.

#2 – 1996: Georgetown @ West Virginia

Georgetown 86 – West Virginia 83 (OT)

Allen Iverson and company were one of the top teams in the country, and the Mountaineers were hungry for a memorable upset in their first Big East game ever. West Virginia led for most of the game and Georgetown failed to match the intensity and effort of the Mountaineers. Coach Thompson decided to bench his starters late in the game with the game seemingly out of reach. The reserves, led by Jahidi White, managed a frantic comeback to cut the lead to 2, and then the starters returned. Iverson made a spinning floater in the paint to tie the score in the final seconds and force overtime. Iverson and Victor Page each scored 22 points for the Hoyas.

#1 – 1982: Georgetown @ St John’s

Georgetown 72 – St. John’s 42

It’s amazing how much Patrick Ewing’s career was shaped in Madison Square Garden. The arena where Ewing would establish himself as an NBA Legend was also the place for his major coming out party in his freshman year at Georgetown. In the 28 years of the Big East Conference, there has never been another performance to rival this one. Georgetown demolished St. John’s from the start and actually led the game 41-9 at halftime. The game in some ways set the tone for the Georgetown-St. John’s rivalry of the 1980’s, and definitely was the start of the Hoyas remarkable success at Madison Square Garden.