Jan. 26, 2006
Leading up to the Men's Basketball Alumni Events slated for this weekend, guhoyas.com will be providing readers with a look back into Hoya History.
1980's
1980 marked the beginning of the BIG EAST Conference and the Hoyas calling the Capital Centre "home." But one of the biggest moments of 1980 came during February of 1980 when the Hoyas helped to close Syracuse's Manley Field House. Despite shooting only 21 percent from the field in the opening half and trailing 30-16 at intermission, the Hoyas rallied to defeat No. 2 Syracuse, 52-50 in the final game at Manley. Led by the inside play of Craig "Big Sky" Shelton, and Ed "Postman" Spriggs as well as the clutch free throws of Eric "Sleepy" Flloyd, Georgetown ended the nation's longest Division I home court winning streak at 57. At the end of the game, Coach Thompson declared, "Manley Field House is officially closed."
That same year the Hoyas went on to tie for the BIG EAST regular-season crown and win the first BIG EAST Tournament behind the efforts of Craig Shelton, who was named the tournament MVP. The Hoyas advanced to the regional finals of the NCAA Tournament.
1982 would follow suit as Georgetown won their second BIG EAST Tournament title and advanced to the championship game of the NCAA Tournament which pitted Coach Thompson against his friend Dean Smith. The Hoyas held a 32-31 edge at the half, in spite of Patrick Ewing being whistled for five goaltending calls in the opening minutes. With just 16 seconds remaining in the game, North Carolina's freshman guard, Michael Jordan, swished a 16-foot jumper to provide the title game's final points as the Tar Heels edged the Hoyas, 63-62.
In 1984, Georgetown posted a 34-3 overall record, en route to its second BIG EAST regular-season title, third BIG EAST Tournament win, and the NCAA National Championship. Patrick Ewing and Houston's Hakeem Olajuwon, the nation's two most celebrated centers, faced off against each other for the national title. Five Hoyas scored in double figures, leading Georgetown to the 84-75 victory and the pinnacle of college basketball.
The 1980's were filled with classic games, including the famous "Sweater Game" vs. St. John's in New York City. Earlier in the 1985 season, Georgetown had been upset by Chris Mullen and the Redmen at US Air Arena, 65-66, costing the Hoyas their top position in the national polls. With Coach Thompson wearing a replica of Lou Carnesecca's "lucky sweater", the No. 2 Hoyas beat the No. 1 Redmen, 85-69.
That same year, Georgetown won a fourth BIG EAST Tournament, defeated St. John's for the third time in the NCAA Final Four, and advanced to the national championship game vs. Villanova.
The trophies, awards, and championships that defined Georgetown basketball during the 1980's would continue to be evidence of success in the 1990's.
1990's
In 1990, Alonzo Mourning and Dikembe Mutombo were named BIG EAST Co-Defensive Players of the Year. Two years later, Mourning would be the BIG EAST's Player of the Year as the Hoyas earned their fifth BIG EAST regular-season crown and advance to the NIT Championship game. Coach Thompson was named BIG EAST Coach of the Year.
GU players would garner more BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year honors, as Allen Iverson earned the distinction, along with BIG EAST Rookie of the Year, in 1995. Iverson would help lead the Hoyas to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen that year. Another BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year award for Iverson came in 1996, as well as a sixth regular-season title and a trip to the Elite Eight.
In 1997, the Hoyas moved into MCI Center and captured a seventh BIG EAST regular-season crown.
Read about the 1960's and 1970's here.
Read about the 1940's and 1950's here.
Don't forget to come out the Hoyas' game on Saturday at MCI Center to thank all the Hoya alumni for making the program what it is today.
For more on the Hoyas vs. Cincinnati, click here.
