Wright back on Friday to face USC or VCU
Most of the Georgetown players began to clap and smile as they learned who they would face in their 2011 NCAA tournament opener on Friday in Chicago.
But not seniors Austin Freeman and Chris Wright, who both maintained a poker face.
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Why? They already knew.
Moments after the NCAA tournament selection show began Sunday evening in front of large crowd at Leo O’Donovan Hall, Wright said he was “sweating bullets,” so he texted Hoyas coach John Thompson III.
“We was too anxious,” Freeman said. “We couldn’t take it anymore, so we just had to find out, and we asked coach.”
What Freeman and Wright found out is that the Hoyas (21-10) will have an integral role in this year’s expansion of the tournament to 68 teams. They will face the winner of one of two inaugural play-in games between at-large schools USC (19-14) and Virginia Commonwealth (23-11), who will vie for a No. 11 seed Wednesday in Dayton, Ohio.
Having played 17 different teams that earned berths in the tournament during the year, including seven during their nonconference schedule, the Hoyas did not get penalized too much for losing five of their final six contests, earning one of three No. 6 seeds given to Big East teams.
“Our preseason schedule coupled with going through the rigors of the Big East,” Thompson said in response to Georgetown’s seed. “I think [a record] 11 teams in the tournament speaks for itself on how difficult this conference is.”
The return of Wright, who was medically cleared to come back Friday after breaking his left hand Feb. 23, also gave a much-needed boost to the Hoyas’ seeding and spirit.
“When I’m going to be out there Friday, I’m not going to be favoring anything,” Wright said. “I’m just going to go out there and play like I always have. I’m a tough guy, so if something happens, you won’t notice it.”
