:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/38916792/20140312_ads_sn3_179.0.jpg)
The 2013-14 campaign was a disappointing one for the Georgetown Hoyas. Having been to the NCAA Tournament numerous times under John Thompson III, and a consistent threat in the Big East Conference, Georgetown finished eighth out of 10 teams, and failed to make it to the NCAA Tournament after its equally disappointing exit the prior year. The likes of Josh Smith and Jabril Trawick were ruled academically ineligible and injured respectively, and the play of Markel Starks and D`Vauntes Smith-Rivera could not get the job done.
The Hoyas won't be smoothly sailing through the 2014-15 season. Many teams in the conference have gotten better, namely the Seton Hall Pirates, and Providence, Xavier, and defending regular season champion Villanova are all locked and loaded, looking at the same goals as those on The Hilltop.
The good thing for Georgetown is that they will be able to get a shot in at the other nine representatives of the conference. Twice at that. So let's take a look at what lies ahead for the Hoyas:
| at Xavier Musketeers | Dec. 31, 2014 | 10 p.m. ET | FOX Sports 1 |
| vs. Creighton Bluejays | Jan. 3, 2015 | 4:30 p.m. ET | FOX Sports 1 |
| vs. Marquette Golden Eagles | Jan. 6, 2015 | 7 p.m. ET | FOX Sports 1 |
| at Providence Friars | Jan. 10, 2015 | Noon ET | FOX Sports 1 |
| at DePaul Blue Demons | Jan. 13, 2015 | 9 p.m. ET | FOX Sports 1 |
| vs. Butler Bulldogs | Jan. 17, 2015 | 5 p.m. ET | FOX Sports 1 |
| vs. Villanova Wildcats | Jan. 19, 2015 | 9 p.m. ET | FOX Sports 1 |
| at Marquette Golden Eagles | Jan. 24, 2015 | 2:30 p.m. ET | FOX Sports 1 |
| vs. Xavier Musketeers | Jan. 27, 2015 | 7 p.m. ET | FOX Sports 1 |
| at Creighton Bluejays | Jan. 31, 2015 | TBA | CBS Sports Network |
| vs. Providence Friars | Feb. 4, 2015 | 9 p.m. ET | CBS Sports Network |
| at Villanova Wildcats | Feb. 7, 2015 | 2 p.m. ET | FOX |
| at Seton Hall Pirates | Feb. 10, 2015 | 7 p.m. ET | FOX Sports 1 |
| vs. St. John's Red Storm | Feb. 17, 2015 | 7 p.m. ET | FOX Sports 1 |
| vs. DePaul Blue Demons | Feb. 21, 2015 | 8 p.m. ET | CBS Sports Network |
| at St. John's Red Storm | Feb. 28, 2015 | Noon ET | CBS |
| at Butler Bulldogs | Mar. 3, 2015 | 7 p.m. ET | FOX Sports 1 |
| vs. Seton Hall Pirates | Mar. 7, 2015 | Noon ET | FOX Sports 1 |
Georgetown and Villanova are two of the few remaining flag bearers from the old Big East Conference, and it's always a treat to see these two schools pitted against each other. It goes without saying that last year's contests went sour for the Hoyas, and this year, the Wildcats are the prohibitive favorite to win the Big East for what would be the second straight year. They still have the likes of JayVaughn Pinkston, Ryan Arcidiacono, Josh Hart, Daniel Ochefu and many more, alongside a stout recruiting class. With the Hoyas expected to bounce back this year, expect both matchups to be stellar, and for the Hoyas' sake, they will take at least one of them.
Another important matchup for Georgetown this year will be against the DePaul Blue Demons. DePaul pulled off a stunner in the Big East Tournament when they defeated the Hoyas in the first round, which was arguably the lowest point of the entire season. Georgetown must beat the Blue Demons to remove those memories, and on paper, they more than likely should. They will get their first crack at them on January 13, and then not till February 21.
Seton Hall could challenge Georgetown this season, but the Hoyas have enough talent to stack up with what their opponents will have. Isaiah Whitehead will the lead way with the freshmen for the Pirates, as one of the biggest recruits that they have had in quite some time. Efficiency will be key in these contests for both of these sides, and the Hoyas will be out for revenge as they fell to Seton Hall twice a year ago.
Providence, who won the Big East Conference Tournament for the first time in 20 years, will be a team Georgetown has to worry about, even though they lost their do-it-all scoring machine in Bryce Cotton. Their first meeting will be on January 10 at the Dunkin Donuts Center, and will not meet again until the month of February.