We’re four games into the season, and if you’ve been following along, you know the vibes have been…cautiously optimistic? Dare I say, downright positive? Before we get ahead of ourselves, though, let’s dive into what the numbers are actually telling us about this Georgetown squad. Are we right to be this hyped? Spoiler alert: Yes…Probably.
Major hat tip to our own Jake Foote (@Footah) for pulling these numbers and insights together
The Big Picture: When It Works, It Really Works
Let’s start with the most important takeaway from the early data: when Vince Iwuchukwu or Julius Halaifonua have been on the floor, this has been an extremely good basketball team. We’re talking top-tier efficiency, solid defense, and the kind of cohesion that makes you wonder if maybe, just maybe, this season could be different.
The advanced metrics don’t lie. When the bigs are out there anchoring things, Georgetown looks like a legitimate Big East contender. That’s not hyperbole – that’s what the numbers say.
This obviously underscores how brutal the Vince news is for the team, certainly, but let’s start with how awful it is for Vince, who really looked like he was starting to figure it out. Vince’s story, for those who don’t know the details, is worth reading. He has displayed remarkable courage and perseverance just to get to this point, and he deserves the success he has been achieving. While the news that he will be out for at least a month (probably two) is just plain bad, we have no reason to believe that this is anything more than what was announced – a necessary but relatively minor (given the recovery time) procedure that he will be back from before the end of the year.
— Georgetown Hoops (@GeorgetownHoops) November 18, 2025
In his absence, Julius is going to shoulder the bulk of the responsibility. His ability to remain on the court is beyond critical. It’s vital! The numbers are encouraging – if he can stay on the floor, he has been really effective. Behind him, the Hoyas will need to platoon a bit and try to get something out of reserve bigs Seal and Fort (it’s big hunk of Gouda time!), and have some success going small with Caleb, IA and DHS in the frontcourt.
The Backcourt Is Elite. Yes, Elite.
Malik Mack and KJ Lewis have formed an extremely high-level backcourt. Full stop. We can debate whether they’re the best duo in the Big East (they’re certainly in the conversation), but what’s not up for debate is that these two are absolutely cooking right now.
KJ Lewis Is Making THE Jump
Remember how Micah Peavy made a massive leap last season once he got more freedom and an expanded role? KJ is doing the exact same thing, and the numbers are striking:
- True Shooting Percentage: Up 8%
- Free Throw Rate: Up 18%
- Rebound Rate: Up 2%
- Steal Rate: Up 2%
- Usage Rate: Up 4%
- Turnover Rate: Down 8%
That last one is particularly noteworthy. KJ’s turnover rate has dropped from 17% to just 8%. That’s not a minor improvement – that’s a fundamental shift in how he’s playing the game. He’s being more aggressive, more efficient, and more careful with the ball all at the same time. That’s the mark of a player who’s figured something out.
With a 6.34 MIYA BPR (my personal favorite catch-all metric), KJ is playing at an All-Big East level. At 19 points per game on 50/33 splits with improved rebounding and playmaking? That’s the type of season that gets you on All-Conference teams.
Malik Mack: The Prince that was promised
When I say Malik has made the necessary jump, I mean it. This isn’t the same player we watched last year, and both the eye test and the numbers confirm it.
The Eye Test: He’s bigger, more athletic, playing in control and at his own pace. He’s not forcing things. He’s not getting sped up. He looks like a guy who spent the offseason getting right, both physically and mentally.
The Numbers:
- True Shooting Percentage: Up
- Free Throw Rate: Up
- Assist Rate: Up (3.5 APG, which is solid for a scoring guard)
- Rebound Rate: Up (4.0 RPG)
- Turnover Rate: Down to 12% from 16%
That turnover improvement is huge. Malik is taking care of the ball while remaining aggressive and creating opportunities for himself and others. At 14.8 points per game with a 4.41 MIYA BPR, he’s exactly what this team needs him to be: a complementary scorer who can get his own shot but doesn’t force it.
Together, Mack and KJ are averaging nearly 34 points per game. That’s your backcourt production right there.
Caleb Williams: Star in His Role
Can we talk about how perfect Caleb has been in his role? Because that’s what he’s been: perfect.
At 10.5 points per game on 50/33 shooting splits with a 2.55 MIYA BPR, Caleb is doing exactly what a complementary forward should do. He’s knocking down open threes (33.3% is respectable, especially if he can bump that toward 35-36%). He’s rebounding (4.8 RPG). He’s defending multiple positions with his length and athleticism.
And here’s the kicker: one turnover in 110 minutes played. One. That’s not a typo. That’s the kind of discipline and decision-making that wins games in March. Caleb knows his role, plays within it, and executes it effectively. In a world where everyone wants to be the man, there’s something beautiful about a player who embraces being a critical piece without needing to dominate the ball.
The Discipline Factor: Cooley’s Fingerprints Are All Over This
Let’s zoom out for a second and look at the turnover numbers across the board:
- Mack: 12% turnover rate (down from 16%)
- KJ: 8% turnover rate (down from 17%)
- Caleb: 1 turnover in 110 minutes
- Vince: 2 turnovers in 85 minutes
- Julius: 0 turnovers in 52 minutes
- Isaiah Abraham: 1 turnover in 63 minutes
This is not an accident. This is the reflection of a coach who is nailing preparation and rotations. Ed Cooley’s emphasis on taking care of the basketball, playing smart, and executing within the system is showing up in every single rotation.
We’ve all seen talented Georgetown teams over the years that played loose with the ball and made careless mistakes. This is not that team. This team is disciplined, prepared, and – dare I say it – really well-coached. What a concept!
The Fifth Man Competition
While the top four of Mack, KJ, Caleb, and whichever big is out there seem pretty set, there’s still a battle brewing for that fifth spot and additional minutes. Jeremiah Williams, Isaiah Abraham, and DeShawn Harris-Smith are all vying for playing time, and the good news is they all seem to fit Georgetown’s identity.
- Jeremiah Williams: 3.8 PPG, 1.79 MIYA BPR, 33.3% from three. The shooting is there, and the veteran presence is valuable.
- Isaiah Abraham: 4.3 PPG, 1.76 MIYA BPR, 12.5% from three (small sample size). The athleticism and defensive versatility are intriguing.
- DeShawn Harris-Smith: 6.3 PPG, 1.68 MIYA BPR. Energy guy off the bench who can give you spurts.
All three bring something different, and all three can contribute. The question is who steps up and takes those minutes when it matters most. That competition will only make the team better.
The Bottom Line
Four games are a small sample size. We all know that. But the trends here are undeniable, and they should have Georgetown fans feeling pretty good about where this team is headed.
The bigs, both bigs, are anchoring a legit defensive unit. The backcourt is playing at an elite level. The role players know their roles and are executing them effectively. The turnover discipline is outstanding. And the coaching? Yeah, Cooley is doing his thing.
Are there things to monitor? Of course. Can Vince and Julius stay healthy and effective? Will the shooting percentages hold up over the course of Big East play? Can this team maintain its discipline as competition intensifies?
But for now, after four games, the numbers tell a story Georgetown fans need to hear: this team is good. And if they continue to trend in this direction, they might be more than good.
How are you feeling about the Hoyas after the first four games? Drop your takes in the comments.
Thanks for the analysis Gideon and Jake. I have to differ with you on Jeremiah and his shooting. You state the shooting is there but he is shooting 28% from the field so far. With KJ and Malik drawing most of the defensive attention at guard, JW needs to be a bigger scoring option for us and he has not been. LL and KM are also both struggling so until Gabriel is on board we need more O from JW. Thanks!
Thanks for the read, guys. Only 4 games in but this has just been REFRESHING. All of it. Starting back with the exhibitions. Fire right out of the gate and continued on. Cooley mentioned the head start the group has thanks to GLOBL JAM. Brownell said the same in his presser. GO HOYAS!