Porter Jr. helps put Georgetown on top of Big East Standings
As the Big East Schedule heads to its last two weeks, the Georgetown Hoyas are perched atop the standings. The Hoyas lead Syracuse, Louisville and Marquette all by one game in the race for Big East regular season title.
Georgetown’s great play this season and their current ranking as the No. 11 team in the nation is thanks in great part to Otto Porter Jr., who might be the country’s most underrated college basketball player.
Coaches, teams and NCAA fans are talking about the Hoyas, as Georgetown has reeled off nine straight wins, including a victory against Syracuse over the weekend that broke the 38 game winning streak of the Orange on their home floor.
Georgetown currently is 21-4 on the season and 11-3 in the Big East Conference. Porter, the team’s versatile forward has been the driving force in the teams move up the ladder in the Big East.
The sophomore, who is 6-foot-8, is now being mentioned for Player of the Year in just his second season with the team. Porter has helped lead the Hoyas to their best regular season in five years. He was started inconsistent in the beginning of the season, but as soon as the Big East schedule came around, Porter started to show his great skills.
As a freshmen last season Porter impressed with a scoring average of 10 points per game, while averaging over 7 rebounds.
Since the start of this season, Porter has become the Hoyas’ go to guy on offense. He currently is the team’s leading scorer with a per game average of 15.3. He also leads the Hoyas in rebounds, steals, three-point shooting and is second on the team in blocked shots.
The most impressive part of Porter’s play this season is how well he has played against Big East opponents. Porter has a scoring average of 18.3 points over the past 12 games played by the Hoyas and during that span, the Hoyas are 11-1. During the season, Porter has six double-doubles including one against conference rival Louisville when he scored 17 points and pulled down 12 rebounds.
No one in the conference is shocked by Porter’s play, as he was chosen to the Big East First Team in the preseason, but his consistency over the past 15 games has been nothing but spectacular.
Porters is 11th in Big East scoring this season, third in rebounding, ninth in field goal shooting, seventh in steals and 15th in blocked shots.
Porter’s coach John Thompson said Porter is very reliable and will give his 100% every night. Thompson said some players are not there every day, but Porter is. He said Porter comes to play and play hard day in and day out.
Last week, Porter was given credit for his fine play as he was named the conference player of the week.
As the Big East regular season approaches its end, players and coaches will be looking to the NCAA tournament and the Hoyas and Porter will be looking to make an impact during March Madness.
