2003–04 Georgetown Hoyas men's basketball team

American college basketball season March 2026 August 2023 Basketball 2003–04 Georgetown Hoyas Georgetown Hoyas logo.svg Big East Big East 13–15 4–12 Craig Esherick 6th Mike Riley 22nd Jaren Jackson 1st Chuck Driesell 1st Courtland Freeman Gerald Riley MCI Center The 2003–04 Georgetown Hoyas men's basketball team represented Georgetown University in the 2003–04 NCAA Division I college basketball season. The Hoyas were coached by Craig Esherick and played their home games at the MCI Center in Washington, DC. The Hoyas were members of the Big East Conference. They finished the season 13–15, 4–12 in Big East play. They lost to Boston College in the first round of the 2004 Big East men's basketball tournament and had no further postseason play. It was the first time since the 1973-74 season that Georgetown did not receive an invitation to either the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament or the National Invitation Tournament. Season Recap Senior forward and team co-captain Gerald Riley started all 28 games, completing his string of starting all 125 games of his collegiate career. With power forward Mike Sweetney having left the team over the offseason, choosing to forgo his senior year to enter the National Basketball Association draft, Riley became the teams offensive centerpiece, and he averaged 33 minutes a game for the year. He put in a strong performance early in the season as the team won its first ten games.http://www.hoyabasketball.com/features/top100/g_riley.htm The Georgetown Basketball History Project: The Top 100: 39. Gerald Riley 2014-04-26 2015-09-24 https://web.archive.org/web/20150924031516/http://www.hoyabasketball.com/features/top100/g_riley.htm dead Sophomore forward Brandon Bowman, meanwhile, also started all 28 games – as he would all 127 games of his collegiate career – and averaged 34 minutes per game. He scored in double figures 24 times and led the team in scoring 12 times. He also led the team in rebounding 20 times.http://www.hoyabasketball.com/features/top100/b_bowman.htm The Georgetown Basketball History Project: The Top 100: 27. Brandon Bowman 2014-04-26 2012-11-30 https://web.archive.org/web/20121130143247/http://www.hoyabasketball.com/features/top100/b_bowman.htm dead Sophomore guard Ashanti Cook became a starter this season, starting all 28 games, as he would every game for the rest of his collegiate career. He scored a season-high 18 points against Connecticut and his 106 assists for the year were twice as many as anyone else on the team. He shot 34.4 percent from the field and only 31.9 percent from three-point range, but averaged 9.2 points per game.http://www.hoyabasketball.com/features/top100/a_cook.htm The Georgetown Basketball History Project: The Top 100: 51. Ashanti Cook 2014-04-26 2015-09-24 https://web.archive.org/web/20150924031439/http://www.hoyabasketball.com/features/top100/a_cook.htm dead Junior forward Darrel Owens started the season strong, averaging in double figures in early games and scoring 20 points against Boston College. He also had ten or more rebounds in two games.http://www.hoyabasketball.com/features/top100/d_owens.htm The Georgetown Basketball History Project: The Top 100: 71. Darrel Owens 2014-04-26 2014-11-23 https://web.archive.org/web/20141123202719/http://www.hoyabasketball.com/features/top100/d_owens.htm dead The team opened the season 10–0, including a victory over Rutgers in the Big East opener, but it sorely missed the departed Sweetney and won only three more games as virtually the entire team slumped. Riley excelled in the two victories over Miami, scoring 35 points at Miami and then 37 points against the Hurricanes a week later at the MCI Center, the most points scored by a Georgetown forward in a single game since 1965. In the two Miami games combined, he shot 25-for-32 (78.1%) from the field and a perfect 16-for-16 from the free-throw line. Otherwise, however, his numbers went into decline as the teams fortunes fell. Owens also saw his performance drop; during Georgetowns season-ending nine-game losing streak, he never scored in double figures and averaged only 4.5 points per game. Among Hoya players, only Bowman did not slump. He led the team in rebounds in 15 of the last 17 games of the year. Though he also struggled at the onset of the nine-game losing streak, he shot 46 percent from the field during the final four games of the season compared to 31 percent for the rest of the team. The team averaged 52 points a game during its last four games, and Bowman was responsible for a third of them. Losing 14 of the final 17 games of the regular season, the team finished the regular season at 13–14 overall and 4–12 in the Big East – the worst conference record it ever had in the 34-season history of the original Big East Conference – and tied for 12th place. It went into the 2004 Big East tournament with an eight-game losing streak and lost in the first round to Boston College. The tournament loss extended the teams losing streak to nine games, tying the school record for the most games lost in a row set by the hapless 3-23 team of 1971–72. The teams 13–15 final record was the first losing record for a Georgetown team since the 1998–99 team went 15–16 and only the second since the 1972–73 team posted a 12–14 record. With no postseason play, Georgetown missed the NCAA tournament for the third year in a row and for the sixth time in seven years. Although the 2001–02 team had no postseason play after Esherick declined an invitation to the 2002 National Invitation Tournament (NIT), the 2003-04 team was the first Georgetown squad to receive no invitation to either the NCAA tournament or the NIT since 1973-74. Esherick fired Craig Esherick – a former Georgetown player who had served as a Hoyas assistant coach for 17½ seasons before succeeding John Thompson, Jr., as head coach in January 1999 – had posted a 103–74 (.582) record during his 5½ seasons as head coach.http://www.hoyabasketball.com/coaches/bb-coach.htm Then Georgetown Basketball History Project: Head Coaches 2013-11-23 https://web.archive.org/web/20170527235527/http://www.hoyabasketball.com/coaches/bb-coach.htm 2017-05-27 dead At the end of the 2002–2003 season, Georgetown had extended his contract through 2009.Esherick Is Out at Georgetown https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-mar-17-sp-bkcrep17-story.html Los Angeles Times 17 March 2004 He indicated to the press late in the 2003–2004 season that his position as head coach was secure, that he had a good recruiting class joining the team for the 2004–2005 season – it included future stars Jeff Green, Roy Hibbert, and Jonathan Wallace – and that they should "stay tuned," and Georgetown president John DeGioia gave him a public show of support around the same time. On March 5, 2004, Esherick said, "I ain't going anywhere – I may be here for another 30 years." However, after only one NCAA Tournament appearance during Esherick′s tenure, three consecutive seasons without an NCAA Tournament appearance, and a sub-.500 performance in 2003-04 that ended with the record-tying losing streak, DeGioia fired Esherick on March 16, 2004, just six days after the end of the season. Assistant coaches Mike Riley, Jaren Jackson, and Chuck Driesell also left the team at the end of the season, Riley after 22 seasons as an assistant coach at Georgetown and the other two after a single season of coaching the Hoyas.Then Georgetown Basketball History Project: Assistant Coaches Roster Sourcehttp://www.guhoyas.com/sports/m-baskbl/archive/052405aaa.html GUHOYAS.COM 2004-2005 Roster - Official Athletic Site Official Athletic Site - Men's Basketball 2013-11-16 2014-08-13 https://web.archive.org/web/20140813103311/http://www.guhoyas.com/sports/m-baskbl/archive/052405aaa.html dead #NameHeightWeight (lbs.)PositionClassHometownPrevious Team(s)0Ashanti Cook6'2"175GJr.Inglewood, CA, U.S.Westchester HS1Brandon Bowman6'8¾"213FJr.Santa Monica, CA, U.S.Westchester HS2Courtland Freeman6'9"227CSr.Myrtle Beach, SC, U.S.Socastee HS3Omari Faulkner6'6"205FSr.Memphis, TN, U.S.Hamilton HS4Kenny Izzo6'8"200F/CSo.Chicago, IL, U.S.Fenwick HS5Ray Reed6'0¾"163GSo.Inglewood, CA, U.S.Inglewood HS10RaMell Ross6'5¾"201FSr.Fairfax, VA, U.S.Lake Braddock Secondary14Matt Causey6'11½"171GSo.Gainesville, GA, U.S.Berkmar HS20Darrell Owens6'6"206F/GSr.Napoleonville, LA, U.S.Assumption HS32Gerald Riley6'6"217GSr.Milledgeville, GA, U.S.Baldwin HS40Ryan Beal6'5"194GJr.Coral Gables, FL, U.S.Ransom Everglades School44Amadou Kilkenny-Diaw6'8"220F/CJr.Washington, DC, U.S.St. Albans School52Sead Dizdarevic6'8"230FSo.Serbia and MontenegroNorth Highland HS Rankings 2003–04 NCAA Division I men's basketball rankings The team was not ranked in the Top 25 in either the AP Poll or the Coaches' Poll at any time and was never among other teams receiving votes in either poll.sports-reference.com 2003-04 Big East Conference Season Summary2004 NCAA Men's Basketball Rankings - USA Today Coaches Poll 2003–04 Schedule and results Sources2012-2013 Georgetown Men's Basketball Media Guide, p. 66. http://www.hoyabasketball.com/records/bb-2000s.htm The Georgetown Basketball History Project: 2000s Schedules 2013-11-16 https://web.archive.org/web/20131112045914/http://www.hoyabasketball.com/records/bb-2000s.htm 2013-11-12 dead http://www.guhoyas.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/030805aad.html guhoyas.com 2003-04 Men's Basketball Schedule 2013-11-16 2013-12-03 https://web.archive.org/web/20131203001138/http://www.guhoyas.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/030805aad.html dead espn.go.com Box Score: Grambling State at Georgetown, November 21, 2003basketball.realgm.com Box Score: Grambling State at Georgetown, November 21, 2003espn.go.com Box Score: Georgetown at Penn State, November 23, 2003basketball.realgm.com Box Score: Georgetown at Penn State, November 23, 2003espn.go.com Box Score: Coastal Carolina at Georgetown, November 25, 2003basketball.realgm.com Box Score: Coastal Carolina at Georgetown, November 25, 2003espn.go.com Box Score: Delaware State at Georgetown, November 29, 2003basketball.realgm.com Box Score: Delaware State at Georgetown, November 29, 2003espn.go.com Box Score: Norfolk State at Georgetown, December 3, 2003sports.yahoo.com Box Score: Norfolk State at Georgetown, December 3, 2003espn.go.com Box Score: Davidson at Georgetown, December 6, 2003basketball.realgm.com Box Score: Davidson at Georgetown, December 6, 2003espn.go.com Box Score: Elon at Georgetown, December 13, 2003basketball.realgm.com Box Score: Elon at Georgetown, December 13, 2003espn.go.com Box Score: Howard at Georgetown, December 20, 2003basketball.realgm.com Box Score: Howard at Georgetown, December 20, 2003espn.go.com Box Score: Georgetown at The Citadel, December 22, 2003sports.yahoo.com Box Score: Georgetown at The Citadel, December 22, 2003espn.go.com Box Score: Rutgers at Georgetown, January 3, 2004 fanbase.com Box Score: Rutgers at Georgetown, January 3, 2004 https://web.archive.org/web/20150611170720/http://www.fanbase.com/434567-2004-01-03/ 2015-06-11 espn.go.com Box Score: Boston College at Georgetown, January 6, 2004basketball.realgm.com Box Score: Georgetown at West Virginia, January 10, 2004espn.go.com Box Score: Georgetown at West Virginia, January 10, 2004basketball.realgm.com Box Score: Georgetown at West Virginia, January 10, 2004espn.go.com Box Score: Georgetown at Connecticut, January 14, 2004basketball.realgm.com Box Score: Georgetown at Connecticut, January 14, 2004espn.go.com Box Score: St. John's at Georgetown, January 20, 2004basketball.realgm.com Box Score: St. John's at Georgetown, January 20, 2004espn.go.com Box Score: Duke at Georgetown, January 24, 2004basketball.realgm.com Box Score: Duke at Georgetown, January 24, 2004espn.go.com Box Score: Georgetown at Providence, January 26, 2004basketball.realgm.com Box Score: Georgetown at Providence, January 26, 2004espn.go.com Box Score: Georgetown at Miami, January 31, 2004basketball.realgm.com Box Score: Georgetown at Miami, January 31, 2004espn.go.com Box Score: Villanova at Georgetown, February 5, 2004basketball.realgm.com Box Score: Villanova at Georgetown, February 5, 2004espn.go.com Box Score: Miami at Georgetown, February 7, 2004basketball.realgm.com Box Score: Miami at Georgetown, February 7, 2004espn.go.com Box Score: Georgetown at Virginia Tech, February 11, 2004basketball.realgm.com Box Score: Georgetown at Virginia Tech, February 11, 2004espn.go.com Box Score: Georgetown at Temple, February 14, 2004basketball.realgm.com Box Score: Georgetown at Temple, February 14, 2004espn.go.com Box Score: Georgetown at St. John's, February 18, 2004basketball.realgm.com Box Score: Georgetown at St. John's, February 18, 2004espn.go.com Box Score: Syracuse at Georgetown, February 21, 2004basketball.realgm.com Box Score: Syracuse at Georgetown, February 21, 2004espn.go.com Box Score: Pittsburgh at Georgetown, February 24, 2004basketball.realgm.com Box Score: Pittsburgh at Georgetown, February 24, 2004espn.go.com Box Score: Georgetown at Seton Hall, February 28, 2004basketball.realgm.com Box Score: Georgetown at Seton Hall, February 28, 2004espn.go.com Box Score: Georgetown at Notre Dame, March 4, 2004basketball.realgm.com Box Score: Georgetown at Notre Dame, March 4, 2004espn.go.com Box Score: Virginia Tech at Georgetown, March 6, 2004basketball.realgm.com Box Score: Virginia Tech at Georgetown, March 6, 2004espn.go.com Box Score: Georgetown vs. Boston College, March 10, 2004basketball.realgm.com Box Score: Georgetown vs. Boston College, March 10, 2004 All times are Eastern yes |- !colspan=9 style="background:#002147; color:#8D817B;"| Preseason Sat., Nov. 1, 2003 2:00pmhttp://www.guhoyas.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/102803aaa.html guhoyas.com "Hoyas Host Israeli All Stars in Exhibition," October 28, 2003. November 18, 2013 June 10, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150610220719/http://www.guhoyas.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/102803aaa.html dead yes Israeli All-Stars McDonough Gymnasium Washington, DC 101–64 exhibition N/A |- !colspan=9 style="background:#002147; color:#8D817B;"| Regular season Fri., Nov. 21, 2003 7:30 p.m. yes Grambling State MCI Center Washington, DC 83–36 1–0 5,437 Sun., Nov. 23, 2003 3:00pm yes yes Penn State Bryce Jordan Center University Park, PA 79–78 2–0 8,874 Tue., Nov. 25, 2003 7:30pm yes Coastal Carolina MCI Center Washington, DC 81–68 3–0 4,189 Sat., Nov. 29, 2003 1:00pm yes Delaware State MCI Center Washington, DC 63–54 4–0 5,003 Wed., Dec. 3, 2003 7:30pm yes Norfolk State MCI Center Washington, DC 76–53 5–0 4,314 Sat., Dec. 6, 2003 8:00pm yes Davidson MCI Center Washington, DC 71–53 6–0 5,657 Sat., Dec. 13, 2003 12:00 noon yes Elon MCI Center Washington, DC 91–70 7–0 5,683 Sat., Dec. 20, 2003 1:00pm yes Howard MCI Center Washington, DC 89–58 8–0 4,412 Mon., Dec. 22, 2003 7:00pm yes yes The Citadel McAlister Field House Charleston, SC 85–62 9–0 2,431 Sat., Jan. 3, 2004 2:00pm Rutgers MCI Center Washington, DC 63–57 10–0 (1–0) 8,194 Tue., Jan. 6, 2004 7:30pm Boston College MCI Center Washington, DC 64–72 10–1 (1–1) 7,735 Sat., Jan. 10, 2004 12:00 noon yes West Virginia WVU Coliseum Morgantown, WV 58–62 10–2 (1–2) 6,071 Wed., Jan. 14, 2004 7:30pm yes Connecticut 1 Harry A. Gampel Pavilion Storrs, CT Rivalry 70–94 10–3 (1–3) 10,167 Tue., Jan. 20, 2004 7:30pm St. John's MCI Center Washington, DC 71–69 11–3 (2–3) 7,203 Sat., Jan. 24, 2004 2:00pm yes Duke 1 MCI Center Washington, DC 66–85 11–4 20,193 Mon., Jan. 26, 2004 7:30pm yes Providence Dunkin Donuts Center Providence, RI 50–65 11–5 (2–4) 10,397 Sat., Jan. 31, 2004 7:30pm yes Miami (FL) Convocation Center Coral Gables, FL 87–80 OT 12−5 (3–4) 5,193 Thu., Feb. 5, 2004 7:30pm Villanova MCI Center Washington, DC 60–75 12–6 (3–5) 7,738 Sat., Feb. 7, 2004 7:00pm Miami (FL) MCI Center Washington, DC 80–64 13–6 (4–5) 10,581 Wed., Feb. 11, 2004 7:00pm yes Virginia Tech Cassell Coliseum Blacksburg, VA 65–80 13–7 (4–6) 6,746 Sat., Feb. 14, 2004 2:00pm yes yes Temple Liacouras Center Philadelphia, PA 53–59 13–8 6,795 Wed., Feb. 18, 2004 7:30pm yes St. John's Madison Square Garden New York, NY 58–65 13–9 (4–7) 6,192 Sat., Feb. 21, 2004 12:00 noon Syracuse MCI Center Washington, DC Rivalry 54–57 13–10 (4–8) 15,389 Tue., Feb. 24, 2004 7:30pm Pittsburgh 3 MCI Center Washington, DC 58–68 13–11 (4–9) 11,876 Sat., Feb. 28, 2004 7:00pm yes Seton Hall Continental Airlines Arena East Rutherford, NJ 48–75 13–12 (4–10) 11,302 Thu., Mar. 4, 2004 7:00pm yes Notre Dame Edmund P. Joyce Center Notre Dame, IN 48–61 13–13 (4–11) 11,418 Sat., Mar. 6, 2004 12:00 noon Virginia Tech MCI Center Washington, DC 55–60 13–14 (4–12) 11,286 |- !colspan=9 style="background:#002147; color:#8D817B;"| Big East tournament Wed., Mar. 10, 2004 2:00pm yes 12 Boston College 5 Madison Square Garden New York, NY First Round 57–68 13–15 19,173 Awards and honors Big East Conference honors Postseason honors Georgetown Hoyas Honors Player Position Date awarded Ref. All-Big East Second Team Gerald Riley G Players https://www.hoyabasketball.com/players/bb-east.htm guhoyas.com Georgetown Basketball History Project March 14, 2025 References 2 Category:Georgetown Hoyas men's basketball seasons Georgetown Hoyas Georgetown Hoyas men's basketball team Georgetown Hoyas men's basketball team