The 2007-08 season ended in disappointment for the Hoyas, who fell in the second round of the NCAA Tournament to No. 10 seeded Davidson. So far, the offseason isn't going much better for the program.

Georgetown lost Roy Hibbert, Patrick Ewing Jr. and Jonathan Wallace to graduation, as expected. It also got the unpleasant surprises of transfers from Vernon Macklin and Jeremiah Rivers, and lost one of its top recruits when Chris Braswell failed to arrive as scheduled, reportedly because of academic issues.

The Macklin transfer was particularly puzzling, since the departure of Hibbert and Ewing seemed to finally create the opportunity he needed to start. But it's likely that he looked at the team's incoming class that includes 6-11 Henry Sims and 6-10 Greg Monroe and saw the writing on the wall. Both freshman are talented enough to contribute right away, though their roles will be more critical than coach John Thompson III would prefer.

This was the situation Thompson faced when he got to Georgetown, however, and it worked out fine. Jeff Green, along with Wallace and Hibbert, looked comfortable on the court early in their tenure on the Hilltop, and helped the Hoyas move forward faster than expected.

And unlike back then, Thompson still has some returning talent to work with. Point guatd Jessie Sapp is experienced, and the senior has been as steady as they come. He'll be joined in the backcourt by Chris Wright, who saw much of his potential lost to injuries as a freshman, and Austin Freeman. DaJuan Summers also returns to lead the frontcout.

It will be a time of transition at Georgetown, and for once the Hoyas won't be the trendy preseason pick to win the Big East. But the Hoyas will still have enough in the tank to make a big impact on college basketball in 2008-09 if this incoming class develops quickly.

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