Down the Line: Radio show will analyze rise, fall of Georgetown basketball

Hampton Roads greats Allen Iverson and Alonzo Mourning played in Boo Williams’ AAU program and then helped Georgetown remain one of the nation’s most prominent college basketball powers.

Iverson, from Bethel High, and Mourning, from Indian River, thrived under the tutelage of a literal and figurative giant coaching figure, John Thompson Jr., before starring in the NBA.

Big John guided the Hoyas to 596 victories and 20 NCAA Tournaments in 26 1/2 seasons. That included the national title in 1984 and runner-up finishes in ‘82 and ‘85. The common thread of those three teams, long before the world heard of Iverson and Mourning, was center Patrick Ewing.

Now, though, it seems Ewing is on the way out as the Hoyas’ head coach. Since stunningly winning the 2021 Big East Tournament in Madison Square Garden, where Ewing starred for the New York Knicks, his Hoyas came into Saturday’s action with an unfathomable 1-34 conference record. Capital One Arena echoes amid all the empty seats during defeat after defeat.

What to do?

Longtime Hampton Roads broadcaster Greg Bicouvaris and his guest, Georgetown alum Paul Fuqua, will discuss the Hoyas’ rise and fall during a “Sports Scene” special show that will air at 9 a.m. Saturday on Fox Sports 1310AM and 100.9FM. The show already is available on YouTube.

Fuqua, a realtor who lives in Chesapeake and was an American University assistant coach and high school coach, will discuss one of college basketball’s greatest quandaries. Without Ewing’s towering presence, Georgetown never would have gained as much prominence. But with him as coach, it seems like the Hoyas will never return to prominence.

Mets invite Wright: David Wright is coming back to the New York Mets ... well, just for a couple of days.

According to the New York Post, the Hickory High legend and Virginia Sports Hall of Famer will be at Mets spring training March 1 and 2 in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

Wright is among notable former Mets who will appear at certain points during the camp. Some of the others are Edgardo Alfonzo, Darryl Strawberry, Mookie Wilson, Howard Johnson, John Franco and Al Leiter, according to manager Buck Showalter.

Does anyone not like David Wright? I’ve gone to one Mets game; it was in 2006, Wright’s prime as a third baseman, against Cincinnati during a group outing connected with a tournament I was playing at the next-door Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, the home of the U.S. Open. I swear I saw as many fans wearing Wright jerseys as those of every other Met, past or present, combined.

What’s coming up

Tuesday: William & Mary’s baseball team, off to a promising start, meets George Mason at 3 p.m. at Plumeri Park. ... Speaking of W&M, one of its more famous sports graduates will be on Christopher Newport’s campus as coach Curtis Pride’s Gallaudet baseball team meets the Captains at 2 p.m. Pride, 54, was a starting point guard for the Tribe in basketball and is one of the few deaf MLB players in history. He played 11 major league seasons with six franchises, including the Red Sox, Yankees and Braves.

Wednesday: Two of Division III’s best softball teams collide in a 1:30 p.m. doubleheader when Salisbury is at Virginia Wesleyan. ... Old Dominion’s prolific baseball offense will try to shine again against a revenge-minded W&M team at 3 p.m. at Bud Metheny Stadium. Then at 6 p.m., the Monarchs’ women’s lacrosse team will play host to Longwood. ... Also in women’s lacrosse, the Tribe plays host to VCU at 5. ... In men’s lacrosse, potential national title contender CNU welcomes Randolph-Macon to Jennings Family Stadium at 4 p.m.

Friday: West Virginia’s baseball team plays at William & Mary at 3 p.m. ... Pirate-Spartan Classic softball continues with games on the fields of Hampton and Norfolk State, beginning with NSU facing Delaware at 10 a.m.