Georgetown Highlights from Big East Media Day
With two weeks to go until the season, the Big East gathered at MSG to preview the upcoming season.
Big East Media Day took place on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden. Georgetown, who was picked to finish 8th in the Big East Preseason Coaches Poll, sent Jayden Epps, Dontrez Styles, Drew Fielder, and Jay Heath to the event, along with Ed Cooley, to represent the program.
Here are the highlights from that day, along with notable quotes from Coach Cooley and the players.
Photo Highlights
Notable Quotables
Ed Cooley with John Fanta & Co.
“I’m excited by the challenge. The challenge of building, of going somewhere different. I lived in New England for 53 years. Change was in the air for our life, for something different.”
“I have a lot of experience of rebuilding, re-establishing, re-engaging, and I’m excited about this opportunity.”
“There are so many storylines right now in the Big East…When you start thinking about all the storylines that will play out, it’s going to be one of the most exciting years in the last decade— if not the last two decades— in the Big East.”
“We’re going to count on Jayden [Epps]. He’s dynamic. We’re looking for him to develop with his leadership, his vocal leadership. I think he’s a tough person. He’s got another level in him. Drew Fielder is just scratching the surface. I think he’ll be a household name when it’s all said and done. Dontrez Styles is really coming along. I think we’ve got some pieces, but it’s going to take us some time to know one another, on the court and off the court.”
“Supreme Cook is really improving…He’ll surprise some people.”
Ed Cooley with the Field of 68
“I understand the bitterness and anger and everything that comes with change. And it should be. Maybe I would be in that boat if I was [Providence fans].”
“People make a big deal. It’s college sports. It’s sports in general. Everyone has their feelings. But I’m going to walk in there and say this is something we built together. So it is what it is.”
“I’m not apologizing for taking care of my life. End of discussion. No matter what people think, or what the narrative may be, or ‘Why, why, why?’ The why is change. Exclamation point.”
“I think you grow a fanbase with your students. We got to get our students to the game. And what comes first? Do you win first and then people come? I think it’s a combination. Give us a chance, watch us grow together. Between support, donations, season ticket sales, marketing, what comes first? I think we have a history of being program builders. Builders of men, builders of culture, and then we win. It’s just a matter of time.”
“I could give two shits about legacy. I’m not here for legacy. I’m here to win, I’m here to graduate young people, and I’m here to make change. That’s what I’m here for. Anything beyond that is gravy.”
“If I’m disliked there [at Providence], it tells me I did a hell of a job.”
Ed Cooley on Media Row
“We got a long way to go, but if I’m betting on anybody, I’m betting on me.”
“I’ve said this before: I think [Rick Pitino’s] the greatest college coach in the history of the sport. He’s a resurrector, he’s a mover, he’s a shaker, incredible coach. I think he brings a lot of credibility to an already well-established league.”
“Little by little, it’s not going to happen overnight. But little by little, the Hoyas are gonna be climbing the ranks.”
[On rebuilding at Georgetown vs. at Providence] “A little bit different because we’re in a major market without many professional sports. I wasn’t raised there, so I’m kind of a fish out of water. It’ll be a challenge but it’ll be an exciting challenge, and that’s what I’m excited about.”
“I do know not having football in our conference has helped the Big East, because we don’t have to succumb to the giant of football and the overall capacity of it. We’re able to sell basketball-centric as a league, as coaches.”
Ed Cooley with ABC6 (Providence)
[On his return to Providence] “I’ll anticipate all. I’ll anticipate people’s appreciation, I’ll feel people’s anger, their discontent. I’ll feel it all, but that’s OK. Change is in the air, and change is good for everybody.”
[Any regrets on how you departed Providence?] “There’s never a good way to say bye to something you love, is it? Regrets? Zero. I think when we all look back, we should appreciate where we’re at, where we’re going. To ask the question of regret, there’s no regrets in life. Are there things you wish could be different? Of course. But what is that, and whose definition is that?”
Jay Heath via WakeUpCallDT
“[Coach Cooley’s] been great. It’s like a breath of fresh air.”
“I think this season is going to be exciting. We have a lot of players who want to prove something.”
“Coach Cooley definitely started a big rivalry in the Big East [in leaving Providence for GU]. When we go there, it’s going to be pretty crazy. I heard it’s sold out already. I heard they were chanting something crazy about Coach at their Midnight Madness. So it’s going to be fun. Obviously we’re going in there to win. But it’s definitely going to be exciting. The crowd is going to be crazy and we’re looking forward to it.”
“This group, I would definitely say we are connected and together, and that’s going to show on the court.”
Jayden Epps with Paul Fritschner
“I’ve always wanted to play for [Coach Cooley]. I was recently committed to him at Providence, so coming to play for him at Georgetown is a dream come true for me.”
“Coach Cooley, I love him and what he stands for. We’ve built a great relationship. He’s been recruiting me since the beginning of my high school career, so we built a great relationship. I built a relationship with him that I’ve never built with another head coach, so that’s why I’ve always wanted to play for him.”
“All summer we’ve been working hard on coming together, because we all come from different teams…I feel like it’s going to be an exciting year for us.”
Just 13 days ti tipoff -- great to get this and feel the excitement. Thanks!