Hibbert's Progress Has Been Subtle

Roy Hibbert understood from the start that this season, his fourth and final one at Georgetown, was going to be different than any other. After bypassing the NBA draft, the 7-foot-2 center realized that he was going to face raised expectations and increased pressure.

"I knew coming back that this year was going to be a lot harder," said Hibbert, a preseason all-American. "With Jeff [Green] gone, things were going to be a lot tougher [on the court] for myself, because Jeff opened up a lot of things for us last year. I'm trying to do whatever I can to make sure my team wins."

The 12th-ranked Hoyas are part of a four-team pack at the top of the Big East standings, with two weeks remaining in the regular season. Georgetown (21-4, 11-3) plays three of its final four games at Verizon Center, where it has an 18-game winning streak; it hosts Cincinnati (13-12, 8-5) today.

Hibbert had one of the best games of his career the last time the Bearcats came to Washington, scoring 26 points on 11-of-13 shooting and grabbing 11 rebounds in January 2007. That is the kind of dominant performance that many hoped to see from Hibbert on a regular basis this season.

Overall, Hibbert's statistics are roughly the same as last season. He is averaging a team-high 13.3 points per game (up from 12.9 as a junior) and 6.7 rebounds (6.9 as a junior). His shooting percentages, both from the floor (60.3 percent, down from 67.1 as a junior) and the foul line (62.6 percent, down from 68.6 percent), have dropped.

But Hibbert never expected to put up the same kind of numbers as, say, Notre Dame sophomore Luke Harangody (20.5 points and 10.4 rebounds per game). He points out that as dominant as Green, the Big East player of the year, was last season, he averaged 14.3 points.

"I'm the guy that people look at when they think Georgetown. But I rely on my teammates," Hibbert said. "Even last year, people weren't averaging spectacular numbers. . . . It's just the way our offense runs. You're not going to have a Tyler Hansbrough putting up 28. It's the way our team runs. I think I do other things besides score."

Indeed, Hibbert is a very good passer. He already has 50 assists, the most he has had in a season and which put him third on the team behind guards Jessie Sapp (85) and Jonathan Wallace (62). When the Hoyas talk about the importance of getting Hibbert more touches, they don't necessarily mean more shots. They want to get the ball to Hibbert so he can make a decision, to either go to the basket or find an open teammate.

"I can't just go and chuck up every shot that I can," said Hibbert, who averages 8.5 field goal attempts per game. "I try to make sure it's the appropriate time to score and pass the ball. I try to do what Jon does. He does a really good job and knows when he's open and knows when to penetrate and pass. Jeff did a great job of that last year, so I'm going to try to mimic what those guys did and come into my own."

Hibbert focused on two areas that he wanted to improve on this season: leadership and defense. He likes to watch old Georgetown games, and remembers seeing one in which Alonzo Mourning -- his favorite Hoya -- dominated Miami with his shot-blocking ability. He knows he is not there yet, but he has shown flashes of dominance on defense, like he did at Providence on Monday, when he tied his career high with six blocked shots.

"I take pride in defense and helping my teammates out," said Hibbert, who ranks third in the Big East with 2.24 blocks per game. "I like coming from the weak side and blocking shots. It just deflates the other team when they have an easy look and I come in there and block it."

Coach John Thompson III says that Hibbert has significantly improved this season. But unlike in previous seasons, when the growth was evident on the stats sheet, it has come in subtler ways, such as in his movement and awareness on defense.

"He has matured on and off the court this year," Thompson said. "He has been placed in basketball situations that he's never been in before, where he is the best player on his team. He's never been the best player on his team in his life. Just that maturation process, that understanding, has helped him grow and get better."

Hibbert has had no second thoughts about his decision to return for his senior season; never mind the improvements he feels he has been making as a player -- he is just having fun. Said Hibbert, "I'm not saying Jeff is missing out -- Jeff is having a ton of fun, from what I hear -- but I'm having the time of my life right now."

He loves the atmosphere on campus, and enjoys the big crowds at games -- even when it's a hostile one, like at Providence on Monday. Hibbert and teammate Tyler Crawford like to play video games. (Halo is a particular favorite.)

"I think back to when we were smaller, playing CYO and AAU, you could just show up with your Gatorade and go and play," Hibbert said. "You didn't have to worry about scouting reports, forcing people left or right. That's when basketball was easier. I'm going to keep soaking up these last couple of months of basketball before I start working out and worrying about who's going to represent me. I'm going to keep having fun."