Georgetown Hoyas

30-7 overall, 13-3 Big East (1st overall). Lost to Ohio State in the Final Four.

John Thompson III is entering his fourth year at Georgetown. His career record is 140-72, 72-30 in three years at his current position.

Forward Jeff Green, now with the Seattle Supersonics

Four-fifths of the starting lineup, including center Roy Hibbert.

Anything short of another Big East title and return to the Final Four will be a disappointment for the Hoyas.

It's hard to describe the Georgetown Hoyas without using the word "pedigree." Consider: Georgetown rose to national prominence in the '80s and '90s coached by John Thompson and featuring a string of dominant centers -- Patrick Ewing, Dikembe Mutombo, Alonzo Mourning. Today's Hoya team is coached by John Thompson's son, John the Third, and features arguably the nation's best center in the massive Roy Hibbert.

But John Thompson III is far from being a simple legacy case. In addition to his father's influence, Georgetown's coach has the benefit of another mentor: the legendary Princeton coach Pete Carrill. Thompson graduated from Princeton and served as an assistant under Carrill and Bill Carmody before taking on the coaching job in 2000. He led the Tigers to three Ivy League titles and two NCAA Tournament appearances during his tenure.

More legacy: Patrick Ewing's son, Patrick Jr., was a key reserve on last year's Final Four team. He's expected to take on a much bigger role this season, stepping into Jeff Green's role.

Of course, all the history in the world doesn't mean a thing without players. Georgetown's success this season will depend in large part on Roy Hibbert. The center's massive shoulders are probably big enough to carry the load. Hibbert is the rarest of commodities in college hoops: an NBA-quality big man that's also an upperclassman. Most players of Hibbert's ability would be playing in the NBA by now; Hibbert withdrew from the 2007 draft without even attending the pre-draft camps.

He's joined by three other returning starters: guards Jonathan Wallace and Jessie Sapp and small forward Da-Juan Summers. Ewing Jr., is expected to replace Green and complete the starting lineup, while incoming freshman guards Austin Freeman and Chris Wright will provide depth and may push Wallace and Sapp for playing time.