Get ready for a historic showdown that’s been 44 years in the making! This Saturday, Georgetown and George Washington universities will face off in a basketball exhibition game, marking the first time these two D.C. powerhouses have met since 1981. And here’s the exciting part: the game will air live on Monumental Sports Network, as announced this Wednesday. But here’s where it gets even more intriguing—this isn’t just any game; it’s a revival of a rivalry that once defined college basketball in the nation’s capital.
The action tips off at 6 p.m. at the Charles E. Smith Center, the home court of George Washington. Fans have been eagerly awaiting this matchup since it was first announced in June, but until this week, it wasn’t clear whether the game would be broadcast locally. Now, Monumental Sports Network is stepping up to bring this special moment to viewers, ensuring that no one misses out on the excitement.
“This is a special moment for college basketball in the District,” said Friday Abernethy, Monumental Sports Network’s general manager. “We’re not just airing a game; we’re reigniting a D.C. tradition and giving these programs a platform to shine.” Abernethy added that the network is committed to showcasing the passion and talent of local college basketball, a sentiment that’s sure to resonate with fans across the city.
And this is the part most people miss: while Monumental Sports Network aired 10 George Washington games last season, they haven’t broadcast a Georgetown game since parting ways with NBC in 2022. This exhibition marks a significant return for both the network and the Hoyas, who hold a 53-38 lead in the series, including a five-game winning streak against GW’s Revolutionaries.
Both teams have seen better days since their glory years in the 1980s and 1990s. Georgetown, the 1984 NCAA champions, haven’t won a tournament game since 2015 and last appeared in the NCAA Tournament in 2021. Meanwhile, George Washington hasn’t made it to the Big Dance since 2014. Despite their recent struggles, both programs are projected to finish in the middle of their respective conferences—GW is fourth in the Atlantic 10, and Georgetown is ninth in the Big East.
But here’s the controversial question: Can this exhibition game reignite the spark for either program? Or is it just a nostalgic nod to the past? Let us know what you think in the comments—are you Team Hoyas or Team Revolutionaries? And do you believe this rivalry still holds the same weight it did decades ago? One thing’s for sure: Saturday’s game is more than just a matchup—it’s a celebration of D.C.’s rich basketball history and a reminder of what once was. Don’t miss it!
