Feb. 22, 2006

The answer to the question is pretty simple.

It's really the answer to most questions, but you ask it anyway, figuring that maybe, just maybe, the answer will be something entirely different.

But it's not.

It's probably the same old answer that you always seem to hear. The thing is, the person answering the question is 100 percent right with his answer.

When you ask Georgetown senior Brandon Bowman about his team's success, about what his team needs to do to succeed the rest of the way this season, or what he needs to do to get better, it really boils down to the same answer.

Hard work.

And really, it is as simple as that.

When you work hard, you get results.

Bowman knows that. His coach, second-year Hoya mentor John Thompson III, knows that too.

The results may not always be what the Hoyas want, but for Bowman and his teammates, it all goes back to work hard.

"We're playing pretty well, as well as people expected, I think," Bowman said after practice following Georgetown's 79-65 BIG EAST road win over St. John's on January 10. "We've just got to keep it up. It's nothing special.

"There's no secret about it, it's just hard work."

It's easier said than done, however, and Bowman knows that. Since the New Year started, Bowman and Georgetown began to play the meat of their schedule.

Conference play started in the BIG EAST on January 3 with a home tilt against Providence. The preseason prognosticators had picked Georgetown sixth in the new and improved BIG EAST - with 16 teams, one of the toughest conferences, if not the toughest, in the country - and the Friars were selected to finish in 12th place.

As the game approached, the feeling prior to tip off felt a bit different. It always does once league play starts.

"It always feels different," Bowman said. "You go against people, like in my case, that you've been playing against since we were freshmen. You're pretty familiar with everyone's game. But you see that name across the chest - it can be anyone - it's a BIG EAST school. It's different."

The result of that game was a 72-62 Hoya win, but like most games in league play, it was hard-fought win. Bowman said that he could sense the level of intensity picking up during the week.

"You can tell by watching the team play (during practice)," he explained. "We out rebounded Providence by like 20 and that's something we definitely don't do often.

"You know what time of the year it is. That's what matters most."

What also matters to Bowman is finishing his college career. After flirting with putting his name in for the NBA Draft last June, he withdrew his name and returned to school.

He knew that he had work to do, but at the same time, he knew he'd have an opportunity to finish his degree.

"It's very important," Bowman said. "You can't change that. Saying that you have a degree from Georgetown stands out.

"You definitely put your time in working hard in class. It's not something a lot of people can say. I'm proud of that."

The hard work that Bowman has put in, both on the floor and in the classroom, is paying off.

He is slated to earn his bachelor's degree in May in sociology and English. On the floor, through 12 games, he's second on the team in scoring, averaging 11.6 points per game, and is third on the team with 5.2 rebounds per game. After a sluggish start, in his words, to the season, Bowman picked things up as the New Year approached. He was named to the all-tournament team at the Sun Bowl Tournament - where he averaged 12.5. points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists - he poured in a season-high 19 points in the BIG Conference opener against Providence.

"In the beginning of the season (I wasn't playing as well," Bowman said. "I felt like I was like lackadaisical. Lately, I've been trying to step it up, play harder and hit the boards harder.

"Coach said that's one of the keys to our success, hitting the boards, so I've been trying to take an initiative in that."

As much as the hard work has been a key for Bowman, so to has been his coach, who pushes his senior forward everyday.

"Work harder, that's what he says," Bowman said. "Coach always tells us that if we work harder at something, everything else will come. You see that and go after it and it will lead to other things. That's the mind set I'm taking and how I approach it.

"That's the type of person he is. As good as a coach as he is, he's a better person off the court. He's really cool and laid back. I enjoy his company.

And just as he enjoys the company of his coach, he enjoys the camaraderie he has with his teammates, making his final year on the Hilltop that much more enjoyable.

"It's pretty fun, he's (Thompson) a fun guy," Bowman said. "We have fun with each other. We've all very close, we're like brothers."

And having four brothers on the floor with him, and more of them on the bench, is going to give the Hoyas that much more of a chance at having a successful season.

"Coming around to BIG EAST play, you have to be at the top of your game," Bowman said. "You have to start strong and finish stronger."

That's the attitude Bowman has taken since he arrived at Georgetown.

"It definitely means a lot more to me now than it ever has before," Bowman said of the opportunity to be at Georgetown and the work that comes with it. "When I was a freshman, I wasn't on that mindset, but now, as senior, you realize the opportunities you have and you know that if you work hard, good things will come."

It's as simple as that.

Quick Hits with Brandon Bowman
Two dinner guests:
1. Jesus. The greatest person that every lived. I definitely want to meet the Son of God, see what he's like.
2. Richard Pryor. He was funny, so funny. He made me laugh

Favorite basketball player growing up: Penny Hardaway

Favorite Basketball player today: Tracy McGrady and Kobe Bryant

Words or phrases that you remember from your parents: A hard head makes a soft mind.

What you would tell kids: Don't be a fool, stay in school

Favorite movies: Above the Rim, House Party, Friday, Harlem Nights

Actor: Eddie Murphy. Old Eddie. He takes the cake.

Musical Artist: L'il Wayne

On my iPOD: I have everything on there besides country. I don't listen to country. I have some jazz on there, which is great to relax me.

Favorite class: Struggles in Transcendence with Fr. Kemp

Favorite team: Los Angeles Lakers

Favorite meal: My mom's spaghetti

Favorite place to eat in Georgetown: Quick Pita

By Mike "Mex" Carey