Game 2: vs. Vanderbilt University
Series To Date:
1990-91: GU 70, VU 60 (NCAA)
2005-06: VU 68, at GU 61
Game Notes
--Since 1990, Vanderbilt is 132-11 against non-conference opponents at Memorial Gymnasium.
--Vanderbilt's win over Georgetown was its only win in seven meetings against Big East schools last year.
--John Thompson III-coached teams at GU are 8-2 all time in road non-conference games.
************************
Preview
A pair of early season tests await the #8-ranked Georgetown Hoyas this week, starting with a road contest versus a Vanderbilt team that taught the Hoyas a few lessons of its own last year.
The guard-strong Commodores shot 61 percent from three point range in a 68-61 upset at Verizon (MCI) Center last year, in part by holding the Hoyas' guards well below their shooting average and minimizing Roy Hibbert's impact down low. The "Dores still have the scoring punch, but the game will turn on whether they earn a repeat performance from its big men.
Last year, Hoya fans saw Shan Foster, who chose Vanderbilt over Georgetown in 2004, shoot past GU with a 20 point effort to lead Vanderbilt to victory. Foster is one of the best pure shooters in the SEC, shooting 45% from the field and 41% from three point range. Equally dangerous is Derrick Byars, a 48% shooter, 44% from three point range. Each is able to handle the ball, and their height (6-6 and 6-7, respectively) makes it difficult against smaller guards.
If Foster and Byars can control the game, Vanderbilt will be a tough "out" Wednesday, but it's what's around them that is the wild card in this game. Foster and Byars are the only returning starters from a club that returns only seven from last year's first round NIT club. Two starters will be playing in their first game for the gold and black Wednesday, including freshman point guard Jermaine Beal and LSU transfer Ross Neltner. 6-9 Alan Metcalfe is tabbed to start at center but averaged only 2.2 points per game in 2005-06; redshirt senior Ted Skuchas should see action as well.
In Vanderbilt's 98-94 exhibition win over Northern (SD) State, Foster and Byars were the centers of attention, as VU shot 61 percent in the first half. The contrast between Vanderbilt's experience at the 2 and 32 versus georgetown's inexperience will be a key matchup of the game, but Hibbert's ability to get points and avoid fouls may also be a factor.
Keys to the game?
1. Guards. Both teams need big games from the backcourt, and the Hoyas' perceived struggles from guard play versus Hartford will be watched closely by the TV audience.
2. Standing Tall. The road game has parallels to last season's matchup vs. Oregon, where the Hoyas faced a hostile and unfamiliar road arena. In the end, the Ducks were silenced early by strong shooting from Ashanti Cook, which gave GU the room in the middle to put the game away in the second half. Wallace, Sapp, and Crawford must come prepared for an encore performance.
3. Comeback Kids? Vanderbilt was 2-10 in games last season trailing with 5:00 to play. With its outside strengths Georgetown needs a strong second half to keep the 'Dores out of reach late.
National writers have pointed to guard play as a feature of the Georgetown game vulnerable to attack. A strong showing against Vanderbilt can help counter this perception; by contrast, a second poor showing will put even more pressure on the positions. Viewers know Georgetown's strengths inside--the key in this game is to pass the test in the backcourt.
Series To Date:
1990-91: GU 70, VU 60 (NCAA)
2005-06: VU 68, at GU 61
Game Notes
--Since 1990, Vanderbilt is 132-11 against non-conference opponents at Memorial Gymnasium.
--Vanderbilt's win over Georgetown was its only win in seven meetings against Big East schools last year.
--John Thompson III-coached teams at GU are 8-2 all time in road non-conference games.
************************
Preview
A pair of early season tests await the #8-ranked Georgetown Hoyas this week, starting with a road contest versus a Vanderbilt team that taught the Hoyas a few lessons of its own last year.
The guard-strong Commodores shot 61 percent from three point range in a 68-61 upset at Verizon (MCI) Center last year, in part by holding the Hoyas' guards well below their shooting average and minimizing Roy Hibbert's impact down low. The "Dores still have the scoring punch, but the game will turn on whether they earn a repeat performance from its big men.
Last year, Hoya fans saw Shan Foster, who chose Vanderbilt over Georgetown in 2004, shoot past GU with a 20 point effort to lead Vanderbilt to victory. Foster is one of the best pure shooters in the SEC, shooting 45% from the field and 41% from three point range. Equally dangerous is Derrick Byars, a 48% shooter, 44% from three point range. Each is able to handle the ball, and their height (6-6 and 6-7, respectively) makes it difficult against smaller guards.
If Foster and Byars can control the game, Vanderbilt will be a tough "out" Wednesday, but it's what's around them that is the wild card in this game. Foster and Byars are the only returning starters from a club that returns only seven from last year's first round NIT club. Two starters will be playing in their first game for the gold and black Wednesday, including freshman point guard Jermaine Beal and LSU transfer Ross Neltner. 6-9 Alan Metcalfe is tabbed to start at center but averaged only 2.2 points per game in 2005-06; redshirt senior Ted Skuchas should see action as well.
In Vanderbilt's 98-94 exhibition win over Northern (SD) State, Foster and Byars were the centers of attention, as VU shot 61 percent in the first half. The contrast between Vanderbilt's experience at the 2 and 32 versus georgetown's inexperience will be a key matchup of the game, but Hibbert's ability to get points and avoid fouls may also be a factor.
Keys to the game?
1. Guards. Both teams need big games from the backcourt, and the Hoyas' perceived struggles from guard play versus Hartford will be watched closely by the TV audience.
2. Standing Tall. The road game has parallels to last season's matchup vs. Oregon, where the Hoyas faced a hostile and unfamiliar road arena. In the end, the Ducks were silenced early by strong shooting from Ashanti Cook, which gave GU the room in the middle to put the game away in the second half. Wallace, Sapp, and Crawford must come prepared for an encore performance.
3. Comeback Kids? Vanderbilt was 2-10 in games last season trailing with 5:00 to play. With its outside strengths Georgetown needs a strong second half to keep the 'Dores out of reach late.
National writers have pointed to guard play as a feature of the Georgetown game vulnerable to attack. A strong showing against Vanderbilt can help counter this perception; by contrast, a second poor showing will put even more pressure on the positions. Viewers know Georgetown's strengths inside--the key in this game is to pass the test in the backcourt.
