Preview
Thirty years ago, they closed a field house. Sixty-four games later, every game in this rivalry seems big, and Monday's matchup with #5 Syracuse is no exception.
The Orangemen have been extremely successful as a team --this is not the Jonny Flynn Show or (Gerry) McNamara's Band. With five players in double figures, a team leading the league in field goal shooting and assists, and closing games as well as anyone, Syracuse presents a real challenge to Georgetown's ability to control the pace of the game and to maintain defensive stops on a fast-moving offense.
That's not to say Syracuse doesn't have a star, albeit an unlikely one. A junior transfer from Iowa State, 6-7 forward Wes Johnson has a made a very good Syracuse team a great one.
Johnson has done it all and then some this year--averaging 56 percent from the field, 44 percent from three, and nine rebounds a game--he has added a new dimension to a classic inside-outside team. Only the fifth inbound transfer in the Boeheim era, Johnson is as efficient a player as Syracuse has had in many years and his ability to get the mid-range jumpers has been key to Syracuse's play this season, and to what faces them Monday.
Syracuse's two guards could easily be point-forwards in other team's sets. With Scoop Jardine coming off the bench, Jim Boeheim has gone with a rotation including Andy Rautins (10.4 ppg, leads the team in steals) and Brandon Triche (10.2 ppg, 54% FG), providing Syracuse good outside and inside support. Rick Jackson and Arinze Onuaku form the core of the Orangemen front line, each having been effective in recent play against the Hoyas. Jackson was 6-7 last season at the Dome against Georgetown, while Onuaku had 15 points and 13 rebounds.
A key to stopping Syracuse is interior defense. The Orangemen lead the league in field goal shooting (53.4%) and most of it comes from two-point range, where Onuaku, Jackson, Johnson, and reserve Kris Joseph can rotate in and out of the perimeter. Absent foul trouble, this puts pressure on Georgetown's forward rotation (largely Julian Vaughn and Hollis Thompson) to be able to defend from 5 to 20 feet out. less effective is free throw shooting, where Syracuse is shooting just 64 percent and has let some opponents climb back into games late.
Georgetown's ability to rotate is scoring load among three players will be watched closely in Monday's game, and the ability to engage a fourth option, either Jason Clark or Julian Vaughn, would be a major asset.
Some other keys to the game:
1. 74 Points. 19 Syracuse opponents have been held under 74 points--its only loss was an 82-72 loss to Pitt.
2. 32 Minutes . Georgetown needs 34 minutes from Greg Monroe in this game.
3. Offensive Rebounds. The Orangemen are allowing 14.5 offensive rebounds a game. Anything close to this would be devastating to Syracuse's chances against the Georgetown interior.
4. Rick Jackson. If Georgetown contains Johnson, the Orangemen will get opportunities diverted to Jackson at the power forward. An able shooter, Jackson's ability to get points inside could be pivotal.
5. Jason Clark. Clark's ability to stay with Wes Johnson may be the story of this game. Dane Miller was held scoreless Saturday in Clark's shadow, but Wes Johnson isn't Dane Miller.
6. Free Throws. Neither team has distinguished itself on the line this year. Monday night's game may well be decided there.
For Syracuse to win, Johnson steps up with a Flynn-like performance, recalling last year's 15-16 effort from the line and 25 points in SU's overtime win. The Orangemen benefit by an up-tempo effort with plenty of fouls, owing to a deeper bench. If georgetown can control the pace of play and get the midrange jumper, it offers GU the opportunity to clear the middle for an increasingly confident Greg Monroe.
Either way, expect an outstanding games, because when it comes to Big East rivalries, "six overtimes" doesn't compare to 30 years.
Thirty years ago, they closed a field house. Sixty-four games later, every game in this rivalry seems big, and Monday's matchup with #5 Syracuse is no exception.
The Orangemen have been extremely successful as a team --this is not the Jonny Flynn Show or (Gerry) McNamara's Band. With five players in double figures, a team leading the league in field goal shooting and assists, and closing games as well as anyone, Syracuse presents a real challenge to Georgetown's ability to control the pace of the game and to maintain defensive stops on a fast-moving offense.
That's not to say Syracuse doesn't have a star, albeit an unlikely one. A junior transfer from Iowa State, 6-7 forward Wes Johnson has a made a very good Syracuse team a great one.
Johnson has done it all and then some this year--averaging 56 percent from the field, 44 percent from three, and nine rebounds a game--he has added a new dimension to a classic inside-outside team. Only the fifth inbound transfer in the Boeheim era, Johnson is as efficient a player as Syracuse has had in many years and his ability to get the mid-range jumpers has been key to Syracuse's play this season, and to what faces them Monday.
Syracuse's two guards could easily be point-forwards in other team's sets. With Scoop Jardine coming off the bench, Jim Boeheim has gone with a rotation including Andy Rautins (10.4 ppg, leads the team in steals) and Brandon Triche (10.2 ppg, 54% FG), providing Syracuse good outside and inside support. Rick Jackson and Arinze Onuaku form the core of the Orangemen front line, each having been effective in recent play against the Hoyas. Jackson was 6-7 last season at the Dome against Georgetown, while Onuaku had 15 points and 13 rebounds.
A key to stopping Syracuse is interior defense. The Orangemen lead the league in field goal shooting (53.4%) and most of it comes from two-point range, where Onuaku, Jackson, Johnson, and reserve Kris Joseph can rotate in and out of the perimeter. Absent foul trouble, this puts pressure on Georgetown's forward rotation (largely Julian Vaughn and Hollis Thompson) to be able to defend from 5 to 20 feet out. less effective is free throw shooting, where Syracuse is shooting just 64 percent and has let some opponents climb back into games late.
Georgetown's ability to rotate is scoring load among three players will be watched closely in Monday's game, and the ability to engage a fourth option, either Jason Clark or Julian Vaughn, would be a major asset.
Some other keys to the game:
1. 74 Points. 19 Syracuse opponents have been held under 74 points--its only loss was an 82-72 loss to Pitt.
2. 32 Minutes . Georgetown needs 34 minutes from Greg Monroe in this game.
3. Offensive Rebounds. The Orangemen are allowing 14.5 offensive rebounds a game. Anything close to this would be devastating to Syracuse's chances against the Georgetown interior.
4. Rick Jackson. If Georgetown contains Johnson, the Orangemen will get opportunities diverted to Jackson at the power forward. An able shooter, Jackson's ability to get points inside could be pivotal.
5. Jason Clark. Clark's ability to stay with Wes Johnson may be the story of this game. Dane Miller was held scoreless Saturday in Clark's shadow, but Wes Johnson isn't Dane Miller.
6. Free Throws. Neither team has distinguished itself on the line this year. Monday night's game may well be decided there.
For Syracuse to win, Johnson steps up with a Flynn-like performance, recalling last year's 15-16 effort from the line and 25 points in SU's overtime win. The Orangemen benefit by an up-tempo effort with plenty of fouls, owing to a deeper bench. If georgetown can control the pace of play and get the midrange jumper, it offers GU the opportunity to clear the middle for an increasingly confident Greg Monroe.
Either way, expect an outstanding games, because when it comes to Big East rivalries, "six overtimes" doesn't compare to 30 years.