Preview
With 100 days until Georgetown alumni arrive in Chicago for the annual John Carroll weekend, the men's basketball team arrives in Rosemont, IL to take care of business with a DePaul team that has shown signs of life in 2011-12.
From 1948 through 1972, no Division I Catholic school had more wins in men's basketball than DePaul University. But the good times have been especially lean in recent years for DePaul's proud tradition, with a a 24-90 (.210) record in Big East play since 2005. After a 9-3 start that rallied the DePaul faithful, none more so than a 84-81 upset of Pitt, the Blue Demons have dropped three straight on the road by an average of 18 points.
In a week where Georgetown will be significantly favored in two games, the Hoyas must stay on track and not open the door to a January upset with March repercussions.
DePaul's eight underclassmen contribute mightily to Oliver Purnell's rebuilding effort, but rely on senior Jeremiah Kelly to run the point. Kelly has been solid in his Big east games to date, with a strong assist to turnover ratio and a 6-8 point average in Big East play. Kelly needs to have a good game for DePaul to have a better game inside, as well as to find an open Brandon Young, who has really stepped up to become a second option to Cleveland Melvin on the floor. With double figures in 15 of 17 games, Young is to DePaul what D'Angelo Harrison has been to St. John's--and Georgetown's defensive lockdown on Harrison is a blueprint for a similar effort to limit Young and put more pressure on Melvin to carry the freight Tuesday.
A three guard offense will see 6-3 sophomore Charles McKinney in the lineup. McKinney (4.1 ppg) had eight points in 20 minutes against Louisville, and the Blue Demons could also see 6-6 Moses Morgan (9.8 ppg) with his share of minutes, Through it all, sophomore Cleveland Melvin remains the driver for the Demons' offense. Melvin had 20 of his game high 29 in last year's meeting with the Hoyas, single-handedly keeping DePaul in the game. Limiting Melvin's touches on the ball is essential--he was held to 3-11 shooting, two rebounds and six turnovers versus Louisville.
DePaul's front line has underperformed but is capable of more than meets the eye. Krys Faber, despite being 6-10, is averaging under two points a game in Big East play but grabbed eight rebounds versus Louisville. Any sustained run from Faber would be critical to a DePaul surge in this game.
The problem with DePaul is defense--last in the Big East in scoring defense, last in shooting defense, and last in defensive rebounds.
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Each of these are particular keys for Georgetown to take command in this game:
Pick Up The Pace: Georgetown has averaged just 64.1 points per game in Big East play, 10th of 16 overall. DePaul's defensive gaps allow Georgetown to be much more efficient offensively and use its defense to keep DePaul out of harm's way.
High Percentage Shots: Henry Sims has continued to struggle from inside 10 feet. High percentage conversions are vital to opening up the exterior defenses to get Jason Clark and markel Starks better looks from outside.
Second Chance Points: Georgetown was able to convert 21 second chance points versus St. John's, essentially the margin of victory. It needs to elevate what has been, Hollis Thompson notwithstanding, an underperforming stat line from three point range, one which DePaul has no good answers for.
With 100 days until Georgetown alumni arrive in Chicago for the annual John Carroll weekend, the men's basketball team arrives in Rosemont, IL to take care of business with a DePaul team that has shown signs of life in 2011-12.
From 1948 through 1972, no Division I Catholic school had more wins in men's basketball than DePaul University. But the good times have been especially lean in recent years for DePaul's proud tradition, with a a 24-90 (.210) record in Big East play since 2005. After a 9-3 start that rallied the DePaul faithful, none more so than a 84-81 upset of Pitt, the Blue Demons have dropped three straight on the road by an average of 18 points.
In a week where Georgetown will be significantly favored in two games, the Hoyas must stay on track and not open the door to a January upset with March repercussions.
DePaul's eight underclassmen contribute mightily to Oliver Purnell's rebuilding effort, but rely on senior Jeremiah Kelly to run the point. Kelly has been solid in his Big east games to date, with a strong assist to turnover ratio and a 6-8 point average in Big East play. Kelly needs to have a good game for DePaul to have a better game inside, as well as to find an open Brandon Young, who has really stepped up to become a second option to Cleveland Melvin on the floor. With double figures in 15 of 17 games, Young is to DePaul what D'Angelo Harrison has been to St. John's--and Georgetown's defensive lockdown on Harrison is a blueprint for a similar effort to limit Young and put more pressure on Melvin to carry the freight Tuesday.
A three guard offense will see 6-3 sophomore Charles McKinney in the lineup. McKinney (4.1 ppg) had eight points in 20 minutes against Louisville, and the Blue Demons could also see 6-6 Moses Morgan (9.8 ppg) with his share of minutes, Through it all, sophomore Cleveland Melvin remains the driver for the Demons' offense. Melvin had 20 of his game high 29 in last year's meeting with the Hoyas, single-handedly keeping DePaul in the game. Limiting Melvin's touches on the ball is essential--he was held to 3-11 shooting, two rebounds and six turnovers versus Louisville.
DePaul's front line has underperformed but is capable of more than meets the eye. Krys Faber, despite being 6-10, is averaging under two points a game in Big East play but grabbed eight rebounds versus Louisville. Any sustained run from Faber would be critical to a DePaul surge in this game.
The problem with DePaul is defense--last in the Big East in scoring defense, last in shooting defense, and last in defensive rebounds.
------------------------------------
Each of these are particular keys for Georgetown to take command in this game:
Pick Up The Pace: Georgetown has averaged just 64.1 points per game in Big East play, 10th of 16 overall. DePaul's defensive gaps allow Georgetown to be much more efficient offensively and use its defense to keep DePaul out of harm's way.
High Percentage Shots: Henry Sims has continued to struggle from inside 10 feet. High percentage conversions are vital to opening up the exterior defenses to get Jason Clark and markel Starks better looks from outside.
Second Chance Points: Georgetown was able to convert 21 second chance points versus St. John's, essentially the margin of victory. It needs to elevate what has been, Hollis Thompson notwithstanding, an underperforming stat line from three point range, one which DePaul has no good answers for.
