If the oft-quoted media note that Georgetown is a surprise in the Big East given its 10th place pre-season prediction, South Florida must be an early-season shock. The Bulls, picked 14th in that same poll, sit tied in fourth entering Saturday's game at Verizon Center. Both teams share the top ranked defenses in the conference, but both teams have something to prove as well.
Georgetown's 7-3 record is duly encouraging, but the Hoyas are just 2-2 against teams currently ranked in the top half of the conference. South Florida's 6-4 mark is even more strained--none of its six wins to date have come against a team with a winning record in the current Big East standings. Georgetown's need to set some distance in the standings starts with games like this.
Stan Heath's early success has come with a veteran lineup. Three seniors dominate the starting lineup, but freshman point guard Anthony Collins has been a welcome addition. Collins averages 48 percent from the field, 81 percent from the line, and had a 15 point, six assist effort against Providence. The Bulls have also seen improvement from 6-6 senior Hugh Robertson, whose averaged picked up with his own 15 point mark vs. PC. The Bulls start four players over 6-6, and their height poses many of the same challenges faced in Georgetown's defensive sets vs. Connecticut.
The USF front line is s veteran one. Sophomore Victor Rudd has suffered from the field and has seen his numbers decline, while seniors Ron Anderson and Augustus Gilchrist continue to lead the way inside. As a big man, the 6-10 Gilchrist is shooting under 40 percent from the field, which puts pressure on Anderson to make up the difference, and Anderson has responded in a big way, averaging 59 percent from the field.
USF enters the gamed slightly ahead of Georgetown in defense at 59.0 per game but the Bulls rank last in scoring at just 62.1 points in Big East play. USF has suffered on rebounding and are turnover prone, which limits their ability to put up lots of points. Nonetheless, Georgetown has not crossed 60 points in its last three games and needs a more concerted offensive effort to put down the Bulls.
Keys to the game:
Control The Middle: Georgetown was successful in shutting down UConn's inside game. USF will be a different kind of test but one GU must pass.
Who Makes The Three?: South Florida averages just 33 percent from three but is holding opponents just over 30 percent. Can GU get to an early lead from outside?
Oh, Henry!: Henry Sims has been a defensive force with his moments of greatness, but the close-in shooting must improve. USF's defense might offer that.
Ron Anderson: Anderson's shooting percentages must not be ignored, and USF's 44 points in the paint vs. PC was led by Anderson's efforts. Closing the door starts with Anderson.
Georgetown's 7-3 record is duly encouraging, but the Hoyas are just 2-2 against teams currently ranked in the top half of the conference. South Florida's 6-4 mark is even more strained--none of its six wins to date have come against a team with a winning record in the current Big East standings. Georgetown's need to set some distance in the standings starts with games like this.
Stan Heath's early success has come with a veteran lineup. Three seniors dominate the starting lineup, but freshman point guard Anthony Collins has been a welcome addition. Collins averages 48 percent from the field, 81 percent from the line, and had a 15 point, six assist effort against Providence. The Bulls have also seen improvement from 6-6 senior Hugh Robertson, whose averaged picked up with his own 15 point mark vs. PC. The Bulls start four players over 6-6, and their height poses many of the same challenges faced in Georgetown's defensive sets vs. Connecticut.
The USF front line is s veteran one. Sophomore Victor Rudd has suffered from the field and has seen his numbers decline, while seniors Ron Anderson and Augustus Gilchrist continue to lead the way inside. As a big man, the 6-10 Gilchrist is shooting under 40 percent from the field, which puts pressure on Anderson to make up the difference, and Anderson has responded in a big way, averaging 59 percent from the field.
USF enters the gamed slightly ahead of Georgetown in defense at 59.0 per game but the Bulls rank last in scoring at just 62.1 points in Big East play. USF has suffered on rebounding and are turnover prone, which limits their ability to put up lots of points. Nonetheless, Georgetown has not crossed 60 points in its last three games and needs a more concerted offensive effort to put down the Bulls.
Keys to the game:
Control The Middle: Georgetown was successful in shutting down UConn's inside game. USF will be a different kind of test but one GU must pass.
Who Makes The Three?: South Florida averages just 33 percent from three but is holding opponents just over 30 percent. Can GU get to an early lead from outside?
Oh, Henry!: Henry Sims has been a defensive force with his moments of greatness, but the close-in shooting must improve. USF's defense might offer that.
Ron Anderson: Anderson's shooting percentages must not be ignored, and USF's 44 points in the paint vs. PC was led by Anderson's efforts. Closing the door starts with Anderson.
