Preview
If it seems like every journalist has penciled in Belmont to the next round of the NCAA tournament, well, you're not alone. With equal parts of a rooting interest in Belmont coach Rick Byrd (who has never won a NCAA Division I tournament game in his 976 games as a coach), and the results of Georgetown's last two exits from the tournament against lower seeds (three, if you want to consider Davidson), the Bruins have become the trendy bracket pick.
The Georgetown seniors know what awaits them if they drop this game--not only becoming the first class since 1977 without a win in the post-season, but the first class ever to have no wins in four straight seasons.Each of the preceding NCAA losses saw a quicker team punish Georgetown from outside and negating the Hoyas' advantage in height and inside scoring. It's a lesson that must not be ignored.
Belmont enters the game having won 14 straight, 12 by double digit margins. Granted, no one confuses Lipscomb for Louisville, but the Bruins have proven to be a tough out in NCAA play, going back to its 2007 debut in a 80-55 loss to Jeff Green and the Final Four-bound Hoyas. For 2012, the Bruins feature a guard heavy, upperclassman rotation that will shoot from outside at every opportunity and look to push the tempo. Think VCU. (Then again, don't).
A three guard starting lineup accounts for 46 percent of Belmont's offense. 5-11 point guard Drew Hanlon enters the game ranked second nationally in three point shooting (48.1%). Of his 32 attempts over the last five games, 28 were from three, 13 of which were good. The Atlantic Sun tournament broke a run of 10 double figure games in his last 11; Hanlon is an able ballhandler with a 2:20 to 1 assist to turnover ratio. Hanlon does not commit many fouls and does get top the line much, either. If Georgetown can shut off the three, it severely limits Hanlon's impact offensively.
Playing the role once inhabited by Ohio's Armon Bassett and Virginia Commonwealth's Joey Rodriguez is Belmont guard Kerron Johnson, the A-Sun MVP. Johnson shoots 52%, many in dribble drive sets, and is a proficient free throw shooter who can get to the line early and often. Another strong assist man, containing Johnson defensively is a priority for Georgetown, who need to exert defensive pressure on the perimeter and midrange zone help to prevent Johnson from drives inside. The Hoyas must also be mindful of 6-3 swingman Ian Clark, who came up big in the A-Sun tournament averaging 17 points over three games. Like hanlon, Clark takes a lot of outside shots and like Johnson, is strong at the foul line (82%). Georgetown's size advantage must not be overemphasized if Clark can get open in screens off GU defenders.
Inside, the Bruins are undersized but capable of causing problems. 6-7 forward Blake Jenkins picked up his scoring in conference play where the Bruins held size advantages against smaller opponents, but the redshirt sophomore needs to be a stronger rebounder to make the most of his time. Jenkins has platooned with 6-6 J.J. Mann (8.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg). Senior center Mick Hedgepeth is an effective option inside but his scoring numbers have been inconsistent, with senior Scott Saunders (10.2 ppg), also expected to see time.
Some keys to the game:
Calling Hollis Thompson: Remember when the nation heard all about Thompson as a dominant three point shooter? Not so much of late--Thompson is 4-17 (23%) in his last five games and GU has followed course (27%). Georgetown hasn't topped six threes since mid-February, versus a Belmont team that has topped 10 threes seven times in its last 11 games.
Feed The Big Man: Julian Vaughn had just two points at center last year versus VCU. Henry Sims needs to be much more active and needs to avoid fouls to give Georgetown good options inside for 30+ minutes.
Perimeter Defense: Expect to see plenty from Otto Porter and Greg Whittington on the perimeter. The hoyas cannot afford to trade two for three.
Free Throws!: GU is just 61% in its last three games. NCAA games are lost every year at the line.
Tempo: In each of the last four seasons, post season opponents that score 74 or more points are 3-0 against Georgetown. Belmont can't win easily if this game is in the 60's, but they can win a track meet in the 80's.
This isn't Ohio, it's not VCU. This is a matchup that allows Georgetown to play their game, and with it, the season will extend to Sunday.
If it seems like every journalist has penciled in Belmont to the next round of the NCAA tournament, well, you're not alone. With equal parts of a rooting interest in Belmont coach Rick Byrd (who has never won a NCAA Division I tournament game in his 976 games as a coach), and the results of Georgetown's last two exits from the tournament against lower seeds (three, if you want to consider Davidson), the Bruins have become the trendy bracket pick.
The Georgetown seniors know what awaits them if they drop this game--not only becoming the first class since 1977 without a win in the post-season, but the first class ever to have no wins in four straight seasons.Each of the preceding NCAA losses saw a quicker team punish Georgetown from outside and negating the Hoyas' advantage in height and inside scoring. It's a lesson that must not be ignored.
Belmont enters the game having won 14 straight, 12 by double digit margins. Granted, no one confuses Lipscomb for Louisville, but the Bruins have proven to be a tough out in NCAA play, going back to its 2007 debut in a 80-55 loss to Jeff Green and the Final Four-bound Hoyas. For 2012, the Bruins feature a guard heavy, upperclassman rotation that will shoot from outside at every opportunity and look to push the tempo. Think VCU. (Then again, don't).
A three guard starting lineup accounts for 46 percent of Belmont's offense. 5-11 point guard Drew Hanlon enters the game ranked second nationally in three point shooting (48.1%). Of his 32 attempts over the last five games, 28 were from three, 13 of which were good. The Atlantic Sun tournament broke a run of 10 double figure games in his last 11; Hanlon is an able ballhandler with a 2:20 to 1 assist to turnover ratio. Hanlon does not commit many fouls and does get top the line much, either. If Georgetown can shut off the three, it severely limits Hanlon's impact offensively.
Playing the role once inhabited by Ohio's Armon Bassett and Virginia Commonwealth's Joey Rodriguez is Belmont guard Kerron Johnson, the A-Sun MVP. Johnson shoots 52%, many in dribble drive sets, and is a proficient free throw shooter who can get to the line early and often. Another strong assist man, containing Johnson defensively is a priority for Georgetown, who need to exert defensive pressure on the perimeter and midrange zone help to prevent Johnson from drives inside. The Hoyas must also be mindful of 6-3 swingman Ian Clark, who came up big in the A-Sun tournament averaging 17 points over three games. Like hanlon, Clark takes a lot of outside shots and like Johnson, is strong at the foul line (82%). Georgetown's size advantage must not be overemphasized if Clark can get open in screens off GU defenders.
Inside, the Bruins are undersized but capable of causing problems. 6-7 forward Blake Jenkins picked up his scoring in conference play where the Bruins held size advantages against smaller opponents, but the redshirt sophomore needs to be a stronger rebounder to make the most of his time. Jenkins has platooned with 6-6 J.J. Mann (8.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg). Senior center Mick Hedgepeth is an effective option inside but his scoring numbers have been inconsistent, with senior Scott Saunders (10.2 ppg), also expected to see time.
Some keys to the game:
Calling Hollis Thompson: Remember when the nation heard all about Thompson as a dominant three point shooter? Not so much of late--Thompson is 4-17 (23%) in his last five games and GU has followed course (27%). Georgetown hasn't topped six threes since mid-February, versus a Belmont team that has topped 10 threes seven times in its last 11 games.
Feed The Big Man: Julian Vaughn had just two points at center last year versus VCU. Henry Sims needs to be much more active and needs to avoid fouls to give Georgetown good options inside for 30+ minutes.
Perimeter Defense: Expect to see plenty from Otto Porter and Greg Whittington on the perimeter. The hoyas cannot afford to trade two for three.
Free Throws!: GU is just 61% in its last three games. NCAA games are lost every year at the line.
Tempo: In each of the last four seasons, post season opponents that score 74 or more points are 3-0 against Georgetown. Belmont can't win easily if this game is in the 60's, but they can win a track meet in the 80's.
This isn't Ohio, it's not VCU. This is a matchup that allows Georgetown to play their game, and with it, the season will extend to Sunday.
