Preview
One day removed from an impressive win over UCLA, Georgetown steps up the intensity of the 2012-13 season with #1-ranked Indiana, who fought off a rough night from three point range and drove past Georgia by double digits in Monday's Legends Classic opener.
Despite missing 11 of its first 12 from three, Indiana's defense was not to be doubted, holding the Bulldogs to 34 percent shooting and holding a 40-24 rebound edge. Outside shooting and interior defense are the two points of emphasis facing Georgetown in Tuesday's final.
A pair of 6-0 guards lead the Indiana attack. Yogi Farrell (5.5 points, 5.3 assists) has struggled to rediscover his shot from last season, but whose assist to turnover ratio (5.0 to 1) cannot be ignored. And what Farrelal has lacked in shooting Jordan Hulls has made up, shooting 51 percent from the field and 56 percent from three, scoring four of the five threes by IU on Monday's win over Georgia and having committed just one turnover this season. Georgetown was able to contain UCLA's outside game and will be expected to do the same against Hulls, if for no other reason that the Hoosiers' front court game is a marked step up from that faced on Monday.
Indiana is getting a major effort from 6-5 forward Victor Oladipo, who can score inside and outside, with quickness to and from the boards (11.3 points, 6.8 rebounds). Oladipo's 15 points and eight rebounds were vital in indiana's win over Georgia, in that it needed the inside game to compensate for an off night from outside.
The IU front line features 6-9 Christian Watford (14.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg) who is 25th all-time in scoring at Indiana, but the real challenge will likely be in sophomore center Cody Zeller, who has been nothing short of unstoppable to date this season. The pre-season National Player of the year, Zeller combines height with quickness and a consistent shot that draws parallels not only to his older brother Tyler Zeller, the 2012 ACC Player of the Year and now a center with the Cleveland Cavaliers, but to that of 2009 National Player of the Year Tyler Hansbrough. Averaging 15.6 points as a freshman, Zeller is shooting 71 percent from the floor after four games this season, with 14 points and 7.5 rebounds, Zeller's size and quickness will test Mikael Hopkins in the pivot on both sides of the floor. Watford and Zeller combine for 15 rebounds a game, which has allowed the Hoosiers a comfortable 17 rebound per game advantage. In games last season where IU held a rebounding advantage, the Hoosiers were 19-6.
The Hoosiers play a bench as many as nine deep, with contributions expected from 6-7 forward Will Sheehy (9.8 ppg), 6-4 guard Remy Abell (9.3 ppg) and 6-8 forward Jeremy Hollowell (8.3).
Keys to the game:
Defensive Pressure: Look for Georgetown to exert additional pressure on the IU backcourt to limit interior passing
Mikael Hopkins: The sophomore center struggled in the UCLA game and got into foul trouble. he will need a much better game man to man against Zeller.
Coming From Behind: Georgetown is a much better team when playing with a lead. This game may challenge their ability to make sustained runs if they trail early in this one.
D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera: IU figures to double-down on Markel Starks following his 23 point effort against UCLA. Rivera's quickness and interior play will be a big asset for the Hoyas if they can get him time and looks.
Free Throws: Indiana shot well in Monday's game from the line (17-24), but some of their starters are spotty from the line. Georgetown all but kept UCLA off the line and the Bruins were never in the bonus. Georgetown must continue to limit fouls, particularly inside, for depth as well as for giving up points. Indiana opponents average nearly 24 fouls a game, and Georgetown need to keep their total under 15.
One day removed from an impressive win over UCLA, Georgetown steps up the intensity of the 2012-13 season with #1-ranked Indiana, who fought off a rough night from three point range and drove past Georgia by double digits in Monday's Legends Classic opener.
Despite missing 11 of its first 12 from three, Indiana's defense was not to be doubted, holding the Bulldogs to 34 percent shooting and holding a 40-24 rebound edge. Outside shooting and interior defense are the two points of emphasis facing Georgetown in Tuesday's final.
A pair of 6-0 guards lead the Indiana attack. Yogi Farrell (5.5 points, 5.3 assists) has struggled to rediscover his shot from last season, but whose assist to turnover ratio (5.0 to 1) cannot be ignored. And what Farrelal has lacked in shooting Jordan Hulls has made up, shooting 51 percent from the field and 56 percent from three, scoring four of the five threes by IU on Monday's win over Georgia and having committed just one turnover this season. Georgetown was able to contain UCLA's outside game and will be expected to do the same against Hulls, if for no other reason that the Hoosiers' front court game is a marked step up from that faced on Monday.
Indiana is getting a major effort from 6-5 forward Victor Oladipo, who can score inside and outside, with quickness to and from the boards (11.3 points, 6.8 rebounds). Oladipo's 15 points and eight rebounds were vital in indiana's win over Georgia, in that it needed the inside game to compensate for an off night from outside.
The IU front line features 6-9 Christian Watford (14.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg) who is 25th all-time in scoring at Indiana, but the real challenge will likely be in sophomore center Cody Zeller, who has been nothing short of unstoppable to date this season. The pre-season National Player of the year, Zeller combines height with quickness and a consistent shot that draws parallels not only to his older brother Tyler Zeller, the 2012 ACC Player of the Year and now a center with the Cleveland Cavaliers, but to that of 2009 National Player of the Year Tyler Hansbrough. Averaging 15.6 points as a freshman, Zeller is shooting 71 percent from the floor after four games this season, with 14 points and 7.5 rebounds, Zeller's size and quickness will test Mikael Hopkins in the pivot on both sides of the floor. Watford and Zeller combine for 15 rebounds a game, which has allowed the Hoosiers a comfortable 17 rebound per game advantage. In games last season where IU held a rebounding advantage, the Hoosiers were 19-6.
The Hoosiers play a bench as many as nine deep, with contributions expected from 6-7 forward Will Sheehy (9.8 ppg), 6-4 guard Remy Abell (9.3 ppg) and 6-8 forward Jeremy Hollowell (8.3).
Keys to the game:
Defensive Pressure: Look for Georgetown to exert additional pressure on the IU backcourt to limit interior passing
Mikael Hopkins: The sophomore center struggled in the UCLA game and got into foul trouble. he will need a much better game man to man against Zeller.
Coming From Behind: Georgetown is a much better team when playing with a lead. This game may challenge their ability to make sustained runs if they trail early in this one.
D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera: IU figures to double-down on Markel Starks following his 23 point effort against UCLA. Rivera's quickness and interior play will be a big asset for the Hoyas if they can get him time and looks.
Free Throws: Indiana shot well in Monday's game from the line (17-24), but some of their starters are spotty from the line. Georgetown all but kept UCLA off the line and the Bruins were never in the bonus. Georgetown must continue to limit fouls, particularly inside, for depth as well as for giving up points. Indiana opponents average nearly 24 fouls a game, and Georgetown need to keep their total under 15.
