Preview
Anyone want to talk about some basketball?
The firestorm that threatens to consume Georgetown and its fellow conference programs has clouded the arrival of Western Carolina to Verizon Center Saturday. A step up from the Longwood team sent packing 89-53 on Monday night, the Catamounts being an added amount of offense to the discussion while struggling with issues of height and depth that could be pivotal in this non-conference game.
In contrast to the younger lineups seen at Verizon Center this season, Western features four juniors and a sophomore in the starting lineup. A three guard lineup is led by all-Southern Conference guard Trey Sumler. While he has struggled in his last two games, Sumler is the best scoring option for the Catamounts, averaging 43 percent from the floor and leading the team in scoring in five of the past ten games. Not to be overlooked: a 43 percent shooting mark from three point, ensuring that georgetown will take care to prevent offensive sets which can get Sumler on target.
Up front, Western is small but 6-8 Tawaski King has been a mainstay in the middle. King has scored in double figures in each game this season, with 14 points and eight rebounds in Western's most recent win over Appalachian State. Of concern early may be a problem Saturday, as the smaller Catamounts have, as a team allowed more rebounds than their opponents (35.9).
Georgetown's penultimate non-conference game for 2012-13 will seek to follow the format employed against Longwood--build a lead and get time for the reserves. Expect Western Carolina to be more aggressive on three point shooting and cut down on the kind of easy turnovers that gave Georgetown breathing room early against Longwood. The Catamounts should keep this game much closer into the second half.
Other keys to the game:
Mikael Hopkins: Hopkins cannot be effective in significant foul trouble. Against Western carolina, not that big a deal. Against Marquette and other Big East schools it will be a problem.
A Deeper Bench: Georgetown can go 10 deep in this game without much trouble, while WCU is primarily a seven man rotation.
Domingo's Day?: After a slow start, freshmen Stephen Domingo is set for a big game before his time is winnowed by conference play. This could be the opportunity.
Anyone want to talk about some basketball?
The firestorm that threatens to consume Georgetown and its fellow conference programs has clouded the arrival of Western Carolina to Verizon Center Saturday. A step up from the Longwood team sent packing 89-53 on Monday night, the Catamounts being an added amount of offense to the discussion while struggling with issues of height and depth that could be pivotal in this non-conference game.
In contrast to the younger lineups seen at Verizon Center this season, Western features four juniors and a sophomore in the starting lineup. A three guard lineup is led by all-Southern Conference guard Trey Sumler. While he has struggled in his last two games, Sumler is the best scoring option for the Catamounts, averaging 43 percent from the floor and leading the team in scoring in five of the past ten games. Not to be overlooked: a 43 percent shooting mark from three point, ensuring that georgetown will take care to prevent offensive sets which can get Sumler on target.
Up front, Western is small but 6-8 Tawaski King has been a mainstay in the middle. King has scored in double figures in each game this season, with 14 points and eight rebounds in Western's most recent win over Appalachian State. Of concern early may be a problem Saturday, as the smaller Catamounts have, as a team allowed more rebounds than their opponents (35.9).
Georgetown's penultimate non-conference game for 2012-13 will seek to follow the format employed against Longwood--build a lead and get time for the reserves. Expect Western Carolina to be more aggressive on three point shooting and cut down on the kind of easy turnovers that gave Georgetown breathing room early against Longwood. The Catamounts should keep this game much closer into the second half.
Other keys to the game:
Mikael Hopkins: Hopkins cannot be effective in significant foul trouble. Against Western carolina, not that big a deal. Against Marquette and other Big East schools it will be a problem.
A Deeper Bench: Georgetown can go 10 deep in this game without much trouble, while WCU is primarily a seven man rotation.
Domingo's Day?: After a slow start, freshmen Stephen Domingo is set for a big game before his time is winnowed by conference play. This could be the opportunity.
