Preview
Last March's opening round loss to DePaul was one of the low moments of the John Thompson III era at Georgetown, costing the Hoyas an NCAA invitation. But there's no time for a repeat performance Tuesday with a Georgetown offense vulnerable to the kind of game DePaul can play.
Georgetown hasn't won a true road game since Feb. 3, 2014, its last appearance in the building better known as the Rosemont Horizon. By contrast, the 7-2 home record of DePaul is surprising to say the least. The Blue Demons' 3-1 Big East start is the best since DePaul left the independent ranks in 1991. With home wins over Marquette and Xavier, DePaul has already won more conference games in four games than they have in some seasons. And while the statistics don't reflect it, this is the kind of team that can hang around and contend late, not unlike it did on a Wednesday night last March.
So what has changed for DePaul? Consistency. Its core of Billy Garrett, Jamee Crockett, and Forrest Robinson are playing together, and that is paying dividends in late stretches. Garrett's 12.8 points leads the team in scoring, with a 43 percent mark from three point range. Crockett is shooting 47 percent for the season but has been less effective in Big East play, but Robinson has stepped up in a big way, including outside shooting. Robinson, who has replaced Tommy Hamilton in the starting lineup, gives the Blue Demons more scoring options when the defense clogs the middle.
One change in the lineup is apparent--the addition of Illinois transfer Myke Henry. The 6-4 junior is averaging 12 points a game on 40 percent shooting, but has struggled of late from outside. If the can regain the touch, DePaul will be a tough out. In its wins, it averages 42 percent from three, but jut 31.7 percent in losses. Such was the case in its loss to Villanova, shooting 6 for 16 while the Wildcats planted 13 threes.
Georgetown's three point options remain a well kept secret. The slow starts from D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera and foul trouble inside have made Georgetown a vulnerable team in zone coverage and until the Hoyas figure out how to break this, expect Big East teams to exploit this weakness and dare the hoyas to score from outside. Georgetown's three point shooting ranks ninth in the Big East and Georgetown has scored more then four threes just once in conference play. Georgetown has also been inattentive from the free throw line, something that DePaul has used to its advantage, with a 76 percent mark in Big East play.
Some keys to the game:
Turnovers: The Hoyas have given up at least 15 turnovers in each of its losses; Providence claimed 23 points off of GU turnovers Saturday.
Possessions: DePaul favors a slower pace, but does Georgetown have the ability to force a faster pace without turnovers?
Bench Play: Georgetown has much more depth off the bench but is getting little out of Isaac Copeland and Aaron Bowen in Big East play. This needs to change.
The next three games - DePaul, Butler and Villanova, two at home - represent Georgetown's best chance to establish its place in the Big East standings. If it wants to maintain an NCAA caliber conference record, it needs a strong showing over the next week.
Last March's opening round loss to DePaul was one of the low moments of the John Thompson III era at Georgetown, costing the Hoyas an NCAA invitation. But there's no time for a repeat performance Tuesday with a Georgetown offense vulnerable to the kind of game DePaul can play.
Georgetown hasn't won a true road game since Feb. 3, 2014, its last appearance in the building better known as the Rosemont Horizon. By contrast, the 7-2 home record of DePaul is surprising to say the least. The Blue Demons' 3-1 Big East start is the best since DePaul left the independent ranks in 1991. With home wins over Marquette and Xavier, DePaul has already won more conference games in four games than they have in some seasons. And while the statistics don't reflect it, this is the kind of team that can hang around and contend late, not unlike it did on a Wednesday night last March.
So what has changed for DePaul? Consistency. Its core of Billy Garrett, Jamee Crockett, and Forrest Robinson are playing together, and that is paying dividends in late stretches. Garrett's 12.8 points leads the team in scoring, with a 43 percent mark from three point range. Crockett is shooting 47 percent for the season but has been less effective in Big East play, but Robinson has stepped up in a big way, including outside shooting. Robinson, who has replaced Tommy Hamilton in the starting lineup, gives the Blue Demons more scoring options when the defense clogs the middle.
One change in the lineup is apparent--the addition of Illinois transfer Myke Henry. The 6-4 junior is averaging 12 points a game on 40 percent shooting, but has struggled of late from outside. If the can regain the touch, DePaul will be a tough out. In its wins, it averages 42 percent from three, but jut 31.7 percent in losses. Such was the case in its loss to Villanova, shooting 6 for 16 while the Wildcats planted 13 threes.
Georgetown's three point options remain a well kept secret. The slow starts from D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera and foul trouble inside have made Georgetown a vulnerable team in zone coverage and until the Hoyas figure out how to break this, expect Big East teams to exploit this weakness and dare the hoyas to score from outside. Georgetown's three point shooting ranks ninth in the Big East and Georgetown has scored more then four threes just once in conference play. Georgetown has also been inattentive from the free throw line, something that DePaul has used to its advantage, with a 76 percent mark in Big East play.
Some keys to the game:
Turnovers: The Hoyas have given up at least 15 turnovers in each of its losses; Providence claimed 23 points off of GU turnovers Saturday.
Possessions: DePaul favors a slower pace, but does Georgetown have the ability to force a faster pace without turnovers?
Bench Play: Georgetown has much more depth off the bench but is getting little out of Isaac Copeland and Aaron Bowen in Big East play. This needs to change.
The next three games - DePaul, Butler and Villanova, two at home - represent Georgetown's best chance to establish its place in the Big East standings. If it wants to maintain an NCAA caliber conference record, it needs a strong showing over the next week.
