Preview
One of the biggest surprises to open the 2014-15 Big East season was the sudden emergence of DePaul University, who opened the conference race 3-0 and 5-2, having won more Big East games in January than they had in their previous two seasons combined.
Over the past month, things have taken a different turn for the Blue Demons, having dropped six of its last seven. DePaul has dropped to last in the conference in rebounding and field goal percentage defense, and teams have taken advantage.
Saturday's game at Georgetown is no walkover, however, because DePaul's starting five matches up well with the Hoyas' offensive sets, and, as it proved last season, can challenge Georgetown at any turn.
DePaul's hard times are tracking that of St. John's, another team where the leading scorers have struggled down the stretch. For the blue demons, leading scorer Billy Garrett has struggled from the field over his last three games (33% FG) but owns a career average of 15.5 points per game against the Hoyas. Much like D'Angelo Harrison of St. John's, the Blue Demons are not deep enough to support its offense if garrett falters. 6-4 Jamee Crockett has been more effective, but may struggle against taller Georgetown defensive sets. A key for the demons may be small forward Myke Henry, who scored 17 against the Hoyas last month and needs to improve on a 31 % m,ark from three point range to be especially problematic.
DePaul's troubles are on the defensive level, lacking in team rebounding and unable to force opponents off the scoring columns. If Georgetown can get the kind of team scoring and an overall lack of turnovers, the Hoyas will be strongly favored for the win at home.
Some other keys:
Fouls: DePaul is averaging nearly 25 fouls per game over its las three games. The demons need a far better showing in this one.
Josh Smith:: Held to just eight points in the series game at Chicago, a productive Smith means big things for the Hoyas./li>
Tempo: Opponents are 14-2 against dePaul when scoring 70 or more points.
One of the biggest surprises to open the 2014-15 Big East season was the sudden emergence of DePaul University, who opened the conference race 3-0 and 5-2, having won more Big East games in January than they had in their previous two seasons combined.
Over the past month, things have taken a different turn for the Blue Demons, having dropped six of its last seven. DePaul has dropped to last in the conference in rebounding and field goal percentage defense, and teams have taken advantage.
Saturday's game at Georgetown is no walkover, however, because DePaul's starting five matches up well with the Hoyas' offensive sets, and, as it proved last season, can challenge Georgetown at any turn.
DePaul's hard times are tracking that of St. John's, another team where the leading scorers have struggled down the stretch. For the blue demons, leading scorer Billy Garrett has struggled from the field over his last three games (33% FG) but owns a career average of 15.5 points per game against the Hoyas. Much like D'Angelo Harrison of St. John's, the Blue Demons are not deep enough to support its offense if garrett falters. 6-4 Jamee Crockett has been more effective, but may struggle against taller Georgetown defensive sets. A key for the demons may be small forward Myke Henry, who scored 17 against the Hoyas last month and needs to improve on a 31 % m,ark from three point range to be especially problematic.
DePaul's troubles are on the defensive level, lacking in team rebounding and unable to force opponents off the scoring columns. If Georgetown can get the kind of team scoring and an overall lack of turnovers, the Hoyas will be strongly favored for the win at home.
Some other keys:
Fouls: DePaul is averaging nearly 25 fouls per game over its las three games. The demons need a far better showing in this one.
Josh Smith:: Held to just eight points in the series game at Chicago, a productive Smith means big things for the Hoyas./li>
Tempo: Opponents are 14-2 against dePaul when scoring 70 or more points.
