For the first time in 15 seasons, Georgetown nor Syracuse enter a game where neither is ranked in the Associated Press Top 25, as befits two teams with a combined record of 12-7 so far this season. That won't matter to the 30,000+ plus to pack the Carrier Dome Saturday, as these games harken to a better era for both schools. The Orangemen have only one win this season against a team with winning record to date, but a win over GU would do much to reset the expectations in Jim Boeheim's penultimate season as head coach.
Much like Georgetown, Syrscuse's roster is underperforming and relies on a graduate transfer to carry the scoring load. Unlike Georgetown, it maintains structural integrity on the kind of defense that the Hoyas have been unable to address this season.
A key for Syracuse Saturday will be getting sustained guard play. PG Frank Howard has been a bellwether for the Orangemen his season, but struggled against tougher opponents, going a combined 2 for 17 in games versus Wisconsin and Connecticut. At nearly seven assists per game, his play making abilities will be a test to a Georgetown backcourt which has been ineffective in sealing off the middle this year, and while Howard may not get a lot of points, he can do some damage to the Hoyas inside. Freshman Tyus Battle is expected to see his fourth start of the season Saturday, but needs better shooting to be effective in Georgetown's defensive sets.
While Rodney Pryor has rocketed up the Georgetown scoring charts, a fifth year senior at Syracuse is not far behind. Nebraska expat Andrew White leads the Orangemen with a 16.9 ppg average and has scored in double figures in every game this season. This is a matchup of concern for Georgetown, in that L.J. Peak is not a consistent defender at the three and the loss of Isaac Copeland plays into White's strengths, both as a driver as well as an able three point shooter at 41 percent.
Syracuse's frontcourt has under performed of late. Despite All-America expectations, Tyler Lydon has struggled to gain consistency this season, shooting 39 percent from the field and falling under double figures in three of his last four games. Lydon scored just seven in 31 minutes last season versus the Hoyas and needs to double that effort Saturday for Syracuse to carry the day. Up front, fifth year senior Dajuan Coleman can get points inside but needs to be more active on defense, where the orangemen have been vulnerable against taller and more aggressive defenses inside.
Saturday's game is a difficult one for the Hoyas given the surroundings and the trends for this team. Georgetown has over-relied on pryor and Peak to bail out the offense--the vaunted Syracuse zone may limit Pryor's ability to get open looks from outside. inside, Syracuse enjoys a healthy rebound advantage which has burned GU often this season. If Georgetown cannot earn a draw on the board, it could be a long afternoon.
Keys To The Game:
Free Throws: Syracuse averages 16 free throws allowed per game. Georgetown has not taken fewer than 20 in a game this season, and free throws account for 27 percent of its scoring offense.
John Gillon: The Colorado State transfer went for a season high 23 against Boston University last week and could be a valuable addition off the Syracuse bench.
Look To The Three: Syracuse is holding opponents to 27 percent from behind the arc, and the depth perception in dome stadiums has bedeviled GU for many seasons. None of the current GU players except Bradley Hayes has played in the building before.
Whither the (Other) Three: Can Georgetown get some valuable minutes from Isaac Copeland's successor at small forward?
Full Court Press: Georgetown could be vulnerable with press defenses off made baskets.
Both teams need a big win a this stage of the season to steady the ship before conference play. Georgetown seems to need a person to step up (a la Otto Porter in 2013) to lead them into battle and that's likely to be from Pryor or Peak. Without a big game from one, or both, Georgetown is facing a second season of five non-conference losses, which would send more cold wind blowing on the program as it enters Big East play in less than two weeks.
Much like Georgetown, Syrscuse's roster is underperforming and relies on a graduate transfer to carry the scoring load. Unlike Georgetown, it maintains structural integrity on the kind of defense that the Hoyas have been unable to address this season.
A key for Syracuse Saturday will be getting sustained guard play. PG Frank Howard has been a bellwether for the Orangemen his season, but struggled against tougher opponents, going a combined 2 for 17 in games versus Wisconsin and Connecticut. At nearly seven assists per game, his play making abilities will be a test to a Georgetown backcourt which has been ineffective in sealing off the middle this year, and while Howard may not get a lot of points, he can do some damage to the Hoyas inside. Freshman Tyus Battle is expected to see his fourth start of the season Saturday, but needs better shooting to be effective in Georgetown's defensive sets.
While Rodney Pryor has rocketed up the Georgetown scoring charts, a fifth year senior at Syracuse is not far behind. Nebraska expat Andrew White leads the Orangemen with a 16.9 ppg average and has scored in double figures in every game this season. This is a matchup of concern for Georgetown, in that L.J. Peak is not a consistent defender at the three and the loss of Isaac Copeland plays into White's strengths, both as a driver as well as an able three point shooter at 41 percent.
Syracuse's frontcourt has under performed of late. Despite All-America expectations, Tyler Lydon has struggled to gain consistency this season, shooting 39 percent from the field and falling under double figures in three of his last four games. Lydon scored just seven in 31 minutes last season versus the Hoyas and needs to double that effort Saturday for Syracuse to carry the day. Up front, fifth year senior Dajuan Coleman can get points inside but needs to be more active on defense, where the orangemen have been vulnerable against taller and more aggressive defenses inside.
Saturday's game is a difficult one for the Hoyas given the surroundings and the trends for this team. Georgetown has over-relied on pryor and Peak to bail out the offense--the vaunted Syracuse zone may limit Pryor's ability to get open looks from outside. inside, Syracuse enjoys a healthy rebound advantage which has burned GU often this season. If Georgetown cannot earn a draw on the board, it could be a long afternoon.
Keys To The Game:
Free Throws: Syracuse averages 16 free throws allowed per game. Georgetown has not taken fewer than 20 in a game this season, and free throws account for 27 percent of its scoring offense.
John Gillon: The Colorado State transfer went for a season high 23 against Boston University last week and could be a valuable addition off the Syracuse bench.
Look To The Three: Syracuse is holding opponents to 27 percent from behind the arc, and the depth perception in dome stadiums has bedeviled GU for many seasons. None of the current GU players except Bradley Hayes has played in the building before.
Whither the (Other) Three: Can Georgetown get some valuable minutes from Isaac Copeland's successor at small forward?
Full Court Press: Georgetown could be vulnerable with press defenses off made baskets.
Both teams need a big win a this stage of the season to steady the ship before conference play. Georgetown seems to need a person to step up (a la Otto Porter in 2013) to lead them into battle and that's likely to be from Pryor or Peak. Without a big game from one, or both, Georgetown is facing a second season of five non-conference losses, which would send more cold wind blowing on the program as it enters Big East play in less than two weeks.
