Preview
Georgetown hasn't defeated a nationally ranked Big East opponent at Verizon Center in nearly two years, but #16 Creighton enters Wednesday's game with a dose of uncertainty following the season-ending injury of Maurice Watson Jr. The Bluejays dropped just their second game of the season Saturday to a resurgent Marquette club, as the Warriors pulled the upset, 102-94.
For a Georgetown team which is fading off the sports pages this season, this game might offer as good an opportunity for a surprise win as they will see all season.
The Marquette loss may have been telling as to how much Watson meant to this team, but Creighton returns a formidable starting five. Senior isaiah Zierden will likely start at point guard, but extended time to freshman Davion Mintz bears watching. Mintz, averaging lass than three points a game with limited time backing up Watson, went for 17 versus the Warriors and gave glimpses of an increased role for him moving forward. As three guard lineups are especially effective versus Georgetown, Creighton guards Marcus Foster (18.7 ppg) and Khyri Thomas (11.9 ppg) look to take advantage of GU's frequent defensive lapses on the perimeter. Foster led the Bluejays with 30 points in Saturday's game with Marquette, but was just 2 of 8 from three point range and shoots just 34 percent from outside. If he gets hot against the Hoyas, some students may make their way to the exits early.
In the front court, forward Cole Huff (8.8) provides steady play but is a combined 3 for 15 in previous games with GU, A newcomer to the series, 7-0 Justin Patton, figures to challenge what has been, of late, a soft Georgetown interior. Patton averages 71 percent from the field and has scored in double figures in ten straight games. His 25 point, nine rebound game versus an equally ineffective St. John's team should be a point of concern for Georgetown in this one.
Creighton needs a rebound game to steady its ranking following the loss of Watson and a rare home court loss to Marquette. To do so, they must rely on guard play. Foster and Thomas were a combined -20 on the plus/minus chart in the Marquette game, an eight point loss in overtime. Defensively, they must protect the perimeter, allowing Marquette to shoot 12 for 24 from three point range. An early start is essential--CU is 17-0 this season when leading after halftime but it allowed Marquette to shoot 60 percent in the first half.
Georgetown isn't the most underachieving team in college basketball (a title reserved for UConn this year) but its inconsistency is cannon fodder for teams that can play an aggressive front court game. Guard play must improve on both sides of the floor, while the Hoyas cannot afford a smaller lineup with Patton inside. A tepid effort from Bradley Hayes and Jessie Govan may put GU in an early hole from which it cannot recover. Nonetheless, the Bluejays are vulnerable if GU can establish a slower pace and leverage L.J. Peak and Rodney Pryor on the perimeter. Both teams defend the three at roughly sixth and seventh in the conference, so the opportunity is there for either team to make a statement from outside.
Keys To The Game:
Fouls: Make no mistake--Xavier won Sunday's game at the line. Continued fouling by the Hoyas will do the same for Creighton.
Davion Mintz: The heir to Maurice Watson's role in the Bluejays' offense will see time Wednesday. A better defensive effort is vital for the Hoyas to limit Creighton's offense inside.
Patton or Govan?: In a down year for the Georgetown sophomore, Jessie Govan needs a breakthrough game. Patton is a challenge inside but it may offer Govan a chance to be more mobile and get some valuable minutes.
Points Off Turnovers: Xavier scored just six points in its loss to Creighton off 14 turnovers. Georgetown needs at least 12 in this game.
Georgetown hasn't defeated a nationally ranked Big East opponent at Verizon Center in nearly two years, but #16 Creighton enters Wednesday's game with a dose of uncertainty following the season-ending injury of Maurice Watson Jr. The Bluejays dropped just their second game of the season Saturday to a resurgent Marquette club, as the Warriors pulled the upset, 102-94.
For a Georgetown team which is fading off the sports pages this season, this game might offer as good an opportunity for a surprise win as they will see all season.
The Marquette loss may have been telling as to how much Watson meant to this team, but Creighton returns a formidable starting five. Senior isaiah Zierden will likely start at point guard, but extended time to freshman Davion Mintz bears watching. Mintz, averaging lass than three points a game with limited time backing up Watson, went for 17 versus the Warriors and gave glimpses of an increased role for him moving forward. As three guard lineups are especially effective versus Georgetown, Creighton guards Marcus Foster (18.7 ppg) and Khyri Thomas (11.9 ppg) look to take advantage of GU's frequent defensive lapses on the perimeter. Foster led the Bluejays with 30 points in Saturday's game with Marquette, but was just 2 of 8 from three point range and shoots just 34 percent from outside. If he gets hot against the Hoyas, some students may make their way to the exits early.
In the front court, forward Cole Huff (8.8) provides steady play but is a combined 3 for 15 in previous games with GU, A newcomer to the series, 7-0 Justin Patton, figures to challenge what has been, of late, a soft Georgetown interior. Patton averages 71 percent from the field and has scored in double figures in ten straight games. His 25 point, nine rebound game versus an equally ineffective St. John's team should be a point of concern for Georgetown in this one.
Creighton needs a rebound game to steady its ranking following the loss of Watson and a rare home court loss to Marquette. To do so, they must rely on guard play. Foster and Thomas were a combined -20 on the plus/minus chart in the Marquette game, an eight point loss in overtime. Defensively, they must protect the perimeter, allowing Marquette to shoot 12 for 24 from three point range. An early start is essential--CU is 17-0 this season when leading after halftime but it allowed Marquette to shoot 60 percent in the first half.
Georgetown isn't the most underachieving team in college basketball (a title reserved for UConn this year) but its inconsistency is cannon fodder for teams that can play an aggressive front court game. Guard play must improve on both sides of the floor, while the Hoyas cannot afford a smaller lineup with Patton inside. A tepid effort from Bradley Hayes and Jessie Govan may put GU in an early hole from which it cannot recover. Nonetheless, the Bluejays are vulnerable if GU can establish a slower pace and leverage L.J. Peak and Rodney Pryor on the perimeter. Both teams defend the three at roughly sixth and seventh in the conference, so the opportunity is there for either team to make a statement from outside.
Keys To The Game:
Fouls: Make no mistake--Xavier won Sunday's game at the line. Continued fouling by the Hoyas will do the same for Creighton.
Davion Mintz: The heir to Maurice Watson's role in the Bluejays' offense will see time Wednesday. A better defensive effort is vital for the Hoyas to limit Creighton's offense inside.
Patton or Govan?: In a down year for the Georgetown sophomore, Jessie Govan needs a breakthrough game. Patton is a challenge inside but it may offer Govan a chance to be more mobile and get some valuable minutes.
Points Off Turnovers: Xavier scored just six points in its loss to Creighton off 14 turnovers. Georgetown needs at least 12 in this game.
