When Georgetown was once set to be playing in the highest profile basketball tournament of the past decade, Patrick Ewing's decision to drop the Hoyas' participation in the PK80 tournament was seen in some quarters as a sign of weakness for the 2017-18 Hoyas. And while replacement entry DePaul fared well in its opening loss to Michigan State in the PK80 (a tie game at the half, and a second half Spartan rally to close out the game), Georgetown opted for a safer schedule, with only one road game until conference play.
That road game arrives Saturday in Georgetown's first appearance in Richmond in over 20 years and its first road game against the Richmond Spiders since a Dec. 29, 1961 appearance at the long-forgotten Richmond Arena. Like many of Georgetown's opponents to date, and those to come, the Spiders are struggling (1-4), lack depth, and pose far less a threat to Ewing's 3-0 record than any of the 16 teams taking their turns in Portland this weekend.
Still, a road game is a test to a young team which has not played outside the confines of Capital One Arena, and its opponent is capable of an upset.
The dangers of Richmond (1-4), their Princeton-style offense, Hoya Jessie Govan vs. Grant Golden, transition defense, desired tempo, implementing new defenses, practice during Thanksgiving break, cause of turnovers and decisions. The necessary growth of freshman, status of Trey Dickerson and Trey Mourning, needed growth of Jamarko Pickett, Kaleb Johnson's growth and motivating Jessie Govan to rim run.
That road game arrives Saturday in Georgetown's first appearance in Richmond in over 20 years and its first road game against the Richmond Spiders since a Dec. 29, 1961 appearance at the long-forgotten Richmond Arena. Like many of Georgetown's opponents to date, and those to come, the Spiders are struggling (1-4), lack depth, and pose far less a threat to Ewing's 3-0 record than any of the 16 teams taking their turns in Portland this weekend.
Still, a road game is a test to a young team which has not played outside the confines of Capital One Arena, and its opponent is capable of an upset.
The dangers of Richmond (1-4), their Princeton-style offense, Hoya Jessie Govan vs. Grant Golden, transition defense, desired tempo, implementing new defenses, practice during Thanksgiving break, cause of turnovers and decisions. The necessary growth of freshman, status of Trey Dickerson and Trey Mourning, needed growth of Jamarko Pickett, Kaleb Johnson's growth and motivating Jessie Govan to rim run.
