Preview
Georgetown's three wins in Big East play have come from two opponents with a combined record of 1-15 in conference play, and its late night game Wednesday versus DePaul represents the last game this season where the Hoyas will be favored over any Big East opponent.
DePaul's poor play has been a Big East mainstay since they entered the conference in 2006, and it is most apparent on the road, where the Blue Demons have an all-time mark of 16-94 (.145). Yet, DePaul has always played well at Georgetown, and whose 67-65 win at the former Verizon Center last year was the point of no return for the end of the John Thompson III era. This year's Blue Demons have dropped four of five entering Wednesday's game and are without two players up front, but still have options in the backcourt where Georgetown remains especially vulnerable.
The Blue Demons will go as far in this game as its guard play will take them. Fifth year transfer Max Strus scored 19 in the earlier meeting between the teams and is coming off a 27 point game in DePaul's 12 point loss to Butler. He is a guard who can hit from outside as well as drive, and whether it's Marcus Foster, Desi Rodriguez, or Shamorie Ponds, the Hoyas are an easy assignment for guards like this. Strus will need to score for than 19 in this one but is otherwise capable of it. Also needing a big game: guard Eli Cain, who shot just 3 for 11 in the Jan. 2 loss in Chicago.
DePaul may be without two big men as a result of injury. Center Marin Maric, who scored 18 versus the Hoyas in their last game, and Jaylen Butz were both held out of the Butler game, putting added pressure on starters Brandon Cyrus (6.6 ppg), Tre'Darius McCallum (11.2 ppg), and graduate student Peter Ryckbosch (2.1 ppg) to carry the load. of the three, McCallum appears the most dangerous inside for the Blue Demons, but is coming off back to back poor games versus Marquette and Butler, and was just 3 for 13 in his last game.
DePaul's weakness up front is a call to action for the Hoyas, where Jessie Govan and Marcus Derrickson combined for 49 points in the Hoyas' previous win in the series. Outside of Govan, Georgetown kept turnovers down and won the game at the line, shooting 31 of 37. While by no means guaranteed, Georgetown's front line strength is a big advantage in this matchup.
Keys to the game:
1. Inside Play: Govan and Derrickson must carry the day.
2. Perimeter Defense: Depaul's 10 threes versus Butler may have been an anomaly, but it may be DU's best chance to stay in this game. Without it, they could be out of gas early .
3. Foul Trouble: Staying away from the fifth foul was the deciding factor in Georgetown's narrow win over St. john's. In a season where wins are hard to come by, staying out of series foul trouble must be a priority for all Georgetown starters.
Georgetown's three wins in Big East play have come from two opponents with a combined record of 1-15 in conference play, and its late night game Wednesday versus DePaul represents the last game this season where the Hoyas will be favored over any Big East opponent.
DePaul's poor play has been a Big East mainstay since they entered the conference in 2006, and it is most apparent on the road, where the Blue Demons have an all-time mark of 16-94 (.145). Yet, DePaul has always played well at Georgetown, and whose 67-65 win at the former Verizon Center last year was the point of no return for the end of the John Thompson III era. This year's Blue Demons have dropped four of five entering Wednesday's game and are without two players up front, but still have options in the backcourt where Georgetown remains especially vulnerable.
The Blue Demons will go as far in this game as its guard play will take them. Fifth year transfer Max Strus scored 19 in the earlier meeting between the teams and is coming off a 27 point game in DePaul's 12 point loss to Butler. He is a guard who can hit from outside as well as drive, and whether it's Marcus Foster, Desi Rodriguez, or Shamorie Ponds, the Hoyas are an easy assignment for guards like this. Strus will need to score for than 19 in this one but is otherwise capable of it. Also needing a big game: guard Eli Cain, who shot just 3 for 11 in the Jan. 2 loss in Chicago.
DePaul may be without two big men as a result of injury. Center Marin Maric, who scored 18 versus the Hoyas in their last game, and Jaylen Butz were both held out of the Butler game, putting added pressure on starters Brandon Cyrus (6.6 ppg), Tre'Darius McCallum (11.2 ppg), and graduate student Peter Ryckbosch (2.1 ppg) to carry the load. of the three, McCallum appears the most dangerous inside for the Blue Demons, but is coming off back to back poor games versus Marquette and Butler, and was just 3 for 13 in his last game.
DePaul's weakness up front is a call to action for the Hoyas, where Jessie Govan and Marcus Derrickson combined for 49 points in the Hoyas' previous win in the series. Outside of Govan, Georgetown kept turnovers down and won the game at the line, shooting 31 of 37. While by no means guaranteed, Georgetown's front line strength is a big advantage in this matchup.
Keys to the game:
1. Inside Play: Govan and Derrickson must carry the day.
2. Perimeter Defense: Depaul's 10 threes versus Butler may have been an anomaly, but it may be DU's best chance to stay in this game. Without it, they could be out of gas early .
3. Foul Trouble: Staying away from the fifth foul was the deciding factor in Georgetown's narrow win over St. john's. In a season where wins are hard to come by, staying out of series foul trouble must be a priority for all Georgetown starters.
