Preview
Have the 2017-18 Georgetown Hoyas turned a corner? With two stronger showings against Xavier and Creighton, the Hoyas may be at a point where they not only can compete with the middle tier of the Big East, but actually win some games that they are capable of doing so.
With some consistent guard play, and keeping turnovers down, Georgetown is ready for that statement game Tuesday at Providence, a team that has owned the series since the reformation of the Big East in 2013.
The Friars have been shaky over its last three games, losing to Villanova and Seton Hall and needing a last second steal to steer clear marquette. PC has been beset by injuries this season and rely heavily on a six man scoring rotation.
Two players figure to lead the charge. 5-11 Kyron Cartwright is cas in the role of many guard-killers for the 2017-18 Hoyas this season, the kind which have run up big numbers by challenging the Hoyas inside and outside. Cartwright's numbers, have been erratic of late, from a 12 point effort versus Villanova to being shut out (0-9) versus Villanova to 15 against Marquette. Georgetown has matched up well with Cartwright back when the names were Smith-Rivera, Peak, and Pryor, but it remains to be seen how Mulmore, Mosely, and Blair will fare. Should GU be able to cut off Cartwright's offense, particularly from three point range, PC must then go inside.
Inside, 6-8 Rodney Bullock will pose a threat but is not unstoppable. Bullock had 22 against the Hoyas in its meeting last season, and has scored in double figures in his last 21 games as a senior. Bullock is not a three point threat but will work inside, forcing Marcus Derrickson and Jessie Govan to battle to avoid early foul trouble. Unlike Xavier, PC does not have depth inside and the Friars need Bullock's 33 minute per game average and then some.
With a season long injury to guard Emmitt Holt, the Friars have experimented with a number of lineups. 6-7 Jalen Lindsay has been up and down this season bit averaged 16.5 points in two games versus GU last season. Sophomore guard Alpha Diallo, coming off a 25 point effort versus Seton Hall and 16 versus Marquette, figures to get points and may be a threat in zone reads. One to watch: sixth man Isaiah Jackson, averaging nearly 10 points per game in conference play at 21 minutes per game.
Providence leads the league in defense while Georgetown is last in defense. if Georgetown can maintain better offensive sets and avoid turnovers, they can contend.
Some other keys to the game:
1. Three Point Margin: Georgetown over-relies on the three but this will be an interesting test. PC is #1 in the Big East in defending the three but are just 8th of 10 in threes themselves. A hot hand from Jamarko Pickett or Jahvon Blair will prove big for the Hoyas.
2. Win At The Line: Georgetown's efforts at the free throw line have not been rewarded this year but could be Tuesday. GU must avoid cheap fouls, however, as PC has a +51 point edge in conference games at the line.
3. The Last Four Minutes: How many times has Georgetown slumped to end the first half and saw it make the difference late in the second? Look for Georgetown to make a stronger effort to close out the first half strong.
Following PC, the Hoyas get four of its next five at home. A win Tuesday would go a long way towards some real progress approaching March.
Have the 2017-18 Georgetown Hoyas turned a corner? With two stronger showings against Xavier and Creighton, the Hoyas may be at a point where they not only can compete with the middle tier of the Big East, but actually win some games that they are capable of doing so.
With some consistent guard play, and keeping turnovers down, Georgetown is ready for that statement game Tuesday at Providence, a team that has owned the series since the reformation of the Big East in 2013.
The Friars have been shaky over its last three games, losing to Villanova and Seton Hall and needing a last second steal to steer clear marquette. PC has been beset by injuries this season and rely heavily on a six man scoring rotation.
Two players figure to lead the charge. 5-11 Kyron Cartwright is cas in the role of many guard-killers for the 2017-18 Hoyas this season, the kind which have run up big numbers by challenging the Hoyas inside and outside. Cartwright's numbers, have been erratic of late, from a 12 point effort versus Villanova to being shut out (0-9) versus Villanova to 15 against Marquette. Georgetown has matched up well with Cartwright back when the names were Smith-Rivera, Peak, and Pryor, but it remains to be seen how Mulmore, Mosely, and Blair will fare. Should GU be able to cut off Cartwright's offense, particularly from three point range, PC must then go inside.
Inside, 6-8 Rodney Bullock will pose a threat but is not unstoppable. Bullock had 22 against the Hoyas in its meeting last season, and has scored in double figures in his last 21 games as a senior. Bullock is not a three point threat but will work inside, forcing Marcus Derrickson and Jessie Govan to battle to avoid early foul trouble. Unlike Xavier, PC does not have depth inside and the Friars need Bullock's 33 minute per game average and then some.
With a season long injury to guard Emmitt Holt, the Friars have experimented with a number of lineups. 6-7 Jalen Lindsay has been up and down this season bit averaged 16.5 points in two games versus GU last season. Sophomore guard Alpha Diallo, coming off a 25 point effort versus Seton Hall and 16 versus Marquette, figures to get points and may be a threat in zone reads. One to watch: sixth man Isaiah Jackson, averaging nearly 10 points per game in conference play at 21 minutes per game.
Providence leads the league in defense while Georgetown is last in defense. if Georgetown can maintain better offensive sets and avoid turnovers, they can contend.
Some other keys to the game:
1. Three Point Margin: Georgetown over-relies on the three but this will be an interesting test. PC is #1 in the Big East in defending the three but are just 8th of 10 in threes themselves. A hot hand from Jamarko Pickett or Jahvon Blair will prove big for the Hoyas.
2. Win At The Line: Georgetown's efforts at the free throw line have not been rewarded this year but could be Tuesday. GU must avoid cheap fouls, however, as PC has a +51 point edge in conference games at the line.
3. The Last Four Minutes: How many times has Georgetown slumped to end the first half and saw it make the difference late in the second? Look for Georgetown to make a stronger effort to close out the first half strong.
Following PC, the Hoyas get four of its next five at home. A win Tuesday would go a long way towards some real progress approaching March.
