Game Notes
--Providence's poor finish can be seen in the big games: PC is 0-9 against ranked opponents in 2005.
--Georgetown is 17-3 in home games against PC.
--Saturday's game marks only the second appearance for PC at MCI Center in six years.
Preview
This one's for pride, for the seniors, and for an evening game in the first round of the Big East tournament. But it's also a game to see if the 2004-05 Hoyas have the ability to reverse course and reestablish themselves, or will end the regular season with losses to two of the Big East's bottom ranked teams in its final three games.
Providence enters the season finale as a classic "what if" team. Eight of its 12 losses have been by less than five points, and in 10 of 12 the Friars were within four points in the final two minutes. In the end, though, the Friars are winless against the top eight teams in the league because its defense is porous, averaging 76 points a game. Still, Georgetown must be careful not to let the tempo get above its reach--the Hoyas are 0-4 in Big East play when the opponent tops 70 points and PC averages 72 points a game. Excepting an overtime game at Syracuse, Georgetown has not scored 70 in a Big East regulation game all season.
The Friars will give the Hoyas trouble because of size, but surprisingly do not leverage this size with a significant rebounding edge. It's a team Georgetown must get ahead of and hold a lead, because PC doesn't often lose a lead, once its gets one.
Here's a quick look at the Friars' starting five:
Donnie McGrath is the only true guard in the starting rotation and is a solid performer. He leads the Friars in three point shooting, free throw shooting (92%) and assists, and scored 22 in Wednesday's game versus St. John's. For Georgetown to pull away in this game, Ashanti Cook must prevail in any matchup with McGrath.
Senior Tuukka Kotti is one of the team's three forwards. Kotti is second on the team in field goal shooting and can make an impact on defense.
Freshman Jeff Parmer has struggled in the starting lineup, and is averaging less than 12 minutes a start. Shooting 24% in Big East play, Parmer may see limited action without a strong first half.
Senior Ryan Gomes ends the regular season as the school's all-time leading scorer, and if he was playing for Duke, Dick Vitale would never stop talking about him. Instead, Gomes' 21.5 ppg average is underrated, but he's also second on the team in assists and has not fouled out of a game all season. Outside of Craig Smith, Georgetown may not play a more complete player this year, and the task to defend him may fall on freshman Jeff Green. For obvious reasons, neither team can afford fouls in this matchup.
Sophomore center Herbert Hill makes his debut against the Hoyas and like his counterpart in Roy Hibbert, has seen limited time at center and may spend more time on the bench. 6-10 Freshman reserve Randall Hanke may also see action, with an impressive 71-98 (.724) shooting mark.
Keys to the game:
1. No first half drought.
2. Three point shooting: PC averages 20 attempts a game but connects on seven. GU needs to keep PC under 5 threes and connect on at least eight of its own.
3. Georgetown must own the offensive boards.
4. Jeff Green must play 36-38 minutes without foul problems.
Is it too late? Maybe, but the best thing a team can do is to believe in itself entering the Big East. A team like Providence 1-6 on the road in league play) gives the Hoyas its best chance in a month of a convincing home win. Without it, a five game streak may be too much to overcome in the week to come.
--Providence's poor finish can be seen in the big games: PC is 0-9 against ranked opponents in 2005.
--Georgetown is 17-3 in home games against PC.
--Saturday's game marks only the second appearance for PC at MCI Center in six years.
Preview
This one's for pride, for the seniors, and for an evening game in the first round of the Big East tournament. But it's also a game to see if the 2004-05 Hoyas have the ability to reverse course and reestablish themselves, or will end the regular season with losses to two of the Big East's bottom ranked teams in its final three games.
Providence enters the season finale as a classic "what if" team. Eight of its 12 losses have been by less than five points, and in 10 of 12 the Friars were within four points in the final two minutes. In the end, though, the Friars are winless against the top eight teams in the league because its defense is porous, averaging 76 points a game. Still, Georgetown must be careful not to let the tempo get above its reach--the Hoyas are 0-4 in Big East play when the opponent tops 70 points and PC averages 72 points a game. Excepting an overtime game at Syracuse, Georgetown has not scored 70 in a Big East regulation game all season.
The Friars will give the Hoyas trouble because of size, but surprisingly do not leverage this size with a significant rebounding edge. It's a team Georgetown must get ahead of and hold a lead, because PC doesn't often lose a lead, once its gets one.
Here's a quick look at the Friars' starting five:
Donnie McGrath is the only true guard in the starting rotation and is a solid performer. He leads the Friars in three point shooting, free throw shooting (92%) and assists, and scored 22 in Wednesday's game versus St. John's. For Georgetown to pull away in this game, Ashanti Cook must prevail in any matchup with McGrath.
Senior Tuukka Kotti is one of the team's three forwards. Kotti is second on the team in field goal shooting and can make an impact on defense.
Freshman Jeff Parmer has struggled in the starting lineup, and is averaging less than 12 minutes a start. Shooting 24% in Big East play, Parmer may see limited action without a strong first half.
Senior Ryan Gomes ends the regular season as the school's all-time leading scorer, and if he was playing for Duke, Dick Vitale would never stop talking about him. Instead, Gomes' 21.5 ppg average is underrated, but he's also second on the team in assists and has not fouled out of a game all season. Outside of Craig Smith, Georgetown may not play a more complete player this year, and the task to defend him may fall on freshman Jeff Green. For obvious reasons, neither team can afford fouls in this matchup.
Sophomore center Herbert Hill makes his debut against the Hoyas and like his counterpart in Roy Hibbert, has seen limited time at center and may spend more time on the bench. 6-10 Freshman reserve Randall Hanke may also see action, with an impressive 71-98 (.724) shooting mark.
Keys to the game:
1. No first half drought.
2. Three point shooting: PC averages 20 attempts a game but connects on seven. GU needs to keep PC under 5 threes and connect on at least eight of its own.
3. Georgetown must own the offensive boards.
4. Jeff Green must play 36-38 minutes without foul problems.
Is it too late? Maybe, but the best thing a team can do is to believe in itself entering the Big East. A team like Providence 1-6 on the road in league play) gives the Hoyas its best chance in a month of a convincing home win. Without it, a five game streak may be too much to overcome in the week to come.
