Preview
You can't get to March without getting through February, and when it comes to the post season, February means everything.
In 14 seasons where Georgetown has finished first or second in Big East regular season play, it has posted at least five wins in February over 11 of those 14 seasons. Among eight GU teams that posted seven or more wins in February, seven advanced to a regional final and four to a Final Four. In a competitive 2014-15 Big East, where any of the ten teams can win on any given night, momentum is essential.
Four of Georgetown's seven conference wins to date have come against the bottom two teams in the conference: Marquette and Creighton, with a combined mark of 3-16. The competition level steps up this week with a return meeting against Providence, who defeated the Hoyas 60-57 in early January. The Friars have won three of its last four but rely on a three man rotation to carry them through its games. Georgetown's depth was not a factor a month ago--can the Hoyas win this game from the bench?
Guard Kris Dunn was contained for much of the Friars' offensive sets when the teamsw met on Jan. 10, but his overtime play proved the difference. Since then, Dunn has averaged 21 points and eight rebounds a game and is taking on the role of the go-to Friar that Bryce Cotton and Marshawn Brooks once did.
With additional size up front in the way of Ben Bentil (4.9 ppg), senior Ladontae Henton has become even more effecgtivem in being a force on both ends of the court. Henton is averaging 21 points per game in confernce play but was held to just 25 over his last two games and a woeful 2 for 14 in the loss to St. John's. georgetown fans should not expect a repeat of those numbers, as Henton is usually much better when facing the Hoyas.
PC will also get production from Tyler Harris (10.6) and center Carson DeRosiers but must address the elephant on the court: this is a remarkably poor shooting team from outside. The Friars are shooting at 26 percent from the three point arc in Big East play, and have struggled agaisnt teams that can force them to ther perimeter. Henton and Dunn account for voer half of all field goals attempted in Big East play, and the two account for nearly 60 percent of the Friars' scoring.
For its part, Georgetown must address the sustained scoring droughts which have become an unwelcome part of the 2014-15 season and has not allwoed Georgetown (sans Creighton, whose numbers speak for themselves) from locking down an opponent. Last season, the Hoyas were outscored 19-2 by the Friars to end the first half, and tis has been a similar refrain in key games this season. This is a key game.
Some other keys:
You can't get to March without getting through February, and when it comes to the post season, February means everything.
In 14 seasons where Georgetown has finished first or second in Big East regular season play, it has posted at least five wins in February over 11 of those 14 seasons. Among eight GU teams that posted seven or more wins in February, seven advanced to a regional final and four to a Final Four. In a competitive 2014-15 Big East, where any of the ten teams can win on any given night, momentum is essential.
Four of Georgetown's seven conference wins to date have come against the bottom two teams in the conference: Marquette and Creighton, with a combined mark of 3-16. The competition level steps up this week with a return meeting against Providence, who defeated the Hoyas 60-57 in early January. The Friars have won three of its last four but rely on a three man rotation to carry them through its games. Georgetown's depth was not a factor a month ago--can the Hoyas win this game from the bench?
Guard Kris Dunn was contained for much of the Friars' offensive sets when the teamsw met on Jan. 10, but his overtime play proved the difference. Since then, Dunn has averaged 21 points and eight rebounds a game and is taking on the role of the go-to Friar that Bryce Cotton and Marshawn Brooks once did.
With additional size up front in the way of Ben Bentil (4.9 ppg), senior Ladontae Henton has become even more effecgtivem in being a force on both ends of the court. Henton is averaging 21 points per game in confernce play but was held to just 25 over his last two games and a woeful 2 for 14 in the loss to St. John's. georgetown fans should not expect a repeat of those numbers, as Henton is usually much better when facing the Hoyas.
PC will also get production from Tyler Harris (10.6) and center Carson DeRosiers but must address the elephant on the court: this is a remarkably poor shooting team from outside. The Friars are shooting at 26 percent from the three point arc in Big East play, and have struggled agaisnt teams that can force them to ther perimeter. Henton and Dunn account for voer half of all field goals attempted in Big East play, and the two account for nearly 60 percent of the Friars' scoring.
For its part, Georgetown must address the sustained scoring droughts which have become an unwelcome part of the 2014-15 season and has not allwoed Georgetown (sans Creighton, whose numbers speak for themselves) from locking down an opponent. Last season, the Hoyas were outscored 19-2 by the Friars to end the first half, and tis has been a similar refrain in key games this season. This is a key game.
Some other keys:
- Zone Defense: PC was able to limit Georgetown's opportunities with effective zone coverage last month. The Hoyas have had a month to figure it out and good passing should prove to be the difference.
- Isaac Copeland: With just one shot attempt in 10 minutes, Copeland wasn't a factor in last month's game. Expect a much better opportunirty in this one for Copeland to get open in the mid-range, which may open up opportunities for D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera to avoid another slow start.
- Free Throws: The foul line cost the Hoyas big last month, but GU's accuracy at home is generally improved.
- Don't Look Ahead: Yes, a game at Villanova awaits, but the Hoyas must get the win at home first.
