Georgetown (3-5, 1-3) has spent their extended break trying to figure out what changes they need to make to stop a two-game losing streak.
Up next for the Hoyas is Marquette (5-5, 1-3). The Golden Eagles are on a three-game losing streak themselves. Despite the current streak, Marquette has wins over Wisconsin and Creighton.
This season’s Marquette team have changed from the “one-man show” they played last season with Markus Howard. “Unlike last year, one guy dominated the ball,” Georgetown head coach Patrick Ewing. “This year it’s a lot different. The scoring comes from everywhere.”
Georgetown’s offensive efficiency will ride heavily on whether they can take care of the ball. The Hoyas are 317th in the nation in Turnover Margin (-6).
Having a freshman point guard doesn’t help. Dante Hall has turned the ball over four times in each of the last two games. Ewing had a piece of advised him to “stop thinking like he’s a freshman.”
That’s not the only issue Georgetown has on offense. Despite Qudus Wahab having a breakout season, the Hoyas are 267th in 2-point shooting percentage. It’s indicative of how the game has changed in terms of paint scoring. Perimeter players being able to penetrate is a must in today’s basketball and Georgetown doesn’t have anyone who can do that consistently.
Prediction
It’s hard to know how Georgetown will play after this much time off but they are facing a team that has had just as many struggles as they’ve had lately.
Wahab should be able to have a dominant day and either Jahvon Blair or Donald Carey will step up with a big day.
Hoyas 84-80
Photo Credit Rafael Suanes / Georgetown Athletics.
