Opponent: Syracuse
Network: Fox, 1 pm
Location: Capital One Arena
The Hoyas welcome an old rival to Cap One Arena as Syracuse (5-4) comes to DC. The Orange have won the last two meetings.
The resurgent Hoyas are coming off two impressive road wins. One at Oklahoma State and the other at SMU. Both of those games featured better ball movement and an explosive Mac McClung. The Georgetown sophomore was Big East Player of the Week.
The game takes on extra meaning because the Hoyas are trying to build a tournament resume that will catch the eye of the committee come March. As great as the two road wins were, the Hoyas have two dings on their resume. A blowout home loss to a better-than-anticipated Penn State team and an inexcusable home loss to UNC-Greensboro. The game against the Orange borders on being a ‘must win’ for the Hoyas.
Keys:
Ball Movement
Georgetown’s ball movement has improved since head coach Patrick Ewing has shortened the rotation. Not only has this opened up lanes for McClung but shooters like Jahvon Blair are getting really good looks at the basket. The Hoyas are in the midst of a “everyone-eats” renaissance.
Contain Elijah Hughes
The redshirt junior, is the Orange’s leading scorer at 19.6 points per game. In his last outing, Hughes had 33 against Georgia Tech.
He’s a threat from the three point line (44%) in both the half court and transition. The Hoyas can’t afford to lose him on defense.
Limit Turnovers
Per KenPom, Georgetown is a dismal 301st in Turnover%. Syracuse and their unique brand of the 2-3 zone has them forcing turnovers on 22.8% of possessions. That’s good for 51st.
Terrell Allen taking over the point guard position has had a positive influence on the Hoyas offense. In Allen’s two starts, he’s only had two turnovers.
Final Word
This is the type of game Georgetown has lost the last few years sometimes in gut wrenching fashion. It’s imperative for Ewing and the Hoyas to get off to a good start because Syracuse’s zone can make it difficult to play from behind.
What Georgetown gets out of JaMorko Pickett and Jagan Mosely could go a long way in whether they come away with the victory.
