Georgetown knew this would be the rough part of the Big East schedule, but the Hoyas didn’t count on all the injuries.
Sunday’s 80-69 loss to Creighton showed how much Georgetown misses Thomas Sorber, Caleb Williams’ minutes, and its lack of depth.
The Hoyas were up 10 points (36-26) in the first half before things started to crumble. The Bluejays finished the half on an 18-6 to take a 44-42 lead at the half.
The issues continued when the Hoyas came out of the locker room.
Creighton opened up the half on a 16-4 run that effectively killed Georgetown’s spirit.
The energy was there, but the execution wasn’t.
The Hoyas made one final push. Jayden Epps’ layup got Georgetown within five at 64-59, but that was as close as they would get.
Creighton responded with a 13-2 run. Game. Set. Match.
Takeaways:
Lack of Depth:
The injuries have exposed Georgetown’s lack of depth. With Jordan Burks in the starting lineup, it’s apparent that Curtis Williams Jr. and Drew McKenna are the only two players head coach Ed Cooley trusts off the bench.
And to be honest, I don’t know how much of it is trust for McKenna and how much it is that he doesn’t have a coach.
The reset button has been pushed on Kayvaun Mulready, who is undergoing the typical freshman adjustments. Mulready’s confidence needs to be built, which will probably happen in the offseason. Mulready is the big guard the program needs, but he’s not ready, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
Burks’ contributions would be more meaningful off the bench, especially with this roster.
When Georgetown put pressure on Creighton, it bothered the Bluejays.
The problem is Georgetown doesn’t have enough bodies to put on pressure for extended minutes.
There’s help, but it won’t come until next season.
Seal Diouf, Jayden Fort, and Julius Halaifonua are coming.
Peavy Ran Out of Steam:
Micah Peavy started hot but finished making one of his last 11 shot attempts.
That’s to no fault of his.
Peavy having to carry the offense means he can’t put the pressure on Steven Ashworth. That’s the player he should have been on, but how can Cooley put him on Ashworth, who in Creighton’s offense is the primary ballhandler, and he’s the primary guy they use screening action for when you’re asking Peavy to be your main perimeter scorer?
Peavy stuffed the box score with 20 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists, but Creighton’s ability to play at a fast pace and their ability to score at all three levels meant this couldn’t be a “Peavy please carry us” game.
Drew Fielder:
Looking at Fielder’s stats from yesterday probably doesn’t jump off the page, but the Hoyas needed to give Fielder more opportunities against Ryan Kalkbrenner.
Without Thomas Sorber, there needed to be more pick-and-pop with Fielder to give him more looks from the three-point line. He needed to be a threat to pull Kalkbrenner away from the basket and out of drop coverage.
For this to happen, when Fielder is in ball-screen action, the guard must gain real estate and make Fielder’s defender choose. Does he help on the ball, or does he stay with Fielder?
If Kalkbrenner stays with Fielder, help has to come from the corners, which would open up corner three.
Is Fielder a 40% three-point shooter? No.
But even in college basketball, teams must make enough threes to move the defense.
Summary:
Georgetown doesn’t have any time to feel sorry for themselves.
The Hoyas travel to UConn on Wednesday. The Huskies were flat out out-toughed by St. John’s on Sunday.
For all the bellowing Bobby Hurley has done this season, the Huskies have lost some steam from the last two seasons.
Georgetown’s biggest issue right now is health.
The Hoyas need Sorber and Caleb Williams back. They need the minutes and production both provide.
