Line: Xavier -12.5
O/U: 148.5
KenPom Prediction: Xavier 83-66
Georgetown has put together back-to-back quality performances, yet both were losses.
The Hoyas lost to Seton Hall when they coughed up a lead late and followed it up with an admirable performance against UConn, but Georgetown didn’t have enough.
Overall, Georgetown is 8-9, 1-5 in the Big East
Tonight, they’ll play in one of the most challenging places in the Big East when they head to Cincinnati to face Xavier.
The Musketeers are coming off a win against Butler.
Xavier was dominating and up by as much as 21 before Butler came back, but the Musketeers closed them out 85-71.
Xavier’s backcourt is where the problems could begin for Georgetown.
Quinton Olivari shoots 42.9% from three and 48.3% at home.
Yes, he shoots almost 50% from three at home. The Rice transfer leads Xavier in scoring.
Most of his shots are catch-and-shoots.
71% of Olivari’s two-point jumpers are assisted, while 91.7% of his three-pointers are assisted.
Right behind him is Desmond Claude. Claude isn’t the three-point shooter Olivari is, but he’s averaging 15.8 points per game.
Claude’s assisted shots have a different DNA than Olivari’s. Only 34.4% of Claude’s two-pointers are assisted, and 66.7% of his three-pointers are assisted.
Davion Knight leads the team in assists.
KEYS:
Run Xavier off the 3-Point line: Per KenPom, Xavier has a top 100 3P shooting team while they’re 257th in 2P%. The Hoyas need to run the Musketeers off the line to help. That way, you’re running Xavier into contested 2s. Unfortunately for Georgetown, they are 285th in Defensive 2P%. It’s the ol’ something has to give.
Dominate Inside: Supreme Cook is becoming a factor on offense. Cook is averaging 15 points per game in his last three games. Looking inside serves multiple purposes. It will help control the number of possessions in the game by making the court longer for the Musketeers. If Georgetown is going to keep attempting the number of 3s they attempt, getting baskets from Cook is essential in the universe of 3s and layups, especially when you consider that Georgetown doesn’t have a win that can get to the front of the rim.
Don’t Help The Break: Xavier doesn’t force turnovers in bunches. Georgetown can’t help them with live ball turnovers. If this game is played in transition, the Hoyas chances to win drastically decline.
