Opponent: Butler Bulldogs (10-10, 3-6 Big East)
Location: Hinkle Fieldhouse (Indianapolis, IN)
Network/Time: FS1, Noon
Line: Georgetown +5.5
Georgetown (6-11, 0-6 Big East) will try to get their first conference win when they face Butler in a Noon tip on Saturday.
In their first meeting, the Bulldogs would beat a short-handed Hoyas squad, 72-58. In that game, Georgetown was missing head coach Patrick Ewing and starters Donald Carey and Dante Harris.
When asked about the first game, Ewing said, “In that game, two of our starters were out. Dante (Harris) and Don (Carey) were both out. I think we are definitely a better team when we are at full strength than we were then.”
In the first meeting, acting head coach, Louie Orr, played zone in the first half. It was particularly effective as only shot 35.3% in the first 20 minutes. The Hoyas were only down five at the intermission.
In the second half, Georgetown was just 1-9 from three and 10-17 from the free throw line.
Don’t expect zone in this time around with Ewing back at the helm. Georgetown will be in their familiar man-to-man defense.
Despite the losses, Georgetown was looking like they were starting to turn a corner when they played well against Providence and Villanova. But, in their last outing, the Hoyas were dominated by UConn, in the 96-73 loss. The Huskies led by as much as 32 points in the game.
The score masked the things Georgetown did on the offensive end. The Hoyas shot 45% from the floor and made 11 three-pointers. Numbers like that don’t usually add up into a loss.
Butler is 2-6 in the month of January. They broke a four game losing streak on Wednesday when they beat Creighton, 72-55.
Keys:
Boards: Georgetown’s effectiveness on the offensive end was undone by the defensive end where UConn dominated on the boards. The Huskies were +12 in the rebounding category including grabbing 19 boards on the offensive end.
Ball Pressure: The Hoyas could help themselves if they pressure more full court. That would help them speed up the Bulldogs. They cannot survive if the game is a battle of half court offenses.
Dante Harris: Harris’ play on offense has been a struggle most of the season but especially of late. It looks like he’s hunting shots too much and he’s gotten loose with the ball and that has led to turnovers. Harris will need to play more under control
Notes:
- Earlier this week, Georgetown officially added transfer Wayne Bristol Jr. to the roster. Bristol Jr. was previously at Howard University. Bristol Jr. will have three years eligibility. As for his current status, Ewing said he can’t play right now.
- Ewing indicated that Jalin Billingsley is practicing and ready to go. Billingsley got hurt in the UConn game.
