After an exceptional performance on Tuesday against Xavier, Georgetown will be looking to end the regular season on a high note at UConn on Saturday at noon.
The Hoyas (9-11, 7-8 in Big East), will be looking to extend their win streak after bursting Xavier’s bubble on Tuesday. Georgetown will also be looking to finish .500 in conference play this year, which would be an exceptional achievement for Patrick Ewing in his fourth year at the helm. The Hoyas currently sit in seventh place in Big East standings, and a win would mean that they would have a chance at jumping all the way up to the coveted fifth spot, which means a first round bye in the Big East Tournament.
But before tournament seeding scenarios are discussed, let’s look at our opponent. UConn is currently in third in the Big East, boasting a solid 13-6 (10-6 in Big East) record, not to mention they’ve also won three in a row. Ever since star guard James Bouknight returned from an elbow injury a few weeks ago, the Huskies have looked like a solid tournament team. UConn is 4-1 since then, with the lone loss coming against Villanova. Bouknight (averaging 20.1 PPG) is an elite scorer, and the backcourt duo of him and RJ Cole (12.9 PPG) combined for 37 against Georgetown in the first matchup. One can only imagine they will continue to cause trouble for the Hoyas on Saturday.
In the first matchup between the teams, the Hoyas were going back and forth with the Huskies for the majority of the game. Georgetown couldn’t keep up late, though, as UConn went on a 12-2 run to put the nail in the coffin and come out with a 13-point victory. Georgetown struggled on the glass, getting outrebounded 46-30, including allowing the Huskies to grab 18 offensive rebounds. The key to a Hoyas victory is closing the gap on the rebounding margin and limiting UConn to few offensive rebounds. Many of these opportunities arose for the Huskies when Wahab or Ighoefe went for the heavy shot contest, rather than boxing out their man. To win, the Georgetown big men need to prioritize rebounding against a gritty UConn squad.
Offensively, Georgetown needs to take better shots and take advantage of the three-point field goal. UConn has a block percentage of 15%, which is sixth in the nation. While Wahab was able to use his height advantage in the first matchup to score 18 points, other Hoyas struggled in the paint, including Chudier Bile who was 0-6 on two-point field goals. Georgetown might be better off using the majority of shot clock to create a good shot opportunity rather than rushing possessions. Another key for the Hoyas is for Wahab to be able to create opportunities for his teammates by passing out of the post; in the first matchup, he notched a team-high five turnovers from UConn double teams.
If Georgetown wants to come out with the win, they are going to have to play some of their best basketball of the season, and they are also going to have to contain the two-headed dragon of RJ Cole and James Bouknight. If they are able to do so, they put themselves in a good position for Big East tournament seeding. Here is a lovely tweet that plays out every one of the 32 potential seedings. To sum it up, Georgetown needs to win, then Marquette needs to beat Xavier, and Seton Hall needs to defeat St. John’s for the Hoyas to grab the five seed. If Georgetown loses, though, the highest they can finish is their current seventh position, with the possibility that they finish as low as ninth. Basically, Hoya Saxa, go Golden Eagles, and go Pirates.
Charlie’s Prediction: UConn 71 Georgetown 60
As much as I want to be wrong, I don’t think this Georgetown team has the ability to come out with the win on Saturday afternoon. Bouknight and Cole are too much of a force for our backcourt to handle, and in general the Huskies are playing some of their best basketball of the year. But then again, so are the Hoyas. I just think the best version of UConn’s team beats Georgetown’s best version eight or nine times out of ten. Here’s to hoping that is not the case.
Jacob’s Prediction (15-5 on the season): Georgetown 72, UConn 70
This may be a bad pick. Sue me. For some reason, I have a very good feeling about this game. Not only are the Hoyas playing their best basketball of the year, they also appear to be the most confident they’ve been. Georgetown has a lot to play for in terms of Big East Tournament seeding. UConn, on the other hand, has already locked up the three seed. I think the Hoyas catch the Huskies looking ahead to the postseason and add another victim to their list of late-season upsets.
Will’s Prediction (14-6 on the season): UConn 72, Georgetown 65
After seeing UConn with Bouknight back, they’ve been a completely different team. I thought the Hoyas might’ve had a shot to pick off a win in DC with Bouknight still fresh off of injury, but no dice. As Charlie said Hoyas got outdueled on the boards last time out against UConn, especially on the offensive end, as UConn got 18 offensive rebounds and the Hoyas got nine. If there was an upset to happen tomorrow, a shift in the rebounding margin would be the reason. However, I just don’t think that Georgetown has an answer for UConn’s guard tandem, particularly Bouknight.
