March 16, 2010

Tuesday Update: How the other half plays

The Hoyas can’t afford to look past their first-round game, but that’s the great thing about being a fan–endless speculation, what-ifs, and thinking three games ahead.  So here’s a quick look at the two teams that Georgetown could face in the second round on Saturday IF the Hoyas win Thursday.

Tennessee is a riddle wrapped in an enigma wrapped in a vest. The Volunteers have seen the highest of highs, being the only team besides Georgetown to beat two #1 seeds (Kansas and Kentucky).  Then again, both of those wins were at home, and they haven’t beaten a tournament team away from home.  Buuuuuut, they are still #14/#15 in the rankings (the mirror image of the #15/#14 Hoyas).  And, they’ve won 5 of 6 coming into the tournament.  Yet their one loss, in the last game, was a 29-point stink bomb at the hands of Kentucky.  Still, they’ve gone 25-8, a pretty impressive record.  On the other hand, that’s in a relatively weak SEC, with just the 46th-strongest schedule in the country (the Hoyas are 1st).  Last, they had to suspend four players (three of whom were let back on the team) who were arrested on gun charges in January, seriously disrupting their season.

So what to make of Tennessee?  They’re good, especially at home, and compare favorably to the other 6 seeds in the tournament (Marquette and Notre Dame, to name 2).  In some ways, they resemble the Vols team the Hoyas faced last season. No Chris Lofton or Tyler Smith anymore, the latter having been kicked off the team after the aforementioned arrests, but Wayne Chism and Scotty Hopson are still making things difficult on opposing defenses.  The Vols have down-shifted from last year’s frenetic pace to a more deliberate, defense-oriented style that scarcely appears to be the same team. If it wasn’t for Bruce Pearl’s ridiculous orange blazers (…or worse), you might not even recognize the team.

But not everyone is so keen on Tennessee in Thursday’s first-round game.  After the Kentucky debacle, the pundits are herding toward…

San Diego State beat New Mexico and UNLV, both tournament teams, on its way to winning the Mountain West conference tournament.  The Aztecs sport one of the greatest nicknames in college sports.  Basketball-wise, they assault the offensive rebounds (8th nationally), and convert those second-chance opportunities into a bunch of easy baskets (12th-highest two-point percentage nationally).  They also force a bunch of turnovers.  Other than that, the Aztecs have some real holes, including three-point shooting, free-throw shooting, protecting the ball, and defending the three.  Like Tennessee, San Diego State is a balanced squad, featuring four players who average in double figures and seven that average at least six per game.

Prediction? No idea.  Everyone seems to think the Aztecs will pull the upset, but Tennessee is clearly a talented squad that has beaten top-flight competition.  Vegas has Vols -3, and ESPN’s fancy simulator gives them only a 51% chance of prevailing.  Still, big-conference snobbery wins out: Tennessee 60, San Diego State 58.


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March 15, 2010

Monday Update: a preview of Ohio

The Hoyas hope to get past the first round this year, but they have to beat the Ohio Bobcats first.  A more in-depth preview of this year’s Bobs’ (can we call them that?) squad follows later in the week, but here are some fun facts to whet your appetite in the meantime.

Ohio has had the bad luck to draw our beloved Hoyas in the first round (luck they may have brought upon themselves by moving away from  this sweet logo).  The Bobcats appear to have been the ninth seed in their own conference (MAC) tournament, but rattled off a series of upsets culminating in an 81-75 overtime victory over Akron in the final.  Their schedule has been relatively light, featuring just two match-ups, both losses, against fellow tournament teams–#16 Robert Morris (81-79), and, a foe familiar to Georgetown, Pitt (a 74-49 thumping).  Still, the Bobs finished a respectable 21-14 and are riding a wave of confidence and momentum into Thursday’s game.  Before we get too bogged down in  Xs and Os for Thursday’s game, here are some things you might not have known:

  • Last Tournament Appearance: The Bobs have made the  tournament 11 times before Thursday, last qualifying in 2005, an event so thrilling that it ranked among the top 10 moments in 100 years of Ohio (University, not state) basketball.  In fairness, the game looks to have been nearly as exciting as West Virginia-Georgetown last Saturday.  What, too soon?  Plus, they specifically noted their 12 scholarship players were cause for celebration at said centennial.  Before you scoff, count how many Hoyas are on scholarship now.
  • Shaq of the MAC: Bobcat hoops history reads like the Hoyas’, except if neither John Thompson had ever happened.  They’ve retired the jerseys of three guys, named Frank Baumholtz, Walter Luckett, and Dave Jamerson, all of whom left campus before you were born.  Their most famous player in our lifetime was Gary Trent, who was known as the Shaq of the MAC, at least to his friends and family, and who went on to have a nice ten-year career in the Association.  No word on whether Trent stole any of Steve Nash’s ideas for reality TV shows.
  • Biggest Moment in School History:  The Bobs once finished 2nd in the NIT back in 1941, before it stood for Not-Invited Tournament.  Twenty-three years later, Ohio went to the Elite Eight, only to get smashed by Kentucky.  They last one a tournament game in 1983.
  • Reason for fear: Apparently they have something called the “O Zone” which appears at every Ohio basketball game.  No word on any deleterious effects on opponents of said zone.
  • Background reading: Check out Bobcat Pride: Ohio University Basketball on Amazon.  It was adapted into the screen play that became Celtic Pride.

More on the Bobcats, and the Hoyas’ two possible second-round opponents, follows later in the week.


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March 15, 2010

???: Hoyas earn #3 seed in toughest region

Georgetown has earned a #3 seed in the Midwest region of the NCAA tournament, where it will face a first-round match-up against the #14 Ohio Bobcats.  That game will be in Providence, Rhode Island Thursday at 7:20 p.m.

The real story, though, is the Hoyas’ draw.  (Check out the full bracket here.)  If Georgetown beats Ohio, it’ll likely face a second-round match-up with Tennessee, which previously beat #1 overall Kansas, and Kentucky, another #1 seed, and finished 25-8.  If they slip pass a very tough Volunteer squad, they’ll probably have to play #2 seed and Big Ten champion Ohio State, which is (subjectively, at least) the best #2 seed.  If they Hoyas get past Ohio State, they’ll have the top seed in the tournament, Kansas.

Of course, the tournament always pits tough teams against each other.  But consider, for example, the South region.  The top two seeds are Duke and Villanova, both of which have serious flaws and have found themselves on the wrong end of Georgetown beat-downs.   #3 seed Baylor is a nice team, but lacks a signature victory over a high-seeded tournament team.  The 4 and 5 seeds (Maryland and Michigan State in the Midwest, Purdue and Texas A&M in the South) are further examples of the disparity between the two brackets.

Further coverage of the Hoyas, Ohio, and later games will follow early in the week.

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March 15, 2010

Exhaustion: West Virginia 60, Georgetown 58

Georgetown came within a few seconds of a Big East championship Saturday night, but Da’Sean Butler’s leaner with five seconds remaining gave West Virginia the win and the conference crown, 60-58.  A bit late to the party here, but a few thoughts:

  • A memorable run. All Hoya fans were disappointed by the narrow miss, but hopefully just as many recognize the boys’ terrific play, their dominant run through the tournament, and their big hearts when the final seemed to be slipping away.
  • Chris Wright. Nearly every Hoya fan has noted that was Chris giveth, he taketh away.  The opposite was equally true Saturday night.  Wright made a bone-headed intentional foul in the last minute, despite a tie game, but made up the two points lost on the free throws just moments later with a stunning spin move and finish to tie.  He played his heart out all week and against West Virginia in particular.  Had two bounces gone in different directions, Wright may have found himself the tournament MVP.
  • Reading into things. There were plenty of poor decisions to second-guess.  Why Jerrelle Benimon got minutes in a clutch game is beyond me.  Why Greg Monroe, stifling defense or no, took only seven shots in a title game, is baffling.  Why Georgetown left one timeout on the board instead of setting up a play after Butler’s game clincher is unfathomable.  But that obscures two larger points.  First, the Big East championship game down to an unlucky bounce.  Second, the Hoyas played their hearts out for four days, re-controlling a season that seemed out of their grasp, and reminding fans everywhere why they spend hours watching these games.  The overriding word I heard to describe fans’ emotions Saturday night was proud.  It’s been at least two years, maybe three, since such a groundswell of emotion has come behind this team.

The Hoyas return to action Thursday in the NCAA Tournament.

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March 14, 2010

Hoyas Fall to WVU, but Move Up in Polls

Joe Lunardi currently has the Hoyas as a No. 2 seed in the EAST Region where Kentucky is the No. 1 seed. If this is true, then Georgetown’s performance in the Big East Tournament may have moved them up by as many as four seeding positions (and perhaps 14 spots in the Top 25, considering they started the week at No. 22).

Stay tuned for Selection Sunday analysis.

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March 13, 2010

Greg Monroe. Everywhere at Once. Hoyas 80, Marquette 57

How about those last 10 minutes? It felt like the type of dominant performance we grew accustomed to during the Hibbert/Green/Wallace/Summers/Ewing Final Four run. The Hoyas punched their ticket to tomorrow’s Big East Championship versus the winner of Notre Dame/West Virginia. Georgetown will be going for a record 8th Big East Championship… and they… look… GOOD!

A few quick notes:

  • Star–Monroe.   The commentators were gushing as usual, and here’s why: 23 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 blocks and he delivered a baby in the locker room at halftime. Just awesome.
  • Supporting cast–the guards: Chris Wright (15 points) Jason Clark (15 points) and Austin Freeman (12 points). Austin still doesn’t appear to be his explosive self, but he doesn’t have to be because Clark has really stepped it up (even showing moments of brilliance).
  • Key sequence–Coming out of the timeout with 10:52 remaining in the game, the Hoyas went on an 8-0 run with contributions from Chris Wright, Hollis Thompson, Jason Clark and Greg Monroe.
  • Moment of terror–not that bad, but Vee Sanford had a turnover and a foul that looked like it was going to open the door to a Marquette run. Luckily, it never happened.
  • Redemption–Just a dominating home stretch that should boost the Hoyas confidence as well as their seed in the NCAA Tournament.
  • Key stat–only 7 turnovers compared with 15 assists. Also points in the paint were huge.

Big game tomorrow! Hoyas lost to both teams (without Austin Freeman) and will be looking for revenge. Get fired up.

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March 12, 2010

Sneak Peek: Georgetown v. Marquette

Georgetown will attempt to avenge yet another loss when it faces Marquette in the semifinals of the Big East Tournament.  Tip is at 7 pm EST; you can watch on ESPN.

Round 1

The Golden Eagles beat the Hoyas in a close one earlier in the season, 62-59 at the Bradley Center.  As a really nerdy note, that basically means that the two teams played evenly; stat geek John Hollinger factors in a three-point home court advantage to each game, and anyone who’s ever seen the sea of blue and gold-clad Milwaukeeans that crowds the Bradley Center will attest that Marquette’s home gym is worth at least that much.  But a loss is a loss, and a look back at what went right and wrong will be instructive.

What went wrong:

  • Early hole. The Hoyas fell into a hole against Marquette, much like they did Connecticut, Villanova (round 1) and Syracuse (round 2).  The deficit was not so steep against the Golden Eagles, but Marquette came out firing and led by eight early.  Solution. Georgetown has proven more focused early in games recently, particularly in the tournament; making the crowd evenly divided may help, too.
  • Defending the 3. Marquette made 12 threes on 26 attempts, shooting better from behind the stripe than from 2-point range.  The Hoyas should expect more of the same Friday; Marquette is the fifth-best three-point shooting team in the country, and their top five minute-getters all shoot 35% or better from deep.  Solution. Probably a man-to-man defense, with Jason Clark guarding Darius Johnson-Odom and Hollis Thompson on Jimmy Butler (the Golden Eagles’ two best snipers).
  • Rebounding. The Golden Eagles, despite inferior size, grabbed six more offensive rebounds than the Hoyas, and four more rebounds over all.  Solution. The Hoyas have hit the boards a bit harder lately, and will need to force a draw on the glass Friday.  In particular, Julian Vaughn (if healthy, he’s been fighting the flu), Jerrelle Benimon, or someone needs to get a body on Lazar Hayward, who grabbed 11 rebounds last time around and is Marquette’s best player.
  • Greg Monroe. Marquette is many things, but tall is not one of them.  Monroe took six shots the first time around.  Granted, Marquette did a nice job of doubling the big man from different angles, but six shots is inexcusable.  Solution. Ram the ball into the post.  Repeatedly.  When the Golden Eagles turn their backs to double, Hoya guards cut to the basket.

What went right:

  • Austin Freeman. He took the team on his back in the second half, largely keeping the Hoyas in the game, and even giving them the lead.
  • Steals. Because Marquette plays so many guards, they tend to swipe the ball frequently, ranking 31st nationally in steal percentage.  The Hoyas lost that battle 8-6 in the first round, and keeping the steal ratio close will be necessary on Friday as well.
  • Defending the 2. Marquette shot just 39% for the game, and just 9 for 28 from two.  Monroe and Vaughn made it hard for the Golden Eagles’ offense to find openings inside.
  • Sharing the ball. 17 assists on 22 made baskets…the Hoyas are a generous team by nature, and that generosity, with a healthy dose of patience, will be necessary to avoid the swarming Golden Eagle defenders Friday night.

Round 2

Any week that includes a win over Syracuse is a success.  Still, the Hoyas have some work to do if they want to join the esteemed company of their 2007 (champions) and 2008 (finalists) brethren.  Dana O’Neil’s column portrays the Hoyas as focusing on that larger goal–not just winning games, but winning the tournament.  Press coverage or not, Marquette is undoubtedly thinking the same way.  The Golden Eagles have had the Hoyas’ number of late, winning the last three match-ups.   Georgetown has already avenged conference losses twice in this tournament; Friday night is opportunity number 3.

Prediction. Georgetown 73, Marquette 68.

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March 11, 2010

Thursday afternoon update

Still basking in the glow of Thursday’s win, the Hoyas have to get ready for Marquette tomorrow night.

  • Still want to read about the Hoyas’ big upset of Syracuse?  Georgetown’s biggest win of the season, against its biggest, baddest arch-rival?  Eh?  Read a re-cap here, and read Dana O’Neil’s excellent column here.  The boys sound focused on tomorrow night already.
  • After MSG officials finished mopping the orange juice off the floor,  Marquette upset Villanova, 80-76.   Much like Georgetown’s win over Syracuse, the Golden Eagles’ win avenged two in-season losses. You can check out the box score of that game here.
  • Counting South Florida and Syracuse, Georgetown has its third revenge game in a row–Georgetown lost to Marquette in the teams’ previous meeting this year, 62-59.   Read a re-cap of that game here.  Dating back to last season, the Hoyas have dropped three straight to the Golden Eagles.  That means Greg Monroe and Jason Clark have never beaten Marquette, and there’s a 23-month old blue-and-gray-clad child out there wondering if he’ll live to see the Hoyas beat the Golden Eagles.
  • Oh, and before signing off…Hoyas win!!!

More preview of tomorrow night’s showdown follows later.

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March 11, 2010

Juiced! Georgetown 91, Syracuse 84

Chris Wright scored 27 points to lead four Hoyas in double figures as Georgetown pulled out a 91-84 victory over the hated Syracuse Orange Thursday.  Wright added 6 rebounds and 6 assists in probably his career game to date.  For the Hoyas, one rather large monkey is off their back and the season-defining game thus far.

A few quick notes:

  • Star–Wright.   The stat line above speaks for itself, but doesn’t do justice to the little man’s versatility.  He ran baseline to get open under the 2-3 zone, broke the press consistently, kept turnovers low (2-to-1 A/TO ratio), and had his shot going (10 of 16).
  • Supporting cast–the usual Greg Monroe-Austin Freeman-Jason Clark trifecta had it working.  Monroe in particular led the Hoyas down the stretch, finishing with 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists.
  • Key sequence–After an Andy Rautins 3 ball made it 57-48 with 13:43 remaining, the Hoyas went on a 22-4 run to turn a nine-point deficit into an equally large lead.  Everyone, including Vee Sanford, got in on the action, but Wright led the way, scoring 8 during the run.  Georgetown was able to break the Syracuse press seemingly at will, converting easy lay-ups and short jumpers and open 3s.
  • Moment of terror–From 5:18 to 0:47 on the clock, the Hoyas missed 8 free throws.  Hollis Thompson, who generally played well, finishing with 8 points, missed 4 straight from the line, including the costly front end of a 1-and-1.  Monroe also missed 3 during that sequence.
  • Redemption–Monroe and Freeman combined hit 6 straight to close out the game.
  • Key stat–surprisingly, free throws.  The Hoyas made a living there, converting 19 (out of 28, so not all stellar), while the Orange, who had torched the Hoyas from the line in the first two mach-ups, shot just 12 on the day, making 9.

A stunning and heartening reversal of fortune for the Hoyas, who return to action tomorrow night at 7 pm EST against either Marquette or Villanova.

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March 11, 2010

Suck it, Orange

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