Fresh off of its best win of the year, Georgetown returns to action Monday evening, hosting Mount St. Mary’s. You can hear Rich Chvotkin call the game on ESPN 980, or watch it on MASN.
Mount St. Mary’s enters the game at 3-2, with losses at Oklahoma and versus Niagara and victories over American, Loyola (Md.) and Navy. The Mountaineers look for revenge after losing to Georgetown 69-58 last year. Like the Hoyas, the Mountaineers draw on their deep and experienced in the back court, featuring a three-guard attack. Senior PG Jeremy Goode, a four-year starter, leads the team with 16.6 points, 4.2 assists, and 3.0 steals per game–he’s a 5’9″ water bug that gives opponents fits with his quickness. Junior guard Jean Cajou averages 14.4 points per game while senior Kelly Beidler, the third guard, chips in 9.6 per while hauling in 8.4 rebounds per game, despite measuring just 6’5″. The Mountaineers are a bit thin up front, with junior forward Shawn Atupem providing the only steady offense, at 9.8 per. Don’t expect Mount St. Mary’s to back down, though–they are an experienced squad used to playing bigger-name opponents, and came within a basket of the dance last year.
The Hoyas enter the game with a bit of confidence thanks to Saturday’s drubbing of Lafayette. Jason Clark, Greg Monroe, Austin Freeman, and Chris Wright continue to lead the charge for Georgetown. Clark is certainly the bright spot: he now leads the team in assists, field goal percentage, and steals (tied); is second in scoring and rebounding; and provides lock-down defense, which should come in handy against the Mountaineers’ experienced back court. Freshman Hollis Thompson showed his potential as Georgetown’s much-needed fifth man on Saturday, chipping in 14 points on perfect shooting. He’s still a bit hesitant offensively, but look for more from him on Monday. Up front, Monroe does everything the Hoyas need, although he turns the ball over nearly four times per game. Still, he needs help; Julian Vaughn’s 11 points and five rebounds against Lafayette are encouraging, but Hoya fans will wait and see when it comes to front court support.
Prediction–Georgetown 70, Mount St. Mary’s 54.
