Georgetown attempts to get revenge on its arch-rival and salvage a confusing three-week stretch when it hosts Syracuse Thursday night at the Phone Booth. Tip is at 7 pm EST; you can catch the game on ESPN2.
In their match-up in the Carrier Dome, the Hoyas took it to the Orange early, but then folded the rest of the way, eventually losing 73-56. It was the only loss this year in which the Hoyas really looked out-matched. They struggled to get clean looks, both shooting (south of 43%) and passing (19 turnovers). Syracuse’s length made life difficult for everyone involved.
On defense, foul trouble inside (Greg Monroe fouled out, Julian Vaughn finished with 4), led to several easy looks when the Orange settled for half-court offense, as well as a parade of free-throws (28 attempts to Georgetown’s 11). They didn’t do so often, though, racking up a number of fast-break buckets off of Hoya turnovers.
So how does Georgetown turn it around?
On offense:
- Ball protection–Georgetown needs to protect the ball better; Monroe alone had six turnovers against the Orange the first time around. Of course, easier said than done against Syracuse’s zone, but the use of stronger pass fakes to make the Orange commit would be a simple way to open up more passing lanes. In particular, they must keep the ball away from Andy Rautins, who had 6 steals in the first outing and is a long-armed (and tattooed) pest on the top of ‘Cuse’s zone.
- Chris Wright–must be more of a presence; as is well-documented, the Hoyas lose when he fails to reach double figures. Wright actually had a productive game against ‘Cuse the first time around, dishing out 7 dimes to just one turnover, but Georgetown needs him (3-10) and Jason Clark (4-10) to be a bit more accurate from the field.
- Bench production–the Hoyas can’t expect much from the bench, but they got a goose egg the first time around despite 38 minutes of action. They will need at least 8-10 points Thurday.
- Post production–Monroe and Vaughn combined for just 11 points in the first outing, and often looked lost wading through Syracuse’s defenders. Whether through a high-low game or by just outmuscling the Orange’s post, the Hoya bigs must contribute closer to 20.
On defense:
- Get back on D–the Hoyas gave up far too many fast-break baskets in the first outing.
- Play smarter–Monroe picked up a couple of tick-tack fouls in the first outing, and the Hoyas seemed to take out their frustration by sending the Orange to the charity stripe, although the 28 free throws is somewhat distorted by the Hoyas’ questionable late-game fouling.
- 35 seconds–the Orange are a patient offensive squad, and often just outlasted the Hoyas’ defense, making late-shot-clock buckets after 25 or 30 seconds of solid Hoya D.
Both Georgetown and Syracuse lost their last outings; Georgetown also must avenge the embarrassment of the first match-up, and answer questions about which team it really is. After the Duke and Villanova wins, some fans thought they knew what to expect from this year’s squad. Those dominant victories are exampless of how good the Hoyas can be when inspired. The losses to South Florida and Rutgers are reminders that inspiration and focus are not guaranteed. Ultimately, we’ve tried to rationalize those losses with the argument that the Hoyas can play with any team in the country. But they didn’t play with Syracuse the first time around. Thursday is a chance to show otherwise.
Prediction–Georgetown 72, Syracuse 70.
