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.
