season 29-31 -6.15
STRAIGHT BET Jan 21 CBB [860] GEORGETOWN -1? -110 X 3.0
Trending: Slightly up. Even though the Hoyas have lost three of their last four contests, they?ve been in position to win each of those games. It?s a team full of youngsters ? except for veteran big man Jessie Govan. So naturally, there?s some been some inconsistency. But the future looks promising.
Three keys for Creighton
1. Limit your fouls: First off, the Jays have some depth questions. So foul trouble could be fatal (particularly in a game that?s likely to be played at a fast tempo). And there will be times when Georgetown?s players try to hunt contact (Akinjo?s really good at it) ? the Hoyas have attempted more free throws than any team in the Big East. Defending without fouling has been a challenge for CU all year, but it?ll be critical Monday.
2. Don?t turn the ball over: Georgetown, without a ton of length on the perimeter, doesn?t force a lot of turnovers ? its opponent turnover rate (17.1 percent) ranks 278th nationally, according to Pomeroy?s numbers. But the Hoyas can press a bit to speed you up. CU will certainly have some advantage situations in transition. It?ll be up to the Jays to make smart decisions with the ball to maximize their offensive efficiency.
3. Get back on defense: It?s not often that Creighton goes up against a team that moves just as quickly on offense. Georgetown definitely wants to run. Its average length of possession (15.0 seconds) ranks as the 15th-fastest rate in the country. And it?s attempting 28.2 percent of its shots in transition (second-most in the Big East), according to Hoop-Math.com. The Jays will have to be on the same page and ready to defend the moment the Hoyas gain possession of the ball.
ESPN?s BPI: Georgetown?s win probability is 52.8 percent
KenPom: Creighton wins, 85-84
Hoyas Preview
With Villanova and Marquette well ahead of the pack, the remainder of the Big East standings resembles a demolition derby, with eight teams hoping to make it to February still running.
Time is of the essence at Georgetown, playing its fourth home game in 16 days, to prevail Monday night versus Creighton. Win, and Georgetown is tied for third. Lose, and the Hoyas are ninth, facing three of its next four on the road.
Creighton enters the game with the top ranked offense in the Big East, but the bottom ranked defense. Let's break down each.
The Bluejays rely on its stating lineup for 70 of its 79 points per game in Big East play, and that's one of the main reasons Creighton has lost four straight. A four guard offense is well suited to three point shooting and it has served Creighton well. Four of its five starters average better than 45 percent from the field in Big East play, though leading scorer Ty-Shon Alexander has struggled in recent games, including a 4 for 13 effort in a loss to St. John's.
Creighton lives and dies from the three point line. The Jays average 37 points a game from outside the arc, or 12 threes a game. Eight of its games featured 14 or more threes, including a wild 22 of 37 in an extended scrimmage against Division III Coe College that will not count in Creighton's NET rankings. If CU struggles, calling to mind a 7 for 27 effort at Butler, it leaves them little opportunity to rally given their size and depth.
Defensively, Creighton has problems and opposing guards have feasted on the Jays in Big East play. Markus Howard's 53 on Jan. 9 was one of a number of big nights against the Jays, which have also included 28 from Butler's Kamar Baldwin, 28 from Villanova's Phil Booth, and 22 from St. John's Shamorie Ponds. As a result of injuries, forward Martin Krampelj is the only big man on the floor and CU has been losing the battle on the boards as a result.
Georgetown's late game moves have been alternatively exciting and baffling but it continues to go through extended second half slumps that keeps games close. Head coach Patrick Ewing must be more adept at substitution patterns when warranted. A four guard lineup poses different defensive assignments but GU's height needs to be an asset in its perimeter defense and, where appropriate, to use matchup zones on Alexander and freshman guard Marcus Zegarowski.
Keys to the game:
1. Three Point Defense: If the Jays can't shoot from outside, they don't win.
2. Inside Play: Jessie Govan scored seven points in each of his two games versus Creighton last year. He must do better on both sides of the ball.
3. Josh LeBlanc: Height and length offer LeBlanc a chance to have a big game on both sides of the floor.
4. Win The First Half: Creighton is 0-5 when trailing at the half.
4. Halftime Adjustments: In each of its four big East losses, Creighton has shot better in the first half than the second.
STRAIGHT BET Jan 21 CBB [860] GEORGETOWN -1? -110 X 3.0
Trending: Slightly up. Even though the Hoyas have lost three of their last four contests, they?ve been in position to win each of those games. It?s a team full of youngsters ? except for veteran big man Jessie Govan. So naturally, there?s some been some inconsistency. But the future looks promising.
Three keys for Creighton
1. Limit your fouls: First off, the Jays have some depth questions. So foul trouble could be fatal (particularly in a game that?s likely to be played at a fast tempo). And there will be times when Georgetown?s players try to hunt contact (Akinjo?s really good at it) ? the Hoyas have attempted more free throws than any team in the Big East. Defending without fouling has been a challenge for CU all year, but it?ll be critical Monday.
2. Don?t turn the ball over: Georgetown, without a ton of length on the perimeter, doesn?t force a lot of turnovers ? its opponent turnover rate (17.1 percent) ranks 278th nationally, according to Pomeroy?s numbers. But the Hoyas can press a bit to speed you up. CU will certainly have some advantage situations in transition. It?ll be up to the Jays to make smart decisions with the ball to maximize their offensive efficiency.
3. Get back on defense: It?s not often that Creighton goes up against a team that moves just as quickly on offense. Georgetown definitely wants to run. Its average length of possession (15.0 seconds) ranks as the 15th-fastest rate in the country. And it?s attempting 28.2 percent of its shots in transition (second-most in the Big East), according to Hoop-Math.com. The Jays will have to be on the same page and ready to defend the moment the Hoyas gain possession of the ball.
ESPN?s BPI: Georgetown?s win probability is 52.8 percent
KenPom: Creighton wins, 85-84
Hoyas Preview
With Villanova and Marquette well ahead of the pack, the remainder of the Big East standings resembles a demolition derby, with eight teams hoping to make it to February still running.
Time is of the essence at Georgetown, playing its fourth home game in 16 days, to prevail Monday night versus Creighton. Win, and Georgetown is tied for third. Lose, and the Hoyas are ninth, facing three of its next four on the road.
Creighton enters the game with the top ranked offense in the Big East, but the bottom ranked defense. Let's break down each.
The Bluejays rely on its stating lineup for 70 of its 79 points per game in Big East play, and that's one of the main reasons Creighton has lost four straight. A four guard offense is well suited to three point shooting and it has served Creighton well. Four of its five starters average better than 45 percent from the field in Big East play, though leading scorer Ty-Shon Alexander has struggled in recent games, including a 4 for 13 effort in a loss to St. John's.
Creighton lives and dies from the three point line. The Jays average 37 points a game from outside the arc, or 12 threes a game. Eight of its games featured 14 or more threes, including a wild 22 of 37 in an extended scrimmage against Division III Coe College that will not count in Creighton's NET rankings. If CU struggles, calling to mind a 7 for 27 effort at Butler, it leaves them little opportunity to rally given their size and depth.
Defensively, Creighton has problems and opposing guards have feasted on the Jays in Big East play. Markus Howard's 53 on Jan. 9 was one of a number of big nights against the Jays, which have also included 28 from Butler's Kamar Baldwin, 28 from Villanova's Phil Booth, and 22 from St. John's Shamorie Ponds. As a result of injuries, forward Martin Krampelj is the only big man on the floor and CU has been losing the battle on the boards as a result.
Georgetown's late game moves have been alternatively exciting and baffling but it continues to go through extended second half slumps that keeps games close. Head coach Patrick Ewing must be more adept at substitution patterns when warranted. A four guard lineup poses different defensive assignments but GU's height needs to be an asset in its perimeter defense and, where appropriate, to use matchup zones on Alexander and freshman guard Marcus Zegarowski.
Keys to the game:
1. Three Point Defense: If the Jays can't shoot from outside, they don't win.
2. Inside Play: Jessie Govan scored seven points in each of his two games versus Creighton last year. He must do better on both sides of the ball.
3. Josh LeBlanc: Height and length offer LeBlanc a chance to have a big game on both sides of the floor.
4. Win The First Half: Creighton is 0-5 when trailing at the half.
4. Halftime Adjustments: In each of its four big East losses, Creighton has shot better in the first half than the second.
