With four of its next five games on the road, the development of the 2019-20 Georgetown Hoyas will be on full display, beginning with Thursday's matchup with the University of Texas in the Empire Classic. After opening games that stressed the interest in the Hoyas getting up and down the court, the Texas game figures to introduce a newer challenge: responding to a defensive minded opponent.
While not to the degree of his former teams at Virginia Commonwealth in the early 2010's, Shaka Smart has the 2019-20 Longhorns making defense a priority. Texas has not allowed an opponent over 66 points in a game this season, while Georgetown has allowed 66 or more in each of its games to date. Texas is holding opponents to 36 percent from the field and just 28 percent on three point attempts, and ended Purdue's 18 game home winning streak. To get the win, Georgetown isn't going to out run the Horns, but it must play to its strengths inside.
Texas returns two starters from a 16-16 team that took its invitation to the NIT and swept the field to finish 21-16 and win its second NIT title. Three year starter Matt Coleman is shooting 55 percent from the field this season and 58 percent from three point range--while UT isn't a three point dominant team, they do average about 10 per game and Coleman is a big reason why. By contrast, returning guard Jase Febres is battling through a shooting slump where he is just 2 for 10 from two point range and 29 percent overall and while he can hold his own defensively, the Longhorns need more of him on the court. The Texas three guard defense is strong in defensive sets but must contribute in the scoring column for Texas to prevail, and the Horns will look to sophomore Courtney Ramey to shake off a woeful 1-13 three point mark to open the season while providing support on assists and rebounds. Sixth man Andrew Jones is coming off two years of a medical redshirt with inspired play in his first four games, scoring 13 points a game on 50 percent shooting. His battle over leukaemia will be covered extensively in the ESPN2 broadcast and is averaging 25 minutes of play this season.
The Longhorns need to improve up front if they are going to be a capable contender in the Big 12 this season. Forward Gerald Liddell is inconsistent on offense and does not take many shots, while 6-9 post player Jericho Sims is coming off back to back double figure rebounding games but has yet to be an offensive force this season. Compared to Georgetown, Texas plays a smaller lineup, and its two 6-11 players (including former Georgetown recruit Will Baker) are a combined 0-9 from the field in 29 minutes of action this season. Texas is a -11 on offensive rebounds this season and has been outrebounded by opponents by an average of one rebound per game this season, so it has a narrow margin from which its perimeter defense must control the tempo against taller teams.
With that in mind, Georgetown needs a big game from senior Omer Yurtseven. To date, Yurtseven hasn't been pushed by opponents and the national TV audience would be a great opportunity for Yurtseven to take over the game. His size and mobility will create matchup problems for Texas if Georgetown can be patient and run more plays inside for Yurtseven and for Jamorko Pickett inside. A 31 percent mark from three point range is a sign that the Hoyas aren't yet ready compete on the perimeter, but its size provides an asset in this game it must take advantage of to be competitive.
Some keys to the game:
Neither team has shot well from outside this season, but does Texas have enough offensively to get threes while limiting Georgetown from the perimeter?
Rebounds: Omer Yurtseven has had his ways against outmatched opponents inside to date this season. Can Kai Jones hold his own?
Depth: Texas' depth does not stretch beyond eight and Georgetown could easily go 11. Can Shaka Smart keep his top six or seven together for extended time in this game?
While not to the degree of his former teams at Virginia Commonwealth in the early 2010's, Shaka Smart has the 2019-20 Longhorns making defense a priority. Texas has not allowed an opponent over 66 points in a game this season, while Georgetown has allowed 66 or more in each of its games to date. Texas is holding opponents to 36 percent from the field and just 28 percent on three point attempts, and ended Purdue's 18 game home winning streak. To get the win, Georgetown isn't going to out run the Horns, but it must play to its strengths inside.
Texas returns two starters from a 16-16 team that took its invitation to the NIT and swept the field to finish 21-16 and win its second NIT title. Three year starter Matt Coleman is shooting 55 percent from the field this season and 58 percent from three point range--while UT isn't a three point dominant team, they do average about 10 per game and Coleman is a big reason why. By contrast, returning guard Jase Febres is battling through a shooting slump where he is just 2 for 10 from two point range and 29 percent overall and while he can hold his own defensively, the Longhorns need more of him on the court. The Texas three guard defense is strong in defensive sets but must contribute in the scoring column for Texas to prevail, and the Horns will look to sophomore Courtney Ramey to shake off a woeful 1-13 three point mark to open the season while providing support on assists and rebounds. Sixth man Andrew Jones is coming off two years of a medical redshirt with inspired play in his first four games, scoring 13 points a game on 50 percent shooting. His battle over leukaemia will be covered extensively in the ESPN2 broadcast and is averaging 25 minutes of play this season.
The Longhorns need to improve up front if they are going to be a capable contender in the Big 12 this season. Forward Gerald Liddell is inconsistent on offense and does not take many shots, while 6-9 post player Jericho Sims is coming off back to back double figure rebounding games but has yet to be an offensive force this season. Compared to Georgetown, Texas plays a smaller lineup, and its two 6-11 players (including former Georgetown recruit Will Baker) are a combined 0-9 from the field in 29 minutes of action this season. Texas is a -11 on offensive rebounds this season and has been outrebounded by opponents by an average of one rebound per game this season, so it has a narrow margin from which its perimeter defense must control the tempo against taller teams.
With that in mind, Georgetown needs a big game from senior Omer Yurtseven. To date, Yurtseven hasn't been pushed by opponents and the national TV audience would be a great opportunity for Yurtseven to take over the game. His size and mobility will create matchup problems for Texas if Georgetown can be patient and run more plays inside for Yurtseven and for Jamorko Pickett inside. A 31 percent mark from three point range is a sign that the Hoyas aren't yet ready compete on the perimeter, but its size provides an asset in this game it must take advantage of to be competitive.
Some keys to the game:
Neither team has shot well from outside this season, but does Texas have enough offensively to get threes while limiting Georgetown from the perimeter?
Rebounds: Omer Yurtseven has had his ways against outmatched opponents inside to date this season. Can Kai Jones hold his own?
Depth: Texas' depth does not stretch beyond eight and Georgetown could easily go 11. Can Shaka Smart keep his top six or seven together for extended time in this game?
