This is not how the script was supposed to read.

Georgetown was to be riding into March as a lion in the Big East standings, gearing up for the gauntlet that the Big East tournament has become. Instead, it is staggering into its season finale needing a win, and were it not for wins over Temple, Butler, and Duke, would be in some danger of NCAA consideration.

The Hoyas also seek to avoid the shame of a first round game with DePaul before friends and family on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden, The last team to face DePaul on a Tuesday lunch time were the first ones sent home last season: Cincinnati.

The Bearcats are no stranger to late season letdowns: UC has dropped six of eight to fall out of the NCAA race in 2009-10, six of seven to end 2008-09, and seven straight to end 2007-08. With three talented starters, UC can battle with just about anyone, as witnessed in a narrow four point loss to Villanova this week. But let's be realistic, too--the Bearcats have one win all season against a team in the top half of the conference. Is UC up for the challenge, and more importantly, is a Georgetown team that has wilted in the wake of Austin Freeman's illness ready to reassert itself?

Cincinnati has a strong backcourt, led by 6-1 Deonta Vaughn. Vaughn is the 4th leading scorer in UC's proud history and as a senior, wants to go out a winner. In the last ten games, however, he is shooting at a 35% rate and this has hurt the Bearcats when coming from behind. Better results have come from Big East pre-season rookie of the year Lance Stephenson, who has averaged 10 points and six rebounds down the stretch.

Inside, 6-9 Yancy Gates represents a tough assignment for any opponent. Gates is shooting a team- high 58 percent down the stretch and has not fouled out of a game all season. When all three are on, UC can be formidable, but when they are not the Bearcats can sputter and force up some poor outside shots, as evidenced by a 29 percent three point mark, though they have improved that mark over the last three. UC's rebounding edge will be called upon in this game to stay close if the threes don't fall.

The Hoyas looked lost for three consecutive halves before making a late run at West Virginia on Monday--it needs to play for keeps and to rediscover the momentum it picked up against Louisville, whether or not Austin Freeman sees any substantive action. Greg Monroe, who shot 4-12 in a two point loss last season, is more than due for a big game, and Steve Toyloy is the kind of center that Monroe can work through, Likewise, Chris Wright cannot repeat a 2-9 effort against the Bearcats and needs to play two full halves to lessen the pressure on Clark and keep Vaughn from asserting control.

Some keys to the game:

1. Win The First Half: Georgetown's first half troubles date back to the USF game--it needs a better opening effort.
2. Rebounding Margin . Cincinnati is one of the better Big East teams on the boards and GU cannot afford to give the Bearcats easy opportunities.
3. Who Steps Up?: Chris Wright and Greg Monroe won't win this game on their own. Better play and more offense is needed out of Vaughn, Clark, and Hollis Thompson.
4. Lance Stephenson: A potentially bad matchup for the Hoyas, GU must contain Stephenson and keep him out of UC's half court sets.
5. Free Throws: Neither team is very secure at the line and it's likely the game will come down to who is hitting the FT's late.

For Cincinnati to win, Georgetown repeats the lessons of last year's game at Verizon: missed opportunities, weak rebounding, and a shooting slump. Absent these three scenarios, Georgetown is still the better team and needs this win now. (Otherwise, start rooting for UConn to beat South Florida.)