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It's the second largest state in the Union, with 23 Division I basketball programs and 10 of the nation's top 100 recruits for 2015. Yet as far as Georgetown Basketball is concerned, Texas remains a rarity.
Tuesday's game with Texas A&M-Corpus Christi marks the first school from Texas in a regular season game at Verizon Center in 14 years. Corpus Christi may be better known to Georgetown fans as a Catholic feast day than as a fast growing region of South Texas, where the city's population is already larger than that of Pittsburgh.
One of only three Division I schools in Texas not playing college football, the Islanders have continued to move up the basketball food chain under former Rice coach Willis Wilson, who was ever-so-briefly cited as a possible coaching candidate at Georgetown following Craig Esherick's departure in 2004.
The Islanders arrive in Washington with an experienced starting lineup, some momentum following a 18-16 season in 2013-14 (off an 6-23 record the year previous), and one of the nation's best kept secrets at guard. But much like their predecessors on the Verizon Center court in St. Francis, height may be their undoing.
According to its media notes, the Islanders return 62 percent of its minutes, and 65 percent of its scoring from a year ago. Chief among these is senior John Jordan, a high flying guard with a standing vertical leap of 38 inches despite standing just 5-10. Jordan averaged 15 points per game last season and is an early favorite for All-Southland honors. Jordan was held to 3-10 shooting in its opener but made up for it with 12-14 shooting from the foul line, which proved the margin of victory against Our Lady of the Lake, an NAIA school which opened the TAMU-CC season. Jordan is underrated for his skills and can be a catalyst for TAMU-CC to contend in this game.
Up front, sophomore forward Rashawn Thomas is on the verge of a breakout season. As a freshman, Thomas averaged 0.7 points and 5.2 rebounds, once going 21-for-26 from the field over a three game stretch. A free throw average under 55 percent remains a problem, however.
Islander fans are looking forward to the development of 6-7 Bryce Douvier to the lineup. A transfer from Northern Colorado, Douvier began his Gulf coast career with 18 points and eight rebound, and will be counted upon to carry the offensive rebounding load for a team which is not a strong outside shooting team and needs second chance points inside. the Islanders only feature one player over 6-8, and will rely on guard play to give it an edge on quickness and penetration.
Some keys to the game:
- Brandon Pye: The other starter at guard, Pye represents the Islanders' best opportunity for outside shooting.
- Peak Performance: The St. Francis coaching staff admitted they hadn't seen much of L.J Peak before Saturday, and it showed. The Islanders expect to give Peak much more attention on defense.
- Josh Smith: Smith's return to the lineup raised as many questions as answers. A stronger game on the boards is key.
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