Game 10: University of North Texas (7-5)
Dec. 20, 7:00 pm (EST)
Washington, DC
Capital One Arena (20,500)
Tickets? Yes
Media:
TV: Fox Sports 2
GU Radio: WJFK-106.7
UNT Radio: KHYI-95.3
Game Notes: Georgetown
Game Notes: North Texas
About the Eagles:
Location: Denton, TX
Enrollment: 38,521
Conference: Conference USA
2016-17 Record: 8-22
Record vs. Georgetown: First meeting
Meet The Coach:
Grant McCasland
(Baylor '99)
1st season, 7-5
Career: 27-17
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|
Expected Starters |
Name |
Ht. |
Pts. |
Ryan Woolridge |
6-5 |
13.0 |
Roosevelt Smart |
6-5 |
18.5 |
A.J. Lawson |
6-5 |
10.9 |
Zachary Simmons |
6-9 |
5.4 |
Shane Temara |
6-9 |
10.9 |
|
Team Stats: |
Points/Game: |
78.4 |
Points Allowed: |
72.6 |
FG Shooting: |
47.2
|
FG Defense |
42.3 |
3FG Shooting: |
34.9 |
FT Shooting: |
67.6 |
Rebounds/Game |
38.4 |
Assists/Game |
13.2 |
Turnovers/Game |
14.7 |
|
Last 5 Games (3-2) |
11/30: Oklahoma 82, UNT 72
12/02: TX-Arlington 65, UNT 60
12/06: UNT 79, Indiana St. 76 (OT)
12/09: UNT 85, McNeese St. 47
12/16: UNT 86, San Diego 83 (OT)
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|
Game Notes
- Georgetown is 19-7 all time versus the current membership of Conference USA.
- Georgetown is 16-83 all-time in games played on Dec. 20.
Preview
As scheduling goes, there is no more unfamiliar territory for the Georgetown Hoyas than the Dallas-Ft. Worth area, the nation's fourth largest media market, a metro area of 7.2 million, and home to four Division I basketball programs, none of which Georgetown has ever played in the regular season.
That will change Wednesday, as the
the Hoyas welcome the University of North Texas, coming off three straight wins and rebuilding under a new coach who was part of a notable upset of Georgetown last season.
The coach is Grant McCasland, whose first season at Arkansas State engineered a 78-72 upset at McDonough Gym that ignited the simmering fan discouragement against coach John Thompson III. A 23 point underdog, Arkansas State actually led by 23 at one point in the game, in no small part due to McCasland's relentless style of play, which attracted the interest of North Texas officials during its most recent coaching change.
The Mean Green were picked for 12th in the 14 team Conference USA this season but are coming off three early wins, the latest of which was an 86-83 overtime win at San Diego. All eyes will be on UNT guard Roosevelt Smart, whose career high 31 against San Diego has established himself as the go-to scorer this season. Smart has double figures in 10 of 12 games this season and a 43 percent mark from three pointers, leading the team.
The Eagles depend heavily on scoring from a three guard lineup which includes 6-3 Ryan Woolridge (13.0 ppg, 35 points combined in his last two games) and6-5 A.J. Lawson (10.9 ppg). Neither are consistent from outside range but can pick apart opponents in transition, something which North Texas has been able to do in its most recent game after some less productive efforts earlier in the season.
If the scoring is in the backcourt, the Mean Green have excelled up front. UNT is a net +43 in its last four games on rebounding, including a +16 versus McNeese State and a +10 on San Diego. A pair of 6-9 forwards in sophomore Zachary Simmons and senior Shane Temara will hit the boards, but need to stay out of foul trouble, and its guards will also work inside where needed.
This game could get sloppy--the two teams average 30 turnovers a game between them. UNT does not have a deep bench and can wear down in games, but has lost only two game this seasons by more than 10 points, the largest being a 63-49 loss to Georgia Tech. Tempo may be even more important--the Mean Green is 0-4 in games where held to 70 or fewer points, but 6-0 when scoring 80 or more.
The end of exams and the loss of teammate Chris Sodom were distractions to Georgetown this week but the lessons from Saturday's loss to Syracuse need to be taken seriously against this Conference USA team. Guard play must be established early, three point shooting must be improved upon, and frontcourt players must avoid foul trouble. The Hoyas were outscored 29-15 after Marcus Derrickson's fifth foul with 5:15 left versus the Orangemen and while Jessie Govan carried the team late, he will need help.
Another item to watch: is 6-9 freshman Antwan Walker able to provide support up front? Walker's nine minutes per game is the lowest of any scholarship player this season, and with visible depth issues at center, the next two games may be illustrative if the staff has any confidence in him as a legitimate 8-10 minute backup for Jessie Govan, or if they will run Govan 35 or more minutes a game into Big East play.
The oft-derided non-conference schedule wraps up this week, but North Texas should be a better test than many that have taken their guarantee checks out of Capital One Arena this year. And with 2018 signee Grayson Carter hailing from Denton, TX, home of the Mean Green, this would be a nice opportunity for a home and away series with a competitive team in a region deep in talent but unfamiliar with seeing Georgetown in person.
Consider it a a friendly suggestion.