Game 21: Butler University (16-4)
Jan. 28, 9:00 pm (EST)
Washington, DC
Capital One Arena (20,500)
Tickets? Available
Media:
TV: CBS Sports Network
GU Radio: WTEM-980
BU Radio: WFNI-1070
About the Bulldogs:
Location: Indianapolis,IN
Enrollment: 4,481
Conference: Big East
2018-19 Record: 16-17
Record vs. Georgetown: 6-8
Meet The Coach:
Lavall Jordan
(Butler '01)
3rd season, 53-35
Career: 64-59
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Expected Starters |
Name |
Ht. |
Pts. |
Kamar Baldwin |
6-1 |
16.2 |
Jordan Tucker |
6-7 |
9.4 |
Sean McDermott |
6-6 |
11.3 |
Bryce Nze |
6-7 |
9.4 |
Bryce Golden |
6-9 |
8.0 |
|
Team Stats : |
Points/Game: |
69.4 |
Points Allowed: |
59.4 |
FG Shooting: |
46.6 |
FG Defense |
37.9 |
3FG Shooting: |
35.2 |
FT Shooting: |
72.6 |
Rebounds/Game |
35.6 |
Assists/Game |
13.2 |
Turnovers/Game |
11.3 |
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Last 5 Games (2-3) |
01/10: BU 70, Providence 58
01/15: Seton Hall 78, BU 70
01/18: DePaul 79, BU 66
01/21: Villanova 76, BU 61
01/24: BU 89, Marquette 85
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Game Notes
- This is the 15th meeting between the schools, with Georgetown owing an 8-6 advantage.
- Xavier was picked 8th in the Big East pre-season poll.
- Georgetown is 17-16 in games played on January 28 in its history, 7-6 in the Big East era. The teams have met one on this date, a 85-81 Georgetown win at Butler on Jan. 28, 2017.
Preview
If there is any number that defines the Georgetown Hoyas in Big East play this season, start with 66. Entering conference play averaging 82 points a game, the Hoyas have broken 66 points in just three of its last eight.
Georgetown's 57 points in its loss to Xavier last week was a season low, but with a one week layoff, it's time for the Hoyas to rediscover the up-tempo offense that carried them earlier in the season. To do so, they'll face a Butler team that is holding Big East opponents to just 39 percent shooting this season.
The Bulldogs were ranked as high as #5 this season before dropping three consecutive games, and needed a season high 16 threes to get past Marquette in overtime last weekend. To retain their top 20 ranking, the #13 Bulldogs need a big game from a familiar name on the Butler roster.
Butler's hopes in this game rise and fall with senior guard Kamar Baldwin. Averaging 20 points a game in Big East play, Baldwin is coming off a 31 point a game at Hinkle Fieldhouse against Marquette without a single three pointer in the game. He has led the Bulldogs in scoring in 14 games this season and provides the punch to support what can be a tepid Butler offense otherwise. Baldwin had 17 and 18 points, respectively, in the two games versus Georgetown last season.
A pair of swingmen in 6-7 Jordan Tucker and 6-6 Sean McDermott will pose problems for a smaller Georgetown lineup, but each has struggled from the field. Tucker is shooting 38 percent from the field and is 5 for his last 17 over two games. The Duke transfer had 17 versus Providence and a 14 point, 10 rebound game versus Seton Hall, but these have been outliers in an inconsistent season to date. McDermott has been more proficient and was a big factor in the win over Marquette, with 16 points and nine rebounds. His 18 point, 11 rebound effort versus Creighton was a season high, and despite playing the three he's a solid rebounder, a factor that Georgetown must be careful when setting their offensive plans.
Butler's defensive efforts on the perimeter and on the boards have elevated it from a eighth place pick in the pre-season Big East polls. Redshirt junior Bryce Nze averages seven boards a game to go along with 9.4 points, but can be prone to foul trouble. Center Bryce Golden has not been as strong on the boards and his playing time has diminished, with increased activity coming off the bench from guards Aaron Thompson (6.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg) and Khalif Battle (3.4 ppg). With two players already lost for the season with ACL tears, the Butler bench is not deep, but their defensive effort should be strong enough to avoid a deep run down a thin bench.
Georgetown ranks last in the Big East in a number of defensive categories, chief among them three point shooting. The Hoyas are allowing opponents to shoot an average of 43.8% from outside three point range and while Butler isn't a three point dominant team, anything approaching the output seen in the Marquette will be a knockout punch in this game. The Bulldogs average 6.6 threes per game compared to 6.0 for Georgetown.
Some keys to the game:
38 Minutes of Mac: Absent a consistent offensive threat from Omer Yurtseven, Georgetown absolutely needs a big game from McClung.
Rebounds: Butler leads the Big East in rebounds and Georgetown must be more competiive on the boards, especially on offensive putbacks.
Sixth Man?: Neither team is getting sufficient production from its bench. Georgetown needs more out of Jahvon Blair in this game.
Home Court: It's been an unusual contrast for this series. Butler is just 8-20 in road games under LaVall Jordan but 3-0 in Washington. With three home games in its next four, Georgetown needs to reestablish its home court advantage.