Game 25: Butler University (19-6)
Feb. 15, 2:30 pm (EST)
Indianapolis, IN
Hinkle Fieldhouse (9,000)
Tickets? Available
Media:
TV: Fox Broadcast
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: 7-8
Meet The Coach:
Lavall Jordan
(Butler '01)
3rd season, 56-37
Career: 67-61
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Expected Starters |
Name |
Ht. |
Pts. |
Kamar Baldwin |
6-1 |
16.1 |
Jordan Tucker |
6-7 |
9.0 |
Sean McDermott |
6-6 |
11.9 |
Bryce Nze |
6-7 |
9.6 |
Bryce Golden |
6-9 |
8.3 |
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Team Stats : |
Points/Game: |
68.8 |
Points Allowed: |
61.2 |
FG Shooting: |
46.5 |
FG Defense |
38.6 |
3FG Shooting: |
34.4 |
FT Shooting: |
73.0 |
Rebounds/Game |
34.9 |
Assists/Game |
13.2 |
Turnovers/Game |
12.8 |
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Last 5 Games (3-2) |
01/28: BU 69, Georgetown 64
02/01: Providence 65, BU 61
02/05: BU 79, Villanova 76
02/09: Marquette 76, BU 57
02/12: BU 66, Xavier 61
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Game Notes
- This is the 16th meeting between the schools, with Georgetown owing an 8-7 advantage.
- Xavier was picked 8th in the Big East pre-season poll.
- Georgetown is 17-8 in games played on February 15 in its history, 5-1 in the Big East era.
Preview
For all the struggles Georgetown has faced in the 2019-20 season, the national discussion has still not written off the Hoyas for an NCAA invitation. But in some ways, the Hoyas need basketball's version of the inside straight--a run of wins over teams not named St. John's and DePaul to get back to .500 and make the case that this team is in the mix.
That run starts Saturday.
A three game run over Butler, Providence, and DePaul are all with reach for this never-say-die team, thriving despite severe challenges to depth. Win these three, and a 7-7 Georgetown team is well positioned to make its case. But the Hoyas need at least eight Big East wins and a win in the conference tournament to be a realistic NCAA contender, and that means four wins in its final seven, which make the next week a make-or-break for the 2019-20 season.
"Eight wins in the Big East are more impressive than nine or 10 wins the Pac-12 or the SEC," writes basketball reporter/blogger Dan Stack. "Anything less and the Hoyas will probably be left out of the field."
The majority of Georgetown's Big East wins in recent years have come from the likes of St. John's and DePaul, but Hinkle Fieldhouse has been a friendly road stop, where Georgetown is almost always competitive and has win five of six since 2013. Since the Bulldogs' win at Georgetown on Jan. 28, Butler had dropped three straight before a 66-61 win over Xavier. With three of its six remaining games versus the bottom three teams in the conference, Saturday marks Butler's best chance to rise in the standings and assure its first NCAA bid since 2018. But like Georgetown, Butler is fighting through some player injuries of its own which could impact its game plan Saturday.
Butler is fighting through some injury problems of its own. Starting guard Aaron Thompson and reserve center Derrik Smits are game time decisions, which could put more pressure on 6-3 senior Kamar Baldwin to run the backcourt if BU goes to a taller lineup as a result. Baldwin is coming off a season low 11 in Big East play in the game versus Xavier, and he is shooting just 25 percent from three point range over his last six games. Baldwin was held to 13 in the game on Jan. 28 versus Georgetown, and Butler needs a 35 minute game from Baldwin to support the Bulldogs if Thompson is unable to play.
Sean McDermott's 25 points against the Hoyas on Jan. 28 was a season high for the forward, and was 7-8 from the field in Butler's win over Villanova. Georgetown's limited lineup should offer opportunities for McDermott and Jordan Tucker to get open looks in the mid range, although neither are consistent options at the three point arc.
Butler's front line is underrated but capable of giving Georgetown trouble down low. The Bulldogs are getting good minutes out of 6-7 junior Bryce Nze, who had eight points and seven rebounds against GU last month, and 6-9 Bryce Golden, whose shooting has dipped since a 18 point effort versus Villanova.
The Bulldogs present a favorable lineup for Georgetown despite its injuries. A week's rest may not bring back Mac McClung and Omer Yurtseven, but it may prove vital for its remaining starters to rise to the occasion. There is no margin for error with a short lineup but the Butler style of play should give the Hoya five (+ George Muresan) a chance to compete.
Some keys to the game:
Foul Trouble: Can't afford it...enough said.
Seventh Man?: Patrick Ewing may be forced to go even deeper into the unproven bench, with Tim Ighoefe and Jaden Robinson in short spurts.
Jamorko Pickett: His numbers have been trending down all season, but Pickett's shooting woes are mental, not physical. A big game for Pickett would be big for the Hoyas' hopes.
Home Court: Butler is 12-2 at home this year but Georgetown has won five of six in Indianapolis since 2013.