Georgetown Basketball

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A three game homestand, the longest of the Big East season, awaits a Georgetown team still seeking identity heading into conference play. While we may know more about the potential of the 2023-24 Hoyas a week from now, we may not see it in evidence Tuesday versus Creighton.

Much like Marquette, Creighton has become a historically bad matchup for Georgetown teams. The Hoyas have lost 11 of is last 13 in the regular season versus the Bluejays dating back to the 2016-17 season, often as a result of poor Georgetown defense and Creighton's interior play. The Bluejays are 210-41 in the Greg McDermott era when out-rebounding its opponent, and Creighton was a combined +19 on the boards in two games versus Georgetown last season.

No less troublesome: three point shooting. The Bluejays rank seventh in the nation with 11.1 threes per game, including three games of 14 threes and a season high 18 in its opener. After a promising start of its own in that category, Georgetown has shot just 12 for 47 (.255) from outside in its first two Big East games and allowed Marquette 10 threes in its most recent game.

The loss of two starters from 2022-23 to the transfer portal has been a rework in progress for Creighton's 2023-24 starting five. As Ryan Nembhard departed for Gonzaga, Steven Ashworth arrived from Utah State, but is averaging half of his output from 2022-23. A 43 percent shooter from three point range in the Mountain West, Ashworth is averaging just 35 percent this season and just 3 for 13 in two Big East games to date this season. A capable ball handler and distributor, Ashworth needs to pick up the scoring and Tuesday's game offers an opportunity for him to regain that shooting touch.

Another starter in the spotlight is redshirt sophomore Mason Miller, succeeding the departing Arthur Kaluma. Milelr leads the conference with a 57 percent range from outside, but in reality he doesn't take many shots, averaging fewer than four attempts per game. Miller's assignment in this game will be defensive, as Creighton must defend the midrange as well as the perimeter.

Its three returning starters from 2022-23 have all enjoyed profitable games in prior meetings with the Hoyas. Shooting guard Trey Alexander had seven threes versus the Hoyas in last season's regular season finale, but is just 2 for 13 from outside the arc in his last four games and must improve upon a 27 percent mark from outside for Creighton to contend at the top of the Big East. Small forward Baylor Scheierman had a combined 24 rebounds in last season's series but must regain consistency from the field, as his shooting numbers have varied from game to game. Inside, 7-1 Ryan Kalkbrenner averaged 16 points in two games last season versus GU but was held to a season low eight points in last week's loss at Marquette and that won't be enough in this game. Kalkbrenner enjoys an advantage inside against most opponents but his rebounding has been insufficient of late.

Creighton doesn't go deep on its bench, and has lost double digit leads in consecutive games with too many turnovers and giving up second chance opportunities, particularly in the loss to Villanova. Both Creighton and Georgetown have faced poorly to date with allowing second chance opportunities, and it figures to be a point of emphasis to Ed Cooley and his staff, who must not only improve on its guard play but be more communicative inside, where the game could be decided.

The Bluejays have not lost three consecutive Big East games in nearly five years. If they address turnovers and control the paint, two things the Hoyas have not solved to date, it won't happen tonight.

Other keys to the game:

1. Three Pointers: While Creighton has been very successful form outside, its shooting in two Big East games has been under performing. Keeping Creighton under eight threes is essential for GU.

2. Cook For 35 (Minutes): Supreme Cook needs to stay in this game to defend the paint.

3. Defensive Pressure: Creighton has been vulnerable to turnovers. Can Georgetown take advantage?

This is one of those seasons where Georgetown needs results at home to counter what are expected to be struggles on the road for the next two months. Creighton presents many of the same challenges Marquette did, and the question is whether Georgetown learned anything from the experience.

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