Georgetown Basketball

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Just two games remain in the eight game Georgetown homestand, awaiting two teams that have a strength of schedule in the bottom ten of Division I. If you saw the Hoyas' game on Tuesday, you know where this one is headed.

Albany shares some some common story lines with Georgetown's most recent opponent, Wagner, at this point of the season. Albany's 5-2 record to date is mitigated by two non-Division I wins and a combined opponent record of 4-11 for its three Division I wins this season. Also, much like Wagner, the Great Danes are an unfamiliar team, with seven transfers and three freshmen. Perhaps most concerning for Albany: its three point shooting is wildly inconsistent. Despite 10 three pointers in a road win at Dartmouth, the Great Danes are just 26 for 95 (.273) versus Division I opponents this season.

Poor outside shooting didn't help Wagner Tuesday night at McDonough Gymnasium, and a similar verdict awaits Saturday at Capital One Arena without a major turnaround from Albany's leading returning scorer.

At the close of last season, sophomore Amare Marshall was second in scoring for the Great Danes at 16.7 points per game, shooting 43 percent from the field and 37 percent from there point range. As a junior, Marshall has played in just five games this season, shooting 33 percent from the field and just 4 for 21 from outside. Marshall was held to four points in a four point loss to American, and is a key for Albany to get some early momentum in this game.

In contrast to some opponents on this underwhelming home slate, Albany is not afraid of a faster pace. Marshall's partner in the backcourt, 5-10 grad transfer Byron Joshua, currently leads the team in scoring, thanks to efficient shooting and an ability to drive inside, with a 88 percent average from the foul line. Joshua enters Saturday's game coming off 17 points versus AU and a season's best 19 versus Dartmouth.

Defensively, the Danes have trouble on defense, allowing opponents 50 percent or greater from the field in three of seven games this season, including a 64 percent effort from American last Sunday. Its front line gives up a points on the perimeter, where 6-4 small forward Dermarr Langford will be tested against taller Georgetown lineups and 6-8 Kacper Klaczek, formerly from St. Joseph's, must be ready to compete outside and inside. Up front, 6-8 Iona transfer Sully Adewale has been ineffective, averaging just two points and one rebound in his last three Division I games. Off the bench, 6-6 forward Justin Neely has been a productive sixth man, with 20 points and seven rebounds against American.

The Great Danes can play up to ten in a rotation, but its two tallest options are newcomers and have seen little time to date. Fouls could force Albany's hand inside, and a game like this may be an opportunity to examine what it can run inside with 7-0 Bautista Giralt (0.0 points, one rebound per game) and 6-8 Ma'Kye Taylor (2.3 points, 1.3 rebounds)

As variations on a theme, Albany is yet another opponent to whom a 40 minute effort to shut down the Hoyas seems unlikely. Micah Peavy continues to provide scoring leadership for the Hoyas and despite long stretches without much offensive performance, its defense keeps them within range. Albany has the depth but not the reach to keep this close without significant three point shooting and strong interior defense.

Some keys to the game:

1. Up-Tempo: The Great Dames can run, but Georgetown still owns a healthy advantage on this.

2. Three Point Shooting: Georgetown has been out shot, by percentage, on threes in four of six games thus far this season. A reliable outside shot remains elusive.

3. Burks and Fielder: After six games, neither Jordan Burks or Drew Fielder have seemed comfortable at the power forward position, and their statistics are all but identical in many key categories. The next two games are a test for both to show momentum as the schedule sharply climbs upward over the next week.

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