Syracuse vs. Georgetown: College basketball game preview, TV schedule
After playing one of the easier schedules in recent memory of a power conference program, Georgetown basketball takes on former Big East rival Syracuse. Will the Hoyas prove that they’re legit?
TV schedule: Saturday, Dec. 16, 12:30 p.m. ET. CBS
Arena: Capital One Arena in Washington D.C.
For some people, this is the beginning of the season for the Georgetown Hoyas (8-0). On one hand, the team is one of the last few remaining unbeatens, but a closer look at the schedule shows that the record is deceiving.
After a bad season that ultimately cost John Thompson III his job, former college. NBA great, and fellow Hoya alum Patrick Ewing took over the job. What happened next was a big roster turnover and an expectation that this would be a down year.
The school took matters into their own hands to soften the number of potential losses, including pulling out of the PK80 Invitational as well as scheduling teams likely to be bad this season. Half of the eight games played already have been teams from the MEAC conference, considered to be one of if not the worst basketball conference in Division I basketball.
As far as the players go, a trio of juniors leads the team offensively, including Jessie Govan, who currently puts up gaudy numbers to the tune of 20.6 ppg and 13.0 rpg. Govan is a good player, but these numbers are obviously deflated due to the competition.
Their first real test comes in a way of Syracuse (8-1) with the team’s only defeat coming in the way of previously No. 2 Kansas. Sophomore Tyus Battle has excelled as the main man, averaging over 20 points a game. Frank Howard has been much better this year as the main ball handler compared to previous years, and 7’2 center Paschal Chukwu has become a difficult presence to deal with as the anchor of the legendary 2-3 zone.
The biggest surprise has been 6’8 freshman Oshae Brissett, who has been putting up impressive numbers so far. He’s currently averaging 13.6 ppg and 9.2 rpg. The issue that the Orange will be dealing with in conference play is the lack of offensive weapons, with only three players averaging over six points a game. If Battle struggles, the team will struggle to win.
Next: Ranking ACC from best to worst (up to Dec. 11)
In terms of scouting matchups for this game, it’s virtually impossible to tell how good any of Georgetown’s players are, let alone the head coaching acumen of Ewing thus far. That’s what makes this game a must-watch. The Hoyas won last year and will look to win again this time around. Last year’s loss for Syracuse in this game hurt them badly, and another one will do the same.
Prediction: Syracuse 73 – Georgetown 61