Busting Brackets
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Big East Basketball: 5 questions heading into conference play

By Lukas Harkins

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 05: Members of the Villanova Wildcats bench react to a defensive play by Bridges
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 05: Members of the Villanova Wildcats bench react to a defensive play by Bridges /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – JANUARY 28: Govan
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – JANUARY 28: Govan /

2. How good is Georgetown?

Under first-year head coach Patrick Ewing, Georgetown has jumped out to a 10-1 record. While this may be impressive, their strength of schedule, which ranks last in the country, is not. In the Hoyas’ only difficult game so far, they fell to the Syracuse Orange in a well-fought game. Heading into conference play, we will finally get to see if Georgetown is actually for real this season.

They are led by big man Jessie Govan, who is having a breakout season of 19.0 points and 12.1 rebounds. While this was mostly against inferior opponents, he did show up with 21 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks against the ‘Cuse. If Georgetown is to prove itself as a team that should get NCAA Tournament consideration, Govan will need to continue his torrid pace.

In addition, his co-stars Marcus Derrickson (13.4 points, 7.1 rebounds) and Kaleb Johnson (11.5 points, 5.1 rebounds) will need to be top-level rebounders and defenders. The Hoyas are limiting opponents to just 38.0% from the field this season and it is that defense that they will need to ride to success.

The Big East is a league in which no game is easy and the Hoyas might learn that the hard way. Georgetown has finished eighth and ninth in the league in the last two years, respectively, and they will be looking to change that this year.

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