Goergetown Basketball: 3 keys for the Hoyas against the Orange

2. James Akinjo has to seize the moment

In their last game against a Power 5 opponent, James Akinjo stepped up his play a ton to push his squad to victory over Illinois. Akinjo put up 19 points and seven assists in that one.

He’s shooting 34.3 percent from behind the arc as a freshman while producing 14.1 points and 4.9 assists per game in their backcourt. In their last seven contests, he’s posted double figures scoring along while also averaging 5.0 assists per game.

While he isn’t shooting the ball particularly well from the field this season (39.8 percent), he has worked on improving his efficiency. In the last four games, he’s shooting 46.8 percent from the floor.

Their zone will make him adjust but his ability to get to the basket is a strength entering Saturday’s game. Akinjo has delivered once already in a big game and should be poised for another against Syracuse.

He’s yet to eclipse 20 points this season but his season-high of 19 points came in their most recent victory over Liberty. This could be the game where Akinjo explodes and puts Georgetown on the map for good.