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Butler Basketball: Keys to success at home against Georgetown in 2018-19

By Lukas Harkins

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 16: Paul Jorgensen #5 of the Butler Bulldogs reacts after a three point basket during the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Hinkle Fieldhouse on November 16, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 16: Paul Jorgensen #5 of the Butler Bulldogs reacts after a three point basket during the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Hinkle Fieldhouse on November 16, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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SYRACUSE, NY – DECEMBER 08: Head coach Ewing of the Georgetown Hoyas disputes. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NY – DECEMBER 08: Head coach Ewing of the Georgetown Hoyas disputes. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

2. Avoid sending the Hoyas to the line

In order to succeed in this game, though, it will take more than simply coming out with renewed energy. Georgetown might be the second-lowest-rated team in the Big East by KenPom standards (No. 105 in the nation) but this is still a team that can pose some major problems. The Hoyas boast an electric freshmen backcourt, one of the best big men in the conference, and play at a frenetic pace that Butler could struggle to handle. With that said, though, the most important defensive key in this game could be preventing the Hoyas from living at the free throw line.

Over the course of their non-conference schedule, Georgetown was one of the best teams in the nation when it came to drawing shooting fouls. Behind the attacking nature of freshmen Mac McClung (whose status is unknown) and James Akinjo, along with the inside presence of Govan, this team is averaging 25.5 free throw attempts per game while exhibiting a top-50 FTAr in the nation. Perhaps more importantly, though, the team is highly efficient on these shots, burying 74.3% of their attempts from the charity stripe.

As for Butler’s defense, we have seen how “foul happy” it can be. Through non-conference play, the Dawgs are allowing one of the highest opponent free throw attempt rates in the nation and that could come back to bite them in this one. Georgetown has a clear advantage over Butler in this facet of the game and it will be interesting to see how often they are able to exploit this. Butler will need to limit transition opportunities and stand its ground in the halfcourt in order to prevent Georgetown from living at the free throw line.