Georgetown Basketball: Keys to success for the Hoyas vs. Providence

Georgetown Basketball takes on Providence in a pivotal Big East battle. Here are the keys for the Hoyas getting the big win.

Georgetown is currently on a two-game losing streak as they head into their showdown with Providence. After losing a tough home game in overtime to St. John’s, the Hoyas went to Xavier and blew a double-digit lead to the Musketeers in their 81-75 loss.

The Hoyas are one of four teams that are 1-2 in the conference. Providence is the only team without a win.

Despite Villanova being 3-0, the Big East is very winnable this season especially when you consider that they play a balanced schedule. So, if Georgetown wants to get back in the race, it must start with a win on Saturday against the Friars.

Here are the three biggest keys to the game for the Hoyas.

Limit Turnovers

In Patrick Ewing’s second season on the Hilltop, turnovers are an issue that won’t go away. The Hoyas rank ninth in the conference in turnover margin at -1.2.

One would think, it would be because the Hoyas have an all-freshmen backcourt when Mac McClung is healthy and in the lineup. Though freshman point guard, James Akinjo, leads the team in the turnovers, wing players, Jamorko Pickett and Greg Malinowski are second and third, respectively. What’s particularly egregious is, per KenPom, Pickett’s turnover rate is higher than Akinjo’s and Malinowski rate is high considering he comes off the bench.

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The Hoyas quick pace means there is an acceptable number of turnovers but that’s usually enhanced by being able to force turnovers defensively. That hasn’t happened. The Hoyas rank 277th in the country in Defensive Turnover %.

Physicality

After Providence’s loss to Villanova, Coach Ed Cooley challenged his team’s toughness.

“I wanted to play the toughest dudes in the locker room. I don’t give a damn what position you play. If you can’t be tough and prideful and you’re going to be out there and be soft, you’re not going to play at Providence College,” said Cooley – Westerly Sun

This should put the Hoyas on notice both in and out of the paint. There’s no doubt, a player like Jessie Govan will be able to match the physicality of the Friars. Inside in the paint, can freshman Josh LeBlanc do the same?

LeBlanc has been a pleasant surprise for Hoyas fans. For all the hype that came in with Akinjo and McClung, LeBlanc has been just as dependable. He ranks in the top-10 in conference play in eFG%, OR%, and FTRate. All of this is being accomplished without plays being called for him.

Look for the Friars to be physical with the Hoyas’ wing players. As mentioned before, both Pickett and Malinowski have problems with turnovers. Don’t be surprised if they’re bumped coming around screens.

Also, look for the Friars to dig for the ball anytime Georgetown tries to drive to the basket. Anything thing to try and physically dominate the game.

Close the Show

The Hoyas can’t continue to have problems protecting leads in games especially in the first half. Both St. John’s and Xavier were down by double digits in the first half and both closed strong to take away Georgetown’s advantage.

In the St. John’s game there was an additional meltdown. Up five with 52 seconds of regulation, the Hoyas would get forced into overtime.

The combination of a Red Storm layup, a silly foul allowing St. John’s to score without the clock moving and a turnover leading to a foul saw what look like a win into an overtime loss.

Against Xavier, the problem was that Georgetown couldn’t close the first half. A LeBlanc dunk gave the Hoyas a 17 point lead with 3:49 left in the first half. Unfortunately, it was Georgetown’s last points of the half. A 12-0 Xavier run cut the lead to five by halftime.

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After the first Official TV Timeout of the half, the Musketeers would take the lead. After a little back and forth, Xavier assumed control and won the game by six.

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