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Georgetown Basketball: Keys to success for the Hoyas against St. John’s

By Marcus Washington

SYRACUSE, NY - DECEMBER 08: Head coach Patrick Ewing of the Georgetown Hoyas disputes a call with a referee during the first half against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome on December 8, 2018 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NY - DECEMBER 08: Head coach Patrick Ewing of the Georgetown Hoyas disputes a call with a referee during the first half against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome on December 8, 2018 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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SYRACUSE, NY – DECEMBER 08: Paschal Chukwu #13 of the Syracuse Orange defends against Jessie Govan #15 of the Georgetown Hoyas during the second half at the Carrier Dome on December 8, 2018 in Syracuse, New York. Syracuse defeated Georgetown 72-71. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NY – DECEMBER 08: Paschal Chukwu #13 of the Syracuse Orange defends against Jessie Govan #15 of the Georgetown Hoyas during the second half at the Carrier Dome on December 8, 2018 in Syracuse, New York. Syracuse defeated Georgetown 72-71. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

Offensive Rebounds

If the game is played at the pace most believes it will be played at, there will be lanes for the Hoyas to get offensive rebounds and extend possessions. In the first meeting, the Hoyas grabbed 18 offensive rebounds and scored 20 second-chance points. They will need to replicate this especially if the back-court struggles shooting the ball.

Georgetown is 141st in OR%. This can only improve if Govan gets help on the boards from the likes of Josh LeBlanc, Trey Mourning, and Kaleb Johnson. The problem for Ewing comes when he needs additional perimeter shooting on the floor. If Govan stretches to the perimeter, their ability to grab offensive rebounds drops dramatically. Johnson can hit the corner three on occasion but not enough to warrant playing him out there for extended stretches.

So Ewing frequently goes to Greg Malinowski in this situation and that takes away from the Hoyas’ ability to hit the glass.

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Both teams have struggled of late. Georgetown has lost 4 out of 5 and St. John’s has lost 3 of their last 4. KenPom predicts an 85-77 St. John’s victory. ESPN’s BPI projects St. John’s as the winner at 81.4%.

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