Georgetown Basketball: 3 keys to victory against Syracuse Orange

Georgetown Basketball (7-2, 0-0 Big East) will face off against Syracuse (5-4, 0-1 ACC) this Saturday at 2:30 PM EST on ACC Network. The Hoyas are coming off a 73-60 loss at West Virginia in the Big 12-Big East Battle, their second defeat of the season. Ed Cooley's squad led at the break before collapsing in the second half, allowing the Mountaineers to shoot 50% from the field and 40% from three. Georgetown registered just eight assists in the loss.

This matchup offers a prime bounceback opportunity against an Orange squad that has been up and down this season and will also be without its leading scorer. Here are three keys for the Hoyas to come away with their first power conference win of the 2024-25 season.

1. Establish Thomas Sorber Early

Thomas Sorber has had a phenomenal freshman campaign thus far, leading the Hoyas in points per game (15.8), rebounds per game (8.9), and blocks per game (1.8). He has been named Big East Freshman of the Week three times. Is it possible Thomas Sorber is still underrated nationally? As of this writing, the first-year big man ranks 6th in the country in Player Efficiency Rating and 15th in Box Plus/Minus. EvanMiya has Sorber as the most impactful defensive player in the Big East.

In most of Georgetown's games, Thomas Sorber has presented a clear matchup advantage down low. Syracuse will have a few more bodies to throw at him than some of the Hoyas' previous opponents, including a standout freshman of their own in Donnie Freeman. Establishing Sorber early will be key for a Georgetown victory, not only for the immediate production he offers, but also the potential of what could open up for Georgetown guards out on the perimeter as the defense collapses.

2. Switch Micah Peavy to Whoever's Hot

Micah Peavy has been among the best on-ball defenders in the country, and Ed Cooley has made sure to remind the media of that fact several times in postgame press conferences. Peavy's impressive mark of 3.0 steals per game puts him in the top five nationally. His switchability gives Georgetown the flexibility to handle threats as they arise, especially with JJ Starling out indefinitely for the Orange.

Starling was Syracuse's leading scorer through six games. While not particularly efficient, the junior guard functioned as the Orange's offensive focal point and was capable of explosive scoring performances (see: 38 points on 60.9% shooting vs. Youngstown State and 27 points on 60% shooting vs. Texas Tech). With Starling sidelined with a broken left hand, the Orange have needed other players to step up and fill the scoring void he left behind.

Recently, that's been senior forward Jyare Davis, who has scored a combined 35 points on 15-19 shooting in 'Cuse's last two games. Senior point guard Jaquan Carlos has also started to produce more with the ball in his hands. Last time out against UAlbany, Carlos scored 12 points and dished out 12 assists, both season highs. Micah Peavy's defensive versatility should be a major asset for Georgetown in this game, whether it means quelling a Jyare Davis scoring run or limiting Carlos' playmaking. Ed Cooley can maximize Peavy's defensive value by switching him to the greatest areas of need throughout the game.

3. Limit Turnovers

When it comes to underlying numbers, Syracuse enters with a clear advantage in turnover rate, ranking 31st nationally while Georgetown ranks 130th. The Orange take care of the ball well, in part due to the steady point guard play of Jaquan Carlos and his 3.5:1 AST/TO ratio.

Georgetown will do well to take care of the ball in this one considering the uptempo offense Syracuse likes to run. Avoiding turnovers that give the Orange extra possessions will be paramount, especially considering that Syracuse both 1) has the edge in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency per KenPom, and 2) will likely not afford Georgetown the same luxury of extra possessions. Ed Cooley has said he wants his team to get out in transition with the athletes they have on the roster. This game affords the Hoyas an opportunity to make good on their coach's words.