Sports
Seeking more right stuff from Wright
By: Craig Stouffer
Examiner Staff Writer
January 2, 2009
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But the game wasn’t exactly Wright’s first conference appearance. He played in all three of Georgetown’s Big East Tournament games last year, including going 0-for-4 in 18 minutes off the bench in the title game — a 74-65 loss to Pittsburgh.
No. 3 PittsburghHe’s simply not the same player this winter, and while Monroe’s poise and passing acumen have made him a growing favorite among national college basketball analysts, Wright’s star is also fast on the rise.
at No. 11 Georgetown
Where » Verizon Center
When » Saturday, noon
TV/Radio » ESPN/980 AM, 92.7 FM, 94.3 AM
“That’s the best player we played this year,” said Florida International head coach Sergio Rouco after Wright’s 14 points and seven assists against the Panthers. “We played Washington, UCLA, Miami, but this kid is good. He’s special. He is strong with the basketball. He runs his team, he gets to the cup, and now he’s making jump shots. He’s so hard to guard because he is so strong.”
This weekend, a more seasoned Wright will again face the third-ranked Panthers, Georgetown’s second straight top-three ranked opponent. Pitt comes to Verizon Center undefeated 13-0 (1-0 Big East) and boasting consecutive wins over the Hoyas, both thanks to a massive advantage in offensive rebounding (36-17 margin in the two games combined) and pressure defense that forced Georgetown into repeated poor 3-point attempts (11-for-44 in the two games combined).
Led by Clinton native Sam Young (19.9 points, 5.7 rebounds per game) and DeJuan Blair (13.7 ppg, 12.1 rpg), the Panthers haven’t changed since last year. They’ve simply gotten better.
With the dominating win over the Huskies, the Hoyas (10-1, 1-0) officially distanced themselves from their preseason expectations — they were picked by Big East coaches to finish seventh in the conference. But solving the Panthers will make them a legitimate conference and national favorite.
Other games
Brown at American
Where » Bender Arena
When » Tonight, 7:30
Garrison Carr is averaging 22 points and shooting better than 50 percent from 3-point range in the last three games for the Eagles (6-6). Bryce Simon, coming off a knee injury, could also make his fourth appearance of the year against the Bears (5-6).
UNC-Wilmington at George Mason
Where » Patriot Center
When » Saturday, 7
TV/Radio » MASN/570 AM
The Patriots (8-3, 1-0 Colonial Athletic Association) can make up for surrendering a lead in the final three minutes at Dayton earlier in the week with a conference home-opening win over the Seahawks (3-10, 0-1), who have lost seven in a row.
George Washington at Longwood
Where » Willmett Hall, Farmville, Va.
When » Saturday, 7
Radio » 1500 AM
George Washington head coach Karl Hobbs is under pressure to rally the Colonials (6-5) against the Lancers (6-8) and get his team ready for Atlantic 10 Conference play after dropping three straight games in the Rainbow Classic in Hawaii. Veteran Wynton Witherspoon didn’t see a minute of action in any of those contests.
Howard at La Salle
Where » Tom Gola Arena, Philadelphia
When » Saturday, 2
