Sports
No smooth ride for Hoyas
By: Craig Stouffer
Examiner Staff Writer
January 9, 2009
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| Georgetown freshman Greg Monroe tallied the first double-double of his college career earlier this week against Notre Dame. (AP) |
After a monster rollercoaster first week of Big East Conference play — toppling No. 2 Connecticut on the road, then losing two in a row to No. 3 Pittsburgh and No. 7 Notre Dame — Georgetown actually isn’t very far from where it was predicted to be at the beginning of the season: right in the middle of the league pack. Big East coaches’ preseason prognostications had the Hoyas (10-3, 1-2 Big East) picked to finish seventh.
Local capsules“Clearly, this stretch was incredibly difficult,” said Hoyas head coach John Thompson III. “Three very good teams. Two games on the road. One on a quick turnaround. Sure, it was tough. But so what?”
Old Dominion
at George Mason
Where » Patriot Center
When » Saturday, 2
TV/Radio » CSN/1260 AM
The Patriots (11-3, 4-0 CAA) are one of two remaining CAA teams still undefeated at home. The Monarchs (9-5, 2-2) have dropped two of their last three games, including allowing James Madison to shoot a Constant Convocation Center-best 66.7 percent (28-for-42) from the floor in a loss earlier this week.
Richmond
at George Washington
Where » Smith Center
When » Saturday, 7
TV/Radio » MASN/1500 AM
Lehigh at American
Where » Bender Arena
When » Saturday, 2
Howard at Florida A&M
Where » Jake Gaither Gym, Tallahassee, Fla.
When » Saturday, 7
Things don’t get any easier, with first-place tied Providence (11-4, 3-0) on tap this weekend before Syracuse’s annual visit and a trip to Duke next week.
None of the Friars’ conference victories — over Cincinnati, DePaul and St. John’s — stand out, and despite its record in league play, Georgetown is by no means out of the race for a conference title. But serious questions remain, including a persistent lack of depth and shooting woes from the line and in the backcourt.
Freshman Greg Monroe is certainly skilled enough for a double-double every night — he picked up the first of his career against Notre Dame — a pace it appears he’ll need to sustain through March.
Up nextBut the normally stingy Hoyas defense, which held opponents to a NCAA-best 36.4 percent shooting last year, allowed the Panthers and Fighting Irish each to shoot better than 44 percent from the field, surrendering a combined 84 points in the paint.Providence
at No. 9 Georgetown
Where » Verizon Center
When » Saturday, 1
TV » ESPNU
Radio » 980 AM, 92.7 FM, 94.3 FM
At the other end, Georgetown’s 13 of 22 free throw attempts at Notre Dame were surprising for a team that came into the game hitting 75 percent at the line.
But more troubling is Jessie Sapp, who is just 6-for-29 (21 percent) from the field over the last four games. His slump may mean more playing time for freshman Jason Clark, who had five points, four rebounds, three assists and two blocks in 24 minutes off the bench against Notre Dame.
