The #21 nationally ranked Providence Friars will play their first game in 12 days after a postponement of 3 games due to COVID hitting the Friar squad. Providence takes on the Georgetown Hoyas. We preview the game and provide our thoughts on the Hoya squad.
Georgetown Team Preview
Georgetown is currently in the basement of the Big East at 0-3 and 6-8 overall. Georgetown was hit with an unexpected transfer last year of Qudus Wahab, who was a rising young big man in the Big East. He transferred to Maryland and is presently starting there.
Georgetown is an extremely young team, led by Freshman sensation Aminu Mohammed. Mohammed, a blue chip recruit, is averaging 13.8 points and 8.6 rebounds a game. Dante Harris, the hero of last year’s Big East championship run, is having a solid sophomore campaign averaging 13 points and 4.9 assists. Donald Carey and Kaiden Rice are the two elder statesmen on the squad and are assassins from deep, averaging 39.2 and 47.3% from three, respectively.
Keys to the Game
- How many Friars will be healthy and eligible to play? The Friars had to cancel their last 3 games because they didn’t have 7 healthy players eligible to suit up and play due to COVID. There are reports out that the team is healthy and ready to go, but it will be interesting to see if we have a depleted roster. Coach Cooley actually said in a presser he had COVID, so hopefully he is his same animated self on the sidelines. We should know more by gameday.
- Will the Friars show any rust due to time off? These are college kids, so you don’t know if they will come out game ready after almost two weeks off from playing competitive basketball. Georgetown, quite frankly, is not a good team right now, and this game is at home. I’d be a lot more concerned about this game if we were playing another Big East foe and on the road. With all that said, Providence coming out sloppy, turning the ball over, and being lethargic could lead to an upset.
- Defend the Perimeter – The Hoyas securing an upset victory over the Friars will come down to two things: self-inflicted mistakes by the Friars (double digit turnovers) and Georgetown shooting above average from deep. Although Georgetown is last in the Big East, they are number 1 in the league from 3 point land, averaging 36.7%. Rice and Carey can ruin a game with their ability to make the three ball, so it is imperative that Providence plays tight on the perimeter. Force Georgetown to try to beat you from inside the 3 point line. They are league worst at total field goal percentage at 42.1%, so odds are that limiting the three ball attempts will lead to a comfortable Friar victory.
- Aminu Gets the Minaya Treatment – This will be a good test for both Minaya and Mohammed. Mohammed may be a first rounder if he decides to leave this year or next, and it will be a good litmus test for both players. Minaya did a superb job on Champagnie, and I’d like to see him lock up Mohammed. This is the match-up I’m most looking forward to.
Predictions
BOC: Having Georgetown and Butler after a 12 day hiatus is a nice break. Providence may come out of the gates a bit slowly, but I anticipate a rather comfortable win, assuming the Friars have a somewhat full roster. 74 – 66 Friars.
Crier: I’m cautiously optimistic about PC’s game against Georgetown. Providence clearly is the better team but with them returning from COVID pause there are some variables. Who will be available for Providence? If one of the key cogs can’t go who fills in for that person? Georgetown has talent but once again find themselves with a uphill battle in the Big East. I think PC survives a close one 72-68.
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