Scouting Georgetown

Can USF slow down guard Austin Freeman and company? (Picture credits: www.nj.com)

The Bulls are home again as they host #9 Georgetown on Saturday. The Hoyas are coming off of a tough loss to UCONN and are looking for some revenge against the Bulls after last year's upset (thanks to Dominique Jones who will be in attendance at this game). The Hoyas are a tough team and will pose a huge match up problem with their incredible guards.

The Hoyas are a top ranked team and the numbers prove it. The Hoyas average 74.4 points per game (52nd in the nation) compared to USF who averages 61.7 (312th, sigh). The Bulls hold the rebounding advantage though, the Bulls pull down 36.9 per game (83rd ranked) while the Hoyas average just 34.3 (215th). This is due to their size and emphasis on the guards. They dish out 16.2 assists per game (18th) compared to 12.4 for the Bulls (218th). The Hoyas shooting a ridiculous .497 from the field (2nd in the country) while the Bulls shoot .414 (283rd).

The Hoyas are a guard oriented team and will pose major match up issues for the Bulls. Here are the players the Bulls will have to contend with. [keep reading]

The Hoyas are led by guard Austin Freeman (6'3" 227-pounds). He averages 18.2 points per game while shooting 51% from the field (41.8 from 3-point range). He is a very explosive player that can create his shot off the dribble, drive, or simply pull up from long range. The Bulls will struggle to match him on defense. He also averages 3.4 rebounds per game and 2.6 assists per game. Next is guard Chris Wright (6'1" 208-pounds) who averages 13.1 points per game. He is also averages 2.9 rebounds per game and 5.5 assists per game. Guard Jason Clark (6'2" 170-pounds) averages 12.3 points per game and 3.9 rebounds per game. Forward Julian Vaughn (6'9" 247-pounds) averages 9 points per game and 6.4 rebounds per game. He is their presence inside and will match up with Famous, Anderson, and Gilchrist for the battle for rebounds. Forward Hollis Thompson (6'7" 205-pounds) averages 8.1 points per game and 4.6 rebounds per game, he will also be battling the USF big men for rebounds.

Other players to watch:

Forward - Nate Lubick - 6'8" 238-pounds - 4 PPG 3.5 RPG

Center - Henry Sims - 6'10" 230-pounds - 4.1 PPG 3.3 RPG

Forward - Jerrelle Benimon - 6'7" 242-pounds - 1.6 PPG 1.8 RPG

Outcome of the game: Georgetown will remember the game last season when the Bulls came to their house and got the upset win and this time, the Bulls don't have Dominique Jones. The Hoyas have outstanding guards and will be able to move the ball effectively. The inside presence for the Bulls will help keep the Hoyas off the boards and the score low early in the game. But in the second half of the game, like all of the games for USF, the talent and shooting of Georgetown will be too much for the Bulls to handle and send them to their 20th loss of the season.

Final score prediction: Georgetown 73 USF 62