School: Georgetown
Location: Washington DC
Est. 1789
Enrollment: 7,433 undergraduates
Nickname: Hoyas
Famous Alumni: Bill Clinton (greatest human ever), Dikembe Mutombo (pro finger wagger), Richard Conway Casey (nation's first blind federal judge)
Conference: Big East
Last year's Record: 21-11 (10-8)
What they do well: This year's Hoyas team will have to cope without Austin Freeman, who was their best player last year. So far offensively they are replacing him quite well. They have only played Savannah State and UNC Greensboro so take all stats with a grain of salt but they are shooting 61.8% from two this year, which is fourth best in the country. Their 43.2% offensive rebounding rate is 17th best, and will be a huge test for the Kansas front line. Still, I'm not sure their true talent is that good seeing as they had just one player with an over 10% offensive rebounding rate last year, and he graduated.
Defensively, the Hoyas are allowing opponents to shoot just 34.7% from two (which will be handily eclipsed by Robinson and Withey I would imagine) and are forcing turnovers on 29.3% of their opponents possessions, 14th best in the country. With Kansas 5th best at not turning the ball over, it will be interesting to see which side gives there.
What they do poorly: Despite being such a good offensive rebounding team so far, the Hoyas struggle a bit on the defensive glass. Their 34.6% rate is about 2% below average and ranks 216th nationally. Kansas actually rebounded better vs. Kentucky than vs. Towson so I have to admit I don't have much of a read on the rebounding battle tonight. They don't get to the line a lot either, but I assume they will tonight with how much fun the KU big men have fouling.
How to attack them: First off, go get some professional Chinese basketball players because I hear that really riles them up. Beyond that, last year Georgetown guards got beat off the dribble quite a bit and I think Tyshawn Taylor will be able to get into the lane pretty much at will. Whether that is a good thing or not we'll have to wait and see.
Prediction: The Godfather Ken Pomeroy has Kansas predicted to win 71-68 (and we're 62% to win) in a 67 possession game. I'll subjectively go with 73-65 in a 70 possession game.