Coach K isn't coming to town, and J.J. Redick is a time zone away, but that hasn't stopped Marquette from setting up Thursday's game with Georgetown as their version of the "Duke game". In its major prime time appearance of the year, Marquette expects to fill the Bradley Center for a must win on national TV, while Georgetown needs the win in a different way.

It's been said that the final two weeks of February set the course for the post-season. It's a truism that hangs over the Georgetown Hoyas as they enter a two game road trip. In the past two seasons,  Georgetown has lost seven straight games in February played after the 15th, and Thursday's opponent has all the tools to add to that mark if the Hoyas fail to regain the  focus that served them well in recent weeks.

After winning seven straight with a combination of smart shooting and timely defense, the wheels came off for the Hoyas against #11 West Virginia on Sunday with poor shot selection and an inability to get production out of its backcourt. The Warriors (aka Golden Eagles) figure to key on each of these areas in defending the Hoyas' motion offense.

Marquette has been successful in an up-tempo style that opens the passing lanes and gives its outside shooters numerous opportunities for the long range shot. The Warriors average about 21 three point attempts a game, making nine, and  are not afraid to play a game in the 80's and above if their shooting is on. By contrast, four of Georgetown's five losses have come to teams scoring 68 or more points. Only once this season has Georgetown won a game in regulation by surrendering more than 68 points, and that was versus Duke.

All-America candidate Steve Novak leads the Marquette attack. His 41 point effort against UConn grabbed a lot of headlines, but his play has been emblematic of the team's success--when Novak is held under his average, the Warriors can be beaten. Less heralded but just as vital has been the play of freshman Dominic James. He has scored in double figures in ten straight games and has been named Big East rookie of the week on four occasions. 

Marquette fans will also be keeping a close watch on the turnover count. MU gave up 25 turnovers in a five point loss to Villanova, but has been in the 10-14 range through many of its wins. If Georgetown can play a more deliberate style of play and get inside matchups to its liking, Marquette will have to be more adventurous on the perimeter and turnovers could be the difference.

Here's a look at some potential matchups:

Jonathan Wallace vs. Dominic James. Wallace has been in a scoring slump of late but has continued to play good perimeter defense. James poses a tough test to Wallace on both sides of the ball, and could have the upper hand if Wallace does not adjust to Marquette's style of play.
Ashanti Cook vs. Jere McNeal. McNeal has quietly put together six straight double figure games, but it's an opportunity for Cook to reassert his intensity and take charge of defending the outside shots. McNeal has not shot well from outside in the last five games, (1-11), and Cook is due for better numbers as well.
Brandon Bowman vs. Joe Chapman. Chapman figures to give Bowman a run defensively, but Bowman's height and quickness is an edge to the Hoyas. Bowman has not scored more than 16 points in a game since Jan. 21 and has the ability do better Thursday; defensively, he may see time defending Steve Novak on the perimeter.
Jeff Green vs. Steve Novak. When Novak goes inside, Green awaits. After a strong effort against WVU, Green figures to get a lot of defensive pressure down low, but needs to kick the ball back outside to loosen the inside passing lanes. Novak's 320 three pointers is fourth among active NCAA players  and cannot be underestimated. He's also an active rebounder and must not get the easy second chance points.
Roy Hibbert vs. Ousmane Barro. Barro figures to be a spot assignment to frustrate Hibbert inside, with as many as three other options available to play down low. Defensively, Hibbert has been more effective against running teams but has not consistently established the ability to create his own shot on the offensive end of the floor. The Hoyas need a 10 point, 8 rebound, 30 minute effort from Hibbert to prevent the Hoyas offensive hopes to fall on Jeff Green as they did versus WVU.
GU bench vs. MU bench. Big advantage to the Gold..uh, Golden Eagles, who go ten deep. 6-5 forward Wesley Matthews has returned from a foot injury and scored nine versus Rutgers, while 6-9 Dan Fitzgerald may remind Hoya fans of Kevin Pittsnogle with his three point abilities. However, two reserve players (Mike Kinsella, Jamil Lott) will not play due to medical concerns. Outside Darrel Owens, who is suddenly overdue for a big game, the GU bench does not figure to be much of a presence in this one.

Keys to the game:
1. Assist- turnover ratio. Georgetown has won with assist-intensive basketball, so the Hoyas needs to set up plays that get the basket and the assist. Marquette is watching the other side of that ratio--turnovers--and must stay under 15 to contend. 
2. Novak and 20. Brandon Bowman needs to hold Novak to 19 of fewer points, and no more than five free throws.
3. Home court advantage. This figures to be the loudest arena of the year, at least until next Sunday. Georgetown must play with poise and contain the MU runs to stay in contention. Like West Virginia, Marquette can hold a lead and Georgetown needs to do likewise. 

The Big East is just too tight than for a team Georgetown to stumble at this point of the season. With a Marquette team that is 4-1 at home in the conference and needs a February statement win, they'll be at their best, but this is one of those games that Georgetown really needs to bear down and gut it out. Both teams need outside scoring to win, and neither team can afford a lapse inside. The first of these favors Marquette, the second Georgetown.

Either way, watch that scoreboard--the first one to 60 will look pretty good in the Friday box scores.