Game 3: Georgia State University (1-2)
Nov. 17, 7:30 pm (EST)
Washington, DC
Capital One Arena (20,500)
Tickets? Yes
Media:
TV: Fox Sports 1
GU Radio: WTEM-980
GSU Radio: WRAS-88.5
Game Notes: Georgetown
Game Notes: Georgia St.
About the Panthers:
Location: Atlanta, GA
Enrollment: 52,814
Conference: Sun Belt
2018-19 Record: 24-10
Record vs. Georgetown: 0-2
Meet The Coach:
Rob Lanier
(St. Bonaventure 1990)
1st season, 1-2
Career: 59-71
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Expected Starters |
Name |
Ht. |
Pts. |
Justin Roberts |
5-9 |
8.7 |
Corey Allen |
6-2 |
14.7 |
Kane Williams |
6-3 |
14.3 |
Damon Wilson |
6-5 |
9.7 |
Joe Jones III |
6-9 |
5.3 |
|
Team Stats: |
Points/Game: |
82.3 |
Points Allowed: |
64.3 |
FG Shooting: |
45.8 |
FG Defense |
34.1 |
3FG Shooting: |
42.9 |
FT Shooting: |
69.0 |
Rebounds/Game |
42.3 |
Assists/Game |
13.7 |
Turnovers/Game |
17.0 |
|
Last 5 Games (1-2) |
11/06: GSU 104, Brewton-Parker 35
11/09: Coll. of Charl 84, GSU 80
11/15: Duke 74, GSU 63
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Preview
By all accounts, Georgetown should be a considerable favorite Sunday versus Georgia State. But after thee lackluster efforts to open the season, the Panthers' effort versus Duke has at least a few fans worried that a poor Georgetown effort could lead to a deflating defeat entering the Empire Classic later this week. The symptoms -- and the cure -- are right in front of us.
First, the Panthers. Georgia State is coming off back to back NCAA tournament appearances in 2018 and 2019 and despite a walkover against an overmatched NAIA school named Brewton-Parker College (enrollment: 1,189), the Panthers have played tougher opponents to form. College of Charleston needed free throws to get by the Panthers 84-80 while Duke need a second half push to prevail 74-63. The Panthers have four legitimate scoring options that, when given opportunity, can sting the Hoyas in this one.
Starting guards Corey Allen and Kane Williams provided much of the firepower to stay alongside Duke on Friday, particularly in the first half. The two combined for 36 points and 11 assists in the game much of it from driving inside. As a team, GSU was 5-10 from three point range in the first half versus the Blue Devils, but just 0-2 in the second half as Duke provided perimeter adjustments to limit any meaningful options from outside. If Patrick Ewing does not do this right from the start, it's squarely on him, given the size advantage Georgetown has at every position.
Like many mid-majors, Georgia State lacks size in the frontcourt but they do offer quickness and the ability to get second shots. 6-5 swingman Damon Williams led the team with seven rebounds in the Duke game but were outrebounded 58-32 for the game--yet why were the Panthers competitive? Defensive pressure. GSU forced Duke into an uncharacteristic 17 turnovers and the homestanding Devils missed 21 of 28 from outside.
Duke is a better three point shooting team than Georgetown and if the Hoyas think they can win this game solely on the perimeter, it's a gamble.
The Panthers' 43 percent three point shooting average did not go unnoticed by Duke, but Duke did not need to get into a three point shooting contest, and neither does Georgetown. But what does Georgetown need to do?
Some keys to the game:
Turnovers: GSU averages 17 per game, which Georgetown needs to take advantage of.
Second Option: Can Georgetown get a reliable second option at three point range?
Go Inside: Omer Yurtseven should be a first and second option on nearly every series with his matchup on freshman Joe Jones, who had just two defensive rebounds in 18 minutes versus Duke.
The Hoyas have fallen behind in games this year when it gets into track meets and races downcourt for the first available shot, which usually isn't a very good one. Its guards are not playing together, the benching of Josh LeBlanc has been counterproductive, Omer Yurtseven has not been emphasized on offensive sets, and no one from the bench has distinguished themselves enough to get significant run time in the second half. Georgetown's advantages on defense in this game are more than apparent if it is patient enough to play defense, and uses its height to maintain an advantage on rebounding and second chance points. It's a requirement for this game and the two games which follow in the Empire Classic--if not, GU could find itself under .500 by week's end with a lot of angry feelings.