BIG EAST BASKETBALL
NO. 1 VILLANOVA VS. GEORGETOWN AT CAPITAL ONE ARENA, 6:30 P.M. TV/Radio: Records:
FS1/WTEL (610AM). Villanova (16-1 overall, 4-1 Big East). Georgetown (12-5, 2-4).
Probable starters for Villanova:
Jalen Brunson 6-3 Jr. G (18.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 5.2 apg, 57 FG percentage, 48 3-point FG percentage); Mikal Bridges 6-7 Jr. G/F (17.5 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 2.2 apg, 50 FG percentage, 42 3-point field goal percentage); Phil Booth 6-3 RJr. G (11.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 3.1 apg, 50 FG percentage, 43 3-point FG percentage); Omari Spellman 6-8 RFr. F (10.1 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 46 FG percentage, 43 3-point FG percentage); Eric Paschall 6-7 Jr. F (9.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.2 apg, 49 FG percentage).
Probable starters for Georgetown:
Jessie Govan 6-10 Jr C (17.6 ppg, 11.4 rpg, 51.9 FG percentage); Marcus Derrickson 6-7 Jr. F (14.9 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 53.6 FG percentage, 44.2 3-point FG percentage); Kaleb Johnson 6-6 Jr. G/F (10.0 ppg, 5.1 rpg); Jamorko Pickett 6-8 Fr. G (7.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg); Jonathan Mulmore 6-4 Sr. G (6.5 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 4.0 apg).
The Wildcats have dominated the series recently, winning six in a row and nine of the last 10. Georgetown’s only win in that span was a 78-58 triumph Jan. 19, 2015. Offense continues to be the driving force for the Wildcats. Villanova is No. 1 in offensive efficiency, according to kenpom.com, averaging 126.5 points per 100 possessions. The Wildcats are eighth nationally in scoring offense (88.2), seventh in field goal percentage (51.2) and 10th in 3-point field goal percentage (41.4). Brunson, Bridges, Booth, Spellman and sixth-man Donte DiVinzenzo all averge double figures. Paschall is close at 9.9,
The Hoyas are 4-5 since starting 8-0. Two of the losses were to nationally ranked Creighton and Seton Hall. Some things never change. The Hoyas are among the league leaders in defense (third in scoring defense, 69.9) and rebounding (first in rebounding margin, +8.2) under first-year coach Patrick Ewing. Offense, though, has been an issue. Georgetown is ninth in conference play in scoring offense (73.3) and last in field goal percentage (39.3). The Hoyas have been held under 70 points in four of their six conference games. Govan is second in the conference and ninth nationally in rebounding.
A look at Villanova: A look at Georgetown: