Since I’ve done such a good job predicting the Big East Tourney so far (see post below), I thought I’d sprinkle my wise words on what I think are the keys to this game

• Nova’s Press: Will it pester Georgetown as it has in the past? Or has JT3 finally solved it? The last Nova-Georgetown game was the most flustered I’d see the Hoyas in a while. Even though they won, the Nova press fundamentally alters the Georgetown offense. How can you be patient with the Princeton offense when you only start the offense with 25 seconds left on the shot clock?

  [Update]: With 11 minutes left in the first half, the press hasn’t come out because Nova has yet to hit a shot. Can’t really start the press on a missed shot. On the other hand, Georgetown’s making an attempt to run the ball up.

• Roy Hibbert: He’s accumulated 6 points and 6 fouls in the past two games against Villanova. Will Nova continue to haunt him with their speed on defense? Will he get two quick fouls and remain on the bench for the first half? I don’t think they need a huge game out of him, but merely having his presence would help.

  [Update]: 14 minutes left in the first half, and Villanova has still not scored (G’town 12, Nova 0). Hibbert? He’s got 4 points and 2 blocks.

• Scottie Reynolds: Will he continue his streak of 20+ point games (currently at five)? The key in my mind is if Georgetown can stop him from taking (and hitting) the three. In the last five games, he’s had four games with double-digit attempts from three. Before that? Only two games in the previous twenty-six with double-digit attempts. Jay Wright’s let him loose, but can the Hoyas get him?

  [Update]: 11 minutes left in the first half. The score? 21-2. And Reynolds has done nothing but take some really bad shots. Nova’s lacking some confidence; I’d be too if I was down 19 points so early on. Note: Jeremiah Rivers is doing an excellent job pestering Reynolds.

Twenty minutes until game time. I’ll update this during the game and see how the above points factor into the game.

[Update]: Georgetown 32, Nova 9: 5 minutes left in the first half. One word describes this game so far: clinic. At one point, the Hoyas had hit 10 straight shots and had 11 assists on 13 field goals. I’ll have some video highlights of this later today…

Categories: Commentary, Georgetown, donald, Villanova, Postseason