I had a feeling. My game prediction was close as I stated that the final score would be 72-61, Georgetown. Not far off. I noted prior to the game that if the Hoyas get back to fundamentals and shoot as they are capable, use all personnel without getting into foul trouble or turning the ball over, they should win. Today they shot 59% from the field, 42% from 3-point line and 74% from the free throw line, a much improved effort from the poor performance at Xavier. The foul trouble, while there, did not effect the outcome of the game due to the balanced attack and freshmen involvement and while they had 13 turnovers, it was one fewer than Creighton and the Hoyas also grabbed 9 steals. The Blue Jays had the rebounding edge but Georgetown knocked down a greater percentage of its shots, as the Hoyas held Creighton to 30% from the field and 20% from 3.
The freshmen combined to score 37 points and Tre Campbell came off the bench to earn the ProminentPlay Game Ball with an inspired performance reminiscent of recent stellar Hoya point guards, from Jonathan Wallace to Chris Wright to Markel Starks. Freshman reserve guard Campbell and forwards (starter) LJ Peak and (reserve) Paul White emphatically announced their arrival as key members of this team in a matchup that ensured that one BIG EAST team would be winless in conference play after the game and that team would not be Georgetown.
There were moments today when fans saw what Campbell can offer to this Hoya team, and gave the spirited crowd reasons to stand and cheer. Peak scored 14 on torrid shooting (5 for 7 from the field, 1 for 2 from 3 and 3 for 3 from the line), and added 4 boards and 3 steals. Campbell, a role player to date who had a total of 22 points in 12 games this season until Saturday, started the day 5 for 6, including 3 for 3 from beyond the arc, and finished with 13 points. White, with his pure shot, added 10 (4 for 7; 2 for 4 , 4 boards, 2 assists and a steal). In fact, they are the first trio of Georgetown freshmen to score in double-figures in a single game since January. 18, 2005, when Hibbert, Green and Wallace had 12 each. Even freshman Isaac Copeland, whom we expect to see much more from in the future, played an important role as it was his shot in the waning seconds of the first half that put Georgetown up 33-31 at halftime.
Smith and Trawick lead, despite foul troubles:
Almost everything that sank the Hoyas’ hopes on New Year’s Eve against Xavier was gone: turnovers were sparse as the Hoyas handled and distributed the ball in a very balanced attack. Senior big man Josh Smith also played a huge role in this victory as he was a threat inside and finished with 16 points on 5 for 6 shooting from the field and 6 for 8 from the foul line. Trawick had 12 points in only 21 minutes, going 4 for 5, 1 for 2 from 3, and 3 for 4 from the line.
All is not copacetic, however. Foul troubles continue and without ragging on the referees as they deserve, I hope someone will check in with the league office to see why there seem to be a disproportionate number of fouls called on the Hoyas. Again today, senior Smith and Jabril Trawick were relegated to the bench for periods of time with foul trouble, and despite this continuing plague, the freshmen stepped in and took over. DSR, the Hoyas’ leading scorer, was held to only 5 points. Not to fear today when the freshmen took over.
This is the greatest group of freshmen on the hilltop in recent memory and they are eager, willing and able to contribute.
The Creighton offense, which at times, especially in the first half, seemed to kick into gear on hot 3-point shooting, sputtered in the second half as the Hoyas came out of the break to win and poured on the D and moved the ball down court to set up for a high percentage shot or open jumper. The Doug McDermott-less Creighton squad finds itself 9-6 on the season and winless (0-2) in conference games thus far.
Even if the Hoyas lose its #25 ranking after the loss to Xavier this week, it has gained a great deal of confidence that will lead it into the deep conference schedule.
Next up: the Marquette Golden Eagles on Tuesday. The Sixth Man should turn up again for the Hoyas and support for this team that returned home to show their fans what they are made of, that is, a lot of talent and heart.
The Freshmen “Arrive” in the Home Conference Opener as the Hoyas Silence the Blue Jays with a Convincing Victory, 76 -61
I had a feeling. My game prediction was close as I stated that the final score would be 72-61, Georgetown. Not far off. I noted prior to the game that if the Hoyas get back to fundamentals and shoot as they are capable, use all personnel without getting into foul trouble or turning the ball over, they should win. Today they shot 59% from the field, 42% from 3-point line and 74% from the free throw line, a much improved effort from the poor performance at Xavier. The foul trouble, while there, did not effect the outcome of the game due to the balanced attack and freshmen involvement and while they had 13 turnovers, it was one fewer than Creighton and the Hoyas also grabbed 9 steals. The Blue Jays had the rebounding edge but Georgetown knocked down a greater percentage of its shots, as the Hoyas held Creighton to 30% from the field and 20% from 3.
The freshmen combined to score 37 points and Tre Campbell came off the bench to earn the ProminentPlay Game Ball with an inspired performance reminiscent of recent stellar Hoya point guards, from Jonathan Wallace to Chris Wright to Markel Starks. Freshman reserve guard Campbell and forwards (starter) LJ Peak and (reserve) Paul White emphatically announced their arrival as key members of this team in a matchup that ensured that one BIG EAST team would be winless in conference play after the game and that team would not be Georgetown.
There were moments today when fans saw what Campbell can offer to this Hoya team, and gave the spirited crowd reasons to stand and cheer. Peak scored 14 on torrid shooting (5 for 7 from the field, 1 for 2 from 3 and 3 for 3 from the line), and added 4 boards and 3 steals. Campbell, a role player to date who had a total of 22 points in 12 games this season until Saturday, started the day 5 for 6, including 3 for 3 from beyond the arc, and finished with 13 points. White, with his pure shot, added 10 (4 for 7; 2 for 4 , 4 boards, 2 assists and a steal). In fact, they are the first trio of Georgetown freshmen to score in double-figures in a single game since January. 18, 2005, when Hibbert, Green and Wallace had 12 each. Even freshman Isaac Copeland, whom we expect to see much more from in the future, played an important role as it was his shot in the waning seconds of the first half that put Georgetown up 33-31 at halftime.
Smith and Trawick lead, despite foul troubles:
Almost everything that sank the Hoyas’ hopes on New Year’s Eve against Xavier was gone: turnovers were sparse as the Hoyas handled and distributed the ball in a very balanced attack. Senior big man Josh Smith also played a huge role in this victory as he was a threat inside and finished with 16 points on 5 for 6 shooting from the field and 6 for 8 from the foul line. Trawick had 12 points in only 21 minutes, going 4 for 5, 1 for 2 from 3, and 3 for 4 from the line.
All is not copacetic, however. Foul troubles continue and without ragging on the referees as they deserve, I hope someone will check in with the league office to see why there seem to be a disproportionate number of fouls called on the Hoyas. Again today, senior Smith and Jabril Trawick were relegated to the bench for periods of time with foul trouble, and despite this continuing plague, the freshmen stepped in and took over. DSR, the Hoyas’ leading scorer, was held to only 5 points. Not to fear today when the freshmen took over.
This is the greatest group of freshmen on the hilltop in recent memory and they are eager, willing and able to contribute.
The Creighton offense, which at times, especially in the first half, seemed to kick into gear on hot 3-point shooting, sputtered in the second half as the Hoyas came out of the break to win and poured on the D and moved the ball down court to set up for a high percentage shot or open jumper. The Doug McDermott-less Creighton squad finds itself 9-6 on the season and winless (0-2) in conference games thus far.
Even if the Hoyas lose its #25 ranking after the loss to Xavier this week, it has gained a great deal of confidence that will lead it into the deep conference schedule.
Next up: the Marquette Golden Eagles on Tuesday. The Sixth Man should turn up again for the Hoyas and support for this team that returned home to show their fans what they are made of, that is, a lot of talent and heart.