View from Press Row: Hoyas Defeat Wisconsin, Duke is Next

Georgetown's opening game in the 2K Classic against Wisconsin was never a must win situation but it was about as close as you could possibly get to that level of importance given the Hoyas poor start and injury crisis.  They Hoyas have never started a season 0-3 and that fact remains the same for yet another year after a much needed 71-61 win over the Badgers in which Georgetown led wire to wire despite two notable absences in sophomores Tre Campbell and Paul White.

Isaac Copeland picked up the slack for his classmates by scoring a team-high 15 points and connecting on 3-of-4 three-pointers.  Copeland's team-high eight rebounds help make up for the fact that he had zero assists to go against four turnovers.

Because of the early start time - 5PM - these thoughts aren't coming from press row but here they are nonetheless.

Milk Carton: We've been told three times now that Paul White has been a game time decision and that he is practicing.  Is it time to start worrying about this hip injury?  Your mileage may vary on that one but there is a positive coming out of it and that's the experience being given to both Kaleb Johnson and Reggie Cameron.  As of now, don't expect to see White until, well, you see him.

Super Sub: As mentioned above Cameron is playing far more to start this season than anyone would have anticipated and he's making the most of it.  Intonight's much needed win over Big Ten power Wisconsin the junior small forward connected on 4-of-6 shots from deep en route to a career high 14 points.  Cameron had a solid freshmen season but made just five three-pointers all of last season as a sophomore.  Before the season Cameron indicated that he some of his problems last season were purely mental.  Cameron being a sharp shooter off the bench could be a valuable asset for JT3 especially once White comes back into the rotation.

Offensive Off Rebounds: Just like in the Radford loss, the Hoyas were on the wrong end of a lopsided offensive rebounding tally.  The Badgers held a 18-8 edge in offensive boards which resulted in 12 extra field goals.  Georgetown survived this problem thanks to a job well done from deep (9-of-16) and from the line (20-of-24).  Jessie Govan, who spells Hayes at times, picked up the slack in both departments by hitting one of his two shots from deep and going a perfect 6-of-6 from the line in going for 13 points.  It's the second time the talented frosh has gone for double figures in three games.

Whichever team the Hoyas play on Sunday will be tired as VCU and No. 5 Duke are going at it in the second half.  With the way this season nothing would make more sense than leaving New York with a 2-2 record.

Stay tuned.