Game Preview: Georgetown vs. Oregon

Game 4: Georgetown Hoyas (1-2) vs No. 4 Oregon Ducks (2-1)

Series: Ducks lead 2-1

Where/When: Lahaina Civic Center, Monday 4PM EST

TV: ESPN2

Line: N/A…probably because of Dillon Brooks

KenPom: 69 percent Oregon win, 76-71

Not that there is ever a bad time to head out to Maui, but after starting the season 1-2 for the third time in four seasons, Georgetown gets the opportunity to regroup about as far away from home as possible. That’s a good thing as the team was serenaded with chants of “Fire Thompson” on campus in its last outing.

Right off the bat the Hoyas get the chance to knock off a Top 10 team. The Ducks are currently No. 4 but that should change a bit when the rankings coming out later today thanks to a loss to Baylor. Of course, Oregon won’t be Georgetown’s only chance for a quality victory before Thanksgiving but going 1-3 for the second year in a row – after not having done that since the pre-Thompson days - could be too large a hole to climb out of even this early.

This will be the last game the Hoyas play before Bradley Hayes becomes eligible. Georgetown was a far better team with Hayes in the lineup last year and even though some were in favor of turning the team over to the younger generation it’s clear that Hayes is still needed, at least for half the game.

Getting to know the Ducks

All Pac-12 forward Dillon Brooks has yet to play for Oregon this season but that is probably going to change in Maui.

Brooks aside, the Ducks are a very good team and were picked by many to make the Final Four. Chris Boucher and Tyler Dorsey have been carrying the way for the Ducks so far. Boucher averages 17 points per game and Dorsey comes in at 12.7. Both shoot over 40 percent from three-point range, making about two per game.

Hoyas

Three Things to Watch:

Is Derrickson healthy enough to play? Yes most everyone paying attention to this game is concerned about the health of Oregon’s Dillon Brooks, but Marcus Derrickson’s health is a big deal for the Hoyas right now. Marcus started 27 games last season and can play as a stretch four or five. Without any other options Copeland got minutes at the five last game when JT3 was scrambling to give Jessie Govan a break.

Will JT3 shorten the bench? We saw him do just that against Arkansas State. Tre Campbell didn’t get much run and neither did Akoy Agau. If Derrickson is healthy I think he could make a strong case to take away minutes from Isaac Copeland who is struggling mightily on defense. I’ve always maintained that JT3 is better with a shorter bench.

Can Mosely shoot? Jagan Mosley didn’t shoot a three-pointer in either of his first two collegiate games and in game three it became apparent as to why. Mosely went 0-6 in the loss to the Red Wolves and most of those looks were wide open. Not being able to shoot isn’t going to keep the talented freshman off the court as he has a 13 to 3 assist to turnover ratio but he needs to be able to keep the defense honest.

Reason to be delusional: It’s not nearly as bad as it seems. Had about three or four things not gone horribly wrong at the absolute worst time against Maryland, the Hoyas are likely heading to Maui at 3-0 and climbing the charts in the Others Receiving Votes.

Reason to be cynical: There are too many to count right now. Pick one.

Final Thoughts: After hearing about how awful they’ve been since Thursday night, Georgetown shows up to Maui in a bad mood and takes it out on Oregon. Thompson III shortens his bench and the Hoyas play enough defense to get the W.

Hoyas 68, Ducks 64.