Preview: Georgetown hosts Campbell

Game 6: Campbell Camels (3-2) at Georgetown Hoyas (4-1)

When: Saturday, noon

Where: Capital One Arena

Series: First meeting

TV: FSN including MASN2 in DC (John Fanta & Tarik Turner)

Radio: Team 980 (Rich Chvotkin)

KenPom Prediction: Georgetown 82, Campbell 68 (89 percent)

After a week off the Georgetown Hoyas will be back at Capital One Arena when they host the Campbell Camels on Saturday in the final game associated with the Jamaica Classic. They Hoyas went 1-1 on their trip to coach Patrick Ewing’s native country while Campbell won their side of the bracket by going 2-0.

This is the first of three straight home games for Georgetown. The Hoyas play seven of their next eight at home before conference play begins at Butler on Jan 2.

Believe it or not – if you can only make one non-conference home game on the Hoyas schedule this season – this is probably THE game.

Here’s why:

Campbell features the nation’s leading scorer in 5-foot-9 senior guard Chris Clemons (31.6 ppg) AND the first 3,500 fans will receive a Jack the Bulldog Bobblehead. I’m not seeing a better deal for fans on the schedule until conference play begins.

Georgetown went 2-1 since they last played at home on Nov 10 against Central Connecticut State.

Jessie Govan has lived up to the lofty preseason expectations so far and leads the Hoyas with 19.4 points per game and 7.6 rebounds. Govan is tied with Jamorko Pickett and Jahvon Blair with eight made 3-pointers.

James Akinjo is another Hoya living up to the preseason hype. Akinjo sealed the win at Illinois with an old fashioned three point play and then set the South Florida game into overtime with a deep 3-pointer from the top of the key. For his efforts, Akinjo took home the BIG EAST Freshman of the Week award.

Georgetown has lost two straight games to Big South foes, both in the 2015-16 season.

KEYS TO THE GAME

Limiting Clemons – This one is obvious but it has to be said. Pickett earned praise from Ewing after the CCSU game for his defense and could provide one of the larger defenders Clemons has likely seen. Blair, Jagan Mosely, and Mac McClung’s minutes could come down to who can best slow the guard down. Something else to consider is that Clemons isn’t just a scorer. He also leads Campbell in rebounds, assists, and steals.

Pickett Returns – The road was not kind to the talented sophomore as Pickett tallied just seven points on three made field goals. Pickett must become more involved as the season continues for Georgetown to have any type of success. A member of the league’s All Freshmen team a season ago, Pickett has yet to make the leap.

More Assists, Less Turnovers – Georgetown is last in the BIG EAST with nearly 17 turnovers per game. Individually, Akinjo leads the conference in total turnovers but is second in the league with 5.6 assists per game. Georgetown has to find a way to protect the ball better during this three game homestand.

Prediction: Georgetown 85, Campbell 78