LINKS: Will Georgetown Host Providence on Saturday?

It has been 17 days since the Georgetown Hoyas (3-8, 1-5) played a men’s basketball game. That’s a long time without Hoyas Hoops in January.

Hopefully that ends soon (and safely). If everything is to go as planned, Georgetown’s home game against Providence on Saturday will begin at noon on FS1.

All the BIG EAST teams have had a stoppage or late start of some sort this season, coming back to varying degrees of success. No one who watched any one of the prior 11 Georgetown games this season would expect the Hoyas to become the epitome of consistency in their last game of January regardless of the COVID-19 pause. Still, with at least 10 games left on the schedule, Hoyas fans hope to see energy, effort, and growth.

Providence (8-7, 4-5) will reveal a little more about their level of play on Wednesday night at home (7PM, CBSSN) against a foe who is even in the standings, Marquette (8-7, 4-5).

Here are the links:

COMFORTS OF HOME? PC set to host Marquette after long road trip | PROVIDENCEJOURNAL

“We’ve got to pick our guys up,” Cooley said. “I thought we played 22 good minutes on the road. It was frustrating. I thought their physicality bothered us in the second half.” The Friars (8-7, 4-5 Big East) enjoyed a three-point lead at the break and had successfully dragged the Wildcats into the mud. Villanova methodically left Providence behind by playing its typically efficient offense and clamping down at the business end of the floor. The Friars wound up shooting just 38.5% from the field and couldn’t manage a second headlining result after holding off No. 11 Creighton on Wednesday. “Turnovers, lack of discipline, shot selection — over the next couple of days we’ve got a lot to work on getting ready for a Marquette team coming off a tough loss,” Cooley said. “We’re equal in the standings, but they’re a half-game ahead of us because they beat us at their place.”

Three takeaways from Villanova’s win over Providence | VUHOOPS

Ultimately, this game was much tighter than the final score of 71-56. It wouldn’t be surprising if Providence goes on one of its late-season streaks, heats up, and become a tournament team by the end of the year, as they have one of the best players in the Big East in David Duke and Nate Watson. Right now, ESPN bracketology has them under “First Four Out” entering the weekend.

It looks like A.J. Reeves who had 15 points in their upset win against Creighton, and freshman Alyn Breed, who had a team-high 18 points against Villanova, are developing into potential third and fourth options for Ed Cooley’s Friars. Villanova was able to pull away at the end by drawing more fouls and getting more freebies from the foul line than their opponent. In total, Villanova was 11-for-13 in the second half (16-for-22 overall) as compared to the Friars 11 for 14 showing from the stripe for the entire game. It also helped getting its shots to drop after that cold-shooting spell in the first half, including a couple of highlight dunks from Samuels to inject some energy.

Men’s Basketball Game Notes vs. Marquette - Providence College Athletics | FRIARS

Watson Leading The Friars In Rebounding: Senior Nate Watson (Portsmouth, Va.) is leading the Friars in rebounding (6.8 rpg). He also ranks second on the team in scoring (18.6 ppg). In 15 games this season, he has recorded four double-doubles and five games with 20 or more points. Watson is shooting 62 percent (112-180) from the field. Duke First On The Team In Scoring And Assists, Second In Rebounding: Junior David Duke (Providence, R.I.) leads the Friars and he ranks second in the BIG EAST in scoring (18.7 ppg). He also leads the team in assists (4.7 apg). He also is second on the team in rebounding (6.1 rpg). Duke is shooting 41 percent (93-225) from the field, including 43 percent (33-77) from behind the arc. He is a team best 84 percent (62-74) from the free-throw line.

Marquette Vs Georgetown Has Been Postponed (JAN 14) | ANONYMOUSEAGLE

In this pandemic-altered season, is there any point in playing a conference tournament? The idea behind it is to sell a whole metric ton of tickets... and that is definitely not happening two months from now. Would it be in the Big East’s best interest in dumping the idea of the tournament..... but keeping the reservation at Madison Square Garden for four days of make-up games? Sure, scheduling it would be an absolute nightmare and you might only be able to get 16 games back on the board. But if teams need the games to be NCAA tournament eligible on Selection Sunday — Villanova has only played nine games right now — or if a game would tilt the result of the regular season championship, then maybe that’s the best option to even get the league close to the 110 game regular season total.

Xavier returns to team activities after a second COVID-19 pause, but future still uncertain | CINCINNATI

The Musketeers are scheduled to play their sixth Big East game on Jan. 29 at Butler – the Bulldogs just experienced a false positive on Thursday but returned to team activities on Saturday. Once that game happens, 14 games will remain on Xavier’s schedule with only 39 days left before the scheduled start of the Big East Conference Tournament on March 10 at Madison Square Garden.

Travis Steele’s Musketeers were scheduled to play Georgetown Tuesday, but that game has already been postponed because the Hoyas are dealing with their own pause. Xavier would need to average one game every 2.79 days to complete the remainder of its Big East schedule. The odds of that happening are slim, even slimmer when considering that ratio doesn’t take into consideration the possibility of further pauses caused by COVID-19 for Xavier and the rest of the teams on its schedule.

Five schools prioritizing explosive G/F Cam Whitmore | 247SPORTS

One of the top players in Maryland, Cam Whitmore, has been leading a heavy recruitment coming into the start of his junior season at Archbishop Spalding (Md.). The class of 2022 four-star has not made a decision date but is aiming for a late fall decision. As of now the explosive 6-foot-6 Guard/Forward is being prioritized by Florida, Maryland, Louisville, Georgetown, and UConn.

“To be honest it’s still early, I haven’t been playing just working out, but I’m just seeing what I can get and lay low for now.,” he said. “By the time AAU season is done I’ll probably have a short list. Probably late fall I’ll come to a decision.”

Georgetown: “They’ve been recruiting me the most. They’ve been texting and calling me everyday. Coach Pat has been putting me under his wing, saying how he wants me there badly. I like their offense; they play fast as well and I like that. They get the board, push it up the floor, look for the open man, and kick it out for the open three so I like that. I’ve already been there before for their March Madness. It was a good atmosphere.”

Basketball Recruiting - Brandon Gardner quickly adding high-major offers | BASKETBALLRECRUITING.RIVALS

However, it is two schools which, he says, check in with his coaches most, “Wake Forest and Georgetown” ...

“Georgetown talks to me about being a special player and how much they can’t wait for me to get on campus for a visit.”

Wake Forest: “Wake really likes my game and they believe that I fit their culture and style of play.” He added, “Both schools are really great basketball schools, and both are serious about academics too. I’m just ready for COVID-19 to be over so I can finally meet the coaches and players.”

“The main thing I keep hearing from [other schools] is they want to build a relationship with me and for me to continue working on my game,” he said. “I am just grateful for the schools who have believed in me enough to offer me already. I will continue to work hard to improve on and off the court. If I just keep grinding and remain humble, everything will work out.”

Georgetown Basketball Needs a Rothsteinism - Thompson’s Towel | THOMPSONSTOWEL

Notably, Georgetown is lacking one of these simple yet beautiful catch phrases. Perhaps it is because the Hoyas have struggled in every season since the inception of these lines, but I believe now is the perfect time to institute one. A return to national dominance is on the horizon, and what better way to usher in the new era of Georgetown hoops than with a catchy slogan?

Honoring John Thompson Jr. | NABC

In light of his impact on our game and society, the NABC Committee on Racial Reconciliation is encouraging coaches to pay tribute to Big John the week of February 15-21 by wearing a commemorative towel over the shoulder on the sidelines – mirroring his signature look. The commemorative towel is being sent to every NABC member head coach in NCAA Divisions I, II and III and the NAIA. If your program would like to purchase additional towels or provide towels for another school, please do so via the links below. Bundles cost $30 for five towels or $125 for 25 towels.