GAME THREAD: American at Georgetown

Game 5: American Eagles (2-2) at Georgetown Hoyas (2-2)

When: Sunday 4:30 PM

Where: Capital One Arena

TV: FS2 (Eric Collins and Terrence Oglesby)

Radio: Team 980, Sirius XM App (The legendary Rich Chvotkin/50th season)

Series: Hoyas lead 47-9 overall, 30-5 home

Last Meeting: American won 74-70 on Nov. 23, 2022.

KenPom rankings: Georgetown 180, American 286

KenPom Projection: Georgetown wins 77-68. Georgetown has an 80% chance of winning.

Line: Georgetown -9.5, o/u 142.5. Hoyas -485 ML

It’s unclear if there is any sort of trophy (or belt) on the line but with a victory later today the Hoyas will win the inaugural Georgetown MTE. The Hoyas put themselves in this position of course by taking care of Mount St. Mary’s 83-72 on Saturday, withstanding a decent late push by the Mountaineers. Ed Cooley’s group has improved on the glass since the Holy Cross loss but the turnovers are becoming a thing. North Carolina transfer Dontrez Styles scored more points in yesterday’s win (26) than he did last season with the Tar Heels (22). Styles leads the Hoyas in scoring and is one of five averaging in double-figures through four games. With Jay Heath (12.3 ppg) now starting, the Hoyas are searching for a scoring threat off the bench.

Coming in with same 2-2 record as Georgetown, American has made a lot of changes since upsetting the Hoyas 74-70 just last season. Former Maryland star Duane Simpkins is in his first season as a head coach, having most recently been on staff at George Mason. Johnny O’Neil, who scored a team-high 16 in taking down the Hoyas, has moved moved on to Santa Clara. Starters Eligiah Stephens and Matt Rogers return for a team that was picked third in the Patriot League, just ahead of Holy Cross. The 6-foot-9 Rogers will be a good test for the Hoyas frontcourt.

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