BIG EAST GAME PREVIEW: Rutgers @ Georgetown

February 22, 2006

At this time in the Big East season, it really is exciting because every game seems to mean something for each team. Tonight, Rutgers/Georgetown is no different as the Hoyas try to remain in the mix for a first round bye in the conference tournament and Rutgers tries to stay just ahead of the rest in the fight for the last spot or two to be in the conference tournament.

Here are the links to pregame stories and articles on the game:

Injured Joynes has Tough Assignment (Courier News)
Thompson Devoted to Ill Wife and Rejuvinated Hoyas (Star-Ledger)
Hibbert Becoming Elite Georgetown Center (Star-Ledger)
Hoyas Look Ahead, Not to the Past (Washington Post)
Hoyas Senior Trio Look to Finish Strong (Washington Times)
Rutgers/Georgetown Scouting Report (Courier News)



Click below for our brief preview and prediction on this game and don't forget to leave your prediction in the comments section.

READ REST OF PREVIEW...CLICK "Read More" BELOW


Last year Georgetown raced to an 8-3 conference record before the bottom fell out and the Hoyas finished 8-8 and a bid to the NIT, not the NCAA. Even though their current 3-game losing streak might bring back some memories for Georgetown fans, it is not the same team as last year. Also, the schedule is set up in their favor with home games with Rutgers and Syracuse before wrapping up the conference schedule with a trip to South Florida. Winning out and finishing 11-5 in the conference should re-energize the Hoyas and sharpen their focus heading into the post-season, which will include a bid to the NCAA's.

Rutgers is fighting for the post-season lives, just to be invited to the Big East tournament is their first order of business. Although the task tonight is a tough one to pass, the Scarlet Knights are probably assured of a trip to NYC with one win in their last three games, which include a home date with USF and a trip to meet St. John's, in addition to the game at Georgetown tonight. Being invited to the NIT is also within reach and the Scarlet Knights could use another win or two to make them more attractive to the new NIT selection process, so, much to play for on the Rutgers side as well.

Tonight is probably not a good match-up for Rutgers, however. Georgetown is big with Roy Hibbert, Jeff Green and Brandon Bowman starting along the frontline. They are also atheltic and can play a tough match-up zone that could suffocate the Knight's offense that is almost solely dependent on Quincy Douby, and if you watched the last minute of their game against St. John's, you would know how true that is. Look for the Georgetown guards to spy exclusively on Douby, daring ANYONE else to try and beat them and for the Hoyas to have their way inside. Georgetown is a 10-pt favorite, and they should be in for an easy one tonight as they snap their 3-game slide.

NBE Blogger Prediction:

Georgetown 72 Rutgers 59