BIG EAST GAME PREVIEW: HOYAS LOOK TO SNAP OUT OF FUNK, BEAT RIVAL ORANGE

February 14, 2009


The Rivalry Week theme promoted by ESPN continues on Saturday with a high noon showdown in the Carrier Dome between longtime Big East rivals Syracuse and Georgetown. With both teams in a downward spiral through the Big East standings in the last month, this is a very important game for both teams hoping to keep their place at the table for the NCAA Tournament next month.

This is the second meeting of the year between the Orange and Hoyas. The first one, exactly one month ago today, was won by Georgetown, 88-74, at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. However, that was the last high-point of the season for John Thompson III’s club as they have lost six of seven since.

Heading into the game on January 14, Syracuse was 4-0 in the Big East and 16-1 overall. The Hoyas jumped all over SU and got out to a big lead and the Orange never challenged on that night. The Orange followed up that loss with a resounding win over Notre Dame back home, but they are currently in a tailspin, not helped by injuries, that has seen them lost five of their last six game.

Here are some pregame stories and previews on today’s game:

Hoyas Keep Confidence (Washington Times)
Two Teams Have Come Back to Earth (Post-Standard)
Orange Scouting Report: Syracuse vs. Georgetown (Post-Standard)
History With Hoyas Filled With Drama (Post-Standard)


Following their win over SU last month, the Georgetown season quickly, and surprisingly, unraveled, beginning in their very next game, a loss at Duke. At halftime of that game, reportedly, senior guard Jesse Sapp and his backcourt mate, sophomore point guard Chris Wright, got into a heated altercation. Sapp, who has been in a near season-long shooting slump, has seen increased pine time since the incident, but this could be an area of team chemistry pulling the Hoyas apart from within.

Syracuse is a banged up team. They lost Antonio Jardine prior to the season and then Mookie Jones went down for the year with a hip injury last month. Now, Arinze Onuaku is playing on virtually one leg and Andy Rautins has been beat up, again causing Jonny Flynn to be an iron man on the floor. Syracuse is also looking pretty ragged in terms of teamwork, but playing in the Dome usually gives them an extra shot of confidence and energy, something they will need today from the large crowd.


NBE Blogger Prediction:

Syracuse 71
Georgetown 63