Before the men’s basketball season began, tonight’s contest at Louisville looked like it would be, outside of Memphis, the game of the season. The Hoyas and the Cardinals were picked to split the regular season Big East title and each had a plethora of talent returning. Then, however, Louisville lost forward Juan Palacios to a knee injury, center David Padgett to a knee injury, and talented-but-troubled sophomore forward Derrick Caracter to a suspension, and all of a sudden the Cards didn’t look so formidable. Meanwhile, Georgetown looked like the team to beat in the Big East.
Now, however, Louisville (17-6, 7-3 Big East) is beginning to resemble the team everyone thought it would be. All three of the above are back, though Palacios and Caracter are coming off the bench, and the Cardinals have an astounding five guys averaging at least 10 points. Sophomore guard Jerry Smith leads the way at 11.3, while junior forward Terrence Williams contributes 11.2 points and 7.9 boards a night.
The Cardinals are coming off of a 71-57 drubbing of Marquette…at Marquette, one of the toughest places to play in the Big East. Louisville shot 51.1 percent in that affair, while holding the Golden Eagles to 32 percent shooting.
Look for the Cardinals to try and knock Georgetown off its game with a full court or three-quarters court press. If the Cards allow the Hoyas to set up and run the offense, you may see Georgetown turn in a performance that resembles last season’s 73-65 not-as-close-as-the-score-indicates win. Roy Hibbert was a ridiculous 9-of-10 from the field in that one, finishing with 20 points and 11 rebounds.
If Georgetown can get its three-point shooting under control, which is to say either hit around 37-40 percent of their tries or limit the number of attempts, get the ball down low to Hibbert, and weather Louisville’s press, the Hoyas should have a good chance of coming away from Freedom Hall with a win.
My unofficial prediction? Georgetown by 3, 69-66.
Check thehoya.com shortly after the game for a complete recap from staff writer Harlan Goode. Enjoy your weekend.
– Bailey Heaps