Following Monday night’s blowout win over St. John’s (8-10, 2-3 Big East), the Georgetown men’s basketball team (9-8, 1-4 Big East) will look to secure a non-conference victory over former Big East rival Connecticut (7-9, 2-3 American) on Saturday at the Verizon Center. The game is set to tip-off at noon and will be broadcast nationally on FOX.
Georgetown leads the all-time series with Connecticut, 35-30.
“It’s a series that through the years has meant a lot… and it still does,” said Georgetown Head Coach John Thompson III. “Without a doubt, our paths have been intertwined. There’s so many memories of Georgetown-Connecticut games. Hopefully that will continue.”
Four Georgetown players scored in double figures in the victory against the Red Storm. Graduate student Rodney Pryor, who was held scoreless last Saturday against No. 12 Butler (14-3, 3-2 Big East), recorded 13 points, eight rebounds, and three steals. Freshman point guard Jagan Mosely continued his good form of late, posting 13 points, six rebounds, and two assists.
Thompson confirmed that junior guard Tre Campbell, who had missed the team’s previous three games due to illness, will be in uniform on Saturday. His playing time will be a gametime decision.
Connecticut enters Saturday’s contest on a two game win-streak, including an impressive 73-59 win over Temple (10-8, 1-4 American) on Wednesday. Senior forward Kentan Facey recorded a career-high 23 points and 10 rebounds in the Husky victory. Connecticut will be without two of its leading scorers, freshman guard Alterique Gilbert (10.3 ppg) and redshirt sophomore guard/forward Terry Larrier (13.5 ppg), due to injury. Injuries have shortened Connecticut’s bench this year, as the Huskies have been forced to rely on an eight-man rotation.
“They’re used to playing with seven or eight guys now,” said Thompson. “Is your gameplan to get them in foul trouble? No. You just have to play and if it happens, it happens. They want to play fast and we do too. I don’t think speeding up or slowing down the pace will affect that.”
While both teams are trying to find their groove midway through the season, Saturday’s matchup could go a long way in determining how the Hoyas will fare in the remainder of their schedule. On Monday, the Blue and Gray will host Providence (11-7, 1-4 Big East) before preparing for a week against three of the top four teams in the Big East. Starting on Jan. 22 and ending on Jan. 28, the team will play at No. 15 Xavier (13-3, 3-1 Big East), versus No. 8 Creighton (16-1, 4-1 Big East), and at No. 12 Butler.
“We’re going to treat (Connecticut) like a Big East game,” said Mosely. “I feel like every game in the conference is a must-win. We just want to win the game, have a rest, and win more games. With the tradition and rivalry in the old Big East we want to come out on top and make a statement.”
