Previewing The Hoyas

11-12 Basketball34

#11 NC State vs. #3 Georgetown

Sunday March 18, 12:15pm – Columbus, OH

CBS – Tim Brando, Mike Giminski

All time series record: NC State leads 4-2

The Pack faces off against the Georgetown Hoyas in the round of 32, after dispatching the Aztecs of San Diego State. Georgetown advanced by handling the Bruins from Belmont, 74-59. Unlike SDSU, who often go with a three or four guard lineup, the Hoyas like to go with only one true guard, thus utilizing their size to disrupt opponents defensively.

Hoyas Backcourt

Jason Clark (#21, Sr, G) leads the Hoyas in scoring (14.1 ppg). Against Belmont, he scored 21 pts on 9/12 shooting (3/5 from 3pt). He averages 48.3% from the floor (32.9% from 3pt). He also pulls down 4.1 rpg.

Markel Starks (#5, So, G) averages 7.2 ppg on 45.9% shooting (36.8% from 3pt).

Hoyas Frontcourt

Hollis Thompson (#1, Jr. F) and Henry Sims (#14, Sr, C) both average double figures in scoring (12.5 ppg and 11.8 ppg respectively). Both also rebound well (5.5 rpg and 6.1 rpg). At 6′ 10”, Sims is also a pretty good shot blocker (1.4 bpg).

Otto Porter (#22, Fr, F) had a big hand in defeating the Bruins, scoring 16 pts on 6/7 shooting (1 of 2 from 3pt), and grabbing 8 rebounds. His season averages are 9.8 ppg (52.8% FG, 22.4% 3FG), and 6.8 rpg.

Nate Lubick (#34, So, F) scores 3.5 ppg and collects 3.8 rpg.

Greg Whittington (#2, Fr, F) comes off the bench with 4.3 ppg and 2.8 rpg. Against Belmont he tallied 7 pts on 3 of 4 shooting (1/1 3pt) and 4 rebounds.

Tendencies

The biggest reason for Georgetown’s success is its defense. The Hoyas finished the season near the top nationally in total team defense holding opponents to less than 60 ppg on 38.7% shooting. They were number one nationally in perimeter defense holding teams to only 26.6% shooting from beyond the arc.

Unlike SDSU, the Hoyas can also match up with us down low with their size. Sims (6’10”, 245), and Lubick (6’8”, 240) take up a lot of space.. Thompson and Porter both go 6’8”, 200+, as does Whittington. They rebound well and can block or alter shots in the paint, Sims especially.

On offense, Georgetown’s biggest perimeter threat is Thompson, who shoots 43.3% from 3pt. Clark is their only other player who attempted more than one hundred threes on the season, hitting 47/143 for 32.9%. Starks (35/95) and Whittington (19/54) each average 35%+ from long range.

In the paint, Sims and Lubick both have the size to bang down low. Sims is capable offensively around the basket, but also gets points off of offensive putbacks, as does Lubick. Neither Thompson nor Porter have that same bulk, but each is a bit quicker and thus more versatile, with a bit more offensive range (especially Thompson).

Prediction

It’s no secret that Georgetown is going to try to do to us what they did to Belmont. Specifically, they’re going to want to keep Scott Wood off balance to limit his ability to square and shoot, and they’re going to try to limit both Howell and Leslie down low both offensively and on the glass.

We’ll need Wood to continue moving and working hard to get good looks, and to pull the trigger quickly when he gets them. Any openings he gets won’t last long. He’s been showing much better effort of late in moving without the ball, and his ability to catch and shoot quickly and effectively has been improving.

Leslie has the athleticism and versatility to win the battle with their bigs most of the time, but Richard Howell will be a question mark. He shot very well against SDSU’s front line, but this isn’t SDSU’s front line. No more mobile than he is down low, don’t expect a repeat performance. If he can at least revert back to his normal form, meaning he gets most of his own misses, I think that’s going to have to be good enough.

Lorenzo Brown will need to have some dribble penetration, finishing himself or dishing in the paint (or back to the perimeter) if he gets doubled. It would take a great deal of pressure off of everyone if Williams, Johnson or Painter could hit some open looks, though Johnson’s size is going to make it difficult for him to get good looks most of the time.

Needless to say (yet again), the Pack will need to stay out of foul trouble.

78-75 in OT, Wolfpack advances

(Alert readers will notice that’s same prediction I made with the SDSU game….hey, it worked last time didn’t it?)

Quick and irrelevant facts

-The last time NC State defeated a #3 seed? 1983 (def UNLV)

-The last time NC State reached the Sweet Sixteen? 2005 (def Defending Champs, #2UConn)

-Georgetown is the oldest Jesuit/Catholic University in the US (founded in 1789)

-What is a Hoya? Sorry, but even after researching it I still don’t know. I can tell you it’s not a bulldog, however. It apparently came to be by way of a student chant from the 19th century (seriously). It seems the chant combined the greek “hoya”, and the latin “saxa”. Translated literally, it means “What rocks!” (seriously)

-Famous alumni include former President Bill Clinton; Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia; and People Magazine’s sexiest man alive for 2011, Bradley Cooper.

About Wufpacker

A 2nd generation alumnus and raised since birth to be irrationally dedicated to all things NC State. Class of '88 and '92.

11-12 Basketball

34 Responses to Previewing The Hoyas

  1. beeeejay 03/17/2012 at 5:20 PM #

    I thought Clinton was a razorback, did he do a masters or something there. Also this will be a difficult test for the pack but I love the way they are playing so I will say we win it by 7

  2. burnbarn 03/17/2012 at 5:23 PM #

    This is going to be a tough match up for us. I agree Brown will be the key player for us. I don’t see Wood getting many looks. Maybe Williams can have a good offensive game; he is due. I think it is a tight game decided at the end.

  3. redcanine 03/17/2012 at 5:27 PM #

    Clinton went to G’Town, then Oxford (Rhodes), then Yale Law.

    Don’t forget about George Stephanopotomus.

    …and their female law students wanting free condoms and such…

  4. Wufpacker 03/17/2012 at 5:28 PM #

    Not sure what Clinton’s degree is exactly (Master’s? PhD?) but he is listed as having graduated from their “School of Foreign Service” in ’68.

  5. choppack1 03/17/2012 at 5:46 PM #

    We typically haven’t faired as well vs.good defensive teams. Hopefully, we’ve learned we simply.can’t rely on jumpers. That is.when we really struggle.

  6. statemech 03/17/2012 at 5:47 PM #

    “It seems the chant combined the greek “hoya”, and the latin “saxa”. Translated literally, it means “What rocks!” (seriously)”

    So they are the “Whats”??

    In any case, can’t describe how excited I am for tomorrow, we have a shot but we need to play smart and execute for a full 40 minutes.

  7. ADVENTUROO 03/17/2012 at 5:56 PM #

    Our “associate” coaches had been watching game film and scouting GW PRIOR to their victory. We also will rely on some input from Levi who played on HWWNBSOH’s Princeton offense. Thus, the G-Man has a PLAN. They will no doubtedly be TOUGH, but not unbeatable.

    These team names are fascinating. The name does have a very questionalble history. It was spelled Hoiah at one time.

    I think the BEST explanation, since Hoya Saxa was the “CHEER” that probably started the name was the fact that there is a recording of Bill Clinton in the Oval Office yelling Hoya Saxa at a critical moment with Monica. He had to abbreviate it and Hoya was the only thing that wal not censored off the tape.

    GO STATE!

  8. Wulfpack 03/17/2012 at 7:03 PM #

    Brown has been a very effective outside shooter of late, and it would be great for that to continue.

    Georgetown really is an excellent school, don’t let the image of the bball program blind you.

    Other famous alumni: Ewing, Iverson, and Mourning. Let’s hope the Hoyas are mourning come 2pm manana.

  9. old13 03/17/2012 at 7:16 PM #

    “Not sure what Clinton’s degree is exactly (Master’s? PhD?) but he is listed as having graduated from their “School of Foreign Service” in ’68.”

    Didn’t know he serviced foreigners, too. But it fits.

  10. Wufpacker 03/17/2012 at 7:17 PM #

    Just read that we’re 10-1 when Lorenzo Brown dishes out 8 assists or more.

    C’mon Zo. Carry us to the sweet sixteen.

  11. Gene 03/17/2012 at 7:27 PM #

    “I thought Clinton was a razorback,”

    I think he taught law there for a few years before getting into politics.

  12. Wulfpack 03/17/2012 at 7:44 PM #

    Yes, William Jefferson taught law at Arkansasa. Another famous Gtown alumna is none other than Chelsea Clinton.

  13. BJD95 03/17/2012 at 7:45 PM #

    Lorenzo will be the key, and he’s been the living embodiment of quiet excellence of late.

  14. tuckerdorm1983 03/17/2012 at 7:48 PM #

    win lose or draw, my god what a season

  15. wolfie91 03/17/2012 at 7:55 PM #

    Win or lose, we’ve come SO FAR this season. I think this game will tell us a lot about just how far. If we lose tomorrow, so be it. If we win, I will be so pumped for what the future holds under Gottfried.

  16. Dogbreath 03/17/2012 at 8:24 PM #

    I remember when Stiffdek had us rocking late in his first season, and thinking we might be turning the corner. The difference is, his incoming class consisted of Rouldra Thomas, Ron Anderson, Kenny Inge, Corny Williams, and Ronnie Kelley. Not quite the luster as next years group.

  17. Hawkeye Whitney 03/17/2012 at 8:51 PM #

    Another famous alumnist….Demi Moore…no, wait, that was just her character in St. Elmo’s Fire.

    Anyway, this would be a great time for CJ Williams to have a monster game. I feel like we need some offense from somewhere the Hoyas won’t be expecting it to free up Wood and Leslie.

  18. MISTA WOLF 03/17/2012 at 9:03 PM #

    @Dogbreath:

    Kenny Inge will always be my favorite thug Wolfpacker.

  19. Dogbreath 03/17/2012 at 9:12 PM #

    Jamie Luckie and his crew of Keystone cops is ruining this KY/ISU game.

  20. Hawkeye Whitney 03/17/2012 at 9:19 PM #

    Saw Kenny Inge this past season as head coach of Cary Academy.

  21. Hawkeye Whitney 03/17/2012 at 9:23 PM #

    The Baylor neon is distracting. I like a little bit of variety (like our road black unis), but c’mon, the neon looks idiotic.

  22. Sweet jumper 03/17/2012 at 9:26 PM #

    Come on Pack, this one is for Fire, Ice, Chucky Brown, V and the rest of the ’89 team that suffered “the worst call ever in the NCAA tournament” in the Sweet Sixteen. Make the Hoyas feel the paranoia!! Go Pack!! Keep the run alive.

  23. Dogbreath 03/17/2012 at 9:36 PM #

    Inge was a goon, but never a thug. He came from a good background.

  24. Trey Anastasio 03/17/2012 at 9:46 PM #

    We need to really push the tempo tomorrow..it’s gonna be a tough one to win if we settle for too much half court ball…

  25. Since74 03/17/2012 at 11:00 PM #

    http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/gametracker/preview/NCAAB_20120318_NCST@GTOWN

    talk about “destructive fanbase”

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