Expectations are evolving down the final stretch
Your Georgetown Hoyas (15-9, 6-7) have an opportunity to finish the conference season at 10-10 with only seven games left against Butler (Away), Providence (Home), Creighton (A), UConn (A), Marquette (H), Villanova (H), and DePaul (A). Georgetown needs to seize these last games by starting out with two wins before looking to steal a win from a team in the top of the standings.
Georgetown (6-7) can win 4 of the last 7 to get to 10-10. Take it one at a time, but beat the three teams that ranked behind you and steal a game (or two) from a top 5 team. pic.twitter.com/1ULNh5EOUC
— Philadelphia Hoyas (@PhillyHoyas) February 13, 2025
Each game is winnable when look at it alone, and perhaps 5th place and a Wednesday bye at the Garden is not completely out of reach, but 10 wins seems like a practical goal.
Georgetown took care of business with Seton Hall but will have to show their mettle when visiting Butler (4-7) on Saturday. Hopefully the Hoyas took the week off to get healthy, tune up the offense, and refocus on this final stretch.
Big East Standings Feb 13:
1. St. John’s 12-2 (KenPom 16)
2. Creighton 11-3 (30)
3. Marquette 10-4 (24)
4. UConn 9-4 (33)
5. Villanova 8-6 (52)
6. Xavier 7-7 (54)
7. Georgetown 6-7 (81)
8. Providence 5-9 (86)
9. Butler 4-9 (76)
10. DePaul 2-12 (122)
11. Seton Hall 1-12 (214)— Philadelphia Hoyas (@PhillyHoyas) February 13, 2025
Georgetown has been riding its defense recently, and that can’t change. A defensive letup will kill any momentum this program has found. There is no dialing back the on that end to help improve the offense. Unfortunately, that may mean keeping a 60-80% Jayden Epps on the bench for a bit longer to heal.
Butler does not have a good defense (KenPom 127th DRtg). Georgetown has traditionally shot the ball well at Hinkle. They need to set the table for this final stretch with a decisive win over Butler. Likewise, Georgetown needs to take advantage of a weak Providence defense (122nd) when they return to DC next Wednesday.
Creighton (26th) and Marquette (21st) have defenses ranked better than Georgetown’s (32nd) right now. That can change any night, but if the Hoyas offense isn’t more confident by this time, it’s tough to outscore these two. That said, Georgetown beat Creighton at home in December and fought hard on the road against Marquette. Don’t count the Hoyas out, but Georgetown has to show another level.
UConn just lost at home to St. John’s. The Johnnies are pretty good on offense right now, but it goes to show you that a top defense (SJU) can take down a top offense (Conn.), even on their home court. Georgetown will have a tough time getting their shot right at the XL Center but defense and toughness travel well.
If Georgetown doesn’t beat DePaul in the finale, then none of this is worth a damn anyway.
If the defense holds steady, the questions become focused on the offensive side. How do the Hoyas get to 70 points consistently?
Fans will hopefully see on Saturday at 2PM.