3-Point Preview: Georgetown vs. Wisconsin

1) Don’t let Georgetown’s slow start fool you

The Hoyas certainly did not envision an 0-2 start to their season. If Radford’s Rashun Davis and Maryland’s Rasheed Sulaimon did not hit late three pointers, they may even be 2-0. Georgetown came out sluggish in their 82-80 double overtime loss to Radford, but almost came back to win the game twice. First, in regulation the Hoyas went on a 5-0 run to send the game to overtime. In double overtime, the Hoyas came back to take a one-point lead before Davis’ dagger three pointer sealed the win.

Against the third-ranked Terrapins, the Hoyas battled their rivals down to the wire and looked to have made enough plays to win. However, Maryland made the clutch shots down the stretch led by Sulaimon and Melo Trimble to win it 75-71. The Hoyas are 0-2, but have a group that is filled with talent and will grow as the season goes along. If they play well, the Hoyas could win this game and the Classic.

2) This is may not be the same team, but don’t sleep on Wisconsin either

Bo Ryan’s bunch this season does not have many of the stars who took Wisconsin to the National Championship game last season. With the losses of Frank Kaminsky, Sam Dekker, Josh Gasser, Traevon Jackson and Duje Dukan, the Badgers will look to a younger team to get back to the NCAA Tournament this season.

Wisconsin did not get off to a great start as they lost their home opener against Western Illinois as the 17th-ranked Badgers fell 69-67. Ryan’s team, as they always seem to do, bounced right back and are now on a two-game winning streak. The Badgers will have a chance at redemption against a hungry Georgetown team at The Garden.

3) Young talent all over the court for both teams

Both teams are set to improve and have impressive seasons because of the young crops of talent that each team has at its disposal. For Georgetown, freshmen Marcus Derrickson, Jessie Govan, and Kaleb Johnson all showed their skills in the first two games. In the Maryland game, Derrickson displayed his sharp shooting as he drilled 3-5 shots from deep and had 13 points. Govan played well against the frontcourt of Maryland and, despite the loss, the Hoyas showed everyone that they have bright future ahead.

Wisconsin lost so much, but still has a young group that can carry the program into the future. Junior Bronson Koenig is expected to lead the team after the losses of so many veterans from last year’s squad. During Wisconsin’s two-game winning streak, Koenig scored 40 points along with 10 rebounds and eight assists. Classmate Nigel Hayes returns as well along with a crop of eight freshmen that head coach Bo Ryan has brought in led by four-star recruits Alex Illikainen and Brevin Pritzl.

These teams will put a solid mix of talent and experience on the floor in this matchup. Expect great shooting from both teams and solid half-court offense throughout. The best part is that both teams are hungry for a quality win. This one should be fun.