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In the past two meetings between these two teams, we have seen tough, physical battles. One was in nonconference play in the Battle 4 Atlantis Tournament, while the other one was in conference play when Issac Copeland hit the corner three to win the game for Georgetown in Washington, DC. Now Georgetown heads to Indianapolis to try to have a 2-1 record against the Bulldogs. Georgetown's freshmen are no longer unknown to the conference after what they have done so far this season.
Butler has won three out of it's last four in conference play with the loss coming to Xavier, where they just got demolished. In the past four games, Butler is averaging 63.5 points a game. Georgetown will have some match-ups they will need to take advantage of and also ones they will need to be aware of. Here are three things to watch in this game because it is an important game for Georgetown, who just came off a sloppy loss to St John's. Georgetown has only played 3 games in 21 days and the rust affected them in that one.
Joshua Smith has to demand the ball
With the lack of size that Butler has, Georgetown's big man Joshua Smith has to get going early in this game because he will help the team get the win, but it will also boost his confidence. There have been some consistency problems coming down the stretch for him. Even though he has not been scoring as much, he still draws a lot of attention on offense and that will allow the offense to be more open because he knows that his teammates like to run up and down in transition at times because they are successful at that. When he demands the ball, D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera can start to score also and a lot of defenses starts to guessing, but this will be momentum for Smith heading into his final game as Hoya against Seton Hall on Saturday.
Contain Kellen Dunham
Kellen Dunham is a key part of Butler's offense and he can get going at any point of the game because he loves to come off screens and curls and find a way to get to the three point line. Georgetown will need to be alert on defense and can not have mis communications issue because it will hurt them. Dunham is averaging 17 points per game an is shooting 43.5 percent from the field, so he will be a key for Butler if they want a chance to win this game because it will be a slugfest and come down to the final two or three minutes.
Who will win?
Georgetown will win this game on the road, but it will close like it has in the first two meetings. Butler will battle, but if D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera plays well, it will be hard for Butler to limit him because he has been on a role in the past few games. Georgetown's point guard has scored 60 points in last three games. Butler will make it close and it will be important that Georgetown plays well on offense and defense.