Georgetown vs. Colorado East Region: Tip time, TV channel, watch online, odds, preview

Time: 12:15 p.m. ET

TV: CBS (Andrew Catalon, Steve Lappas, AJ Ross on the call)

Watch Online: March Madness Live, Paramount+

Spread: Colorado -6

Total: 138

For the first time since 2015, the Georgetown Hoyas have returned to the NCAA Tournament following their improbable run through the Big East Tournament last week.

Georgetown was rewarded with a #12 seed for their efforts, and will open Saturday’s slate of action against the #5 seed Colorado Buffaloes of the Pac-12.

Colorado comes into the game with a 22-8 record, and boasting both a top 30 offense and defense on KenPom, the mark of a very good team.

The Buffs have a three-pronged attack with Pac-12 First Team guard McKinley Wright leading the way. Wright averaged 15.5 points and 5.6 assists per game this season. Jeriah Horne averaged 11.4 points and 5.8 rebounds per game for Colorado, and Evan Battey averaged 10.2 and 5.4.

So, if Colorado has multiple players who do multiple things well, how can Georgetown look to slow the Buffs down? First and foremost, protect the ball. Georgetown has been plagued with turnover issues this year, and if you give Colorado the benefit of extra possessions, you’re going to have a bad time.

Another interesting point comes to us from Casual Hoya’s preview with The Ralphie Report, SB Nation’s Colorado blog.

If you had to pick one key to Georgetown beating Colorado on Saturday, what is it?

Rebound on the offensive glass and bully the Buffs down low. CU is vertically-challenged at times and the right team will play inside out and beat the Buffs.

In Georgetown’s two Big East Tournament blowouts (Marquette and Creighton) the Hoyas grabbed a combined 30 offensive rebounds. If the opportunities are available, Georgetown clearly has no problem taking them.

Additionally, Colorado falls right in the middle of the NCAA in terms of three point percentage against, with 33.3%. Georgetown’s 36.6% three point percentage is top 50 in the nation. If the Hoyas can set the tone early from deep, they have a good shot at coming away with the upset.