Finally, its here

November 8, 2013 - After waiting over 220 days since watching it's team take a stunning second round, NCAA Tournament loss to Florida Gulf Coast, the Hoya Nation gets to again witness Georgetown gracing the court for live game action. The squad does so with question marks and against a quality opponent, on Earth's other side.

G'Town, coached by John Thompson III, plays Oregon tonight, in South Korea. The game, held at Camp Humphreys and part of the Armed Forces Classic, tips at 8p and can be seen on ESPN, heard via WSPZ (570 AM). The latter is of course called by the intrepid Rich Chvotkin, as he's done every date since 1974 with less than a hand full of exceptions.

This is the first 2013-2014 game for both teams. G'Town is unranked, while the Ducks are slotted at 19th nationally in the AP Poll, number 18 by the USA Today/Coaches Poll.

Following last year's 25-7 campaign, the Hoyas must adjust to All-American Otto Porter's departure, a team wide effort spearheaded offensively at least initially, by its backcourt of senior Markel Starks and sophomore D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera.

Dampening the loss of Porter is UCLA transfer Josh Smith's immediate availablity. A 6'10", 300 pound plus low post force, Smith recently was informed of NCAA clearance to not only play right away, but he also retains two years of eligibility.

Apparently the NCAA giveth and taketh away, as Oregon will be without two expected sophomore contributors - Dominic Artis and Ben Carter - for selling school provided shoes over the summer. Nevertheless, expect the Ducks to continue their on-court ethos.

"We have to assume it's going to be the same" answered Thompson this week to what he expects from Oregon, "they put a lot of pressure on you offensively, and they put a lot of pressure on you defensively. And so we have to be ready for that on both ends of the court".

Senior forward Nate Lubick went further, commenting about the Ducks' likely offensive plan "They're kind of the polar opposite style of the BIG EAST. I guess you hear they get up and down like crazy, they score like crazy, they shoot a lot of threes in transition". Given it's Oregon's first game, he noted in preparation G'Town has been looking at presumed schemes but also "taking a close look at personnel".

A.J. Jacobsen, Publisher of Rivals.com's Duck Sports Authority, this week provided a good overview of what Oregon presents: "Coach Dana Altman has had to put new pieces together each of his first three seasons with Oregon and this year is no different.

"Oregon lost most of their rebounding from last season with the graduation of their center and both forwards. To replace them, Coach Altman brought a number of transfer players to Eugene to fill the void. 6-8 forwards Mike Moser and Richard Amardi and 6-6 forward Elgin Cook will be asked to shoulder plenty of minutes inside for the Ducks.

"Guard Damyeon Dotson will be a scorer for Oregon and [/db]Johnathan Loyd[/db] is good at running the offense. Center Austin Waverly has played well in Oregon's two exhibition games.

"Overall the Ducks pride themselves in their team defense and are an up-tempo team that likes to run the floor".

So just who does Oregon resemble amongst BIG EAST foes? On Premium Court, Thompson and Lubick discuss that.

Also there will be in game, real time chat, an opportunity to not only track the game, but comment on and glean more insight into the proceedings.