How can GTown squash the Orange

December 4, 2015 - It was 2013 the last time Georgetown took on Syracuse. That's an eternity in the minds of basketball fans. To be fair only two present coaches - head guy John Thompson III and assistant Kevin Broadus - plus a pair of current players - seniors D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera in addition to Bradley Hayes - have been on a G'Town team that actually played the 'Cuse.

The squads meet up Saturday, at 1p. Verizon Center is the site, tickets are available here, while pertinent information is presented here. Readers can also learn, from 'Cuse insider and CuseConfidential.com Publisher Ryan Murray, what to expect from the Syracuse (6-1).

Can the Hoyas (3-3) take down their arch foes from the previous BIG EAST Conference (Syracuse now resides in the ACC)? A couple of points jump out when answering that question.

Defensively, the Hoyas must be prepared for a slew of pin downs and curls, actions designed to free Syracuse's offensive engine, the fifth year senior backcourt of Michael Gbinije and Trevor Cooney. This Gbinije-Cooney pair are 1-2 in points, assists and interestingly enough steals for Syracuse, who will be coached by Mike Hopkins as hall of famer Jim Boeheim is starting a nine game, NCAA imposed suspension.

Thompson believes communication is "paramount" to stopping Syracuse's curls and pin downs. As he continued to note in Thursday's press conference his team must be "in synch defensively" and "understanding the responsibilities of your individual assignment as it fits into the whole scheme of things is really important, because they can score. Quickly".

For more on his expectations defensively, in addition to seniors Bradley Hayes, D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera and sophomore Isaac Copeland discussing their assignment/approaches against pins and curls, see Premium Court.

Offensively, Thompson's team is led by Smith-Rivera's 15.7 points and 3.8 assists per game. As a unit G'Town scores 75.2 points per game versus opponent's 66.7 ppg mark. Shooting wise the Hoyas are sinking 46.8% of their overall shots compared to foe's 39.3% clip, 35.9% to 32.5% beyond the arc. (For more player stats, click here).

What's the team's plan against Syracuse's vaunted 2-3 match up zone, a scheme the Orange utilize nearly exclusively, one which generally features narrow guard spacing up top and active wing engagement, manned by long, athletic players?

Thompson believes "The key is if you can get five guys on the court that understand spacing and movement", while also stressing the need to attack Syracuse's zone internally, whether via passing, penetrating or cleaning the offensive glass.

Visit Premium Court for more on Thompson's zone offense thoughts. Hayes, Copeland and Smith-Rivera also share similarly.

Joining the program members discussing offensive and defensive keys there are other observations that could portend victory.

Big game tomorrow. The Hoyas have a plan, it's execution will dictate in large measure whether the Legion of Otto goes home crying, or walks away with a cheesy grin.