Hoyas face test in aggressive Seahawks

December 11, 2015 - Georgetown takes on UNC Wilmington Saturday at 230p at Verizon Center. Tickets are as low as $4 a piece, and can be purchased here. We have an in game, real-time chat thread, a perfect compliment/alternative to CBS Sports Network's TV broadcast and Rich Chvotkin's 106.7 FM radio call.

Just who are these UNCW Seahawks (5-0), coached by Kevin Keatts?

"They like to press a lot, get up and down in transition, very athletic team. Scrappy guards, so we have to come ready to play" said senior Georgetown guard D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera of what the Seahawks bring, during yesterday's pre-game presser.

The fact Georgetown (5-3, four straight wins) faces a pressing team, one that Smith-Rivera admitted has "more than we thought" of those schemes, is definitely a point of concern for Georgetown.

"We have to handle their pressure really well. From the film that we just watched, they're a really good team on defense, they do give a lot of pressure" shared senior center Bradley Hayes, "and history does show that we haven't done that well with pressure".

In fact, turnovers, both pressured and unforced, have been a bane for G'Town.

"Unnecessary" said Smith-Rivera on the team's penchant for coughing up the rock, including 18 giveaways against Brown. "At times it's not even the defense, just plays not being made". For the season, Georgetown is giving up 1.3 more turnovers (14.3-13.0) to opponents.

Do the Seahawks take on the ethos of their coach, Keatts?

"They do...Kevin has been around a long time, and had a lot of success at a lot of different levels" noted Head Hoya John thompson III. "And without a doubt, his teams, they play hard. In many ways - I don't mean this as derogatory or negative - they play 11, 12 guys. And they all look the same in many regards, in that they are going to get up under you. They all can make a shot, they all can take you off the dribble and they are going to play at a high level, a high intensity level that you have to try and use to your advantage".

From a scoring perspective the Seahawks are led by senior Craig Ponder's 15.2 ppg, followed by classmate Chris Flemmings and Denzel Ingram, a junior, who pour in 14.2 and 10.8 ppg, respectively. The trio are guards.

Georgetown has a quartet of double figure scorers: Smith-Rivera (14.6 ppg), sophomore forward Isaac Copeland's 12 ppg, Hayes' 11.9 and 10.3 by sophomore guard L.J. Peak.

Adding to G'Town's challenges are final exams; the school is engaged in them.

Semester ending scholastic demands make time management preeminent, "Especially being at Georgetown with the curriculum being so heavy and hard" said Hayes, "you really have to balance your time between basketball and school work. I mean anytime you're not in the gym you're usually in the library or room studying".

That doesn't mean basketball expectations lessen. Being on campus four years makes Hayes "used to it", as "When you step on the floor, everything has to do with school, everything that has to do with your personal life, it goes out the window. What you have to focus on is basketball".

Saturday the Hoyas have a test of their own.

Selected comments from Thompson, DSR, Hayes are below. Full interview sessions are available on Premium Court:

DSR on avoiding a letdown vs mid-major teams: "Just come in with the same energy we have against supposedly bigger teams, like we did against Syracuse".

On PC - Focusing on each foe, maintaining focus on ball and books, need to maintain attention to detail, importance of pre-BIG EAST schedule, benefits of having offensive options, readiness for Tre Campbell to play.

Hayes on role vs. pressure: "I'm there if they need me. I'm more of a pressure reliever".

On PC - Pressing Wilmington, winning streak, importance of time management, using size to advantage, his level of play, level of his on ball defense, teammates tap dancing.

JT3 on addressing turnovers: "I think we've watched a lot of film, just to show them our spacing, where we're getting ourselves in trouble. And we've gone against pressure, live quite a bit the last couple of days".

On PC - Different presses UNCW shows, G'Town's press, shot clock ramifications on pressing, difficulty of being a student athlete, acclimating guys not to procrastinate, academic history of program, winning vs. losing early, Hayes' defense, play of Jessie Govan, Reggie Cameron's impact, Paul White's health status, scheduling difficulty going forward.