Hoyas vs Muskateers tonight

January 15, 2014 - Tonight a 7p EST, Georgetown's men's basketball crew laces them up at Xavier. The site is Cincinnati's Cintas Center, with Rich Chvotkin manning the microphone of Sports Talk AM 570's radio broadcast. CBS College Sports provides the TV broadcast, and per usual, our Premium Court message board will present in-game, real time chat.

The Hoyas (11-4 overall, 3-1 in BIG EAST action) come into the game after an epic battle at Butler last weekend, one in which Coach John Thompson III's group prevailed in overtime despite massive front line foul disqualifications. As previously reported a pair of juniors in center Joshua Smith and wing Jabril Trawick will again be unavailable. Smith has averaged 11.5 points - third on the team - and 3.4 rebounds per game, while Trawick's numbers are 7.1 and 2.5, respectively.

Leading the Hoyas in scoring is sophomore D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera's 17.3 points, while senior point guard Markel Starks tallies 15.4 points each time out. Starks has a time high 3.9 assists per game, while senior forward Nate Lubick is the head Hoya rebounder with 6.1 caroms each contest.

Xavier (13-4, 3-1) fell at Creighton Sunday. The Musketeers are paced in scoring by sophomore guard Semaj Christon's 16.2 points per game; he's also the top Muskie assister at 4.4 dimes each time out. Junior center Matt Stainbrook follows Christon with 11.4 points per game.

Xavier's use of Stainbrook was highlighted by Thompson and Lubick:

Thompson: "They're a very good team. They have a post presence, unlike a lot of teams we've gone against (Stainbrook) that's really good. He's poised, he can score for himself, he's a terrific passer, doesn't get bothered...They're a balanced team".

Lubick: "They've got a bunch of guys that can score the ball...They've got some post guys they surround with shooters".

Thompson went further into Christon, Stainbrook, and Xavier's guards Myles Davis and Dee Davis. He also discussed opportunities presented by roster changes, the Butler game, his 'Princeton Offense' utilization, the team's identity, freshman forward Reggie Cameron and senior forward John Caprio against Butler, the state of the BIG EAST and playing in new venues.

Lubick established his availability for the contest, commented on the inside/outside game of Xavier and G'Town's identity, plus coming together against Butler.

Enjoy their conversations by accessing Premium Court. Also there is an exclusive session with Starks, who talked about the Butler 'W', adjusting to roster uncertainty, practice focus, Xavier's inside game, outside shooting and Christon, the need to focus defensively versus the Muskies, going into new gyms and his physical state.

If Premium Court is unavailable, the offer below will allow for a HoyaReport.com subscriber, while also snagging $99 worth of team gear.

Those in need of gear and not a subscription can purchase the former here. Tickets to tonight's contest and other games can buy them through this link.

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