Its IU for Christmas Dandy

September 11, 2014 - Want to cap your Christmas Holiday with a trip to Madison Square Garden, dubbed the 'World's Most Famous Arena'? Georgetown's men's basketball program affords the opportunity this year, by matching up with Indiana University in New York City.

The BIG EAST - BIG Ten contest takes place December 27th, and has a noon tip off. Tickets are not yet available, but be sure to check this site's front page, and click through the Seat Geek link to purchase them.

For those unable to make it, ESPN2 broadcasts the game.

Jeff Rabjohns, Peegs.com Senior Writer and one if not the most knowledgeable person regarding the state of Indiana Hoosier Basketball, shared his take on where that Big Ten program is: "After going 17-15 and not making the NIT a year after reaching No. 1 in the country, Indiana returns leading scorer point guard Yogi Ferrell and adds McDonald's All-American James Blackmon and four-star guard Robert Johnson. With sophomores Stanford Robinson and Troy Williams, Indiana hopes to be strong in the backcourt and on the wing while trying to find a replacement for NBA lottery pick Noah Vonleh, the Big Ten's leading rebounder as a freshman, inside. No returning interior IU player averaged more than three points or three rebounds. Indiana actually started Williams at center one game on its Canadian tour in August".

If the adage styles makes fights applies to basketball - and it does - G'Town vs. IU should be a dandy; the Hoyas' have a trio of young wings (L.J. Peak, Isaac Copeland and Paul White, who along with seniors Jabril Trawick and Aaron Bowen plus sophomore Reggie Cameron will be tasked with answering and combating the IU guards/wings.

Meanwhile, the BIG EAST's G'Town is likely to lean heavily on Indianapolis native, junior guard D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera, a scoring guard making the transition to point. Frosh point guard Tre Campbell could chip in running the show. Ferrell will be a challenge for both.

A big difference between IU and G'Town - front court presence. The Hoyas have it in senior Joshua Smith, a big man that must display increased stamina and focus. Senior forward Mikael Hopkins will be called upon to score, rebound and defend, while the Blue and Grey's X-factor, junior center Bradley Hayes, must continue the development showed in DC Pro City Kenner League play.

Again, this game looks like a holiday season dandy. Bigs vs. smalls. Princeton Offense vs. run and gun. New roles on both teams. Each squad is coming off a year in which the NCAA Tournament was not reached. Conference play will loom also.

Yup, looks like a dandy.