Puerto Rico site of regional clash

November 25, 2013 - Sometimes teams in relative close proximity have to travel thousands of miles away to play. Fortunately for DC/Richmond hoops fans, such is the case, as Georgetown takes on Virginia Commonwealth in the Puerto Rico Classic's fifth placed game today. Tip-off is 2p (EST), ESPNU broadcasts it, while Rich Chotvkin's radio call is on 980 AM.

Despite being just over a hundred miles apart, Georgetown's Hoyas and VCU have only lined up twice, though the last was relatively recent, a 2011 NCAA Tournament, Rams victory. For the record Georgetown is 0-2 against VCU.

Going into this afternoon's clash, the Hoyas (2-2) are 1-1 in Classic action, besting Kansas State yet initially falling to Northeastern. VCU lost to Florida Sate by 18, followed by outlasting Long Beach State Friday. For scores and the Classic's bracket, click here.

The contest poses a clash of styles - at first blush Georgetown's half court Princeton-style offense, a trademark of head coach John Thompson III versus VCU's 94 feet, frenetic approach, one fueled by its defense dubbed Havoc by Shaka Smart, the team's bench leader.

But that's only the short story; VCU (4-1) is no slouch offensively, given they score on average 81 points a game and have three double figure scorers in Treveon Graham, Rob Brandenburg and Juvonte Reddic, while a fourth, Briante Weber, is extremely close to that mark. The Rams do create 15.4 turnovers a game, yet log over 14 assists also.

G'Town on the other hand, though when patient are able to amass shooting numbers of 63.5% from the field and 46.2% beyond the arc, as was done versus Kansas State, opponents are shooting just 39.9% against the Hoyas, 29% on threes. They might not have 'Havoc', but do utilize team-based man and zone schemes successfully.

Offensively the Hoyas are led by D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera's 17.3 points per game, followed by Markel Starks's 14.8. Joshua Smith's 13.3 ppg rounds out the double digit scorers for Thompson, whose team is averaging 77.2 points per game on 48.8% from the field. VCU has only given up 63.8 points to opponents on 38.5% shooting from the field.

Of course other issues make the matchup interesting: VCU, a long time Colonial Athletic Association power has now joined the Atlantic 10, a step up in conference pecking order. Georgetown is a founding member of the BIG EAST, a league that has undergone significant defections and additions.

Some fans were clamoring for the Rams to be extended an invitation to join the BIG EAST given their achieving national brand status and it being a hoops-centric school, but VCU never joined the league. While it's unknown if an invitation was tendered on back channels, there were some in the BIG EAST who claimed VCU's size of approximately 24,000 students made it undesirable for conference membership.

Add VCU entering Classic play ranked 10th nationally, while Georgetown not being recognized by polls to the intrigue. Recruiting only deepens the plot, as the schools don't necessarily clash over the same players, as the Rams continue strengthen their national brand, the battles to lure players will intensify.

For more on the game and what to expect, see our Premium Court message board. There possible keys to the game are discussed, including poise, press break tactics and half court offense openings.

Click here to enjoy real time, in-game chat. It's an opportunity to follow the game and chime in on its progress.

This has the makings of a good old fashion, regional throw down. Albeit over 1,500 miles away from The Hilltop.