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This and That: USC Upstate, Pt. 2


We continue a look at Georgetown’s 105-60 dismantling of USC – Upstate. For a discussion of the Hoyas’ new style, see Part 1.

A scorer

Rodney Pryor, G’Town’s graduate transfer guard who logged a game high 32 points on 13-16 shooting - 26 points in the second half - was virtually unstoppable in the first half. Upstate HC Eddie Payne said of him “Georgetown, they shot the ball extremely well also. They made shots…You got somebody (Pryor) on the wing that can shoot it like that, that really makes a big difference in any basketball team. And he’s got enough length the shoot over the top of people”.

Head Hoya John Thompson III refused to gush in regard to Pryor, at one time labeling his one rebound “unacceptable” and subtly chastising him for “no assists, no steals”, though eventually summed “Rodney can score…But he can also do those other things. It may sound crazy but…We expect more of him. He expects more of himself. But he played well”.

Pryor shared his scoring numbers were “A natural progression of the game” since “My team needs me to be aggressive on the offensive end; just looking at the basket, seeing if I got a good look, if not trying to get everybody else involved”.


Rodney Pryor simply went off offensively.
Rodney Pryor simply went off offensively. (HoyaReport.com)

Numbers

Sometimes stats can be deceiving – not this time around. Georgetown shot 66.7% for the game, 77.4% in the second half. It’s three ball mark was 9-17 (52.9%) and free throw percentage stood 75% on 32 attempts.

Joining Pryor in double figure scoring were forward Isaac Copeland and guard Tre Campbell, both juniors with 10 points, sophomore center Jessie Govan (11 points, six rebounds) and junior guard L.J. Peak (14 points, three rebounds, four helpers).

Thompson noted Peak “had a very good game”, one in which his energy, hustle and effort were key early on.

USC-Upstate managed 36.8% from the field and 24% on long balls. The Spartans canned just 42.9% of their free throws, and had two guys in double figure scoring; sophomore guard Mike Cunningham (17 points, four rebounds, two assists) and senior center Michael Buchanan (12 points, six rebounds).

HC Eddie Payne on Cunnighman, a DMV guy returning home yesterday: “Mike's a great young man, he’s a good player. I think he’s been trying to be a leader. I think he got a little frustrated, carried away, and tried to force some things tonight (four turnovers)…I thought he did some good things for us and played pretty well.

“He’s a local guy, as you know. Great family. So we’re pleased with Mike”.

Steady Eddie

A surprise starter Saturday was freshman guard Jagan Mosely. The only newcomer lining up with Govan, Peak, Copeland and Pryor, Mosely manned what traditionally would be assumed the lead guard position.

For the day, this New Jersey native finished with a stat stuffing six points, three rebounds, six assists and four steals. Nice work.

When reflecting on Mosely’s impact, Thompson responded “He’s poised…If you look at it as relates to steals, deflections, rebounds, hustle plays, he makes a lot of hustle plays…he does a lot of things that show up in the box score and a lot of things that don’t”.

In sum, the coach declared Mosely “creates positive things for our team”.

Visitors

Makhel Mitchell – 6’9”, 250 pound center, ‘19

Makhi Mitchell – 6’8”, 240 pound forward, ’19

Keldon Johnson – 6’6”, 225 pound guard, ’18

Armando Bacot - 6’8”, 230 pound forward, ’19

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