Xavier Musketeers vs Georgetown Hoyas: Predictions, Odds and Roster Notes

Where: Capital One Arena in Washington, DC

When: Thursday, January 31st at 8:00 PM EST

How (TV): CBS Sports Network

Xavier (Away)

Head Coach: Travis Steele {Overall: 11-10 W/L% .524 |Conference: 3-5, 6th Big East}

Prior to the season, most were aware that it would be a difficult year for the Musketeers. Considering Xavier don’t boast many top recruits, it was seen as a transition year for the Musketeers. With a losing record in the Big East, they take on a Georgetown team that is tough in a lot of places the Musketeers struggle to compete in.

Xavier held a close game against Marquette but ultimately failed to deliver. In their loss last week to Providence, their greatest issue came to a head. Xavier turned the ball over 28.9% of the time, a shocking number regardless of competition or conference. Oddly enough, in a match against Eastern Kentucky they turned the ball over 31% of the time and won by 18.

Travis Steele came into the season saying that he would make it a point to develop players, while focusing on a certain Elias Harden. Well, Harden averages only 10.6 MPG and the potential of his 3-and-D contributions has been eliminated. It’s reasonable to wonder what the Musketeers and Steele plan with this roster. What is certain though, when they face-off against the Hoyas, they can’t beat themselves via turnovers against a team that is so passive on the defensive end.

Georgetown (Home)

Head Coach: Patrick Ewing {Overall: 13-7 W/L% .650 |Conference: 3-4, 3rd Big East}

The Hoyas area an incredibly entertaining team to watch in the Big East this year. They play an attractive brand of basketball, that produces the 13th highest pace in the nation. Head Coach Patrick Ewing has prioritized the inside game – unsurprising for a Hall of Fame centre – shown by the Hoyas elite ability to get to the free-throw line.

Unfortunately for the Hoyas, their defence has not been able to match their impressive offensive play. They are stout interior defenders, shown by their Top 50 rating in defensive rebounding percentage. However off the ball the Hoyas sit back in their defence and fail to force turnovers.

Georgetown’s big men are primed to run rampant in this matchup. Old-school post scorer Jesse Govan has clearly built himself into a player head coach Patrick Ewing loves to have on the block, despite his 46% (3.6 3PA/G) conversion rate from three. Josh LeBlanc is also a motor inside, averaging 7.6 rebounds per game. If Xavier can’t challenge the Georgetown bigs, it’ll be a quick night for Patrick Ewing’s squad.

Xavier Roster Notes

F Naji Marshall – 26 Jan 2019 – (Shoulder) is upgraded to probable Saturday vs Marquette.

G Quentin Goodin – 26 Jan 2019 – (Knee) is probable Saturday vs Marquette.

Georgetown Roster Notes

Georgetown has no injuries to note.

Head-to-Head: Naji Marshall vs Jessie Govan

Naji Marshall

Forward | 6-7, 218lb (201cm, 98kg) | Hargrave Military Academy | Atlantic City, NJ | Sophomore

13.2 PPG | 3.4 APG | 7.1 RPG | 1.2 SPG | 0.3 BPG | 3.2 TOV | .396 FG% | .214 3P%

Jessie Govan

Center | 6-10, 270lb (208cm, 122kg) | Wings Academy | Queens Village, NY | Senior

19.8 PPG | 1.5 APG | 8.3 RPG | 0.9 SPG | 1.3 BPG | 1.4 TOV | .530 FG% | .458 3P%

Xavier and Georgetown face-off with their respective inside scorers leading the line. Naji Marshall is an athletic wing who can slice through the paint with or without the ball, and finish with authority. Jessie Govan is a post-up threat, with the versatility to convert from the outside. Both provide unique threats to the opposing team.

Naji Marshall is a talented and athletic wing scorer for Xavier. His two-handedness is a massive benefit, allowing him to finish inside with a variety of moves. Marshall will have the task of navigating the Georgetown big men. Despite a high attempt rate, his three-point shooting leaves much to improve upon. If he can’t get through the Georgetown bigs in the paint, he may be neutralized.

Jessie Govan is like 90’s hip-hop with a new-school twist. His ability to score in the paint is certainly up to the standard of Georgetown’s legacy. On top of that inside scoring ability, he has been able to expand his game to the three-point line. His versatility is what has allows Georgetown to maintain such an incredible offensive pace. Xavier will need to be cautious when trying to zone out the dynamic centre.

Xavier at Georgetown Predictions and Odds

The odds makers have Georgetown favoured over Xavier by 3, with an over/under of 110.