The Badgers (3-1) and the Hoyas (2-2) both prevailed in their opening round games on Monday in Maui, setting up the two teams’ clash in the second round. This will be the third straight year Wisconsin and Georgetown play in a regular season tournament against one another. With the Badgers winning in 2014 and the Hoyas winning last year, the 2016 Maui matchup will serve as the rubber match. The game will be televised on ESPN at 7:00 CT.
Projected Starting Lineups
Wisconsin
G: Bronson Koenig (17.0 PPG, 1.8 APG)
G: Zak Showalter (6.5 PPG, 2.0 APG)
F: Nigel Hayes (12.5 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 3.3 APG)
F: Vitto Brown (5.8 PPG, 3.5 APG)
C: Ethan Happ (9.8 PPG, 8.0 RPG)
Georgetown
G: Jagan Mosely (3.5 PPG, 4.0 APG)
G: Rodney Pryor (19.8 PPG, 5.5 RPG)
F: LJ Peak (17.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG)
F: Isaac Copeland (9.0 PPG, 5.8 RPG)
C: Jessie Govan (13.0 PPG, 6.3 RPG)
The Hoyas have been one of the most puzzling teams in college basketball so far in this early season. Inconsistent would probably be the best word to describe them. Georgetown blew a seven point lead with a minute left against Maryland, only to end up losing by one point. Following that game, the Hoyas lost to Arkansas State at home in a shocker.
On Monday’s opening round of the Maui Invitational they defeated #13 Oregon, 65-61.
The Hoyas had a commanding lead in their game against Oregon, almost making it look like they were going to run the Ducks right out of the gym with a 17 point lead at halftime. The Ducks would storm back after halftime, again showing Georgetown’s inconsistency.
Georgetown’s roster revolves around its “Big 3″ of Rodney Pryor, LJ Peak, and Jessie Govan much like Wisconsin’s roster does with Bronson Koenig, Nigel Hayes, and Ethan Happ. Pryor, Peak, and Govan make up for 63.5% of Georgetown’s average scoring output per game.
Rodney Pryor (19.8 PPG) and LJ Peak (17.5 PPG) scored 43 of the 65 last night for Georgetown. Pryor was 9/17 from the field for 26 points. Peak added 17 on 3/7 shooting from the three-point line. The wing matchup between Nigel Hayes against Pryor/Peak will be an interesting one to watch.
Georgetown will be the biggest team Wisconsin has faced this year, with 6’9″ Isaac Copeland and 6’10” Govan. Govan was listed as a top recruit coming out of high school by ESPN and is averaging nearly eight points more per game as a sophomore than he did as a freshman. Happ vs. Govan, both in their second years, will be another key matchup.
Not only are they the biggest, the Hoyas play with exceptional physicality as well. The Hoyas held Ducks standout Dillon Brooks to only seven points, although it was his first game this season due to a foot injury.