Georgetown - UMBC Preview

Midwest- Round One
Georgetown Hoyas (2) Vs. UMBC Retrievers (15)
Friday, March 21 @ 2:55 pm
Betting Line From Bookmaker: Georgetown -17

The Georgetown Hoyas (15- 3 Big East, 27- 5 overall) are rated number eight in the nation and are the second seed in the Midwest. They sport an excellent defense that this season limited opponents to 57.3 PPG and allowed teams to score from the floor a mere 36.4% (best field-goal “D” in the nation).

Center Roy Hibbert (13.6 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 2.3 BPG) leads the club in points, shooting percentage (60%) and blocked shots. He’s a major force that’s hard to stop. Forward DaJuan Summers (11.3 PPG, 5.5 RPG) plays tough and has a fine outside shot too. Guards Jonathan Wallace (10.6 PPG, 2.6 APG, .450 3-PT%) and Jessie Sapp (9.8 PPG, 2.6 APG, .407 3-PT%) can both drive to the hoop, set up the play or hit from outside.

The University of Maryland-Baltimore County Retrievers (13- 3 Am. East, 24- 8) are not exactly a household word. UMBC has never come close to going to the NCAA Tournament, which is one of the things that makes March Madness so great.

The Retrievers’ 24 wins are more than they’ve accumulated over the past two years. Two transfers have certainly helped this team. Guard Ray Barbosa (17.0 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 2.1 APG) came on board and became the team’s leading scorer. Forward Cavell Johnson (13.2 PPG, 6.8 RPG) is a superior athlete who has created tough match-up problems for opponents. Returning point guard Jay Greene (8.8 PPG, 7.3 APG) has helped create the bond that’s held team play together.

The big problem for the Hoyas is that they lack that “go-to” guy. It should not matter in this round. But it will in the next. UMBC will have an uphill battle trying to defend against and score against the Hoyas.

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