NCAAB: #22 Texas Longhorns vs. Georgetown Hoyas preview and pick
Georgetown Hoyas head coach Patrick Ewing gestures on the sidelines. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire)
November 21st, 2019
The Texas Longhorns and Georgetown Hoyas will meet Thursday night at Madison Square Garden, in what will be a good test for both of the surging teams.
Shaka Smart’s Longhorns bring an undefeated record to the 2K Empire Classic, and the experienced group last visited the Garden at the end of last season, when it won the NIT.
Shaka Smart’s Longhorns bring an undefeated record to the 2K Empire Classic, and the experienced group last visited the Garden at the end of last season, when it won the NIT.
#22 Texas vs. Georgetown, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|
Texas Longhorns | -6.5 (-109) | -275 | O 143.5 (-112) |
Georgetown Hoyas | +6.5 (-111) | +220 | U 143.5 (-108) |
Texas got a quality road win over No. 23 Purdue early in the season, which ended the Boilermakers' 18-game home win streak and galvanized a team strong on both sides of the ball.
Coleman and Jones have led the way for Texas
Look for junior Matt Coleman III to continue his leadership at the point guard position. Coleman is leading all Longhorns with 14.5 points and 4.3 assists per game.Junior Jase Febres hit his third 3-pointer of the game with 1:22 remaining in the second half to help lead @TexasMBB to a 70-66 road win over @BoilerBall. Febres finished the game with 11 points. Longhorns junior Matt Coleman III lead all scorers with 22 points. pic.twitter.com/yrMDgZgVFD
— 🏀NCAAHoops24/7 (@NCAAHoops247) November 10, 2019
Andrew Jones is also back in the Texas lineup, after he received a medical redshirt for the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons for treatment and recovery from leukemia. Jones has put in quality minutes for Texas in its first four games, with nine three-pointers on the year, and is averaging 13 points per game.
Georgetown's Omer Yurtseven is averaging 17 points and 12.5 rebounds per game, while James Akinjo has put up 12.3 points and 4.5 assists.
Ewing has the Hoyas on the right path
Georgetown head coach Patrick Ewing will undoubtedly have his team ready to go for one of the biggest games of his three years leading the program. The Hoyas enter Thursday night’s game with a 3-1 record, with their only loss at home to Penn State, 81-66.Georgetown's Omer Yurtseven is averaging 17 points and 12.5 rebounds per game, while James Akinjo has put up 12.3 points and 4.5 assists.
A senior transfer, Yurtseven has recorded a double-double in every game this season, including 16 points and 10 rebounds in the loss to the Nittany Lions.
Akinjo and McClung hope to avoid a sophomore slump
Akinjo and Mac McClung were both freshman phenoms a year ago, and Akinjo was voted Big East Freshman of the Year. The pair will hope to avoid a sophomore slump and will need to figure out how to be most effectual in Ewing’s offense. Akinjo and McClung combined for 36 points in the season opener against Mount St. Mary’s, but had just 11 points together in their next outing against Central Arkansas.The winner of Thursday night’s contest will advance to take on either Cal or No. 1 Duke in the Empire Classic championship game Friday night.
Give me Smart, Coleman, Jones and the Longhorns.
Pick: Longhorns -6.5
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