Albany @ Georgetown preview
Capital One Arena
As Georgetown prepares for a tough December, which includes four straight exams against power conference teams, the Hoyas continue to tune up with mid-major quizzes.
Saturday in Washington, D.C., Georgetown (5-1) will take on Albany (5-2) in the first-ever meeting of the teams.
After three straight decisive wins, retooled Georgetown has shown promise behind freshman Thomas Sorber and transfers Micah Peavy (TCU) and Malik Mack (Harvard).
While Sorber leads the team in points (14.8), rebounds (8.3) and blocks (1.8) per game, Mack has assumed a playmaking role as he leads the Hoyas in assists (4.2).
Meanwhile, the 6-foot-8 Peavy, who averages 14.5 points and 3.2 steals per game, has provided a rare dimension as a disruptor on the perimeter and a 3-point threat, hitting a team-high 44 percent from deep.
Georgetown is coming off perhaps its most complete performance of the season, dominating Wagner with its suffocating defense in a 66-41 victory on Tuesday.
The Hoyas held the Seahawks to 28 percent shooting (14 of 50) from the floor and forced 18 turnovers, which Georgetown turned into 22 points.
"Wagner is an older team than us and they are a really well-coached and experienced team," Georgetown coach Ed Cooley said. "I was really proud of our men and the way that we defended with a purpose."
Albany of the American East Conference enters with five days of rest after winning two of three games last weekend in the Puerto Rico Clasico.
The Great Danes were hoping for a clean sweep of the event before sustaining an 81-77 loss to American on Sunday, which snapped their five-game winning streak, their longest since the 2017-18 season.
Albany allowed American to shoot 64.4 percent (29 of 45) from the floor and make 9 of 16 (56.3 percent) from 3-point range.
"I just didn't think we were as competitive as we could be, which is inexcusable for a group that I think can be a conference champion," Albany coach Dwayne Killings said.
In the three games in Puerto Rico, Albany was led by Amar'e Marshall (39 points, nine assists), Byron Joshua (37 points, nine assists, nine steals) and Justin Neely (36 points, 18 rebounds).
--Field Level Media