The Hoyas are a team that has been searching to consistently utilize it's pieces, with everyone playing a new role. Senior point guard Markel Starks makes the Hoyas go, with sophomore guard D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera a more than capable compliment. As they go, so go the Hoyas, as they shoot, drive and dish.
Junior big man junior Joshua Smith has been an enigma; at times dominating around the tin offensively, at others invisible. His defense and rebounding must improve, with the former being an attack point for foes.
In terms of X factors, it's been a carousel, with either junior Mikael Hopkins or seniors Aaron Bowen and Moses Ayegba taking turns providing energy off the pine. During the last game, a BIG EAST season opening win over DePaul, head coach John Thompson III lauded Ayegba and Bowen for not only providing energy, but accomplishing "something with their energy and effort".
Versus the Johnnies, the Hoyas will likely attack man to man defense with their Princeton-style sets. In doing so, they will attempt to influence shot blocking beast Chris Obekpa away from the tin. If SJU decides to employ zone defense, G'Town will attack that via short corner, drive and skip, or middle cuts, amongst other schemes.
I would expect the Hoyas to pressure St. John's full court, thereby making their scoring oriented guards take a step back. If Smith is in the game and the Hoyas are in man (or vice versa), he and Obepka will be a good matchup; a 350 pound, under the rim power player versus a jumping jack, shot blocking guy.
Swingman will be a hard matchup for G'Town, given Jakarr Sampson and Sir'Dominic Pointer; G'Town doesn't really have similar players. Starks vs either Phil Greene or Rysheed Jordan is one to get your popcorn for. Smith-Rivera versus D'Angelo Harrison/Greene should be equally interesting.
Junior big man junior Joshua Smith has been an enigma; at times dominating around the tin offensively, at others invisible. His defense and rebounding must improve, with the former being an attack point for foes.
In terms of X factors, it's been a carousel, with either junior Mikael Hopkins or seniors Aaron Bowen and Moses Ayegba taking turns providing energy off the pine. During the last game, a BIG EAST season opening win over DePaul, head coach John Thompson III lauded Ayegba and Bowen for not only providing energy, but accomplishing "something with their energy and effort".
Versus the Johnnies, the Hoyas will likely attack man to man defense with their Princeton-style sets. In doing so, they will attempt to influence shot blocking beast Chris Obekpa away from the tin. If SJU decides to employ zone defense, G'Town will attack that via short corner, drive and skip, or middle cuts, amongst other schemes.
I would expect the Hoyas to pressure St. John's full court, thereby making their scoring oriented guards take a step back. If Smith is in the game and the Hoyas are in man (or vice versa), he and Obepka will be a good matchup; a 350 pound, under the rim power player versus a jumping jack, shot blocking guy.
Swingman will be a hard matchup for G'Town, given Jakarr Sampson and Sir'Dominic Pointer; G'Town doesn't really have similar players. Starks vs either Phil Greene or Rysheed Jordan is one to get your popcorn for. Smith-Rivera versus D'Angelo Harrison/Greene should be equally interesting.