Pre-Duel Pleasantries: Georgetown

Welcome back Musketeers to another grueling week of Big East conference play. On Tuesday night your Musketeers travel to Washington DC to take on the Georgetown Hoyas in a pivotal matchup. To get you ready for the game, we talked to our good friends over at Casual Hoya and asked them questions about the Hoyas. Let's see what they had to say.

1.) Since we last met, you all have went 6-1 with a few impressive wins. What has been the key to your recent success?

Coaches and players aside, I think the turnaround can be linked to how hard we've been blogging over at Casual Hoya.  The writers have given it 110% and the commenters have really raised their game.

I wanted to leave that answer as is, but since your readers will see that and probably close this feature and stare at the screen savers of Skyline Chili, the real reason for the recent success has been JT3 finally finding the right mix of lineups and minutes for our copious amount of talent.  The best example of this has been the recent play of Isaac Copeland, who has played 20+ minutes in each of our last few games and was just named BIG EAST Rookie of the Week.  Copeland played just 7 minutes against the Muskies in that Conference opener, so you'll be seeing a lot more of him on Tuesday night.  He's sort of a more athletic Otto Porter if that helps you sleep any better.

2.) Describe how exciting and impressive the win over Villanova was.

Very exciting! Very impressive!  Look, that win was nerve-wracking as all hell, especially since the Hoyas blew the doors off of Nova in the 1st half and even though the final margin was 20, there were times in the 2nd half when the lead was almost in single figures and the fanbase nearly collapsed.  We blogged hard though, so it all worked out in the end.  
The win was big for a couple of reasons, though.  First, it proved to this team that they can beat one of the better teams in the country after narrow losses to Wisconsin and Kansas.  Second, it improved Georgetown's resume and, assuming nothing crazy happens, likely solidified at least a 6 seed in March.  A loss to Nova would have probably left the Hoyas playing the Bubble game over the next month or so, which is all fine and dandy but kind of stressful and not good for the ol' blood pressure.  Get used to all that, by the way.


3.) Speaking of that game, what is your thoughts on storming the court?

I'm totally fine with it.  Anyone who takes to twitter or gets on TV for criticizing students for having fun is an asshat.  In my opinion the students should storm the court after EVERY win and start a new tradition.  And after they storm the court they should form a giant middle finger formation on it.

4.) Who do you think will be the Big East player of the year? Do you think it will be DSR?

Honestly, I don't really care who wins these awards.   DSR has done nothing to tarnish the luster of his Preseason Player of the Year nod, however.  He has had off-games and has been picked up by his teammates in those games, but he's also been overshadowed by his teammates in some games where he has been deadly, and I suspect it's going to be Georgetown's overall depth that's probably going to cost him the individual honor at the end of the season.  There is no 'I' in T-E-A-M, and there is no 'I' in D-S-R.

5.) If I was traveling to the game, where would you recommend I eat and drink at before the game? At Tombs, or somewhere closer to the arena?

I've said it before and I'll say it again: the Hooters by the Verizon Center should be on the list of things to see in DC along with the Washington Monument, the Korean War monument (at night), the Spy Museum, and the Indian restaurant Rasika.

But yes, if you have time to venture to Georgetown's campus then you must go to the Tombs, which though frankly in my most recent experience the food has gone slightly downhill (smallish burger, soggy fries, no more Busch Light on tap),  it's the most 'Georgetown' you can get for like $20.

6.) Prediction for how this game will go?

I think the Hoyas avenge the loss in the Queen City and take this one by around 8 points. Stainbrook isn't going to get those calls against Josh Smith in DC. Call it Georgetown 67 - Muskies 59, friendo.