New Orleans, LA (My Sportsbook) - The 20th-ranked Georgetown Hoyas lift the lid on the 2009-10 season with a trip to the Big Easy for a clash with the Tulane Green Wave. Georgetown was on fire to start last season, and had several people believing it could challenge for the Big East Conference title. Unfortunately, things went awry once league play started and the Hoyas finished a disappointing 16-15 (7-11 in the Big East) and earned a bid to the NIT. It was the fifth straight postseason appearance by the Hoyas under current coach John Thompson III, although they were one and done with a 74-72 loss to Baylor. Tulane suffered its first losing season in three years in 2008-09, logging a 14-17 mark. Head coach Dave Dickerson is in his fifth year in charge of the TU men's basketball program and he has a 60-62 record. The Green Wave last knocked off a ranked opponent in 1999 when it claimed a 73-62 triumph over No. 25 NC State in New Orleans. Dickerson hopes the return of three starters and nine letterwinners will help Tulane turn a corner and start the climb up the Conference USA ladder. This game marks the first-ever meeting between Georgetown and Tulane on the hardwood. The good news for this Georgetown team is that only one significant player from last season is gone, as DaJuan Summers averaged 13.6 points and 4.1 rebounds per contest. Now a sophomore, center Greg Monroe burst on the scene last year, being named the Big East's Freshman of the Year after tallying 12.7 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Junior guard Chris Wright is poised to return as the team's floor general after handing out 117 assists in starting all 31 games last season. Wright also made himself into a viable offensive option by shooting 48.2 percent from the floor in netting 12.5 ppg. Joining Monroe and Wright in the starting lineup is Austin Freeman, who was credited with 11.4 ppg on 48.2 percent shooting from the floor, although his numbers dropped a bit once conference play began. Heading the list of returning starters for Tulane is Kevin Sims, who despite being just 5-10, led the team in scoring (13.0 ppg) and assists (4.0 apg), while starting all 31 games last year. Kris Richard joins Sims out on the perimeter, giving Tulane a solid one-two punch. The 6-5 Richard showed he could score, averaging 10.7 ppg, but he's known more for his defensive prowess after ranking fourth in the league with 1.97 steals per game last season. Juco transfer Aaron Holmes is a big-time scorer who should help right away, and 6-8 freshman Keith Cameron is another new face with a wealth of potential. Asim McQueen takes up serious space in close to the basket and he started 28 of 31 games last season, averaging 7.4 points and 5.4 caroms per contest. |
