Skidding Georgetown aims for turnaround at Villanova

Field Level Media|published: Sun 19th January, 17:42 2025

Jan 17, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Georgetown Hoyas guard Malik Mack (2) drives past DePaul Blue Demons guard Layden Blocker (2) during the first half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

The script has flipped for Georgetown. After a 12-2 start, with wins in their first three Big East games, the Hoyas have lost four straight and are saddled with injury concerns.

Their top scorer and rebounder, Thomas Sorber, has a sore elbow and their best long-range threat, Jayden Epps, has been hobbled by ankle and hamstring issues.

It's a lot for Georgetown (12-6, 3-4 Big East) to overcome as it prepares for a tough test Monday evening at Villanova (12-7, 5-3).

The Hoyas are reeling after falling Friday at home to lowly DePaul, 73-68. The win snapped the Blue Demons' 39-game regular-season conference losing streak.

Without Sorber and Epps in the lineup, Georgetown trailed by 17 points in the first half and 16 after intermission.

"Our injuries are really catching up to us here," Hoyas coach Ed Cooley said. "There's no excuses. We didn't start playing until the 30-minute mark."

Over the last four weeks, Epps has missed three games and been ineffective in limited minutes in three others.

Since Epps was originally hurt, Georgetown has had strong performances, such as a win over Xavier and competitive defeats against then-No. 7 Marquette and then-No. 9 UConn.

But compensating for the loss of Epps and Sorber, who averages 14.2 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game, was too big an ask for the Hoyas on Friday.

Until they return, Georgetown will have to depend heavily on Malik Mack (13.9 points, 4.8 assists) and Micah Peavy (13.3 points, 5.4 rebounds).

Villanova's season peaked on Jan. 8 with a victory over then-No. 9 UConn. Since then, the Wildcats have fallen on the road to St. John's and Xavier before squeezing past Providence at home on Friday, 75-73.

When asked what the difference was for Villanova on Friday night, coach Kyle Neptune shook his head.

"To be honest, in the Big East, when you're playing at this level, it's one or two plays," he said.

Entering Sunday, the Wildcats ranked No. 9 in the nation in adjusted offensive efficiency per KenPom.com, led by the top scorer in Division I, Eric Dixon (24.7 points).

Wooga Poplar (14.5 points, 6.8 rebounds) is one of five Wildcats who have hit at least 24 3-pointers this season. Villanova leads the Big East with 40.3 percent marksmanship from long range.

--Field Level Media