Duke-Georgetown Recap: Foul Trouble, Free Throws Defeat Hoyas

The No. 12 Georgetown Hoyas held their own on Saturday in Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Against the No. 2 Duke Blue Devils, the Hoyas experienced multiple bright spots throughout the game. The Blue Devils, however, came away with a 76-67 win in one of the best non-conference meetings thus far this season.

Coming into the game, the teams were expected to engage in a slugfest, a tough, hard-fought battle without much glamour.

It was likely that Duke would not be able to reach its points-per-game season average, 81. Then again, also likely was that Duke would be able to limit Georgetown to under its points-per-game season average, 75.

Three developments factored into the outcome of this game.

First, the efficiency that Duke attained on offense was not only tremendous but also needed.

Second, the foul trouble that Georgetown center Greg Monroe battled allowed Duke to seize opportunities it wouldn’t normally have with him in the game.

Lastly, Duke made the Hoyas increase the pace of the game, to which Georgetown was not accustomed.

Duke was able to manufacture a 15-2 run to close the first half on the strength of Gerald Henderson's play. The senior guard found a rhythm and finished the first half with 17 points.

Beyond Monroe’s foul trouble, one problem that crippled the Hoyas was Duke holding them without a field goal for the final eight minutes of the first half. Such time allowed Duke to build a 40-29 halftime lead on the strength of the aforementioned 15-2 run.

Duke’s pressure forced Georgetown to quicken the pace of the game when the Hoyas held the basketball—so much that Georgetown was not able to run a large amount of offensive sets.

When Georgetown had possession, often it was in transition scenarios while converting from offense to defense. Georgetown probably had hoped to pursue more chances in the half-court offensive mode in order to stay in the game. The following recaptures significant events in the game, most of which signaled notable changes or increases in momentum.

From the outset, Georgetown forward DaJuan Summers made apparent his intent to help his team win. The junior scored 12 points within the first 10 minutes of the contest.

Helping Summers was freshman center Greg Monroe, who posted eight points in the first half.

In the article I wrote earlier this week, I highlighted the importance of the battle for free throws in this game.

Entering the game, both teams shot similar percentages from the foul line, but the game rested upon which team was able to utilize that area to its advantage.

Duke entered the one-and-one bonus situation with 5:47 remaining in the first half but only managed two free throw attempts with the advantage.

Out of the locker room in the second half, Georgetown quickly seized the momentum.

The Hoyas closed the gap to 46-42 within five minutes to begin the second half. Duke had began to miss shots at a higher rate than it was accustomed to, and Georgetown began to utilize its speed while transitioning from defense to offense for easy points.

Moments later, Georgetown head coach John Thompson III garnered a technical foul. Duke guard Jon Scheyer converted the pair of free throw attempts that Duke was awarded, and two subsequent layups for Duke sparked a 6-0 run to extend its lead, 52-42.

Moments prior, however, Monroe was whistled for his fourth personal foul, leaving Thompson III to bench his freshman sensation. At that juncture, Monroe was 5-for-5 from the field with 10 points.

Following the technical foul, Duke increased its pressure and began to make shots again, forging the lead to 57-45.

As the game progressed, Duke began to experience foul trouble.

However, the effects were less severe that what Georgetown faced because of which player, Monroe, the foul trouble concerned.

Advantageous for Duke was its depth. Though it was wary of foul trouble, The Blue Devils were able to battle it with their depth, focusing on maintaining the lead, instead.Credit to Georgetown is due.

The Hoyas never quit at any point in the game. Despite how well Duke played, Georgetown always managed to keep the lead within reach in order to hold on to any comeback possibilities.

Duke stayed strong and outlasted the Hoyas in the end.

Alluding back to my Duke-Georgetown preview article, again I highlighted the free throw battle within this game. Duke finished 12-13 from the free throw line, while Georgetown finished 10-18.

Clearly, had Georgetown made a few more free throws, it would have had more favorable chances to win the game in the end, since Georgetown trailed by only five points within the final two minutes of the game.

A concern for Duke surfaced in the comments section of my article.

The concern was how Duke center Brian Zoubek would be utilized on defense. Would he be allowed to guard Greg Monroe?

The answer was no. Zoubek played less than one minute in the game.

The final score, 76-67, proved to hold both teams under their season average.

Ultimately, Duke’s consistency throughout the game allowed them to win this game. Its success rate at the free throw line factored into the win.

Though Georgetown is a tremendous team, today, it was hindered by the foul trouble that Monroe suffered.

The Hoyas never really attained a comfort level in order to truly compete for the game against Duke.