Georgetown vs. Louisville: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and More

No. 4 Louisville and No. 12 Georgetown open up their Big East schedules matched up against each other in a game that’s sure to be a barn burner. 

The Cardinals have paved their way to an undefeated start with suffocating defense. Only once in 12 contests have they allowed an opponent to score more than 70 points and only two more times has their opposition put up more than 60.

The 10-1 Hoyas, whose lone loss came to Kansas, possess equally impressive defense, but their offense has been more productive than the Cardinals. While Georgetown is ranked in the top 50 in points per game and top 25 in field goal percentage, Louisville is ranked No. 100 and 159 in the nation in the two categories.

Forget offense, though; the matchup is sure to be a defensive battle and must-watch game.

Where: KFC Yum! Center, Louisville, Ky.

When: Wednesday, Dec. 28 at 7:00 p.m. EST

Watch: ESPN2, ESPN3

Betting Line: None

What’s At Stake?

At the start of a long Big East schedule that’s sure to include a few hiccups for each team, a loss wouldn’t be devastating for either squad. Louisville’s next game, though, is at Kentucky. A win over the Hoyas would be huge as a confidence booster, while a loss puts them in danger of dropping two straight.

If Georgetown would lose, they’d be given an easy opportunity to rebound against Providence on Saturday.

Pride and a temporary boost or drop in the top 25 is all that’s truly on the line in this one.

What They’re Saying

After suffering injury after injury early in the season Rick Pitino told ESPN’s Andy Katz how thankful he is that his squad is in their current position, saying, “I didn't expect to go undefeated. We were hoping for more like 8-2 or 7-3 with all the injuries. But we're playing terrific.”

Georgetown guard Jason Clark believes that his club is headed in the right direction after their latest win over Memphis as he said after the game (via USA Today), “It's always good to beat a team two times in a row.  That's the type of game we want to have when we play in the Big East, so that helps our confidence.”

Louisville Player to Watch

At 6’11”, 235 pounds, Gorgui Dieng has been a beast in the paint this season for the Cardinals. He is averaging a double-double with 10.8 points and 10.2 points a game. His 2.9 blocks a contest also pop out on the stat sheet.

If he can continue to control the glass and shoot over 58 percent from the field, Louisville will be tough to knock off.

Georgetown Player to Watch

It would be in the Cardinals best interest to limit Hollis Thompson’s attempts from beyond the arc. The 6’8” junior forward is shooting an incredible 48 percent from downtown this season. On top of being second on the team in scoring with 14.9 points a game, Thompson also leads the team in rebounds with 6.1 per.

Key Matchup: Gorgui Dieng vs. Henry Sims

The battle in the post between Dieng and Sims will ultimately decide the game. While Dieng is a rebounding and shot-blocking fiend, Sims is a more of an offensive-minded big man. Georgetown’s center averages 12.5 points a game and also leads the team in assists with 3.7 per.

Sims isn’t the best rebounded, though, averaging just 5.5 a game, so if Dieng can abuse him on the boards, it’ll be a long day for the Hoyas.

Prediction

Louisville will successfully defend their home court. They wouldn’t be caught dead looking ahead to their game against their instate rival. Again, it’ll be a nail-biter, but being the superior rebounding ball club, they’ll edge the Hoyas out in the end.

59-58 Louisville

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer. Follow him on Twitter.