Hoyas and Tigers clash for second time this season

Washington, D.C. – The 16th-ranked Georgetown Hoyas put a game win streak on the line this evening, as they take on the Memphis Tigers for the second time this season, this time at the Verizon Center.

The Hoyas have won nine of their first 10 games this season with the lone loss coming to Kansas in Maui back on November 21st. The team hasn't lost since and kept its winning ways going last weekend with an 81-55 blasting of American.

The Tigers have certainly had their ups and downs this season and are 6-4 as a result. The team dropped back-to-back games to Murray State and Louisville last week, but found its way back into the win column with Monday's 85-75 victory over Lipscomb.

Georgetown has dominated this series all-time, winning nine of the 11 previous matchups, including the last three. This is the second time these teams have met this season, with the Hoyas claiming a thrilling 91-88 overtime victory in the Maui Invitational.

Memphis may be a modest 6-4 on the season, but it has not been because of a lack of offense. The team is shooting a healthy 48.7 percent from the floor this season, resulting in an impressive 82.1 ppg. Will Barton is a big reason for the offensive success, shooting .549 from the field en route to a team- high 20.7 ppg. In addition, the 6-6 sophomore is also tops on the team in rebounding (8.6 rpg), and steals (16). Joe Jackson and Adonis Thomas provide support for Barton, netting 13.9 and 10.2 ppg, respectively. Tarik Black (8.5 ppg) and Chris Crawford (7.6 ppg, 4.0 apg) round out the starting five. In the win over Lipscomb, Memphis got a balanced effort with six players finishing in double figures. Thomas led the way with a game-high 18 points. Barton tallied 16 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Black finished with 13 points, followed by Crawford (11 pts), Jackson (10 pts) and Antonio Barton (10 pts).

Georgetown utilizes stifling defensive play to dominate. The Hoyas are allowing a meager 57.5 ppg this year, holding foes under 40 percent shooting overall, including well under 30 percent from three-point range (.277). The team is also outrebounding foes by 6.7 rpg and forcing just over 15 turnovers per outing. The success has not been limited to just the defensive end, as Georgetown is netting 77.6 ppg on almost 50 percent shooting (.492). The team relies on a trio of solid scorers in Jason Clark (15.5 ppg), Hollis Thompson (14.7 ppg) and Henry Sims (12.6 ppg). In the rout of American, it was sophomore Markel Starks that led the way with 18 points. Sims followed with 17 points and dished out six assists, while Thompson finished with 15 points and eight rebounds.