Up-and-down Georgetown trending up again, playing with faster tempo after losing key player

Georgetown head coach John Thompson III, center, talks with his team, including forwards Nate Lubick (34) and Otto Porter Jr. (22) during a timeout in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Louisville, Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) (The Associated Press)

Georgetown forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) celebrates with guard Jabril Trawick (55) after defeating No. 5 Louisville 53-51 in am NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) (The Associated Press)

To stop being up and down, Georgetown is getting up and down.

Few teams have been more maddeningly inconsistent this season than the Hoyas. They have mixed strong performances against highly ranked teams with painful-to-watch outings that ended in disappointing setbacks.

The recent arc has been a positive one. After starting 0-2 in Big East play for the first time in 11 years and losing forward Greg Whittington for academic reasons, Georgetown has won four of five heading into Wednesday's home game against Seton Hall.

The key recently is that the Hoyas are playing better when they play faster, creating up-tempo chances through better defense and rebounding.