Tuesday’s college basketball schedule is highlighted by the Jimmy V Classic at New York’s Madison Square Garden, the first of two consecutive nights of big college basketball action in that venerable edifice.
No. 22 Butler vs. No. 15 Georgetown Highlights Jimmy V Classic Tonight
Game one is the marquee matchup of the night, as No. 22 Butler faces 15th-ranked Georgetown. The Bulldogs haven’t quite gotten off to the start this season that they anticipated, as they lost two of their three games at the 76 Classic in Anaheim over Thanksgiving week. With a win tonight and one at home against No. 13 Ohio State on Saturday, they can firmly re-establish themselves in the national consciousness.
The last time most of the country saw the Hoyas, they were involved in a slugfest with Temple, a 46-45 Georgetown win, during the November 17 hoops marathon. Tuesday also marks the beginning of a big week for John Thompson III’s squad, as -- like Butler -- they face two ranked opponents. The Hoyas travel West to take on 17th-ranked Washington Saturday in the John Wooden Classic in Anaheim.
SB Nation’s Georgetown site, Casual Hoya, has an excellent preview post featuring a Q & A with two Butler bloggers and a gameday thread with up to the minute info.
Game two is a matchup between two rebuilding programs, Indiana and Pittsburgh. Expect to see a lot of defense in this one. The Panthers won their last game -- at home against New Hampshire -- by a score of 47 to 32. (It was only 15-7 at halftime, the lowest combined total in the shot clock era.) Pitt hasn't scored more than 72 in a game yet this season. Jermaine Dixon being out with a foot injury hasn't helped matters for the Panthers.
That’s one place where the Hoosiers may have a bit of an advantage. The Hoosiers have managed to break 71 twice, scoring 83 against Howard and 90 against Northwestern State, meaning they are more adept at scoring points against bad teams than Pitt.
You can visit SBN’s Indiana blog, Crimson Quarry, for a preview of this one.
As always, you’ll be able to follow along and talk about both games on SB Nation.
FINAL: No. 15 Georgetown 72, No. 22 Butler 65
Greg Monroe scored 24 and grabbed 15 boards to lead the Hoyas to victory.
Game discussion at Casual Hoya
Indiana vs. Pittsburgh, 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Live score
Game discussion at Crimson Quarry
For a look at the rest of Tuesday’s TV schedule, visit Blogging the Bracket.
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