Junior guard Caroline Strande drives into the paint against Villanova on Feb. 4. Photo by Claire Runkel.
CALEB DENORME | SPORTS REPORTER | cdenorme@butler.edu
The Butler women’s basketball team is back in action in Hinkle Fieldhouse on Wednesday, Feb. 15 to take on the Georgetown Hoyas in a Big East battle. The Bulldogs are coming off a 63-62 road victory over Providence that improved their record to 8-17 on the season. The Hoyas are looking to snap a three-game losing streak, after recently falling to UConn 67-59 at home. These two squads met earlier in the season on Jan. 11, with the Bulldogs routing Georgetown on their home floor 72-48. The Hoyas will be intent on evening the season series.
Here’s what you need to know before tip-off in the Circle City between Butler and Georgetown.
Who: Butler vs Georgetown
When: Feb. 15, 7:00 p.m.
Where: Hinkle Fieldhouse
How to watch/listen: FloSports
Limiting scoring from Georgetown’s guards
The Hoyas’ strength on the offensive end lies in their two guards, Kelsey Ransom and Kennedy Fauntleroy. Ransom is averaging 13 points per game and Fauntleroy is right behind her with 11.9 points per game. Not only are they leading their team in scoring, but they also have accounted for nearly 41% of Georgetown’s points scored this season so far. Slowing down this kind of efficiency will be the key for Butler’s defense if they are to sweep Georgetown in the season series.
Coach Austin Parkinson will have his hands full getting his defense to lock down both guards and force other Georgetown players to be the primary scorers, but even shutting down one of the guards could suffice. The last time these two teams faced off, Ransom had 16 points, while Fauntleroy only contributed 7. Look for the Butler defense to key in on at least one of these guards and force the other one to take the game over.
Efficient shooting on the offensive end
In the previous game against the Hoyas, Butler shot 50% from the field, 54.2% from beyond the arc and 100% from the line to cap a blowout for the Dawgs. These numbers are up significantly from their season averages, which is why this high conversion rate is what the Bulldogs need to get the win on Wednesday. Efficient shooting and good shot selection can defeat even the strongest teams in the country, and Butler accomplished that last time they faced Georgetown.
The other key for the Bulldogs is to be a swiss army knife on offense. Having multiple points of attack worked in the past for the home side, with three players scoring in double digits the last time they faced off with the Hoyas. A diversified approach on offense makes it harder for opposing coaches to scheme a way back into the game and shut the offense down, which is why Butler will need everyone to contribute on the offensive end on Wednesday.
