Georgetown's three-guard lineup is making it capable of sustaining a fast-paced, high-scoring affair, as it demonstrated in a big win over a ranked opponent in its last game.
It may not be so easy to run that kind of offense against its next opponent.
The 16th-ranked Hoyas will have another tough matchup as they try to improve to 8-0 for a second straight season when they host three-time defending Western Athletic Conference champion Utah State on Saturday.
Georgetown is again giving itself an early test before beginning what figures to be another brutal Big East season. In 2009-10, the Hoyas played two ranked opponents in their first eight games, and they opened a difficult stretch with a 111-102 overtime win over No. 9 Missouri on Tuesday.
Georgetown blew an 18-point halftime lead but had another sharp performance from 3-point range. Guard Jason Clark, who was 1 for 6 from beyond the arc in regulation, hit three 3-pointers in the extra period to finish with 26 points. Fellow guard Austin Freeman went 6 for 11 from long range and led the Hoyas with 31 points after scoring 32 in the previous game.
The Hoyas made 15 of their 32 3-point attempts in scoring their most points since a 116-111 quadruple overtime loss to Notre Dame in 2002.
Georgetown is shooting 44.9 percent from beyond the arc, attempting 23.9 shots per game. Its effectiveness from that distance has helped the Hoyas average 80.7 points - over seven more than last season.
"We don't worry about pace," coach John Thompson III said. "We just want to get a good shot whether that takes three seconds or 33 seconds. We never come into a game determined to play fast or slow."
While neither of Georgetown's next two opponents are ranked, both were conference champions last season, including Temple of the Atlantic 10. Both the Owls, who host the Hoyas on Thursday, and Utah State (5-1) will provide a tough defensive challenge.
The Aggies have allowed one opponent to shoot better than 40.0 percent this season while yielding 60.8 points per game.
"We're going to enjoy this win but it's important for this team to stay even-keel," guard Chris Wright said. "We've been in this situation before and it can either go up or go down, so we have to go back to work and it's just another win."
Utah State is coming off a 61-53 victory at Denver on Wednesday, its fourth straight win since a 78-72 loss at then-No. 23 BYU last month.
The Aggies shot a season-high 54.5 percent and outrebounded the Pioneers 33-17.
Utah State is led by senior forward Tai Wesley, who is averaging a team-high 15.3 points and 6.8 rebounds.
Coach Stew Morrilll began the week concerned his players would overlook Denver, and he's hoping this trip to the nation's capital can boost their confidence.
"We have got our hands full," he said. "I think it is an opportunity for us to get recognized a little bit if we play well, but I don't see it as something that will destroy this season."
This is the first meeting between these teams.
