Playoff preview: DePaul vs. Georgetown
Andre Hashem
Issue date: 10/26/09 Section: Sports
DePaul's journey through the playoffs begins where the regular season ended: on the road.
Wednesday, the Blue Demons will play the Georgetown Hoyas in Washington DC at 1 p.m. central time.
The team hopes that the game will be their first of four post-season games ending in a Big East championship, but they better brace themselves to be disappointed.
After losing their last two games of the season, the Hoyas may have lowered spirits going in to the game, but DePaul isn't in any better position. The Blue Demons lost their last four consecutive home games, and have a losing road record (3-6-1), giving up at least two goals in five of the six losses.
The two teams are in complete contrast to each other. Georgetown's offense hasn't produced many goals this season; their top two scorers, Jose Colchao and Seth C'Debaca scored only seven goals between them. On the other hand DePaul's leading scorers, Steffen Vroom and Alex Mangan, are tied with seven goals apiece.
However, the biggest difference between the teams is also the most important: their defenses', or the Demons' lack thereof, The Blue Demons gave up 33 goals this year, as opposed to the Hoyas' impressive 17.
The Demons' defensive players must play focused, and handle the ball as little as possible - something they haven't done often this season.
Their downfall has been playing the ball too much in the defensive area of the field, where each mistake can turn into a goal for the opposition. Goals from free kicks and corners haunted the Demons all season, so the defense needs to keep their composure and clear the ball without panicking.
However, at least DePaul was losing on the road. The Hoyas have a losing home record (4-5), and dropped their last four home games in a row.
DePaul head coach Craig Blazer must make his players forget their regular season woes and treat the playoffs as an entirely new season, because whoever wins the mental battle should win the game.
If DePaul manages the win, they will play on the road against first seeded Louisville.
So other than their losing road record, morale issues and a shoddy defense, the Blue Demons are golden.
Wednesday, the Blue Demons will play the Georgetown Hoyas in Washington DC at 1 p.m. central time.
The team hopes that the game will be their first of four post-season games ending in a Big East championship, but they better brace themselves to be disappointed.
After losing their last two games of the season, the Hoyas may have lowered spirits going in to the game, but DePaul isn't in any better position. The Blue Demons lost their last four consecutive home games, and have a losing road record (3-6-1), giving up at least two goals in five of the six losses.
The two teams are in complete contrast to each other. Georgetown's offense hasn't produced many goals this season; their top two scorers, Jose Colchao and Seth C'Debaca scored only seven goals between them. On the other hand DePaul's leading scorers, Steffen Vroom and Alex Mangan, are tied with seven goals apiece.
However, the biggest difference between the teams is also the most important: their defenses', or the Demons' lack thereof, The Blue Demons gave up 33 goals this year, as opposed to the Hoyas' impressive 17.
The Demons' defensive players must play focused, and handle the ball as little as possible - something they haven't done often this season.
Their downfall has been playing the ball too much in the defensive area of the field, where each mistake can turn into a goal for the opposition. Goals from free kicks and corners haunted the Demons all season, so the defense needs to keep their composure and clear the ball without panicking.
However, at least DePaul was losing on the road. The Hoyas have a losing home record (4-5), and dropped their last four home games in a row.
DePaul head coach Craig Blazer must make his players forget their regular season woes and treat the playoffs as an entirely new season, because whoever wins the mental battle should win the game.
If DePaul manages the win, they will play on the road against first seeded Louisville.
So other than their losing road record, morale issues and a shoddy defense, the Blue Demons are golden.
Be the first to comment on this story