Game 9: Georgetown Hoyas (6-2) at No. 16 North Carolina Tar Heels (7-1)
When: Sunday, December 7 at 5 p.m
Where: Dean E. Smith Center (Chapel Hill, NC)
TV: ESPN (Kevin Brown and Cory Alexander)
Radio: Team 980 (Rich Chvotkin), SiriusXM (Channel 973)
Series: Georgetown leads 5-4 (last meeting: March 25, 2007; GU 96-84 OT in East Regional Final)
KenPom Rankings: Georgetown 91 (80 out/117 final); North Carolina 24 (38 out / 29 final)
Line: DraftKings UNC -10.5
The scouting report begins and ends with the frontcourt. Freshman sensation Caleb Wilson was a force, with a team-high 19.2 points and 10.1 rebounds per game (Georgetown University Athletics). He will be paired with 7-foot Arizona transfer Henri Veesaar, who adds 14.5 points and 8.5 boards per game (Georgetown University Athletics).
This duo poses a huge challenge for a Georgetown front line that is missing Vince Iwuchukwu.
The most alarming statistic for Georgetown fans is the rebounding margin for UNC. North Carolina ranks in the top 30 nationally by rebounding margin (+10), while the Hoyas rank at No. 215 (+1.1).
If the Tar Heels can crash the offensive glass like they did against Kentucky – where they grabbed 20 offensive rebounds – it will be a long night in Chapel Hill.
For Ed Cooley and his program, Sunday offers a golden opportunity to accelerate the rebuilding process. A road win over a ranked ‘Blue Blood’ opponent would be the most important victory of the Cooley era and would immediately validate the squad strategy for the 2025-2026 campaign.
The Hoyas have already shown they can compete with Power 4 teams, evidenced by wins over Maryland and Clemson, but a win at the Dean Smith Center carries a different weight. It would be a signal that Georgetown is not only improving, but capable of beating the nation’s best in hostile environments — especially missing Iwuchukwu.
Conversely, a devastating loss would highlight the work that remains, especially regarding the depth and defense of the interior. With Big East play looming, a competitive showing — especially on defense — is the minimum expectation for Hoyas fans eager to see their team return to the national conversation.
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