Georgetown vs Wisconsin: Player Ratings and Recap

Here are player ratings for the first Semi-Final game of the 2k Sports Classic between Wisconsin and Georgetown. Later, I will release the player ratings for the second game between Duke and VCU in advance of the final tomorrow. 

This year I am recapping games in a similar fashion that soccer matches are recapped. Following a game, each player receives a rating 1-10 based upon their performance. Over the course of time you can see how they are playing in stretches, and how the team overall is performing based upon the form of their players. I think this is an effective way to evaluate basketball games. Especially when, at the end of the season, it is not always the most talented team that wins, or the team that had the most victories during the season, but the team that is experiencing the greatest of run of form. 

Georgetown 71 vs Wisconsin 61

Wisconsin

F Ethan Happ: 7

Ethan Happ is a redshirt freshman. He is the tallest member of Wisconsin's starting lineup, listed at 6'9. He did an excellent job grabbing rebounds this game, doing so effectively against a tough, and physical Georgetown frontcourt. Happ ended the game with 11 rebounds, and six of them came on the offensive end. Unfortunately, despite getting many second chance opportunities, Happ struggled finishing around the basket. He shot only 3-8. Lucky for him, he took a couple trips to the line near the end of the game, and went a perfect 6-6 from the charity stripe to boost his scoring number to 12 this game. Happ also finished the game with a pair of steals and a block.

F Nigel Hayes: 7.5

Nigel Hayes is the new star on this Badgers team now that Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker have left. He is a really good college player. He is versatile enough to score both on the inside, and on shoot outside. He can also defend on the perimeter, or in the post. His versatility made him an excellent third option behind the aforementioned forwards, but he has yet to transition to the elite level this season. Against Georgetown, Hayes led all players in scoring with 22 points. However, he did so on 7-17 shooting, 41.2%. That is actually one of his better scoring performances, because he is shooting 40.6% thus far this season. This would not be so bad, except Hayes shot 49.7% last year, and is only taking two more shots per game. Hayes is also down in 3pt%, 37.5 compared to 39.8% last year (although 37.5% for a 6'8 forward is nothing to scoff at), and FT%, 68.8 compared to 74.4. This is just to say Hayes is having trouble transitioning into a starring role. Hayes, and Wisconsin would be playing much better if Hayes could get his shooting numbers closer to last years level, while elevating the number of shots he takes.

Hayes struggled getting inside against the Hoyas. He had no problem getting past defenders outside, but once he got inside he missed a lot of shots near the basket, and also lost a couple balls while trying to get his shot up in traffic—he turned the ball over for the first three times this season during this game. This had a lot to do with Georgetown's excellent group of frontcourt players, and their solid interior defense. This also partially explains why Hayes was limited to only four rebounds, although three of which came on the offensive end.

Hayes once again showed he can play solid defense in this game. He does a good job guarding out on the perimeter, and is also solid defending the low post. He had two steals this game.

F Vitto Brown: 5

Brown is another versatile forward. He is 6'8, allowing him to guard either forward position, and likes to shoot jump shots on offense. Brown scored 9 points this game, but he did not shoot well. He was only 4-13 from the field, and 1-3 from 3pt range. He look a large number of jump shots against Georgetown. Brown has been dreadful from three thus far this season, shooting only 16.7% from there coming into the game. However, he has shot 46.7% from the field, and this is the first game in which he has failed to score in double digits. Brown was an asset grabbing rebounds, he had seven. Brown did foul out this game. However, he stayed in the game until the two minute mark despite picking up his fourth foul with seven to play.

G Zak Showalter: 5

Somehow 6'2 Zak Showalter is a pretty good rebounder. He averaged 5.3 coming into this game, and picked up another seven against the Hoyas, four of which came on the offensive end—that's all hustle. Although he helped out on the glass—or perhaps below the glass would be more apt, Showalter did not shoot great this game. He was 3-7 from the field, scoring seven points total. He was also one for three from 3pt range, which is in line with his 33.3% 3pt% this season. Showalter also turned the ball over three times, and fouled out of the game with six minutes left.

G Bronson Koenig: 3.5

Bronson Koenig found his stock to be very high following a strong performance in the tournament last season, and the departures of Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker. Koenig was touted as a potential all-conference performer, in a similar manner that Duke's Grayson Allen was. He, also like Allen, began the season with strong scoring performances. However, I do not think Koenig can be the second best player on a team that competes for a championship.

Against Georgetown, Koenig struggled mightily shooting. He was only 2-12 from the field, and made a single 3pt attempt of six. He scored nine points, four of which came from the free throw line. Koenig lacks vision as a point guard, and has trouble setting up teammates. He instead often looks first to shoot. This does benefit the team when Koenig is shooting well, but when he is not he struggles to help the offense in other ways.

F Khalil Iverson: 3

Iverson was the only bench player to receive significant minutes. He 21 due to the foul trouble Brown and Showalter were in much of the game. He showed a good ability to get up, and challenge Georgetown's bigs for rebounds, despite being only 6'5. However, he disappeared in the second half. He finished the game 1-3 shooting for two points, grabbing four rebounds, and also had two assists. He needed to be a more prominent presence when Brown or Showalter were sitting.

F Charlie Thomas: N/A

Did not play enough minutes to qualify.

F Alex Illikainen: N/A

Did not play enough minutes to qualify.

G Jordan Hill: N/A

Did not play enough minutes to qualify.

G TJ Schlundt: N/A

Did not play enough minutes to qualify.

Team Rating: 5.05

Wisconsin could not come back to defeat Georgetown, and as a result pick up their second loss of the season. Koenig struggled shooting, which left Wisconsin without a number two option on offense. Nigel Hayes is a great college player, but he is not capable of carrying this team. It also did not help that Wisconsin's next best scorers, Showalter and Brown, were in foul trouble down the stretch, and Wisconsin lacks depth. Georgetown was a good measuring stick game for Wisconsin. They were both fringe top-25 teams coming into the season, in my opinion. It's now going to be interesting to see how they fare against Syracuse in a couple of weeks.

Georgetown

C Bradley Hayes: 2

Bradley Hayes had played well in Georgetown's first two games, averaging 30 minutes and 17.5 points. However, he sat on the bench for much of this game in favor of four-star freshman Jesse Govan who was playing excellently.

Hayes played only 14 minutes, shooting 2-6 for four points, and picking up two rebounds. Another reason he was likely benched for most of the game, and down the stretch, were his four turnovers. Four turnovers in 14 minutes will get you benched.

F Isaac Copeland: 8

With Smith-Rivera struggling, Copeland took over for Georgetown, especially in the second half. He shot 5-9, and 3-4 from beyond the arc, to score a season high 15 points. Copeland has been very consistent offensively thus far. He has scored 11, 13, and 15 in the Hoyas' first three games, and has shot over 50% both from the field, and from three point range. Copeland added eight rebounds. Although, he also turned the ball over four times. Copeland is a great asset for this team as a versatile forward who can guard multiple positions, and score from anyway. It was good to see he has the ability to lead on offense when needed as well.

F Marcus Dickerson: 3.5

Dickerson, like Hayes, saw limited time this game despite starting. He shot 0-2, and finished the game with zero points. He played seven minutes total, and finished with three rebounds and assists. Unlike Hayes, Dickerson did not turn the ball over excessively. He simply sat because Reggie Cameron was playing so effectively off the bench.

G LJ Peak: 4

LJ Peak only played 21 minutes this game. He took only five shots from the field, making two of them. He added another five points from the free throw line, bringing his point total up to nine points, which falls in line with his season average of 9.3. Peak has yet to make a 3pt FG this season, but had some mild success driving to the basket. Peak was a four-star recruit a year ago, but has yet to step up his sophomore season like he was expected to with Jabril Trawick gone.

G D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera: 5

Georgetown's expectations for this season grew last summer when Smith-Rivera decided to come back to school, after initially declaring for the draft. Thus far this year, Smith-Rivera's ppg, FG%, and 3pt% have all lowered compared to last year. He did not shoot well against Wisconsin. He went 2-9 from the field, and one for four from three. Smith-Rivera did end up with 12 points, but only because he took many FT at the end of the game; he finished 7-10 from the line. Smith-Rivera at least helps the team in multiple ways. He grabbed five rebounds, had four assists this game, to lead the team, and had three steals. Smith-Rivera also only turned the ball once despite playing more than 30 minutes. Smith-Rivera has down a good job with the ball in his hands at least this season. He has averaged 4.3 assists, and only averaged 1.0 turnovers.

C Jessie Govan: 7.5

Govan was Georgetown's highest rated recruit; he was a consensus top-50 player coming into the season. He is a skilled big man, and gives the team a unique look when he is on the court. Govan scored a career high, 13 points, against Wisconsin. He scores just as much from outside as he does inside. He made a three pointer, and shoots jumpers away from the basket consistently. He was 3-7 from the field, making one of his two three attempts. Govan is also an excellent FT shooter, making all six of his attempts. In addition to being a good shooter, Govan is a surprisingly effective passer. He ended this game with three assists. Because Govan is threat from outside, he draws defenders out, and that frees up the inside where he can pass the ball for a teammate to pick up an easy two points. In addition to being a skilled offensive player, Govan is a gifted low post defender. He played nice defense against Happ when he had the ball inside, and had three blocks in the game. Govan also grabbed five rebounds.

F Reggie Cameron: 6.5

Reggie Cameron exploded on offense in the first half. He sunk four three pointers, and scored a total of 14 points in the half. However, Cameron disappeared in the second half, and did not score another point. He finished the game 5-7 from the field. He also finished the game with three rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Cameron is an intriguing player for Georgetown, because if he can play like he did in the first half consistently, he will give Georgetown a second versatile forward who will stretch defenses even further. However, Cameron does not have a great track record. He has averaged seven points in eighteen minutes this season, and averaged only 1.2 points in 4.6 minutes last season as a sophomore. At worst though, Cameron is a live shooter off the bench who can contribute solid minutes.

G Kaleb Johnson: 3

Johnson was a third bench player to receive more than 20 minutes this game. He was not as effective as Cameron and Govan though. Johnson is a tall, 6'6, freshman guard. Due to his height he is able to help out grabbing rebounds; he has now grabbed three in back-to-back games. However, he is yet to show much on the offensive end. He made two of three field goals against Wisconsin for four points. He also fouled out late in the game, and turned the ball over three times. Johnson got quite a bit of playing time this game, ahead of starter, LJ Peak, but based upon his production it may not have been warranted.

F Trey Mourning: N/A

Did not play enough minutes to qualify.

G Riyan Williams: N/A

Did not play enough minutes to qualify.

Team Rating: 5.40

Georgetown they were better than their 0-2 record when they defeated Wisconsin, moving to 1-2. The continued success of standouts Copeland and Govan are essential to Georgetown this season. Copeland is a great second option who can stretch defenses. Govan is great on both ends of the floor, and has a much higher upside than Hayes. I would actually like to see Georgetown play big with Hayes, Govan, and Copeland all on the court at the same time. Smith-Rivera's struggles shooting are a concern; he needs to be the leader of this team. They could be very dangerous if he average 16+ points per game again. It will be very interesting to see what they can do against Duke tomorrow.