Fri Jan 31 23:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Hoyas and Bulldogs Clash in Must-Win Big East Matchup

**Washington, D.C. –** The Georgetown Hoyas (13-8, 4-6 BE) and the Butler Bulldogs (9-12, 2-8 BE) face off Friday at Capital One Arena in a critical Big East contest, both teams desperately seeking to reverse their recent struggles and avoid the conference basement. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 PM ET on FS1.

Georgetown is reeling from a devastating 66-41 loss to St. John’s, shooting a dismal 24.6% from the field. While Malik Mack led the Hoyas with 13 points, the team’s overall offensive performance was abysmal. This game presents a crucial test of their resilience and an opportunity to prove their home loss to DePaul was an anomaly.

Butler, meanwhile, enters the game with a perplexing record. After a promising 7-1 start, including wins over SMU, Northwestern, and Mississippi State, the Bulldogs have stumbled, suffering a nine-game losing streak. Although they’ve recently notched wins over Seton Hall and DePaul, their inconsistency is evident, as shown by their recent game against Marquette where they shot 57% in the first half before collapsing to 26% in the second.

Jahmyl Telfort leads the Bulldogs’ offense, averaging 15.8 points and 3.4 assists per game. Andre Screen is their top rebounder, averaging 5.9 boards. Georgetown’s success hinges on containing Telfort and limiting Butler’s second-chance points, a key factor considering Butler’s recent rebounding dominance.

Both teams’ vulnerabilities are clear: turnovers and inconsistent shooting. Georgetown needs improved shot selection and better ball handling to avoid repeating their St. John’s performance, while Butler must maintain their offensive intensity throughout the entire game. The Hoyas’ bench also needs to provide more support.

The game is not just about the win-loss record; it’s a chance for Georgetown to demonstrate their ability to overcome adversity and for Butler to reignite their early-season promise. The pressure, however, rests heavily on Georgetown to capitalize on home-court advantage and secure a much-needed victory to improve their conference standing.

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