Alabama A&M @ Georgetown preview

With its Big East opener just around the corner, Georgetown may opt to give Jessie Govan a breather Saturday when it faces visiting Alabama A&M. Govan has logged 33.3 minutes per game, including 78 in the last two contests, for the Hoyas, who face the winless Bulldogs for the first time.

"We did a good job conditioning ourselves over the summer, so we could play this many minutes," the 6-10 junior center told the media. "Hopefully, we keep our bodies in shape and everything will take care of itself." Govan and Marcus Derrickson were their usual productive selves, combining for 29 points, 21 rebounds and seven blocks Wednesday as the Hoyas rebounded from an overtime loss to Syracuse with a win over North Texas. Alabama A&M's Julian Walters missed the first nine games, but the senior made up for lost time by recording 28 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists and five steals versus Southern Miss and Alabama-Birmingham before recording four points, eight rebounds, six turnovers and four assists Wednesday against Michigan. The Bulldogs, who turn the ball over on nearly 25 percent of their possessions, have lost 14 straight games and are 2-38 dating back to the start of last season.

TV: Noon ET, Fox Sports 1

ABOUT ALABAMA A&M (0-11): The return of Walters should allow the Bulldogs, who have lost all but one game by double figures, to be more competitive for coach Donnie Marsh. De'Ederick Petty had a nice run of scoring in double figures in seven of the first nine games, but has 12 points over the past three games since Walter re-entered the lineup. Arthur Johnson and Andre Kennedy combine to produce 18.1 points and 11.6 rebounds per game for the Bulldogs, who hail from the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

ABOUT GEORGETOWN (9-1): The offensive production of Kaleb Johnson has waned a bit as he has averaged only nine points over the past three games, but the junior brought it on the defensive end against North Texas. The 6-6 guard drew the assignment of marking the Mean Green top scorer Roosevelt Smart, who entered the game averaging 18.5 points, and held him to seven points on 3-of-18 shooting. The Hoyas have been especially active on the defensive end over the last four games with 32 blocks and 27 steals while averaging 29.5 defensive rebounds.

TIP-INS

1. Georgetown has recorded 18 assists in its last four victories.

2. The Hoyas open their Big East slate Dec. 27 at home against Butler, a team it has faced 10 times with every game decided by single digits.

3. The Hoyas rank third in the Big East in free throw percentage (76.4), led by Derrickson (92.5 percent) and Johnson (80.6).

PREDICTION: Georgetown 81, Alabama A&M 60