Texas Listed as 5.5 Point Favorite Over Georgetown in 2K Classic at MSG

• 22nd-ranked Texas Longhorns battle Georgetown in 2K Empire Classic at MSG
• Texas’ defense will try to contain Hoyas’ potent offense
• Get the odds, our pick, and all the info you need to bet the game below

Two teams trending upwards will look to continue to build their resume en route to the NCAA Tournament, when the 22nd-ranked Texas Longhorns put their perfect 4-0 record on the line to battle the 3-1 Georgetown Hoyas in the semifinals of the 2K Empire Classic at Madison Square Garden.

#22 Texas vs Georgetown Odds

*Odds taken November 20

The Texas vs Georgetown odds have Texas as the betting favorite, but this game should have added incentive and a home crowd edge for the Hoyas, as head coach Patrick Ewing starred on the same floor during his career with the Knicks. Let’s find out what the best bet is for this one.

Texas Looking Strong to Start Year

The Longhorns have taken care of the opposition in front of them, easing into their schedule with wins over non-Power 5 teams Prairie View A&M, California Baptist and Northern Colorado. Their last game was a solid 70-56 win over Purdue, who was ranked 23rd at the time. All four of their wins have been by at least 13 points.

Defensively is where they stand out, ranking 18th in the nation in points allowed, limiting the opposition to just 55.3 points a game on 36.3% shooting from the field, and an even stingier 28.8% mark from three-point range.

The early season success has the Longhorns ranked in the top-25 for the first time in almost a year.

Matt Coleman is a magician. #AllForTexas pic.twitter.com/zUVGoDcEIR

— Texas Men’s Basketball (@TexasMBB) November 17, 2019

They’re being led by a pair of dynamo guards. Matt Coleman III, a preseason Big 12-team honorable mention, is averaging a team-best 14.5 points per game to go along with 4.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists, while shooting a crisp 55.9% from the floor. Sophomore Andrew Jones helps with the heavy lifting, averaging 13.3 points a game, with a healthy 39.1% shooting clip from deep.

High-Scoring Hoyas Come to MSG

While the Longhorns’ most points allowed in a game this season is 66, the fewest the Hoyas have scored in a game this season is 66, in a loss to Penn State. For the year, they’re averaging 81.8 points a game, which ranks in the top-60 in the NCAA.

Omer Yurtseven puts it DOWN and the @GeorgetownHoops bench is loving it 💪😤 pic.twitter.com/BCIjKzYWS6

— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) November 15, 2019

They’re coming off a 91-83 win over Georgia State, led by standout senior Omer Yurtseven, who posted a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds. The seven-footer has had a double-double every game this season, and is averaging 17 points, 12 rebounds and 1.8 blocks a contest.

Mac McClung broke out for 25 points against Georgia State 💪 pic.twitter.com/dF8Vk89E7G

— B/R Hoops (@brhoops) November 18, 2019

It was also an encouraging game for sophomore guard Mac McClung, who led Georgetown in scoring with 25 points. It’s been a struggle  for him so far this season, averaging just 12.3 points on 36.8% shooting from the floor and 23.5% behind the arc.

What’s the Best Bet?

Ewing coming back to the Garden likely makes the Hoyas a home favorite, and Yurtseven will be the toughest cover for the Texas defense yet, at his height and offensive ability. How they handle him will likely determine how this game plays out.

Texas heads to Madison Square Garden this week to take on Patrick Ewing and Georgetown.

Shaka asked Ewing recently: “Is there any way you can recruit someone as good as you?”

Ewing: “No chance.”

— Jake García (@Jake_M_Garcia) November 18, 2019

Will the Hoyas be able to play to their pace? Georgetown ranks 16th in possessions per game (74.3) while Texas ranks 294th (66.8). Where the Hoyas might need to clean things up, however, is with valuing possessions: they turn the ball over 16.8 times a game, which is tied for 298th in the NCAA. Against a standout defensive team like Texas, this could be an issue.

It’s hard to go against the numbers: Georgetown is 0-6 ATS in their last six games including 0-4 this season, and 0-5 ATS in their last five neutral site games.

While I think the Hoyas will be able to speed up the tempo, Texas will eventually be able to get their hooks into them defensively to cover and win, setting up a date with the winner of Duke or Cal next.

The pick: Texas -5 (-110)