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GAME NOTES: The fifth-ranked Georgetown Hoyas seek a quick turnaround following their first conference loss of the season, as they welcome the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to Washington D.C. for a Big East showdown at the Verizon Center. The Hoyas had won five straight games and opened league play with three consecutive victories before this week's 69-60 setback at Pittsburgh. Now at 3-1 in-conference, Georgetown is stuck in a four-way tie atop the standings. One of those team is the Fighting Irish, who have won 11 of their last 12 games, including a come-from-behind 91-74 victory over Cincinnati on Tuesday. It was a harsh contrast compared to Notre Dame's lopsided loss at Marquette (92-66) just three days earlier. The Hoyas hold a 13-10 edge in the all-time series with the Irish and have won four straight games.

After posting 27 points in the first half and trailing by seven points at the break, Notre Dame turned up the heat in the second stanza, netting 64 points and shooting .692 from the floor over the final 20 minutes. Luke Harangody converted 6-of-14 from the floor and 13-of-15 from the charity stripe to finish with a game-high 25 points, 24 of which came in the second half. Kyle McAlarney hit five three-pointers and poured in 22 points in support, while Rob Kurz finished with a double-double consisting of 17 points and 10 rebounds. A big reason for the win was the effort at the free-throw line, where ND outscored Cincinnati, 34-8. One of the better offensive teams in the Big East, Notre Dame is averaging nearly 80 points per game (79.4), on .459 shooting. A formidable frontcourt is highlighted by the interior play Harangody and Kurz. Both players are averaging near double-doubles, with Harangody leading the team in both scoring (19.3 ppg) and rebounding (9.6 rpg) and Kurz (13.8 ppg, 8.3 rpg) not far behind. McAlarney provides perimeter balance with almost 15 points per game (14.9). Point guard Tory Jackson doesn't provide much scoring help (6.6 ppg), but is one of the conference's better distributors (6.1 apg).

The Hoyas have the ability to shut down most offensive-minded teams, as they are second nationally in field-goal percentage defense (.358) and fifth in scoring defense (56.7 ppg). While defense is the name of the game with Georgetown, the team has also shown the ability to be patient and wait for good looks at the basket. The team is averaging a rather pedestrian 72.7 ppg, but is doing it on an impressive .511 shooting (fourth nationally). All-American candidate Roy Hibbert is regarded as one of the best big men in the nation. However, the 7-2 center has not lived up to the hype as of yet. He leads the team in both scoring and rebounding, but is netting just 12.5 ppg and pulling down 6.7 rpg. Freshman DaJuan Summers has been a complement down low, adding 11.0 ppg and 5.5 rpg. Jonathan Wallace is the resident sniper, hitting 44.9 percent from behind the arc, leading to 10.3 ppg. Guards Austin Freeman (9.9 ppg) and Jessie Sapp (8.9 ppg) complete the starting five.

The Hoyas are awfully tough to beat at home, having won 12 straight at the Verizon Center. If the Irish have shown any weakness, it is on the road. Go with the hometown team in this one, but it should be a physical ball game throughout.