Game 9: Georgetown Hoyas (6-2) at No. 16 North Carolina Tar Heels (7-1)
When: Sunday, December 7 at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Dean E. Smith Center (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
TV: ESPN (Kevin Brown and Cory Alexander)
Radio: Team 980 (Rich Chvotkin), SiriusXM (Channel 973)
Series: Georgetown leads 5-4 (Last meeting: March 25, 2007; GU 96-84 OT in East Regional Final)
KenPom Rankings: Georgetown 91 (80 Off. / 117 Def.); North Carolina 24 (38 Off. / 29 Def.)
Line: DraftKings UNC -10.5
The scouting report starts and ends with the frontcourt. Freshman sensation Caleb Wilson has been a force, averaging a team-high 19.2 points and 10.1 rebounds per game (Georgetown University Athletics). He is paired with 7-foot Arizona transfer Henri Veesaar, who is adding 14.5 points and 8.5 boards per contest (Georgetown University Athletics).
This duo presents a massive challenge for a Georgetown front line missing Vince Iwuchukwu.
The most alarming statistic for Georgetown fans is the rebounding margin for UNC. North Carolina ranks in the top 30 nationally in rebounding margin (+10), while the Hoyas sit at No. 215 (+1.1).
If the Tar Heels are allowed to crash the offensive glass as they did against Kentucky—where they grabbed 20 offensive rebounds—it will be a long evening in Chapel Hill.
For Ed Cooley and his program, Sunday offers a golden opportunity to accelerate the rebuilding process. A road victory over a ranked “Blue Blood” opponent would be the most significant win of the Cooley era and would instantly validate the roster construction strategy for the 2025-26 campaign.
The Hoyas have already shown they can compete with Power 4 teams, evidenced by wins over Maryland and Clemson, but a victory at the Dean Smith Center carries a different weight. It would signal that Georgetown is not just improving, but capable of beating the nation’s best in hostile environments—especially missing Iwuchukwu.
Conversely, a devastating loss would highlight the work that remains, particularly regarding interior depth and defense. With Big East play looming, a competitive showing—especially on defense—is the minimum expectation for Hoyas fans eager to see their team return to the national conversation.