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Hibbert, Georgetown provide tall order for Vanderbilt

Mar 23, 2007 - 1:43 PM No. 6 Vanderbilt (20-11) at No. 2 Georgetown (26-6) Friday 7:30 pm EDT

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- A succession of big men brought Georgetown's program to its loftiest heights in the 1980s.

Roy Hibbert is seeking to revive that tradition as he leads the second-seeded Hoyas into an East Region semifinal matchup against sixth-seeded Vanderbilt on Friday.

Criticized for being too passive and disappearing in big games in the past, the 7-2 Hibbert has stood tall through the first two rounds of the NCAAs, registering a pair of double-doubles.

Following in the long line of superb centers that includes Patrick Ewing, Dikembe Mutombo and Alonzo Mourning, Hibbert gives the Hoyas a forward line few teams can match.

He has stepped out of the sizable shadow of Big East Conference Player of the Year Jeff Green with three straight outstanding games, including thoroughly outplaying Wooden Award candidate Aaron Gray with 18 points and 11 rebounds in the league championship game.

Georgetown already owns an 86-70 victory over Vanderbilt this season as Green and Hibbert combined for 37 points and 18 boards at one of the toughest venues in the country.

Vanderbilt's best chance of avenging its loss to the Hoyas hinges on the team's perimeter shooting.

The Commodores have launched 59 3-pointers in the first two games, connecting on 22, but Southeastern Conference Player of the Year Derrick Byars buried five shots from the arc after halftime in the 78-74 second-round victory over third-seeded Washington State in double overtime.

Shan Foster was held without a field goal and scored just two points in the first meeting vs. Georgetown, but he has come through in the NCAAs with 18 and 20 points, respectively.

The winner will face either North Carolina or Southern California.