Two towers take center stage

Welcome to David vs. Goliath, Part III.

When No. 12 Louisville (24-6, 14-3 Big East) meets No. 11 Georgetown (24-4, 14-3) today for the Big East regular-season title, all eyes will be focused on the matchup in the middle featuring senior centers David Padgett and Roy Hibbert.

“That’s why we’re here, right now, for this game, because of those two guys,” said Georgetown coach John Thompson III of the pivot-al matchup. “We’ll see what happens.”

Hibbert and Padgett have proved the two most efficient post players in the Big East and among the most well-rounded centers in the college game. Of 21 post players in the six major conferences who lead their teams in scoring, Padgett ranks first in points per field goal attempt (1.77) and Hibbert ranks fifth (1.60).

But it’s their passing ability that makes both crucial to their teams’ offenses.

“I think the thing that sets [Padgett] apart is his passing ability,” Georgetown senior guard Jonathan Wallace said. “He really sets up a lot of guys once he catches the ball in the middle of the lane. You can’t really key in on him too much because he gets everyone else involved.”

In much the same way Hibbert operates in the middle of opposing zones for Georgetown, Padgett serves as an interior conduit for the Louisville attack, dispensing the ball to open teammates from within the defense. During Louisville’s nine-game winning streak (the longest among major conference teams), the 6-foot-11, 245-pound senior has averaged nearly three assists a game.

“They all feed off Padgett,” Thompson said. “They put the ball in Padgett’s hands and just have fun. It’s hard to guard him because he makes good decisions and gets the ball where it needs to be. He’s terrific.”

Without forward Jeff Green around to draw double-teams and dispense the ball, Hibbert has spent this season learning to do the same thing for the Hoyas. With the notable exception of Marquette, every team the Hoyas have played has employed a collapsing zone in an attempt to swallow up the 7-2, 283-pound Hibbert. Routinely surrounded with multiple defenders moments after he receives the ball, Hibbert has learned to quickly find and deliver passes to open teammates.

“I think it will make me a much better player in the long run because I’ve had to hone other skills besides my shot this season,” Hibbert said.

Passing prowess distinguishes Hibbert and Padgett from most of their post counterparts. Among the 21 players referenced earlier, Hibbert ranks second in assists a game (1.93) and Padgett sixth (1.79). Both boast positive assist-to-turnover ratios; Hibbert is plus-9 in that department and Padgett plus-12. Compare those numbers with those of far more heralded though pass-challenged post players like Kansas State’s Michael Beasley (minus-48) and North Carolina’s Tyler Hansbrough (minus-37).

The Hibbert-Padgett tandem dominated the two previous meetings between the Hoyas and Cardinals. Hibbert scored 20 points and pulled down 11 rebounds in Georgetown’s 73-65 victory at Louisville last February, while Padgett scored a game-high 18 points and distributed four assists in Louisville’s 59-51 victory at Freedom Hall last month. Obviously, Hibbert would like to celebrate his final home game with the Hoyas by being the deciding factor in today’s rubber matchup.

“I’m not the kind of guy who’s going to come to tears or anything. But I’ll be sad that it’s my last home game with a bunch of guys who I love,” said Hibbert, who claims he has no regrets about his decision to forgo the NBA Draft and return for his senior season. “I’m happy with my decision. I’ll always remember this season — the game-winning 3-pointer I hit [against Connecticut], the game-winning block that Pat [Ewing] had [at West Virginia], the free throws Jon sank to beat Villanova and Marquette. And those are just some of the memorable things that happened on the court.”