KEYS TO THE GAME

* STYLE OF PLAY: Georgetown likes to slow the tempo and rely on its inside game to get points. Maryland is more up-tempo and splits its high-octane offense, which averages 85.5 points, between its perimeter players and Morris and Baxter in the post area. The Hoyas have to guard against getting into a running game. “We won’t be one on one against them. That’s not our style,” Georgetown’s Boumtje Boumtje said.

* MATCHUP TO WATCH: Boumtje Boumtje and Maryland’s Baxter pose strong threats inside. “He’s a guy who loves the power game inside. He’ll pound the ball inside,” Boumtje Boumtje said of Baxter. “I can’t let him inside as much and can’t give him an open shot.” Maryland’s Dixon and Georgetown’s Braswell have known each other since they met in a sixth grade class while growing up in Baltimore and have had lengthy conversations on the telephone each day since both arrived in the Southland. “We are a lot quicker and we can score a lot of points,” Dixon said. “If we use our quickness and outside shooters we can stop them.”

* INTANGIBLES: Braswell and Dixon appear moved to tears when discussing the relationship they have built over the years. They have never played against each other and Dixon was surprised when Braswell chose to go to Georgetown.

* MAGIC NUMBERS: Dixon and Braswell wear jersey No. 1. Georgetown’s leading scorer and rebounder, Mike Sweetney, is in his first year of college.

* FINAL ANALYSIS: There are still people in Arkansas who are grousing over the fact that Georgetown is here. Maryland scores too many points for the Hoyas to go any further.