NCAA tournament: Georgetown’s Chris Wright practices with team

Wright, who was participating in contact drills for the first time since breaking a bone in his left hand on Feb. 23, immediately bounced to his feet. And the Hoyas, 0-4 without their emotional leader and point guard, simultaneously breathed a sigh of relief.
“Everybody looked at me and was like,” he said, opening his eyes wide. “I got up, and they saw I got up quick, that I was cool.”
Wright is expected to return to the lineup Friday in Chicago, where Georgetown (21-10) opens the NCAA tournament against the winner of Wednesday’s play-in game between Virginia Commonwealth (23-11) and Southern California (19-14).
Although Wright has practiced only twice with the Hoyas in a full capacity, his return affected the team’s attitude and execution.
“We looked a lot better,” Coach John Thompson III said Tuesday afternoon, moments before the team boarded buses bound for the airport. “More easy shots.”
Wright said he doesn’t expected to be limited much, if at all. He acknowledged feeling “winded” but said he was able to shoot, dribble and pick off passes with his left hand.
“I may get hit but so what?” Wright added. “Keep on smiling, keep on playing. I was just out there playing. I wasn’t favoring anything. I wasn’t trying to shy away from anything.”
Double preparation
Because their first-round opponent won’t be determined until late Wednesday night, the Hoyas have spent equal time prepping for both opponents — and their disparate styles. Guard-oriented Virginia Commonwealth likes to run; USC relies on 6-10 forwards Nikola Vucevic and Alex Stephenson. After Sunday’s selection show, Thompson divided his staff in half. Three assistants have been preparing for the Rams, the others for the Trojans.
“And I’m preparing for both,” Thompson said with a laugh. “We spent a portion of [Monday’s] practice going over USC stuff and a portion of [Tuesday’s] going over VCU. So no matter who the opponent is, it won’t be fresh. It won’t be brand new. We already have a very good feel for both teams, for how we need to attack and what we need to do.”
The Hoyas will gather in the team hotel to watch the game, which will be played in Dayton, Ohio.
“I’m going to be looking at my matchups, who I’ll be guarding,” center Julian Vaughn said. “What they do, whether they are fast or slow, the flow of the game and how they do things.”
Towel/no towel
Ever wonder why Thompson doesn’t throw a towel over his shoulder like his Hall of Fame father? If you don’t already know, you’ll get the answer — and a little insight into the Thompsons’ relationship — in a series of Dove Men+Care commercials set to begin airing this week.
“My father and I sweat a lot,” Thompson says at the start of one 30-second spot. “The towel over his shoulder is associated, in many ways with him, and so, I wasn’t going to have a towel over my shoulder.”
The younger Thompson instead keeps a towel on the bench.
When told on Tuesday that the initial reviews of the commercials were favorable, Thompson cracked a smile and said, “Whether it’s positive or negative, I’m comfortable in my own skin.”
Magic Johnson and former Duke guard Bobby Hurley are also featured in the campaign, which in the past included New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees and St. Louis Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols, among others. . . . Georgetown’s open practice in Chicago will be Thursday at United Center from 5:10 to 5:50 central time. Admission is free.