Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Men's 2015-16 Season Preview

There is light at the end of the tunnel! After a long summer full of questions, decisions, and uncertainty amoung Colonials' faithful, we finally have the opportunity to size up our competition this year. 

The offseason was headlined with Guard Kethan Savage's departure from the program, in favor of Butler, seeing his role in the lineup shrinking with the rise of Sophomore Yuta Watanabe. 

The 2015-16 season will feature the most televised games in program history (17), including three straight on ESPN networks, and the prime time slot in the ESPN 24-hour basketball marathon in November vs Virginia. 

The GW schedule is stacked: Virginia, USF, Nebraksa or Tenessee, Seaton Hall, Penn State, Rutgers, DePaul and UCF, and that's all before running the gauntlet of the Atlantic 10 conference schedule. 

And now for a game-by-game preview:

GW vs Gannon: November 7
GW had always done well in exhibition games and I see no reason why this should be different. It will give everyone a chance to see what the rotation will look like, and for the newbies to get the feel of GW basketball.
Score: W, 97-63

GW vs Lafayette: November 13
A traditional Patriot League power who upset Duke in the first round of the NCAA tournament a few years ago. This should be a good test before facing Virginia three days later. If GW overlooks Lafayette, we could easily lose, but we could also beat this team by 20.
Score: W, 72-65

GW vs Virginia: November 16 (ESPN2)
As far as I can remember, the last time GW faced a top-10 team in the Smith Center was 1995, when GW knocked off #1 UMass 78-75 (to President Bill Clinton's approval). In order to knock off Virginia, the Colonials are going to need all that luck and then some. This is probably the hardest game to predict: UVA could win by 20, or GW could win by 10. Sitting in the 2nd row at John Paul Jones arena last year, I felt that the home court advantage gave the Caviliers that little extra; an advantage that is now in the hands of of the Colonials. I gotta be an optimist here:
Score: W, 56-51 

GW at USF: November 19
While I think GW is more than capable of handling USF, I fear a post-UVA let down will hand the Colonials their first loss of the season.
Score: L, 67-59

GW vs Army: November 22
I could see an up-and-coming Army West Point team giving GW a run for their money, but a key bounce-back game will give GW a boost.  
Score: W, 60-49

GW vs Gardner-Webb: November 24
GW should be able to take care of business today, an have one a 30 point games from somebody: most likely Yuta or Joe McDonald. 
Score: W, 84-41

GW vs Seaton Hall: December 2
Another game that could go either way, but the Colonials proved that they could play with this team last year. But Revenge may not be achieved, if we hit one of our patented "tough December loss to a high RPI team" patches.
Score: L, 72-64

GW vs Penn State: December 8
Another team that GW lost to last year, but the Nittney Lions will be improved from last year. I could see this being a defining game of the first two months of the season. Win, and we start rolling. Lose, and we start snowballing.
Score: W, 58-51

GW vs Rutgers: December 12 (CBSSN)
One of the best performances from last season was a victory over the Scarlet Knights on the road, and I look for GW to pounce on Rutgers again.
Score: W, 74-59

GW vs Saint Peters: December 19
The last home game of the calendar year should be an easy one, as GW should easily coast to victory.
Score: W, 93-62

GW at DePaul: December 22
While GW best the Blue Deamons last year in DC, this game feels like the type of game we usually lose in the last few minutes, and leaves everyone feeling uneasy about our direction. 
Score: L, 67-54

GW at UCF: December 29
Let's just call this Yuta's coming out party: I firmly believe this is the game that GW will hit their stride, and Yuta will hit 4-5 threes, as our outside game will be keys vs a much taller UCF team.
Score: W, 83-71

GW vs Fordham: January 3 (NBCSN)
I look for GW to continue their hot streak after a big momentum bundling win at UCF. I also look for the Colonials' to continue their recent success over the Rams, and gets their first Atlantic 10 win of the season. 
Score: W, 64-49

GW at Saint Louis: January 6
The Bilikins, much like GW are a team of much potential, but could also end up with a disappointing NIT birth. I expect a closely contested game, and possibly OT. Ultimately, my gut says stick with my guys. 
Score: W, 78-74 (OT)

GW vs Duquesne: January 9
I expect GW to continue rolling as they return to the Smith Center, as they pick up their 3rd A10 win in as many tries.
Score: W, 63-56

GW at UMass: January 12
GW has traditionally struggled in Amherst, and I have a bad feeling about this game in general: especially with Dayton looming on the horizon. 
Score: L, 87-72

GW at Dayton: January 15 (ESPN2)
While the Flyers will be looking for revenge for the upset at the Smith Center last year, I can't help but feel confiedent about this game. 
Score: W, 77-73

GW vs URI: January 22 (ESPN2)
GW owes the Rams a debt of gratitude for beating us twice down the stretch of the season, the first time sent the Colonials into an unrecoverable tail spin. I expect GW to jump out to a large, early lead and never surrender it. 
Score: W, 84-69

GW vs Richmond: January 28 (ESPNU)
Despite the slew positive momentum, i expect the Spiders to collect a win they'll desperately be needing at this point of the season. 
Score: L, 76-74 (OT)

GW at GMU: January 31 (NBCSN)
After a close loss to Richmond, I expect the Colonials to get right back on the horse, and deliver their usual punishment to the Patriots.
Score: W, 83-67

GW vs Davidson: February 3
GW will be looking to beat Davidson for the first time as an A10 opponent, and I expect a big performance from Yuta again today, hitting 6-7 threes. The only potential issue could be looking ahead to VCU. 
Score: W, 76-63

GW at VCU: February 6 (CBSSN)
GW has not won a game in Richmond since the Rams joined the A10, but this could be the year the Colonials get over the hump. VCU could be not as dangerous as recent years, with the departure of "Havoc" mastermind Shaka Smart. Even so, no game vs VCU is ever easy.
Score: W, 77-69

GW vs St. Joes: February 10
GW could run into a bit of trouble against the Hawks, who could spoil the Colonials' winning streak. 
Score: L, 59-55

GW at St. Bonnaventure: February 13
After a bump in the road, the Colonials will get back to winning ways with an easy win over the Bonnies.
Score: W, 75-64

GW at Duquesne: February 17
GW will win their 4th-out-of-5 games when they travel to Pittsburgh against the Dukes. 
Score: W, 79-70

GW vs La Salle: February 21 (NBCSN)
The Colonials also have a bone to pick with the Explorers, who defeated GW last year in Philly, and GW will be looking for revenge. 
Score: W, 67-54

GW at Richmond: February 24
The Colonials will get caught looking ahead to a date with VCU, and might just overlook the Spiders. 
Score: L, 72-54

GW vs VCU: Fevruary 27 (NBCSN)
The Rams will look for revenge for an earlier season loss, and will give the Colonials a run for their money. This game will decide the fate of the season, and the dierection of the team.
Score: W, 93-88 (OT)

GW vs GMU: March 1   
The Colonials will finish out their home campaign with a blowout win over Mason, and clinch the Revolutionary Rivalry trophy-again. Seniors Joe McDonald, Kevin Larson & Patricio Garino look to go out with a bang. 
Score: W, 68-52

GW at Davidson: March 5 (NBCSN)
GW will complete the season sweep of the Wildcats, and rolling to A10 tournament with a top-four seed and a bye to the second round. 
Score: W, 88-80

So there you have it. I have GW finishing 23-7 (14-4). This team has the potential to make the Final Four or the NIT. The 2015-16 George Washington Colonials could go down as one of the best teams in the programs' 101 year history. Here's to a great season! 


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