Women's 2015-16 Season Preview

The 2014-15 GW Women's basketball (Preseason #18!) team has me feeling really confident and excited for this upcoming season. The Colonials reached the NCAA Tournent for the first time since 2008, and won the A10 Tornament for the first time since 2003.

This years schedule leaves lots of room for GW to prove just how special this team is, highlighted by a date at #20 Stanford on November 21. This years' schedule also includes Fresno State, Iowa, #24 FGCU, and of course, Dayton. 

And now a game-by-game season preview:

GW vs CNU: November 8

GW kicks off the season with a pre-season date with Christoper Newport, and cruises to an easy victory.

Score: W, 98-45

GW vs Grambling State: November 14

Another easy victory for the Colonials, as they move to 1-0.

Score: W, 103-78

GW vs American: November 17

The Colonials face crosstown rival AU Eagles and grab their second win of the season. This one will be a bit closer, as we may be looking ahead to Stanford just a little. 

Score: W, 82-69

GW at #20 Stanford: November 21

The Colonials will FINALLY get the respect they deserve, as I see GW getting a HUGE win for the program. 

Socre: W, 81-73

GW at Fresno State: November 23

The Colonials trounced the Bulldogs last year at the Smith Center, and I see no reason why this year should be any different.,

Score: W, 72-59

GW vs Houston: November 26 [Lone Star Showcase]

The hot start for the Colonials continues to fuel wins, and GW picks up an easy win heading into a showdown with Iowa

Score: W, 88-73

GW vs Iowa: November 27 [Lone Star Showcase]

Despite the fact I believe GW could easily handle the Hawkeyes, I fear the gas tank runs out after 4 games in 7 days, and the Colonials are felt their first loss of the season,

Score: L, 77-71

GW vs vs Wright State: November 28 [Lone Star Showcase]

I expect the Colonials to bounce right back after the loss to Iowa, and right the ship.

Score: W, 92-67

GW vs #24 FGCU: December 3

For this game, I expect a close, high scoring game that could go into overtime, but I see GW getting the win at home.

Score: W, 94-90 OT

GW at Memphis: December 6

I'm going to be completely honest about this game: I REALLY want the ladies' to go out and avenge the Men's 2014 NCAA Tournamnet loss to the Tigers. And they will.

Score: W, 78-56

GW vs Villanova: December 13

The Colonials play their last game vs a power-conference team of the season and I fully expect them to make the most of it.

Score: W, 88-72

GW vs Iona: December 20

The Colonials roll on into Iona with a big first half performance from JJ and Shannon and cruise to the finish.

Score: W, 83-60

GW vs Hartford: December 30

I honestly believe this will be Shannon Cranshaw's coming out party, where she hits 4-5 threes and boosts the Colonials to another win.

Score: W, 90-57

GW at Saint Joes: January 3 (CBSSN)

In their first of 5 nationally televised games, and A10 opener, I expect GW to cruise to an easy win over the Hawks.

Score: W, 77-61

GW vs Rhode Island: January 6 (NBCSN)

As long as Coach Tsipis can keep the team focused and not look ahead to Dayton, I see no reason why GW loses this one.

Score: W, 67-52

GW at Dayton: January 10 (CBSSN)

In a game I hope to attend in person, I can state with absolute confidence that GW's recent domination over the Flyers will continue as GW pulls away late to win at Dayton.

Score: W, 79-64

GW vs La Salle: January 13

GW returns home and is greeted with an easy victory against the Explorers.

Score: W, 78-53

GW at Duquesne: January 17 (ESPNU)

This game leaves me feeling a little unsettled: while I believe GW could easily beat the Dukes, I fear a misstep in Pittsburgh could hand the Colonials their first A10 loss of the season. 

Score: L, 67-59

GW vs UMass: January 20

The Colonials will bounce right back and trounce UMass at home.

Score: W, 91-54

GW vs George Mason: January 23

In their Revolutionary Rivalry opener, GW- as always- will get the W over the Patriots (just make sure the balls are fully inflated)

Score: W, 89-63 

GW at Davidson: January 27

The Colonials will continue, full speed ahead into North Carolina and get the win over Davidson easily.

Score: W, 71-51

GW vs Saint Louis: January 31

Besides Dayton, the Bilikins could pose the biggest threat in the Atlantic 10, and Could take the a colonials into overtime before their upset bid falls short.

Score: W, 95-87 OT

GW at Fordham: February 3

New York has always been a place of success for the Colonials, and will continue to be.

Score: W, 72-49

GW at Richmond: February 7

Much like the URI game on January 6th, as long as GW stays focused and doesn't look ahead, I see the Spiders giving GW no problems.

Score: W, 78-62

GW vs Dayton: February 14 (ESPNU)

Despite it being Valentines Day, I see GW showing Dayton no love, and powering past the Flyers in a closely contested game.

Score: W, 63-58

GW at Saint Bonnaventure: February 17

The last four games of the season should all be easy victories, as they pick up a W vs the Bonnies.

Score: W, 91-71

GW vs VCU: February 20

The Rams also pose no threat as GW continues to climb through the rankings.

Score: W, 92-66

GW vs Richmond: February 24

Senior Night for Aaliyah Brown, DeLacy Anderson, Alexis Chandler and Jonquel Jones gives the Colonials one last home game before the postseason.

Score: W, 71-54

GW at George Mason: February 27

The Colonials close out their season in Fairfax with an easy win over GMU.

Score: W, 89-76

Call is bias or overconfidence, but I see this team going 25-2 (15-1), and will go down as one of the best teams in program history! 

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!