As a season ticket holder for GW Women's Basketball for the past 16 seasons, I've seen a lot of good teams pass through the Smith Center. I remember the back-to-back Sweet 16 appearances in the 2007 & 2008 NCAA Tournament. Who could forget Sarah-Jo Lawrence's last second shot to beat Cal 55-53. As an eight year-old yelling his lungs out at the TV, glad he got to stay up late to watch his Colonials in the Tournament. Yet- as specials as those teams were, this season felt just a little bit sweeter.
True, this year's team didn't make as far as the 2008 team did, so maybe its because I'm really old enough to appreciate it all now. But the undeniably special feel of this season is a feeling I can't quite shake off. The three days in Richmond, with three thrilling victories, ending with the team cutting down the nets, was a special experience that I had yet to witness live, and were without question, the most fun days as a GW sports fan.
Yes, not even the 2005-06 Men's Basketball team's incredible ride that season could top the feeling I had standing on the floor of the Richmond Coliseum, watching the girls take pictures with the A10 Championship trophy with their families, some overcome with various emotions. The sheer joy and excitement of Bria Bourgeois hugging everyone in sight, including me, and Coach Richardson high-fiving anyone with a free hand cannot be matched or replicated.
Because this team did the seemingly impossible from the start of the season: overshadow the Men's team and their season with their own story, that they wrote every single day on the court. Despite the fact that GW was picked second in the pre-season A10 poll, I couldn't quite figure out how well I expected this team to do. The previous 5 seasons hadn't seen a NCAA Tournament birth, and produced teams with talent, but missing that little extra to put it over the top.
This team did all that and then some. racking up a school-record 29 wins, 15-1 record in the A10, and only one loss to a team that did not make the NCAA Tournament (Saint Louis). After an opening night road loss at Florida Gulf Coast, and a close loss to Final Four-bound Maryland, GW set the world on fire, with a 19 game winning streak, including a road win at Dayton, ending the nation's longest home winning streak.
In total, GW racked up three wins over Elite Eight-bound Dayton, A10 Regular Season Championship, A10 Tournament Championship, A10 Player of the Year (Jonquel Jones), A10 Coach of the Year (Coach Tsipis) and an NCAA Tournament birth for the first time since 2008.
Perhaps the most astonishing thing of all is that GW only graduates two key-role player (Chakecia Miller and Lauren Chase) and brings in a recruiting class filled with promise, and a core group of 5-6 players, any of which can take over a game at anytime. The future is bright in Foggy Bottom for GW Women's Basketball, and I look forward to next season!
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Thank you for reading my 2014-15 Women's Basketball Season in Review! I'll be writing my season predictions for both Men and Women once the schedule comes out!
I would like to thank the entire Team, Staff, and everyone else who was a part of this amazing season! Let's make next year even more special!
Go GDub! #RaiseHigh
Monday, May 11, 2015
Monday, April 6, 2015
Men's 2014-15 Season In Review
The 2014-15 George Washington Men's basketball season might not go down as the best season in the Colonials' 101 year history, but deserves a place in the top 10 for sure. While GW didn't live up to the expectations of the previous season's 24-9 team, this season was not without its highlights.
The Colonials campaign began with a 92-40 rout of Grambling State at the Smith Center on November 14th. The victory was the largest since a 109-57 beat down of Duquesne in 1999. The game was capped off by a pre-game unveiling of the 2014 NCAA Tournament banner that sent the Smith Center into a frenzy. Yuta Watanabe, in the first game of his collegiate career, had 8 points and grabbed 7 boards, quickly becoming a fan-favorite.
From there, the Colonials went on the road for a meeting at Rutgers in the first of 30+ televised games over the course of the season. In a closely contested game- a road game at that- GW showed poise and experience beyond their years and were able to pull out a win in a game that they would've lost in years past. Kethan Savage and Joe McDonald combined for 33 points and 20 rebounds to propel GW to a 70-53 victory.
Next up was a date with then #9 ranked Virginia at John Paul Jones Arena. I was fortunate to be able to attend the game, and GW did not disappoint. In fact, they took a 26-22 lead into halftime in front of a rocking crowd and a student section that would rival any in the country. And looking at the first half of the game, GW played UVA as well as any team in the country this season. The highlight of the game was arguably John Kopriva's huge crowd-silencing three early on when the teams were trading points. Though a patented "second half slump" sealed the Colonials's fate (UVA ultimately pulled away to a 59-42 win), I took pride in knowing we gave a top 10 team a heck of a game on the road.
GW bounced back with a 91-66 victory over Longwood to improve to 3-1 leading up to a Saturday afternoon showdown at Seaton Hall. Leading in to the game, I remember thinking: Here's a game we're gonna look back at on Selection Sunday if our name isn't called. GW played arguably one of its sloppiest half's of the season, committing an eye-opening 12 first half turnovers. Despite the early struggles, GW was very much in it at the half, down by only two, 25-23. A close second half ensued, and the game came down to the final few possessions. Kethan Savage had two opportunities to either tie or take the lead in the final two minutes, though both came up empty due to a controversial charge and traveling calls. Seaton Hall pulled the out, 58-54, though it left a taste in my mouth of a game I desperately wanted back.
The Colonials responded with an 83-60 beat down of UMBC at the Smith Center leading into the now-infamous BB&T Classic. As many Colonials fans will remember, Georgetown was "hosting" this years tournament. This meant playing on their court and sitting behind Georgetown's obnoxiously large banners that the Colonials faithful were stuck behind. Despite the less-than-perfect seating arrangements, GW put on one of its best performances of the season, with four different scorers in double-figures, pulling out a 78-70 win in the primetime-nightcap of the BB&T Classic. Its worth noting Byron Kerr's observation in an interview on the Hail to the Buff Podcast that Mo Creek singlehandedly changed the BB&T Classic, because when GW beat Maryland, people began to realize that GW was the best team around DC.
Next up, GW put up an impressive performance vs DePaul with an 81-68 win at home. The next game was in State College against Penn State. Looking back on that game, it was a little foreshadowing up GW's late season free fall from a NCAA lock to a 5-seed in the NIT. GW came out flat, dealt with foul trouble, and ultimately was embarrassed 64-51, though the loss felt greater than the score showed. To Coach Lonergan's credit, he pick the guys up and led them into an unforgettable 4-day trip to Hawai'i.
In the first game of the Diamond Head Classic, GW flexed its muscles with a 77-49 win over Ohio, capped off by Kethan Savage's SportsCenter Top-10 ThunderJam. GW carried the momentum into a 53-50 win over Colorado. Kevin Larson had one of the highlights of the season with an enormous last-second block to clinch the game for the Colonials, and earn them a spot in the Finals.
In the Finals of the Diamond Head Classic, GW faced Sweet 16-bound, then #11 ranked Wichita State Shockers. Yuta Watanabe came up clutch with 10 points off the bench. The Colonials battled with Wichita State early, and entered halftime tied 28-28. The Shockers looked like they had the game in hand, aided by a 17-8 run to lead 48-40 with 7:45 to play. But Watanabe hit a HUGE three, sparking a GW rally to take a 54-52 lead with 3:33 remaining. GW held on for a 60-54 victory to win the Diamond Head Classic. Kevin Larsin was named tournament MVP, and it was then established that Mike Lonergan must to the hula before every game (not really). Even more impressive than Coach Lonergan's dancing skills was the GW defensive: holding Wichita State to only one scorer in double figures.
GW extended the winning to 6 games with wins over VMI, Saint Joseph's and Saint Louis. Next up was at La Salle. Looking back on that game, it looked like a classic mid-season road game that GW usually looses. Still, it looked like an isolated incident, as La Salle hit an uncharacteristic amount of threes and free throws.
GW got back on the horse with a 2OT win over Richmond back in Foggy Bottom. Colonials fans will infamously remember this as the game Kendall Anthony was "fouled" in the act of shooting, which sent the Spiders' to the line, where the ultimately tied the game, and sent it into overtime. GW was able to pull out the 73-70 win in the first ESPN network game televised at the Smith Center since 2007.
The Colonials' seemed to hit their mid-season stride with a 63-53 victory at George Mason and a 79-59 win at Fordham. GW returned home with an impressive 74-59 win over Duquesne, hitting a blazing 12 threes, including 9 in the first half.
Next up was a date on the road against VCU, a team GW has historically struggled against, especially on the road. While at the time, it could be looked at that VCU simply needed the game more, by the end of the season it was clear that was not the case. GW looked rattled, hesitant, and ultimately scared that night in Richmond. They easily succumbed to VCU's "Havoc" defense, and it came as a shock to most Colonials' fans.
GW skidded into Rhode Island the following game, and was still nearly able to steal a game away from the Rams, but missed opportunities and a reoccurrence of the previous game's woes ultimately put the game out of reach.
The win over Dayton the following Friday was one of the most fun games I've been to in 16 seasons at GW. The team looked refocused, reenergized, and flat out confident against a NCAA-bound Dayton Flyers team. A late three in OT looked to have GW buried, but a last-second Joe McDonald put-back sealed the win, as the Colonial Army, and myself, stormed the court for all the nation to see (as the only ESPN game that night). I remember thinking, while jumping around the Smith Center floor, that we had righted the ship, and were back on course for the NCAA Tournament.
The loss at Duquesne was, quite frankly, shocking. I wasn't able to watch the game, but when I checked the score after the game, I did a double take, sure that I had read the score wrong. Because surely we hadn't lost to Duquesne 78-62. I couldn't believe how a team GW had demolished only 2 weeks prior and returned the favor, and ultimately send GW into an unrecoverable free-fall.
GW lost four straight, including the loss at Duquesne: a disappointing 79-66 loss vs VCU, a frustrating 65-63 loss at Davidson, and finally 56-48 at Richmond.
GW finally halted the skid, if only temporarily, with a 69-46 blowout over St. Bonaventure, but it was too late. Too many bad losses and disappointing showings, and the wheels had fallen off the bus all the way back in Pittsburgh.
GW flamed out again at Davidson, 77-66, in a disappointing first trip to Davidson, NC as an A10 opponent. The Colonials' ended their regular season with a 67-51 win at George Mason and a 87-65 win over UMass on Senior Night.
Headed into the Atlantic 10 Tournament, I couldn't shake the feeling that we had as good a chance as any team to win the whole tournament. GW flashed back to December with a 73-55 first round win over Duquesne, to secure a birth in the second round. GW battled against URI, ultimately giving everything they had, before the gas tank hit empty, and the Rams pulled away to a 71-58 win. As proud as I was of GW and the effort they showed in Brooklyn, part of me wish to just close the door on the season.
On Selection Sunday, GW was selected as a 5-seed in the NIT, where they were to face Pitt in the first round. Kethan Savage was on another level that night, and propelled GW to a 60-54 win over the ACC-member Panthers.
The Colonials' season came to an end with a 90-77 loss to former-A10 rival Temple in the second round. Ultimately, Temple had something to prove, and GW ran out of gas. While they battled to the bitter end, it was one of those games where every bounce went to Temple, and GW couldn't hit a shot. The Colonials' finished the season 22-13 (10-8).
So the 2014-15 George Washington Colonials will be remembered as the season of what could have been. A team that took down Wichita State, but couldn't beat Duquesne on the road. While it is easy to get caught up in negativity, GW racked up wins over the Big Ten (Rutgers), Big East (DePaul), Pac 12 (Colorado) and ACC (Pitt). For the core of the team, it was a leaning experience, and I believe will ultimately help them next season. Mike Lonergan is the right man in Foggy Bottom, and dispite the losses of John Kopriva, Kethan Savage and Nick Griffin, the 2015-16 George Washington Colonials have the potential to make a run to the Sweet 16- or farther. As did this team.
The line between success and failure is a lot thinner than most people realize. and as a winning streak defined last season, a 4-game loosing steak defined this one.
In conclusion, I applaud this season, while disappointing, but produced many memorable moments, and the program's first NIT win. The future is bright in Foggy Bottom, and I look forward to the bright future of this program!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks for reading my 2014-15 Men's season in review! I'll have a Women's season in review within the next few weeks, and I'll also preview the upcoming season as the schedules are released.
Let's Go GDUB! #RaiseHigh
The Colonials campaign began with a 92-40 rout of Grambling State at the Smith Center on November 14th. The victory was the largest since a 109-57 beat down of Duquesne in 1999. The game was capped off by a pre-game unveiling of the 2014 NCAA Tournament banner that sent the Smith Center into a frenzy. Yuta Watanabe, in the first game of his collegiate career, had 8 points and grabbed 7 boards, quickly becoming a fan-favorite.
From there, the Colonials went on the road for a meeting at Rutgers in the first of 30+ televised games over the course of the season. In a closely contested game- a road game at that- GW showed poise and experience beyond their years and were able to pull out a win in a game that they would've lost in years past. Kethan Savage and Joe McDonald combined for 33 points and 20 rebounds to propel GW to a 70-53 victory.
Next up was a date with then #9 ranked Virginia at John Paul Jones Arena. I was fortunate to be able to attend the game, and GW did not disappoint. In fact, they took a 26-22 lead into halftime in front of a rocking crowd and a student section that would rival any in the country. And looking at the first half of the game, GW played UVA as well as any team in the country this season. The highlight of the game was arguably John Kopriva's huge crowd-silencing three early on when the teams were trading points. Though a patented "second half slump" sealed the Colonials's fate (UVA ultimately pulled away to a 59-42 win), I took pride in knowing we gave a top 10 team a heck of a game on the road.
GW bounced back with a 91-66 victory over Longwood to improve to 3-1 leading up to a Saturday afternoon showdown at Seaton Hall. Leading in to the game, I remember thinking: Here's a game we're gonna look back at on Selection Sunday if our name isn't called. GW played arguably one of its sloppiest half's of the season, committing an eye-opening 12 first half turnovers. Despite the early struggles, GW was very much in it at the half, down by only two, 25-23. A close second half ensued, and the game came down to the final few possessions. Kethan Savage had two opportunities to either tie or take the lead in the final two minutes, though both came up empty due to a controversial charge and traveling calls. Seaton Hall pulled the out, 58-54, though it left a taste in my mouth of a game I desperately wanted back.
The Colonials responded with an 83-60 beat down of UMBC at the Smith Center leading into the now-infamous BB&T Classic. As many Colonials fans will remember, Georgetown was "hosting" this years tournament. This meant playing on their court and sitting behind Georgetown's obnoxiously large banners that the Colonials faithful were stuck behind. Despite the less-than-perfect seating arrangements, GW put on one of its best performances of the season, with four different scorers in double-figures, pulling out a 78-70 win in the primetime-nightcap of the BB&T Classic. Its worth noting Byron Kerr's observation in an interview on the Hail to the Buff Podcast that Mo Creek singlehandedly changed the BB&T Classic, because when GW beat Maryland, people began to realize that GW was the best team around DC.
Next up, GW put up an impressive performance vs DePaul with an 81-68 win at home. The next game was in State College against Penn State. Looking back on that game, it was a little foreshadowing up GW's late season free fall from a NCAA lock to a 5-seed in the NIT. GW came out flat, dealt with foul trouble, and ultimately was embarrassed 64-51, though the loss felt greater than the score showed. To Coach Lonergan's credit, he pick the guys up and led them into an unforgettable 4-day trip to Hawai'i.
In the first game of the Diamond Head Classic, GW flexed its muscles with a 77-49 win over Ohio, capped off by Kethan Savage's SportsCenter Top-10 ThunderJam. GW carried the momentum into a 53-50 win over Colorado. Kevin Larson had one of the highlights of the season with an enormous last-second block to clinch the game for the Colonials, and earn them a spot in the Finals.
In the Finals of the Diamond Head Classic, GW faced Sweet 16-bound, then #11 ranked Wichita State Shockers. Yuta Watanabe came up clutch with 10 points off the bench. The Colonials battled with Wichita State early, and entered halftime tied 28-28. The Shockers looked like they had the game in hand, aided by a 17-8 run to lead 48-40 with 7:45 to play. But Watanabe hit a HUGE three, sparking a GW rally to take a 54-52 lead with 3:33 remaining. GW held on for a 60-54 victory to win the Diamond Head Classic. Kevin Larsin was named tournament MVP, and it was then established that Mike Lonergan must to the hula before every game (not really). Even more impressive than Coach Lonergan's dancing skills was the GW defensive: holding Wichita State to only one scorer in double figures.
GW extended the winning to 6 games with wins over VMI, Saint Joseph's and Saint Louis. Next up was at La Salle. Looking back on that game, it looked like a classic mid-season road game that GW usually looses. Still, it looked like an isolated incident, as La Salle hit an uncharacteristic amount of threes and free throws.
GW got back on the horse with a 2OT win over Richmond back in Foggy Bottom. Colonials fans will infamously remember this as the game Kendall Anthony was "fouled" in the act of shooting, which sent the Spiders' to the line, where the ultimately tied the game, and sent it into overtime. GW was able to pull out the 73-70 win in the first ESPN network game televised at the Smith Center since 2007.
The Colonials' seemed to hit their mid-season stride with a 63-53 victory at George Mason and a 79-59 win at Fordham. GW returned home with an impressive 74-59 win over Duquesne, hitting a blazing 12 threes, including 9 in the first half.
Next up was a date on the road against VCU, a team GW has historically struggled against, especially on the road. While at the time, it could be looked at that VCU simply needed the game more, by the end of the season it was clear that was not the case. GW looked rattled, hesitant, and ultimately scared that night in Richmond. They easily succumbed to VCU's "Havoc" defense, and it came as a shock to most Colonials' fans.
GW skidded into Rhode Island the following game, and was still nearly able to steal a game away from the Rams, but missed opportunities and a reoccurrence of the previous game's woes ultimately put the game out of reach.
The win over Dayton the following Friday was one of the most fun games I've been to in 16 seasons at GW. The team looked refocused, reenergized, and flat out confident against a NCAA-bound Dayton Flyers team. A late three in OT looked to have GW buried, but a last-second Joe McDonald put-back sealed the win, as the Colonial Army, and myself, stormed the court for all the nation to see (as the only ESPN game that night). I remember thinking, while jumping around the Smith Center floor, that we had righted the ship, and were back on course for the NCAA Tournament.
The loss at Duquesne was, quite frankly, shocking. I wasn't able to watch the game, but when I checked the score after the game, I did a double take, sure that I had read the score wrong. Because surely we hadn't lost to Duquesne 78-62. I couldn't believe how a team GW had demolished only 2 weeks prior and returned the favor, and ultimately send GW into an unrecoverable free-fall.
GW lost four straight, including the loss at Duquesne: a disappointing 79-66 loss vs VCU, a frustrating 65-63 loss at Davidson, and finally 56-48 at Richmond.
GW finally halted the skid, if only temporarily, with a 69-46 blowout over St. Bonaventure, but it was too late. Too many bad losses and disappointing showings, and the wheels had fallen off the bus all the way back in Pittsburgh.
GW flamed out again at Davidson, 77-66, in a disappointing first trip to Davidson, NC as an A10 opponent. The Colonials' ended their regular season with a 67-51 win at George Mason and a 87-65 win over UMass on Senior Night.
Headed into the Atlantic 10 Tournament, I couldn't shake the feeling that we had as good a chance as any team to win the whole tournament. GW flashed back to December with a 73-55 first round win over Duquesne, to secure a birth in the second round. GW battled against URI, ultimately giving everything they had, before the gas tank hit empty, and the Rams pulled away to a 71-58 win. As proud as I was of GW and the effort they showed in Brooklyn, part of me wish to just close the door on the season.
On Selection Sunday, GW was selected as a 5-seed in the NIT, where they were to face Pitt in the first round. Kethan Savage was on another level that night, and propelled GW to a 60-54 win over the ACC-member Panthers.
The Colonials' season came to an end with a 90-77 loss to former-A10 rival Temple in the second round. Ultimately, Temple had something to prove, and GW ran out of gas. While they battled to the bitter end, it was one of those games where every bounce went to Temple, and GW couldn't hit a shot. The Colonials' finished the season 22-13 (10-8).
So the 2014-15 George Washington Colonials will be remembered as the season of what could have been. A team that took down Wichita State, but couldn't beat Duquesne on the road. While it is easy to get caught up in negativity, GW racked up wins over the Big Ten (Rutgers), Big East (DePaul), Pac 12 (Colorado) and ACC (Pitt). For the core of the team, it was a leaning experience, and I believe will ultimately help them next season. Mike Lonergan is the right man in Foggy Bottom, and dispite the losses of John Kopriva, Kethan Savage and Nick Griffin, the 2015-16 George Washington Colonials have the potential to make a run to the Sweet 16- or farther. As did this team.
The line between success and failure is a lot thinner than most people realize. and as a winning streak defined last season, a 4-game loosing steak defined this one.
In conclusion, I applaud this season, while disappointing, but produced many memorable moments, and the program's first NIT win. The future is bright in Foggy Bottom, and I look forward to the bright future of this program!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks for reading my 2014-15 Men's season in review! I'll have a Women's season in review within the next few weeks, and I'll also preview the upcoming season as the schedules are released.
Let's Go GDUB! #RaiseHigh
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Welcome to RaiseHigh Basketball!
Welcome to RaiseHigh Basketball! A blog completley devoted to GW Men's & Women's basketball written from the perspective of a 16-season going on 17-season Colonials Season Ticket Holder!
So you could say I've seen some of the best and worst of this program: from the 2006 26-3 men's team, to the 2007 & 2008 Sweet 16 women's teams. GW basketball is my passion and I look forward to bring you my views and perspectives of Colonials hoops!
So you could say I've seen some of the best and worst of this program: from the 2006 26-3 men's team, to the 2007 & 2008 Sweet 16 women's teams. GW basketball is my passion and I look forward to bring you my views and perspectives of Colonials hoops!
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