Next up:                               Hampton University Pirates
Conference:                        Coastal Athletic Association (CAA)
Time:                                    December 21, 2024; 2 PM ET
Venue:                                 Ocean Bank Convocation Center; Miami, FL
2023-24 Record:                 3-26 (3-15 in CAA – 12th Place)
2025 Projection:                 14th
Current Record:                  3-6
Common Opponents:        Delaware, Towson
Last Time Out:                    46-40 loss to GW in 2023-34 (at Smith Center)
Broadcast:                          ESPN+ 

Opponent Summary: On Saturday, GW faces the Hampton University Pirates of the CAA in the second matchup of the Florida International University (FIU) Christmas Classic at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center. The Pirates come into Saturday afternoon’s contest with a 3-6 OOC record, following a win earlier this week against to Gardner-Webb and Friday’s loss to tournament host FIU. Although picked to finish last in the MEAC, they are somewhat of an enigma, as they have had some bad losses mixed in with victories that include an overtime win against P5 opponent Georgia in Athens, GA. Hampton is led by Jasha Clinton, a graduate student transfer from Temple, who is the only double-digit scorer for Hampton at 14.1 ppg. Forward Jenae Dublin, adds 9.3 ppg and leads the team in rebounding at 6.0 rpg., while CeCe Thomas pitches in 8.3 ppg. As a team, Hampton scores 59.1 ppg, while allowing 70.6 ppg. The Pirates shoot 38.3% from the field (30.2% from 3-point range) and have an assist-to-turnover ratio of .6.
 
About the Game: GW, coming off yesterday’s big loss to Miami, has to be leery of Hampton. Although the Pirates have some offensive deficiencies, their pressure defense has force

Next up:                              Miami of Ohio RedHawks
Conference:                       Mid-American Conference (MAC)
Time:                                   December 20, 2024; 2 PM (ET)
Venue:                                Ocean Bank Convocation Center; Miami, FL
2023-24 Record:                9-20 (6-12 in MAC – 9th Place)
2025 Projection:                8th
Current Record:                5-3
Common Opponents:       Dayton, Ohio
Last Time Out:                   No history
Broadcast:                         ESPN+ 

Opponent Summary: This weekend, GW travels to Miami, FL for the Florida International University (FIU) Christmas Classic in a two-game tournament at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center. On Friday afternoon, the Revs open with the Miami of Ohio RedHawks in the first ever meeting between the two teams. Miami was picked to finish in 8th place in the MAC this season, but has overachieved in the OOC, coming into this tournament at 5-3, with a big 17-point win over Dayton on the road and close losses to Xavier and Purdue. The RedHawks are led by a pair of sophomores— guard Enjulina Gonzales who brings in a 14.4 ppg scoring average, and forward Amber Tretter, who comes in at 11.1 ppg and 7.3 rpg. Tretter sports a 53.4% shooting percentage and Tamar Singer, although she has only taken 21 attempts, has cashed in on 43% of her 3-pointers.  is equally proficient from distance, coming into this contest at 40%. As a team, Miami scores at a 71.6 clip, while allowing just 55.3 ppg. They are shooting 43.5% from the field (33% from distance), and have an assist-to-turnover ratio of .8.
 
About the Game: A short-handed GW squad defeated American University earlier in the week, but that AU squad was definitely offensively-challenged. On paper, this contest

Final Result:  GW takes down AU on the road 62-47.

A new GW starting 5: Sierra-Vargas, Lewis, Sims, Planes Fortuny and Engel. As you might expect with this starting 5, there was a rocky start. Both teams struggled out of the gate, but some inside baskets staked GW to a 6-3 lead going in to the media timeout. After the timeout, the offensive struggles continued for both teams but a pair of treys in the final minute by GW gave them a 16-8 lead going into the 2nd quarter. Good offensive board work helped GW increase the lead to 22-10 and force an early Eagles’ timeout at 6:03. GW’s offensive flow improved to close out the quarter, while AU continued to struggle. GW took 34-19 lead into the half. GW had great scoring balance, led by Matthews with 7 points, Loving and Andrews with 6 points each, and then Engel with 5 points. AU was led by Ellie Pingree with 6 points. Notably, the Revs 4 turnovers in the half. The 3rd quarter started much like the 1st, with either team getting a lot going. GW managed to keep a 39-26 lead going into the official timeout at 4:43. A 10-5 GW run to close out the 3rd quarter gave the Revs a 49-31 lead going into the final period. Aided by a pair of 3-pointers, AU cut into the margin, but GW answered to keep the lead at 56-39 with 4:24 to go. GW slowed the pace and a couple of late 3-pointers by AU helped reduce the margin to the final 62-47 score. Andrews led the Revs with 16 points, followed by Matthew’s 10 points. Sierra-Vargas had a good all-around game and finished with 8 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 0 turnovers. AU was led by Rescifina and Nogues who each had 10 points.

It was hard to draw any conclusions from this game because of the level of competition, but some things stood out. The good: GW had only 8 turnovers for the game. The bench provided 34 points, and GW won the battle inside with a 38-16 edge in points-in-the-paint. The Revs shot a respectable 40.3% for the game.

DMV is right in asserting the continuity of last year’s team, but they weren’t McCombs recruits (which is irrelevant), and more importantly that group (as freshmen and sophomores) had a low ceiling as far as potential goes compared to the current squad. And despite the lack of continuity, this current team’s offense seems better than last year.

There are bigger problems. Ignoring the X’s and O’s for now, there have been two weaknesses on the recruiting side that really hurt this team: (1) GW has failed to recruit a post player that can be a consistent inside scoring threat. The last one I can remember was Caira Washington. The crop of portal recruits (Durant, Mott, Planes Fortuny) has only been adequate (both offensively and defensively), and the high school recruits (Loving and Parnell) have not shown a lot of promise. This has made the offense one dimensional and much easier for the opposition to defend. (2) GW has not had a great ball handler and playmaker under McCombs. Mei-Lyn Bautista was the last, and although not a big scorer, she could break down a defense without turning the ball over and make a timely pass or basket. Under McCombs, ball handling has been only average and susceptible to turnovers. With the exception of Lakstigala, the portal has not really panned out for GW. It’s not clear what the Revs recruiting strategy is, but the emphasis should be placed on acquiring complements and not clones.

There’s no question that this coaching regime is on the hot seat. Is there too much to fix in too little time? I guess we’ll see. But I’m pulling for them, because I dread another mass exodus to the portal and total restart.

Next up:                              Coppin State University Eagles
Conference:                        Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC)
Time:                                    December 10, 2024; 6 PM (ET)
Venue:                                 Charles E Smith Center - Washington, DC
2023-24 Record:                 12-18 (8-6 in MEAC – 4th Place)
2025 Projection:                 3rd
Current Record:                 6-5
Common Opponents:        Howard, Morgan State
Last Time Out:                    55-41 loss to GW in 2023-24 (at GW)
Broadcast:                          ESPN+ 

Opponent Summary: It’s back to OOC for GW with a visit from the Coppin State Eagles at the Smith Center on Tuesday evening. Like Howard, Coppin State is in the upper tier of the MEAC, projected for a 3rd place finish in the conference. The Eagles have the toughest OOC schedule in all of the MEAC, with losses to the likes of Maryland, South Carolina, Virginia Tech, and North Carolina, but also a significant win against Arizona State. Leading the way for Coppin State is Laila Lawrence, a MEAC preseason All-MEAC 1st Team selection, and Angel Jones, who was named to the preseason 2nd Team. Lawrence, who is also the MEAC’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year, comes into the game averaging 17.6 ppg and 9.3 rpg, with Jones adding 16.0 ppg. Tiffany Hammond, another veteran returning from last year’s squad, chips in with 8.5 ppg. As a team, the Eagles score 62 ppg, while allowing 67.8 ppg. They shoot 38.8% from the field and 29.2% from beyond the arc. Their assist-to-turnover ratio is .8.
 
About the game: After the George Mason debacle, GW tries to regroup against a solid MEAC team. GW will have to rely on the defense to keep the score manageable by controlling Lawrenc

Next up:                              George Mason Patriots (GMU)
Time:                                   December 3, 2024; 6PM ET
Venue:                                 Charles E Smith Center – Washington, DC
2023-24 Record:                 23-8 (14-4 in A10)
2025 Projection:                 3rd
Current Record:                 7-1
OOC Record:                      7-1
A10 Record:                       0-0
Common OOC:                  Towson
Last Time Out:                   60-57 win over GW in 2023-2024 (at George Mason)
Broadcast:                         ESPN+ 

Opponent Summary: GW takes a detour from their OOC schedule on Tuesday to take on local A10 rival George Mason in the first of two conference matchups this season. The Patriots have been on the rise recently, finishing 4th in the A10 last season, and projected for a 3rd place finish this year. They have started strong again this year, with their only loss coming at the hands of Maryland this past weekend in a closely contested game. Although their overall OOC schedule has been somewhat soft, their victories include a solid 50-41 win against Wake Forest in Winston-Salem. GMU returns a talented nucleus from last year’s team, led by preseason All-A10 2nd Team selection Zahirah Walton (11.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg), and 3 preseason All-A10 3rd Team selections, Kennedy Harris (18.3 ppg), Nalani Kaysia (10.0 ppg, 9.8 rpg), and Ta’Viyanna Habib (7.9 ppg). As a team they are scoring at a 77.3 ppg clip, while allowing only 56.1 points per game.  They are currently shooting 43.1% from the field and 37.7% from beyond the arc, with an outstanding assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.1.
 
About the Game: Last year, the Patriots swept the season series from GW. GMU dominated the Revs in the first game

To me there is another thing to look out for, and DMV, you’ve alluded to this in the past—can this coaching staff develop our players. One of the biggest enjoyments of GW basketball for me, is to watch recruits stay four years and develop into really good players. I can’t remember anyone doing that since Briana Cummings. With this coaching staff (I know there have been changes), a big disappointment for me was/has been the development of Faith Blethen and Maxine Engel. Both showed great potential in their freshmen year, but for them, that turned out to be their best year, although the jury is still out on Engel. To be fair, they were not McCombs recruits, and neither were Sophie Haydon, Michelle Ojo, and Leila Patel, who did not pan out. Roberston was a great recruit, but in her two years, we did not see great signs that she was becoming the best version of herself, and Caia Loving has yet to show great improvement from her first two years. That leaves Sara Lewis, Filipa Calisto, Gabby Reynolds, Kamari Sims. All have shown potential to be really good A10 players and Lewis and Sims improved considerably from last year. The big test for the coaching staff is whether they can turn Reynold into top A10 talent and sustain the growth of the others-- who are keys to this program’s future. Just something to take notice on as the season goes on.

Next up:                              Morgan State University Lady Bears
Conference:                       Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC)
Time:                                   November 27, 2024; 12 PM ET
Venue:                                Charles E Smith Center; Washington, DC
2023-24 Record:                8-22 (3-11 in MEAC – 7th Place)
2025 Projection:                5th
Current Record:                4-5
Common Opponents:       Richmond, Towson, Howard, Coppin State
Last Time Out:                   No History
Broadcast:                         ESPN+ 

Opponent Summary: The Morgan State Lady Bears visit the Smith Center on Wednesday for a noon tipoff. Oddly, this is GW’s first ever meeting with our neighbors from Baltimore. After Sunday’s loss at Nevada, Morgan comes into the game at 4-5. The Lady Bears are another MEAC team that has challenged themselves in their OOC. Included in their other losses are road contests against Richmond, Stanford, and Old Dominion. Morgan did manage a 64-63 home victory over Towson, a recent GW opponent. They are projected to finish 5th this season in the MEAC. The Lady Bears have great depth and substitute freely, as 12 players log double digit minutes and only their best player, Laila Fair (10 ppg and 8.7 rpg), exceeds 25 minutes per game. Jala Bannerman (11.1 ppg) leads all scorers, while Jael Butler chips in 8.8 ppg. As a team, Morgan scores at a 61.8 points per game clip, while allowing 67.8. They shoot 38% from the field (29.7% from distance), but with an assist-t-turnover ratio of .5, they turn the ball over twice as much as they assist on baskets.
 
About the Game: Fair, a preseason All-MEAC third team selection, has not suited up for the last two games. Although Morgan still competed well without he

Next up:                              Georgia Southern University Eagles
Conference:                        Sun Belt Conference (SBC)
Time:                                   November 23, 2024; 12PM ET
Venue:                                 Charles E Smith Center; Washington DC
2023-24 Record:                 15-18 (4-14 in SBC – 12th Place)
2025 Projection:                 8th
Current Record:                 4-0
Common Opponents:       Ohio
Last Time Out:                   No Recent History
Broadcast:                         ESPN+ 

Opponent Summary: The undefeated Georgia Southern Eagles visit the Smith Center on Saturday for a noon tipoff against the Revs. Among their recent victories was an opening day 12-poinrt win over the Ohio Bobcats on the road. Despite their record so far, the Eagles are projected to finish in the bottom half of the SBC after a 12th place finish last season. The Eagles offense features balanced scoring from a trio of guards and efficient inside play from their frontcourt. Nicole Gwynn (13.2 ppg), McKenna Eddings (12.0 ppg), and Nakiyah Mays-Prince (10.8 ppg) provide the bulk of the scoring. Forward Indya Green adds 9.3 ppg, while controlling the boards with 10.3 rpg, and 6’3” center Leah Johnson (7.3 ppg and 6.0 rpg) keys the defense with almost 2 blocks per game. As a team, GSU scores at a 71.3 ppg clip, while allowing 62.3 ppg to their opponents. They are shooting 41.2% from then field (32.8% from 3-point range), with a respectable assist-to-turnover ratio of .92. By comparison, GW is at 68.4 ppg, while allowing 56.4 ppg, and shooting 40% from the field (23.2% on 3-pointers). Their assist-to-turnover ratio is only .70, highlighting the need to take better care of the ball.
 
About the Game: In Wednesday’s win against winles

Next up:                              Towson University Tigers
Conference:                        Coastal Athletic Association (CAA)
Time:                                   November 20, 2024; 6PM ET
Venue:                                 Charles E Smith Center – Washington, DC
2023-24 Record:                 20-11 (11-7 in CAA – 6th Place)
2025 Projection:                 3rd
Current Record:                 0-4
Common Opponents:       George Mason, Morgan State, American, Delaware, and Hampton
Last Time Out:                   68-60 win over GW in 2023-24 (at Towson)
Broadcast:                         ESPN+ 

Opponent Summary: The Revolutionaries welcome the Towson University Tigers to the Smith Center on Wednesday evening. After finishing 6th last season in the CAA and making a run to the final game of their conference tournament, the Tigers are projected for a 3rd place finish in 2024-25. The early OOC for the Tigers has been brutal, with big losses to George Mason and two nationally ranked teams (West Virginia and Maryland). Last Friday, they battled Morgan State (a future GW opponent) on the road, only to suffer a heart breaking 64-63 loss. The Tigers feature a balanced scoring attack led by India Johnston (12.5 ppg), who came off the bench last year to torch the Revs for 24 points and threw in 22 points against Maryland on Sunday. Forwards Khady Leye (9.3 ppg and 7.0 rpg) and Deja Bristol (8.3 ppg and 5.8 rpg) provide the inside firepower for Towson. As a team, the Tigers have scored 55.5 points per game, while allowing 80.8. They have hit on 39.5% of their field goal attempts and 30.5% on 3-pointers.
 
About the Game: After a disappointing performance at Ohio, the GW is a team looking for answers. The offense has been inconsistent and for moments, no