Just missed 4 free throws 

8 point loss. Vegas wins again…

Agree it’s been disappointing we can’t convert more of these games but it is a big step in the right direction that we can go into any game in the A10 and have a good shot at winning.

Agree on Russel- he gets the flop award of the year along with a ton of trash talk

Well played game -VCU just was very hot from 3 and we gave them some open looks after great passing.

A few made FT and a couple of less turnovers and we are right there.

The reason for this loss goes back to a GW vs. La Salle game on January 16, 2019.

On that day, MoJo-coached GW beat La Salle 59-56. DJ Williams led GW scorers with 14 points. In that game, La Salle freshman Jack Clark (originally recruited by Dr. John, who was on the Peacock call today), who had missed the first 7 games of the season recovering from a torn ACL suffered in high school, unfortunately tore the same ACL again, missing the rest of the season as well as all of the following season. He recovered to play 2 additional seasons at La Salle, 1 at NC State, and 1 at Clemson. He entered the portal after last season not knowing whether he had another year of eligibility, since he had already played in 5 collegiate seasons. But he was retroactively given another medical redshirt for the 18-19 season, allowing him to be eligible for another season, his 7th in college, which he's using this season at VCU.

And of course, Jack Clark led VCU scorers today with 18 points, which wouldn't have been possible had he not gotten injured more than 6 years ago in a game against GW.
 

Last edited by Hugh (2/12/2025 11:49 pm)

DC Native wrote:

8 point loss. Vegas wins again…

 
Not for me - Colonials were +8.5

A "shoulda, woulda, coulda" game if there ever was one. Someday GW will pull these types of games out, just not last night (or seemingly as long as the shirts say "George Washington" -- or some variation thereof-- on them).

From a basketball perspective, VCU is clearly a skilled competitive team.
From a cocky trash talking perspective with a hard hitting fan base they are highly unlikeable.  From the riot scene created @ SLU to last nights action at Smitty, thanks for coming and drive home safely and don't return anytime soon!
I thought I saw Ty pop Russell in the mouth around half court causing Russell to run crying to the ref in the first half to no avail.  I also don't understand how that windup hit on Castro getting smashed across the face knocking his contact lens out wasn't a flagrant foul.  It was obvious on replay. 
Between Russell, JoeBam, a few other players with a screw loose, and a rabid liquored up fan base, I think VCU will be held back by their unstable nature.
As for the Revs, glad the bench is getting valuable experience.  They will be needed big time.
As for the free throw issue there's no easy explanation.  Jayson Tatum went 4 for 8 from the line last night with 36 points and 14 rebounds.  How in the hell did he miss 4?
Go Revs...stay classy and keep at it!!!
 

Last edited by H&R..71 (2/13/2025 12:44 pm)

Definitely a respectable performance all things considered. Bart Torvik gave GW a game score of 73, which seems pretty good given the end result. VCU had an out of body experience from 3, and GW did not shoot well in the second half and it was still a two possession game at the end. ​A guy who made one three all year knocked down his lone attempt. A 26% shooter goes 4/7. Jackson subpar at 31% but goes 3/3. When three players you expect to be under 30% from 3 combine to go 8/11 you just have to tip your cap. GW played to their ceiling in the first half and still only found themselves up 1 at halftime. VCU is good and moves the ball so well on offense. Winning the turnover battle at least was huge.

They are also experienced and GW isn't. In yesterday's game, 67 of VCU's points came from seniors/graduate students. GW only had 7 between Sean and Gerald on a combined 3/12 shooting from the floor.

The Rams being good at offensive rebounding and contesting at the rim was always going to be problematic for GW, so it's not stunning to see that happen yesterday. The rebounding could have probably looked worse if VCU wasn't automatic from 3. They missed 25 shots and had 12 offensive rebounds for an offensive rebounding rate of 44.4% (basically rebounded half their misses). Despite Bamgboye/Fermin being tough down low guys like Jun missed some point blank layups that probably should have been made.

dmvpiranha wrote:

.
Russell brings a similar edge in the way KD Johnson does for Mason. He's a good defender and can move the ball, but most importantly he can be a real spark plug for the Rams, whether that is pulling up from deep (37%) or knocking down a midrange shot. He may try to flop and/or get under the other team's skin so GW will need to pay attention to that.

I expected this to happen, but didn't expect it to come not even four minutes into the game. Russell led the nation I believe in technical fouls two years ago at SEMO, but has surprisingly only been called for three all year this season. Honestly, I think the refs have been too forgiving and let too much slide. He should be T'd up every time he tries to instigate something until he drops the behavior altogether. There's a difference between having an edge and whatever he's trying to do on the court.

As for the whole revenge game thing, the mention was less about Bam wanting to actually get revenge and more that he'll be extra motivated to play against his former team, especially given that VCU lost last year. Some players will dismiss it, but that added juice is natural.

Rafael and Tricky played well. Good to see Jacoi continue to shoot it well again, although missing both free throws on a trip to the line is not ideal regardless of when it happens in the game. For once, it seemed like the shots Moss attempted actually had a chance of going in (one went down, the other rimmed out). He seemed to pass the undershooting disease to Sean for yesterday's game. Continue to like Ty as the connector piece. Bevins seems to have good chemistry with Jun. Dayan definitely looked like he was a bit rusty in his couple of minutes. Given his lengthy injury history (even prior to GW), I am not confident that he will ever be available on a consistent basis. CC has certainly taken chances on several guys with injury history. It worked out with Max, but Garrett and Dayan while very talented have not been as lucky. Rougier-Roane has also missed quite some time in the past year at Sidwell so hopefully history doesn't repeat itself in the future.

Just days after playing against the top offensive efficiency team in the league in VCU, GW will be facing #2 in Davidson at Belk. The matchup should be a bit more favorable (especially when it comes to putting up points), but Bailey has had a great season and they also move the ball well.
 

New episode of GW Basketball Insiders: https://www.youtube.com/live/ljVtzA-VwP4?si=kyOlD-D0PF88rXZb

We discussed Trey Autry's performance last night, why VCU is so tough to play against, and looked ahead to the remainder of conference play. Also a bit of talk about the women's team towards the end. Check it out and let us know what you think!