Next up:                            American University (AU) Eagles
Conference:                      Patriot League
Time:                                 December 16, 2024; 7 PM ET
Venue:                               Bender Arena - Washington, DC
2023-24 Record:              10-20 (8-10 in Patriot League – 9th Place)
2025 Projection:              10th
Current Record:               0-8
Common Opponents:      La Salle, Towson, Howard
Last Time Out:                  69-59 loss to GW in 2023-24 (at Smith Center)
Broadcast:                        ESPN+ 

Opponent Summary: Local rival American University (AU) hosts the GW Revs at Bender Arena on Monday evening. The Eagles, who were picked to finish last in the Patriot league this season, have yet to win a game this year. In their most recent outing, they were soundly beaten by Towson 89-62. The only returning starter from last year’s squad is graduate student Ivy Bales, who averages just 4.8 ppg and 4.6 rpg, but was a Patriot League All Defensive Team selection last year.  AU’s best players this season have been freshmen. Forward Celia Kay, who comes in with 11.3 ppg and 7.6 rpg credentials leads the way, followed by guard Molly Driscoll, who scores at an 8.9 ppg clip. As a team, the Eagles put up 57.6 points per game on 35.1% shooting from the field (25.4% from beyond the arc), while allowing 72.6 ppg to their opponents.  AU’s assist-to-turnover ratio is .7.
 
About the game: Like GW, AU is working to integrate their talented young newcomers with an assembly of more experienced players that have not played a lot of minutes together in the past. Also, like GW, they are work in progress and have yet to hit their stride. But despite AU’s 0-8 record, this is a dangerous game for the Revs because the Eagles have nothing to lose and beating GW in front of their home court fans would make their season. AU is a tough team to scout because their most efficient players (Kay and Driscoll) don’t dominate the ball, while other starters Anna Rescifina and Laura Nogues take most of the shots. Driscoll is their best 3-point shooter at 41.7%, but she’s taken just 3 attempts per game. This game is an opportunity for GW to get the front court more involved offensively. The team needs the Mott/Planes Fortunty/Diala trio to be more consistent scorers and to relieve some of the pressure on the younger squad members. Although Reynolds, Lewis and Sims improved from their performances in the GMU outing, it will be important them to remain focused and not take too much upon themselves, especially when the game is close. Defensively, the Revs should be able to contain the Eagles’ inside game, but have to be mindful of the perimeter and prevent any of their outside shooters from getting hot.
 
After an OT loss to Coppin State, GW is looking desperately for a win. The Revs have had some good offensive spurts, but have yet to show that they can play together when they get a lead. This has been exacerbated by the befuddling substitution patterns that at times has allowed the opposition to make big offensive runs to retake or extend their leads. Sierra-Vargas was successful because she played within her limitations, didn’t over dribble, and passed the ball quickly before it could be taken away from her. Hopefully, her performance rubs off on her teammates. As for the rotation, one would expect the starters who opened the Coppin State game to do so again, but nothing is certain. After that, it’s anyone’s guess how the substitutions play out. The Revs need to make a statement in this game, if for nothing else, to build up their confidence.
 
The team (coaching staff included) has to step up. At this point of the season there’s a fine line between guarded optimism for the future of the program or whether the program is circling the drain. This contest could have a lot to say about which direction GW is headed.