1 of 1- Gwmayhem
- Buff & Blue Club
Offline - Registered: 7/22/2019
- Posts: 2,864
The Break
Two things are certain with regard to GW and the upcoming A10 Tournament. One is that no school will be traveling a shorter distance to play in it. And the other is that no team will have a longer layoff heading into it. GW will likely have an 8 day break between tomorrow night at Fordham and its first tournament game on Thursday. Am not sure if this is possible but if GW loses to Fordham and ends up having to play on Wednesday, then the break will be 7 days. Meanwhile, all other A10 teams will be playing either Friday (including VCU which will have a 7 day layoff so this would match GW's if they play on Wednesday) or Saturday.
GW has had two comparable layoffs this season. After closing the OOC schedule with UVA-Wise, the team waited 9 days before losing at Richmond. (I'll contend that the road losses this season at Richmond, AU, and La Salle are the three that the team would most like to have back. As close as it came in two tries against Mason, these three were games one could reasonably expect to win.) The other lengthy wait came coming off consecutive wins against Dayton and URI, falling at home to Duquesne after waiting a full week. Probably not a coincidence that GW trailed at halftime by 8 and 13 points in these games before rallying to make each game more competitive. Early rust was clearly a factor.
On the other hand, GW should be able to take advantage of the extra time. This is the time of year when injuries can linger and legs can get tired. GW has alternated between losses and wins for a full month now (let's hope that ends in the Bronx) so it's not like this is a red hot team who will be disadvantaged by having a late season regular season bye. Plus, there is the task of having to win 4 games in 4 days (or the possibility of 5 in 5). Extra rest right about now would likely help. Finally, if CC wants to install some new wrinkles, he will have more time to work with than most if not all other conference coaches. Maybe we've been using Jun as a decoy for months now and he's ready to average 25/10/5 in the tournament? Wishful thinking I realize.
How do you see it? Is the extended break more of a benefit or more of a detriment?
- GWRising
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- Registered: 10/19/2019
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Re: The Break
I don't think we will know until we know, meaning that each team is different. I've seen teams refreshed and ready to go after a long break and I've seen teams lethargic and not cohesive when coming off a break. Teams have done many things to try and combat a longer layoff. Not sure anyone has found a magic bullet yet that endures regardless of the team/year. So my answer is it's anyone's guess.
- GW Alum Abroad
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- Registered: 7/22/2019
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Re: The Break
Given Caputo´s A10 tournament record, I am not sure giving him more time to "gameplan" will result in anything positive.
Yes, that is a snarky comment that sounds bitter and mean-spirited. Truth be told, as with every game this season, it will all come down to either the outside shots falling or some inspired play from Castro-- and Castro is no longer a secret weapon missing from A10 scouting books. I plan on attending a big outdoor music festival that weekend, in part because (long layoff or not), I am not expecting any conflicts with later-round A10 games. (sorry for sounding "too LSF").
- H&R..71
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- Registered: 6/13/2023
- Posts: 204
Re: The Break
Long layoffs are always a challenge whether it's NFL NBA MLB or NCAA. After last seasons 4-14 conf record I think it's imperative to soundly beat a Fordham team with a conf record of 3-14. Finishing at 9-9 in conf and a 20 win season (regardless of ooc schedule) would go a long way in terms of confidence going into the A-10 tourny. It would put some pep in CC's step. If he wants to simulate a Sat or Sun game, make it a hard practice at full speed this weekend. Take a page out of Pitino and Izzos coaching manual. Bring the best conditioned and disciplined team to the show. One out of the 2 would be fine.