Next on GW;s to-do list is to win their first road contest in the Coach G era. They make a Wednesday trip to Newark DE to face the Blue Hens of the University of Delaware. The Blue Hens are competing in their first year as a member of Conference USA. Last season, in the Coastal Athletic Conference, they finished 9-9 in the conference and 13-17 overall. Delaware comes into this contest at 5-2, with their most recent win a 70-64 OT victory over Coach G’s former team, the Colgate Red Raiders. Their losses came at the hands of Navy and Old Dominion. Four Blue Hens come into the game averaging at least 13 ppg. Ande’a Cherisier (13.8 ppg, 8.2 rpg) and Lay Fantro (13.2 ppg, 11.3 rpg) make up a formidable inside duo, pulling down a combined 19.5 rebounds a game. Kailah Correa (13.6 ppg), a 5’4” freshman, spearheads the offense. Trinity Vance (13.0 ppg) comes off the bench to provide an offensive spark and is their best outside threat.

GW will have their hands full defending against Delaware. Cherisier, Fantro, are strong inside, going one-on-one to score baskets or draw fouls. Correa’s quickness will definitely cause problems. The trio also accounts for over 60% of the team’s free throw attempts. Delaware is not a high volume 3-point shooting team, so packing the defense in may be an answer. On the offensive side, GW has to be more efficient than in the last two games. The offensive movement has been good enough to generate a lot of good looks, but too many open shots are being missed. Reynolds has been efficient and effective, but if the Blue Hens focus on stopping her, someone else has to step up. This would be a good time for James’ and Lewis’ jump shots to start falling and for Sims or Phiri to get hot from beyond the arc. GW and Delaware have high turnover rates, so taking care of the ball will be critical for both teams. In the end, the outcome of the game may hinge on who best takes advantage of the opposition’s miscues.

Coach G would like to check the road game “box”, but it won’t be easy. After this, American University, who Delaware defeated earlier this season, visits the Smith Center.