Well done Slim. You did your job, now enjoy some quality rest on the bench and be ready for Dayton.

Good to have an easy win. 
And especially Castro back--and the combination with Hunger, who continued his streak
of excellent play.
Are both walkons out? If not, could have played Arrington a few minutes when up by 30.
 Don't want LaSalle pissed if we play them in the tournament.
  Let's take this momentum to Friday's Dayton game.

 

Twitter: https://x.com/MattModderno/status/2026477696428159038?s=20
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I really appreciate the messages Gwmayhem, H&R..71, Wisconsin Colonial 1974, and BGF! I'm not sure I have anything left if we play La Salle a third time lol.

Great to see Slim and Bubu back. La Salle was terribly banged up in the frontcourt and I think the offensive game plan was executed very well to dominate in the paint. Defensively, it was unfortunate that the Explorers couldn't miss from 3 in the first half - I think you're fine conceding those against a poor shooting team. Despite that hot shooting, GW was still up 10. Things evened out in the second half and unsurprisingly GW ran away with it. They were simply the better team with better talent. After halftime, I thought the team surrendered too many drives, especially to Dockery. As the one healthy guy on the team that could score it, I would have forced him to give it up more and have someone else beat GW. Ultimately, it didn't really matter since La Salle couldn't stop anyone defensively. If GW had made a few more layups they could have pushed for 110.

It was great to see the double big lineup in full force. Luke continued his high level of play, with Slim eased in. Everyone made plays and scored at least six points. Woo looked like a cornerback defensively picking off passes. Bubu similarly had one of his best games at GW with some great takes to the basket. I think he sometimes rushes his threes though. Tre seemed more engaged defensively, although I think on offense it's a mistake if he dribbles more than a few times behind the arc. When he gets run off the arc he can get a bit tentative, take long two point jumpers, and the more he dribbles the higher the likelihood that the ball sticks and GW turns it over. CJ has been quiet lately, so it was great to see a six assist to one turnover performance. Tricky shooting well and rebounding at a high level makes this team a dangerous unit. Loved his drives to the hoop as well. Jean was also great again, although I couldn't tell if he was 100% after he took a tumble earlier in the game. His jump shot is interesting in that he doesn't really elevate on his threes. It certainly works though given his percentages.

Dayton seems to have found their groove again after blowing out SLU. I think the double big lineup should hopefully prevent Slim from being hounded like last time. Taking care of the ball and not fouling will surely be at the top of the priority list against the Flyers.
 

A historic win given the 104 point output.  Some thoughts:

1) Great to see all 8 players contributing to this win.  All 8 players scored, grabbed at least 1 rebound, and handed out at least 1 assist.  7 of the 8 had either at least 1 steal or at least 1 block (sorry Christian).  7 of the 8 shot at least 50% from the field (sorry Tre who managed to go 2-4 from 3 but 0-2 from 2.

2) The team shot just over 80% on their two point attempts.  That's insane.

3) There has been a noticeable difference in the way GW has been running its offense since the loss to Duquesne.  The team has gone from working and working to find good three point shots to a team that's willing to take a 3 when it's there but is just as content scoring in the paint, in transition, or at the free throw line.  Simply put, it's very easy to defend a predictable offense no matter what you are trying to do.  However, when the defense has to be ready for anything and everything, it's much more challenging for them.

4) Great to see Slim making his presence felt and working well in tandem with Luke.  One of the reasons why this could work well is that they really do complement one another.  On offense, Luke can pass from the perimeter and finishes off pick and rolls very well (much stronger to the hole since he's commanded more playing time) while Slim has added to his post moves and has always been great at putbacks.  On defense, Slim can practically guard 1-5 so having Luke on the court does not automatically chain him to an opponent's big man.  CC acknowledged that he probably should have tried playing them together sooner though he was on his way to doing this right around the time that Slim was injured.

5) When Trey A. is willing to take the ball to the hole and not be a one dimensional three point shooter, he becomes so much more dangerous as an offensive threat.

6) There's still a little bit too much defensive trapping IMO.  Most of La Salle's turnovers were self-inflicted and again, failing to generate a turnover after a trap often leaves the defense vulnerable.  Wasn't a factor yesterday given the large lead but this remains concerning against better teams.

7) If you are ever siting in the Smith Center wondering why we can't attract more fans, I want you to remember this game and conclude that fan support really could be a whole lot worse.

8) Under the category of "isn't it nice when bullshit homer announcers are put in their place", Darris Nichols just shot up my rankings of favorite A10 coaches.  At halftime, La Salle's color guy was practically gushing when suggesting how well La Salle had played in keeping the game close (meanwhile, they were down 10 so a case could be made that it wasn't very close).  Without missing a beat, Nichols snapped at the announcer, stating in no uncertain terms that he didn't want to be close, that instead, he wanted to win the game.  The color guy applauded the response during the second half but appeared to be scared shitless at the time.

9) One of my favorite lines from Pulp Fiction applies here, when The Wolf says "let's not go sucking each other's dicks just yet."  As dominant a win as this was, let's keep some perspective.  The Explorers played without their two leading scorers and 6 of its regular rotation players.  The fact that this group just beat URI (swept them in fact) is unbelievable.  So is the fact that Archie Miller can beat SLU but get swept by La Salle.  Next up is Dayton who speaking of beating SLU, just accomplished that last night.  The Flyers are starting to play very well but we've also had a pretty good track record against them playing at home.  Should be a good one.

DC Native wrote:

Question for the board: Is this the best GW team ever to have a losing record in conference this late in the season? I can’t think of a better one myself…

Don't recall, but none springs to mine readily, except for players in freshmen years who
needed to develop a bit.
   The problem is we tend to play well together and dominate against weaker teams and can comeback against anyone but not win against high A-10 and above level competition (with the possible exception of George
Mason).
    The problem is our schizophrenic team play personality. Sometimes we're a well-oiled machine like last night, albeit against a weakened LaSalle. But often, we break down into uglier versions of hero ball that squanders a big comeback and dooms our fate.
    We've always had plenty of talent this season. But individual talent doesn't always mean team success. Especially if we don't play together as a team.
    With Hunger's very impressive stepping up and Castro coming back and hopefully a healthy Garrett Johnson, we have the ability to come together at the end of the year. And change our story at least somewhat.
    Sure hope we seize this opportunity.

Very astute point Fly.  The risk in playing Slim and Luke together is what would happen if both got into foul trouble in the same game.  Having 4 guards pick up fouls in order to safeguard against this makes perfect sense.