Posted by xAC  2/09/2024 11:23 am | #1 |
Next up: Richmond Spiders
Time: February 11, 2024; 1 PM (ET)
Venue: Robins Center – Richmond, VA
2022-23 Record: 21-11 (8-6 in A10)
2024 Projection: 4th
Current Record: 20-4
OOC Record: 10-3
A10 Record: 10-1
Common OOC: American University (AU); Richmond defeated AU 76-44 in November
Last Time Out: Spiders won a close game (70-66) at Smith Center 12/30/2023
Broadcast: ESPN+
Opponent Summary: The Richmond Spiders host GW at the Robins Center on Sunday afternoon in the second of a 2-game series between the teams. Richmond defeated GW in the A10 opener for both teams and with the exception of a puzzling loss to Duquesne, has breezed through the rest of their A10 schedule. After Wednesday’s 19-point victory over Rhode Island, the Spiders sit at 10-1 in the conference, in virtual tie with St. Joe’s. Forward Maggie Doogan, a preseason All-A10 selection, leads the Spiders, averaging 15 ppg and 5.3 rpg. Grace Townsend (12.7 ppg and 4.8 apg) leads a strong backcourt, while Rachel Ullstrom comes off the bench to provide 11.6 ppg. Another preseason All-A10 pick, Addie Budnik (11.5 ppg), has blocked 62 shots this year and anchors the defense. All four are proficient 3-point shooters, contributing to 37.8% accuracy as a team from beyond the arc. Overall, the Spiders shoot 47% from the field, scoring an average 73.3 ppg. On the defensive side, they are allowing 60.3 ppg.
About the game: GW competed well in the first outing, losing by just 4 points at the Smith Center. The GW frontcourt managed to limit Doogan and Budnik, but Grace Townsend dominated play, controlling the tempo of the game and scoring 26 points. Controlling the Richmond frontcourt may be more difficult this go-around, as recent changes to the GW rotation precludes playing Durant and Taiwo at the same time. Regardless, minimizing the Spiders’ 3-point attempts and keeping Townsend out of the paint will be defensive keys to keeping the game competitive. Against St. Bonaventure, GW’s offensive demonstrated good ball movement, resulting is a season high (in D1 competition) 15 assists and a balanced scoring attack. In order for this to be a competitive contest, the offense has to continue to move the ball around, eliminate careless turnovers, and refrain from challenging Budnik in the paint. All easier said than done, but the last two games against the Spiders have been close.
It would be great to see Robertson get back on track, but not at the expense of Lok and Brown, who seem to have hit their stride of late. Hopefully, the team can continue moving in a positive direction.
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Posted by xAC 2/11/2024 3:21 pm | #2 |
Final Result: Richmond dominates GW for an 83-61 win.
Richmond’s Townsend and Doogan came out firing, scoring 10 points between them enroute to a 13-8 Spider’s lead to start the game. On the strength of solid half-court defense, GW managed to keep the game close and trailed by just 16-13 at the end of the 1st quarter. Lok, with a pair of triples, led GW with 6 points. GW’s defense stayed strong to start the 2nd quarter, but numerous wasted offensive opportunities let Richmond run out to a 25-15 lead. After a timeout, GW’s sloppy played continued with bad pass after bad pass leading to easy transition baskets and a 34-21 Spider lead. At this point, a confident Richmond team stayed hot from distance (7-11), and finished the half on top 40-26. For GW, a good defensive effort was wasted, as careless play led to 11 turnovers and just 9-26 shooting from the floor. Richmond converted turnovers into 14 easy points, the difference in the game. Lok and Robertson had 6 points each to lead GW, while Ullstrom, coming off the bench for Richmond led the way with 11 points. Offensive rebounding helped GW keep pace early in the 3rd, but they could only shave a single point from the lead and trailed 49-36 at the media TO. Then GW, down by 9 points, had a chance to cut into the lead, but another unforced lazy pass led to a Spider layup and sparked an 8-0 run that ballooned the lead as Richmond increased the lead to 64-47 to end the period. After Richmond hit 4-5 on 3’s to start the 4th quarter, garbage time came early and Richmond cruised to an 83-61 victory. Brown finished with 14 points, followed by Robertson’s 12 points. For Richmond, Ullstrom had 24 points and Doogan chipped in 19 points.
Richmond was 13-19 (68.4%) from beyond the arc and 58.3% overall, but much of that was due to GW’s careless offense that contributed to 14 made layups, 23 points off turnovers, and the transition offense by Richmond that kept the Revs on their heels all game. Richmond’s defense was not great. GW missed 27 3-pointers in the game, with most of them clean looks. The Revs’ front court (Taiwo, Webster, Durant) had just 5 combined attempts the entire game and a single made field goal. The offense continues to struggle scoring, but the unforced errors are overwhelming and give us little chance to compete against stronger A10 teams. With this season essentially over, the coaching staff has to start looking to a future without Taiwo, Brown, Innis, and Lok.
La Salle is up next. Although a winnable game, just playing well for 4 quarters has been difficult for this GW team. Are they up to the challenge?
