Posted by Tennessee Colonial  11/03/2025 9:13 pm | #41 |
Bad start to 2nd. Castro with 4 fouls now.
|
Posted by Nicky Santoro 11/03/2025 9:29 pm | #42 |
No need to ring the alarms yet in my opinion (assuming we win tonight) given the 3 point variance and the fact we are essentially missing our best two players for the entire game, but I'm definitely a bit more anxious, instead of excited, heading into the big game on Saturday.
With that said, excellent 3 or 4 minute stretch there!
Last edited by Nicky Santoro (11/03/2025 9:30 pm)
|
Posted by oldish 11/03/2025 9:50 pm | #43 |
Definitely some rust and 2-20 from three is pretty terrible but I am encouraged by the team depth. We know what last year’s players could do and the new guys are filling in nicely.
|
Posted by The Dude 11/03/2025 9:54 pm | #44 |
What a great second half!
Dominant win to start the season! Go GW
|
Posted by GW Alum Abroad 11/03/2025 10:05 pm | #45 |
Hail to the Buff! Hail to the Blue!!!
As bad as the 3-point shooting was, the worst stat of the night is Garrett´s DNP.
Tyrone Marshall Jr either had the night of his career or is going to be a presence for GW, really hoping for the latter. Imagine Marshall, Slim and Hunger all on the court at the same time, no team will dare go inside.
Still not convinced Bubu will be more than a fan favourite with flashes of brilliance, but his footwork tonight was so much better than the exhibition vs Satan´s Spawn. More of that and he may be seen as more of a Yuta and less of a Byron Hopkins.
Maine´s coach is a dead ringer for Keegan-Michael Key, and vice versa. Have they ever been seen in the same room together?
No complaints about the defensive effort, but not all opponents will not be as limited as Maine. This team still has trouble guarding the permiter when the other team swings the ball. Still, with Castro having 4 fouls did GW go to a sort of hybrid "Blizzard" defense a la the Joe McKeown teams of the 90´s?
A win against That School Down the Street still would have given me more satisfaction than tonight´s win, and that game drew a bigger and more enthusiastic crowd. But at least GW is not going to go winless in 2025-26.
Last edited by GW Alum Abroad (11/03/2025 10:05 pm)
|
Posted by Alum1 11/03/2025 10:06 pm | #46 |
The Dude wrote:
What a great second half!
Dominant win to start the season! Go GW
Not sure what game you watched, but hard to call that “dominant.” But that’s you.
My view it’s only one game. Great effort on defense. Shots weren’t falling, but more concerned about the lack of cohesiveness and organization on offense. Hopefully that’s just a function of getting to know each other and the anomaly of Castro getting hit with 3 fouls in the first ten minutes. That ain’t likely to repeat.
Saturday will be a good test. Looking forward to it.
|
Posted by GW0509 11/03/2025 10:39 pm | #47 |
Cant win them all if you don’t win the first one.
|
Posted by gwstudent2024 11/03/2025 10:47 pm | #48 |
Knee tendinitis for Garrett. Apparently we should expect him to suit up Saturday. I'd note that language (rather than he's expected to play).
In terms of the game, Castro getting into foul trouble against a smaller opponent is not something I expected at all. Hunger was great but I don't think we should rely on that sort of performance from him regularly. The three point shooting obviously needs to be better but the talent/depth on display was clear. Also Dinkins needs to relax with the threes and find better shots. The real test comes Saturday against USF
Poor Ace Flagg's hair is disappearing at the age of 19. He may be bald by the time he graduates. Markwood is a great coach. I would love to see Maine in the tournament
|
Posted by LA Colonial 11/03/2025 10:55 pm | #49 |
Dayan Nessah scored 25 for Cleveland State in a 91-88 loss to Loyola Chicago. He shot 8-13 from the floor and 8-8 from the line. He was 1-2 from three.
|
Posted by Free Quebec 11/03/2025 11:34 pm | #50 |
Dayan Nessah scored 25 for Cleveland State in a 91-88 loss to Loyola Chicago. He shot 8-13 from the floor and 8-8 from the line. He was 1-2 from three.
Good for him. He showed a ton of talent - so many good moves that he could never finish (like almost never). Dropping down was the right move for him.
|
Posted by dmvpiranha Yesterday 12:30 am | #51 |
Hope Nessah can stay healthy. Injuries held him back last year more than anything else.
Honestly, not much to take away from this one. I guess good experience playing with the two bigs in foul trouble. Luke continued his good play from the exhibition. As long as he's not hoisting jumpers, I think he can have a big impact.
The slow start before getting going in the second feels a lot like last year's team. Woo and Bubu were fun to watch. Jean was good defensively but I think both him and Tre are still trying to figure out how they fit on offense. That's understandable early on. Good that GW dominated the boards given Maine opted to get back on defense - a good move on their part because it stunted the pace of the game. Still too many turnovers. CJ only had one tonight but he's still too loose with the ball when dribbling.
It goes without saying, but the team will need to play infinitely better if they want a chance to beat USF - even though I agree with CC that there will be better flow in that one with both teams playing with more pace which will help. I still feel that the three point looks are not well-executed even when good looks - like GW shoots them hurried or something. Yeah water will find its level like CC says but I think it will be a disappointment if this team ends up being a below average shooting team again given the players on the roster. Also a bit too much isolation one-on-one ball for stretches (and missed layups), but it's still early. There was a lot better decision making towards the last five or so minutes of the game.
|
Posted by Free Quebec Yesterday 8:44 am | #52 |
Well, it was a bit of a rough game but we still win by 20, which is great. The defense was smothering. It was so good that it was really noticeable the few times we had a breakdown and left someone open.
In addition to the defense, the rebounding was massive. We doubled them up 46-23 and while it’s true that Maine didn’t go for offensive rebounds, we also grabbed 16 offensive boards to their 18 defensive.
Player thoughts:
1) Castro: that first foul was really ticky tack and the second was kind of a bail out for an out of control driver. The refs called it really tight in the first half, which definitely worked in Maine’s favor (not just because of Castro’s foul trouble, but an ugly game with no rhythm is how they wanted it). Anyway, 7 / 4 / 2 blocks in just 11 minutes is great production per minute.
2) Marshall: Great first game for us. Really solid player who gives us what we’ve been missing. South Florida is big and athletic, and we’d probably have no chance without him.
3) Bubu: I really like this guy. His defense was smothering all game and he gave us a little bit of offense. Have no doubt the threes will start falling for him.
4) Jones: really impressed with how comfortable he looks this year. His defense is still excellent and his drives to the basket seem so smooth. 6-9 from 2 today (and one was a weird midrange).
5) Autry: from the two games I’ve seen this year, his defense looks improved, which is huge. The shots will fall, but his all around game has been solid. Chipped in 7 boards last night.
6) Hunger: outstanding effort playing a lot more minutes than expected, and having to do it without fouling. So great to have a big off the bench who is actually good and can back his man down for a bucket around the rim. He did have too many turnovers since he was initiating a lot of the offense, but 15 and 7, with 3 assists is great for a backup center.
7) Dinkins: Not a great start to his GW career. He doesn’t seem to know how to fit in our offense. The ball seems to stop when it goes to him and he’s clearly looking for his shot, rather than letting the game come to him. He’s too good not to find his rhythm eventually, but it feels very disjointed right now. Also, concerned about his defense. He’s not quick and his man blew by him a few times last night. I hope he winds up being more than just a micoeave bench player who is either hot or useless, but he’s definitely struggling to fit right now.
8) Aranguren: To echo what was said above, his defense was outstanding last night, but he too doesn’t seem to know how to fit on offense yet. He was right up on his man all game long, on and off the ball. I’d be very interested in our defensive efficiency when Jean, Jones, and Bubu were all on the court together, suffocating their perimeter. However, 25 minutes with 0 points and only 1 FGA is not going to cut it. We know he can put the ball in the basket from his time at Hofstra, but he hasn’t scored in either game for us. He’s another guy that really needs to figure out his role.
9) Bevins: also looked out of sorts. Seems like when he was out there, he was not just standing in the corner like last year, but he also doesn’t quite seem to fit yet. Like Aranguren, the d still seems strong for him. As for his technical, I couldn’t really tell what happened.
10) Garrett: Get well soon. The only positive to him not playing is that USF won’t have tape on him with this team beyond the exhibition. We clearly need his shooting. Supposedly it was just a precaution that he was held out for. Wonder if we’ll see an NBA-style load management approach to him, where sometimes he sits out.
Anyway, the main takeaways overall were:
- Our defense is going to be excellent again, and Marshall helps our rebounding immensely.
- Without Castro, our offense felt disjointed.
- The bench guards (Dinkins, Aranguren, Bevins) need to figure out their roles on offense - it may take longer than I thought for the team to gel while they figure it out.
- good to win when the shots aren’t falling. Recent past GW teams would have struggled against a team like this when shooting like that.
|
Posted by GW 2005 Alumna Yesterday 8:57 am | #53 |
Anyone have a link to post game press conference?
|
Posted by Gwmayhem Yesterday 10:20 am | #54 |
This game reminded me of what seems like a lifetime ago when I coached my daughter's soccer team. The girls were maybe 9 or 10 and we had one player who was so much bigger, faster and athletics than everyone else. She pretty much scored goals when she wanted to. It reached the point where I sometimes had to play her on defense just to give the other players an opportunity to score. On one occasion, we were in the second half of a scoreless tie when this player, playing center defense, asked me if it would be OK if she scored. I told her that as long as she could get back on defense in time to rightfully play her position, she had my permission to score. And so, she did just that.
GW wants to win with three point shooting. This is where the game has gone, where CC's NBA influencers have gone, and he is following suit. There's nothing wrong with this as long as you can efficiently make enough three pointers to warrant this. Sure, water will rise but let's revisit a season ago. The team started off shooting well under 20% from 3 and ended the year at 31.7%. Improvement to be certain, but not the percentage that is commensurate with an offense designed to produce open three point shots. Last night, we shot 2-20 after missing our first 14. I know we shouldn't but if we added the Georgetown game stats, the team is now 11-52 or 21% from three. It's just a game and an exhibition, no need to pull the alarm yet, but something to pay some attention to.
And much like my defender who scored goals when she absolutely needed to, here is how GW turned a 40-39 lead into a 20 point win (excluding free throws):
Hunger tip-in
C. Jones-Layup
Hunger-Layup (from C. Jones)
Bubu-Layup (from Aranguren)
Castro-tip-in
Bubu-2 Point Jump Shot
Castro-Dunk (from Autry)
Marshall-Layup (from Autry)
Autry-Layup
Marshall-Layup
C. Jones-Layup
To its credit, GW halted most three point attempts and took the ball to the hole. Their aggressive defense started to turn into offense. While it stands to reason that will have far more difficulty scoring so many points in the paint against a South Florida let alone the actual Florida, I am convinced that this is the mindset they have to play with. They will undoubtedly have a few games where the 3's keep falling but I can't foresee this being the recipe to count on. Get to the hole, get to the line, and if a defense fully commits to cutting this off, then we'll be left with wide open 3's to take (and hopefully make).
|
Posted by GW0509 Yesterday 12:31 pm | #55 |
Anyone have a link to post game press conference?
https://youtu.be/ZQK1_BTsIl4?si=3OwLnJcknk4RV_hV
Last edited by GW0509 (Yesterday 12:32 pm)
|
Posted by Gwmayhem Yesterday 1:06 pm | #56 |
Love that he had Marshall and Aranguren handle the press conference (though Hunger could certainly have been considered). Sends a great message to someone like Jean...play great defense and with a high basketball IQ, two things he clearly does, and your contributions will be valued.
The only thing I don't really like about Woo is that we only have him for one season.
|
Posted by Long Suffering Fan Yesterday 5:42 pm | #57 |
I guess I have raised the ceiling for this team to the point where I am a bit disappointed notwithstanding a 20 point win. Notwithstanding the margin of victory, we allowed Maine to stay in the game well into the second half. No complaints with the defense, in which Maine was clearly overmatched, and no complaints on the rebounding; however the offense is not cohesive. Too much dribbling and not enough passing. Too many turnovers (16) and not enough assists (only 12, on 27 made baskets). And I won't even mention the 3 point shooting.
As for my early impressions on the individuals,
1. Castro: Has played okay, but hardly looking dominant or like a player of the year candidate. And obviously not on the player, but what was Caputo thinking about putting him back in the game with 2 fouls and 14 minutes left in the first half. And what was Castro thinking being so aggressive with those 2 fouls and quickly picking up his 3rd.
2. Marshall: He is looking like he will be a solid backup for Garrett Johnson and even a solid starter when Garrett needs a day off' Got to like the double double.
'3 Benjamin: Hard not to like his energy and his versatility on both sides of the ball. I think he will be solid for us.
4. Jones: Solid on both sides of the ball. He is probably the player I most want to have the ball when we must have a basket. Would like to see a bit more versatility in his scoring and if he is going to play the point, we need more than 1 assist in 27 minutes from him.
5. Autry. Does so many things well but needs to get more touches. The team does not seem to find him enough in his sweet spot. Another player I would like to see with the ball when a basket is crucial.
6. Hunger: seems to be a very nice pickup who should be good enough to start; noting that Maine did not seem to have anyone who can match up with him physically. He appeared to come to GW very well coached and the step down from the Big 10 should really benefit him in the A-10.
7. Dinkins: Undoubtedly, at some point he will get hot from the three and hit 5 in a game and the base will go crazy, but right now I am thinking Drumgoole.
8. Aranguren: His defense seems okay, but after 2 games I am not seeing what he brings to the team.
9. Bevins: Hasn't really played enough to get a feel for him yet. I wish he would be on the court more.
Just 2 more asides:
-What is with the near physical skirmishes now in both games. Is this the team trying to project a street fighting personality?
-As for the TV broadcast, why no Patsos last night. I kinda liked the kid that was doing color, but I know I am in the minority, but I do like Patsos. As for Byron Kerr, I like him too (notwithstanding his being a blatant homer), but please Byron. a 3 point shot by definition is a long shot. They can't all be "long three pointers as he seems to like to call.
Last edited by Long Suffering Fan (Yesterday 6:04 pm)
|
Posted by PKGW Yesterday 6:04 pm | #58 |
Certainly did not feel like a 20pt win but will take it. I think our overall depth and athleticism will help us make if through the nonconf with losses to Florida and one other (USF?).
Love the defense. Contrary to LSF, think the PG from Hofstra (for get his name) was key to the win last night. Hard man to man defense on the ball which we have not had in a bit. Was not worried about his offense - we have plenty of options there. If he can lock down a guard like that in the A10 that will be a major plus.
|
Posted by Gwmayhem Yesterday 6:35 pm | #59 |
A few responses to LSF:
1) Fully agree about the dubious CC decision to play Castro as he did. However, I would also add that I believe CC must have privately thought that GW was winning this game even without Slim and Garrett. Am not at all convinced we would have seen the same substitution pattern had the opponent been VCU or Dayton.
2) I believe Marshall is a starter whether Garrett is in the lineup or not. CC loves him and so far, he's done a lot of very good things.
3) While we all would like to see Christian or any guard compile more than 1 assist in 27 minutes, I think it's time that we all lost our traditional definition of what a point guard is or what he's supposed to do. Us oldtimers are conditioned to think of the guy that calls out a play, makes a good pass, and gets the assist. Today's point guard perhaps may only be defined as the guy who brings up the ball (and actually, we had a a number of guys do this). His job today is to help run an efficient offense and often, that may mean driving to the basket or taking a three rather than passing. I am very confident that CC would love his point guards to be genuine scoring threats (which also explains why so many are really combo guards).
4) The most interesting takeaway (to me anyway) regarding Luke Hunger is whether he will be able to play this effectively against A10 competition. The three Cayman Island games, plus South Florida and Florida, are all games worth noticing how well Luke plays. After last night, there's little doubt that he can have his way against outmanned competition.
5) I know, it's only been 1 game and 1 exhibition. In the best case scenario, Tre Dinkins is pressing too hard, wanting to display his scoring prowess a bit too much. In the worst case scenario, he is battling how a go-to scorer like himself can successfully fit with a "there's no I in team" mindset that I believe this team possesses.
6) Said this earlier but Aranguren strikes me as a strong defender with a high basketball IQ. Makes intelligent plays. The scoring has not shown up yet but he knows that contributing to wins in other ways is extremely valuable for this team.
7) A little too early (IMO) to read much into physical skirmishes, as in whether the team is attempting to make some kind of statement. I'll chalk these up to being isolated incidents. A few more over the next few games and I'll begin putting my 18 credits of psychology to use.
Page: