George Washington has 10 games remaining in the regular season. The Colonials are currently sitting at 16-5 (5-3 A10), and are sitting right on the bubble for the NCAA Tournament. So what must GW do to ensure their name is called on Selection Sunday? Let’s take a look at their remaining schedule:
- 2/3 vs Davidson
- 2/6 at VCU
- 2/10 vs Saint Joseph’s
- 2/13 at Saint Bonaventure
- 2/17 at Duquesne
- 2/21 vs La Salle
- 2/24 at Richmond
- 2/27 vs VCU
- 3/1 vs George Mason
- 3/5 at Davidson
The Colonials have arguably the most difficult remaining schedule of all the teams in the Atlantic 10. Six of the remaing 10 games are against the top 5 teams in the conference. Half of those six game are on the road, as well as half of all of their remaining games.
Since GW installed their new court before the 2013-14 season, the Colonials have only lost four home games, and two of those opponents loom on the horizon again. One being Davidson and the other being VCU. GW has also never won at VCU since they joined the A10 in 2013. No doubt, there are some daunting games ahead of the Colonials, but lets take a look at this game-by-game.
The first game on the schedule is Davidson. GW will look to avenge last season’s 65-63 defeat at the Smith Center on February 18th, 2015. In addition, the Colonials will be looking for their first win at home since falling in double-overtime last Thursday. In order to win this game, GW must contain Atlantic 10 Player of the Year candidate Jack Gibbs, as well as defend the Wildcats’ lethal three point shooting.
Next is a showdown at VCU, who has won 11 games in a row, but has shown a little vulnerability at times. GW will have to put forth their best defensive effort of the season, as well as contain Mo Alie-Cox and JeQuan Lewis. This is probably the least winnable game of the remaining schedule, but don’t sleep on the Colonials in this one.
The following Wednesday, GW will take on the surging Saint Joseph’s Hawks, who, like GW, will be looking for a résumé boosting win. Afterwards, the Colonials will pay a visit to Saint Bonaventure, who will be desperate for a quality win to save their NCAA Tournament hopes, though the Bonnies look like they’re NIT-bound.
Three possible trap games follow with Duquesne, La Salle and Richmond. These should be winnable games, assuming GW takes care of business. Then looms a rematch with VCU, a game that would really help the Colonials’ seeding if they win. The regular season concludes with George Mason and a rematch with Davidson. Ideally, it would help for GW to win four of five against VCU, Saint Joe’s and Davidson, but 3 of 5 is a must.
With the exception of the game at VCU, George Washington doesn’t really have a “losable game” left on their schedule. That is assuming the Colonials find their stride and take care of the teams they’re supposed to beat. It’s not that unrealistic that GW could win eight or even nine of their remaining games. But they must be wary of the mistakes they made last year when their whole season slipped away after losing a couple of A10 games. But, should GW can reach their full potential, look out for them in Brooklyn and beyond…
