Cincinnati (OH) – George Washington Colonials

Previous Record (Conf)
16-15 (6-10)

Key Non-Conference Games
at George Mason (01 Dec), at Oregon St (18 Dec), at UAB (27 Dec)

Conference Home-and-Home Partners
Charlotte, LaSalle, Richmond

OVERVIEW
After averaging just five conference wins over the last three seasons, the Colonials should be a more formidable opponent this year. They were 3-5 in conference games decided by six points or less and only lost one A10 game by more than 10 points. With nine returning players and four returning starters GW should be more effective in close games. After a brief recruiting slump, Hobbs has his roster restocked with long, athletic, interchangeable players and GW should be 10-12 deep again.

SPOTLIGHT ON
Sophomore Lasan Kromah made the All-Rookie team last season after averaging 11.8 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. Kromah was adept at finishing both inside and outside and proved to be a deft passer. He was second in the A10 in steals and was named to the A10 Preseason Third Team. Having been the second option last year, deferring to senior Damian Hollis, Kromah will have to adapt to playing against defenses designed to stop him this season.

OUTLOOK
Hobbs hasn’t had a roster with this much talent and experience since the 2006-07 season when the Colonials went 23-9. They have an under-rated, but highly efficient point guard in junior Tony Taylor, a potential all-Conference player in sophomore Lasan Kromah and experienced depth at every position. Hobbs will need to find another consistent deep threat, but the team’s strength will be creating turnovers and getting to the free-throw line. While the roster lacks an outstanding rebounder, the Colonials will get it done as a team and have the potential for seven players to grab 100 or more rebounds.

Hobbs’ teams have been at their best when they are creating offense from their swarming defense. The Colonials should improve on their negative turnover differential with more experience and more depth. What remains to be seen is if Hobbs can tighten up the perimeter defense. The Colonials allowed opponents to shoot 35% from behind the arc, 13th in the A10.

Unlike previous years when GW’s non-conference schedule was custard soft, they will be tested early and often this season with the pre-season NIT and some challenging road games. How they fare in those should be a good indicator of how they’ll perform in conference.