CINCINNATI (OH) – George Washington Colonials

Previous Record (Conf)
10-18 (4-12)

Key Non-Conference Games
At Boston (17NOV), Oregon St (28NOV), George Mason (2DEC)

Projected Conference Record (Finish)
3-13 (13th)

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

Outlook
The Colonials will be hard pressed to improve on last year’s dismal finish. Head coach Karl Hobbs has to give the administration and the fan base a reason to believe he can make GW competitive again in the A-10 sooner rather than later. Hobbs can’t afford another recruiting miss and this year’s freshmen class with six new players will determine if he’ll be around to see them graduate.

Last season GW struggled to score in the paint lacking a big man who could score on the blocks or an explosive guard who could get to the rim. Junior center Joseph Katuka showed glimpses of becoming a threat down low. Now two years removed from knee surgery, a fully recovered Travis King would be a huge lift to the offense.

Senior forward Damian Hollis is a formidable scorer with All-Conference talent who thrives on contact, but can also drain the three. Too often last season he and departed forward Rob Diggs created as many scoring opportunities for the opposition as they did for themselves. GW’s half-court sets devolved into a game of “anything you can do I can better” between the two. Hollis has to make better decisions at both ends, but Hobbs has to find reliable scoring options so Damian doesn’t feel like he has to carry the load by himself.

Spotlight On
Travis King has the experience and talent to emerge as an on-court leader. He was on the 2006-07 team that won 23 games and made the NCAA tournament. He understands Hobbs system and what it takes to be successful in it. A rejuvenated King gives GW a healthy one-two punch and would go a long way in to returning the confidence and swagger to Foggy Bottom.

Best Case Scenario
Hollis blossoms into an All-Conference player making the most of his senior year and leading the youngsters by example. The rest of the starters continue to improve and Hobbs is able to blend in his most talented recruiting class of the last four years. King and Katuka provide consistent scoring options behind Hollis. The freshmen bring energy and enthusiasm to a rejuvenated defense. The Colonials finish 8-8 in the conference and Hobbs gets an extension.

Worst Case Scenario
Hollis turns the season into an ongoing tryout for his post-collegiate basketball career. The freshmen don’t make an impact through lack of talent, injuries or eligibility. King never regains the form he showed before the surgery and Katuka continues to be maddeningly inconsistent. Hobbs continues to let the little things slip (dumb technical foul anyone?) and gets a pink slip of his own at the end of the season.