Just got back from an exciting few hours in Philadelphia. The GW men’s basketball team was picked to win the A-10 crown while the women’s team was chosen to finish third. The buzz of the day was the GW men’s team, which was represented by coach Karl Hobbs and Greg Collucci. Hobbs did not bring any players, which wasn’t a rarity because only Steven Smith (La Salle), Mardy Collins (Temple) and Curtis Withers (Charlotte) were in attendance.
In speaking to coaches, it seems like this year will be one of the most competitve seasons the Atlantic 10 has ever seen. Many people told me that the A-10 only getting one bid to the NCAA was a mistake. These coaches include first year coach Travis Ford (Massachusetts), Brian Gregory (Dayton) and Phil Martelli (Saint Joseph’s).
Few interesting facts about the day:
-Gregory told me that Mike Hall is one player that everyone in the league would love to have.
-Rashaun Freeman, an all-conference player from UMass, told me his squad is doing things in preseason workouts that they’ve never done before. They seem very comfortable with Ford as a new coach.
-Charlotte is coming into the league with a very special player in Curtis Withers. Media and coaches hold him in high regards and many say he is one of the best in the country.
-Media crowded around Temple head coach John Chaney to listen to his ramblings and often insightful comments about college athletics today.
-GW senior Jessica Simmonds and sophomore Kim Beck were named to the all-conference first team. Beck was named to the all defensive team. They are both held in high regard around the conference.
Tomorrow is GW media day. Check the blog out tomorrow for some more ramblings from the sports crew. Also, check out the Hatchet basketball preview on Monday.