Now that I’m home from Barcelona, I can weigh in on a few things in the basketball world. I feel bad for anyone who is abroad this semester and is missing this run. Europe is fun but a packed Smith Center has rocked Foggy Bottom.
Connecticut’s near-loss to Notre Dame last night proves anyone could be knocked off any night. GW alumnus and Irish coach Mike Brey has lost too many games down the wire. A win over the No. 4 Huskies would’ve helped erase the memories.
No. 11 Boston College got popped by Virginia in Charlottesville. Will this break the Eagle’s season? No. BC ran with and almost beat Duke, who I think is the best basketball team in the land.
I always say never discount teams with great coaching. At 19-8 and 7-6 in the Big East, Jim Boheim’s Syracuse is making some noise. With two wins over Louisville and No. 15 West Virginia, the Orange are showing flashes of brilliance. Real test will come Saturday against No. 23 Georgetown in Washington. The flashes may fade. This team does not have what it takes to go deep this year.
Now to the No. 6 Colonials. GW has a real test Wednesday night against La Salle. The Explorers (17-7, 9-4 Atlantic 10) have won seven straight including games over Massachusetts, Temple, Xavier and Dayton. GW is 12-0 in conference and 22-1 overall. La Salle’s Steven Smith will try to add another to GW’s loss column with his explosive play. Considered by many to be the best player in the A-10, Smith is averaging 19.6 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. Come early to this one. Sure to be packed.
