I spoke with Director of Athletics Jack Kvancz yesterday, and one of the things we discussed was next year’s basketball schedule. He said GW will be in Tier 2 of the Atlantic 10’s 3-tier scheduling system next season, meaning the Colonials’ out-of-conference schedule will be comprised of teams with Ratings Percentage Index at or below 200. Though the Colonials finished in the bottom third of the conference last season, they fall into the second tier because teams cannot make the jump from Tier 1 to Tier 3, Kvancz said.

Already on the docket for next year is a trip to Hawaii for the Rainbow Classic and games against Boston University, Maryland-Baltimore County, and American University. The American contest will be the first between the two squads since GW lost to the Eagles in 2003. GW also has a contract with Providence College for a game next season.

On the women’s side, coach Joe McKeown — who will be an assistant coach for the United States’ U-18 team at the FIBA Americas Championships for Women this summer — has lined up another tough crop of teams for next years Colonials to face. Highlighting the list thus far are the defending national champions at the University of Tennessee, who will make a trek to Foggy Bottom. GW also has a trip to Rutgers lined up, and games against, Texas A&M, Kentucky, Western Kentucky, Villanova, and Auburn.