The Colonials opened their practice up to the media today, just one day before their season opener against UMES. Here are some notes from the day:

• GW ran through drills designed to work on implementing the flex offense, focusing on passing and finding the open man to cut to the net.
• Freshman forward John Kopriva was the designated player who inbounded most of the drills, including one where members of the Colonials cut passes back and forth down the length of the court, ending with a layup from senior guard Tony Taylor.
• “Play aggressive,” head coach Mike Lonergan told his team, emphasizing both drives to the net and defensive presence.
• Lonergan also walked through scrimmage-style plays that focused on circumventing a man-to-man defense.
• Freshman forward Jonathan Davis posted a commanding block over junior forward David Pellom, and junior guard Lasan Kromah continued to impress with a no-look behind-the-back pass to a waiting Taylor for a shot.
• Lonergan talked with his team about transitioning to defensive roles, underlining the importance of getting back to the backcourt, especially after scoring, and setting up screens below a block.
• The Colonials closed play with a sideline shoot drill that rotated through shots from different areas of the key. Walk-on freshman guard Malik Tonkins participated in the drill.
• After practice ended, Kopriva stayed on the court while his teammates were stretching, running through shooting drills with assistant coach Pete Strickland.
• Senior guard Aaron Ware said the team was excited heading into their next two games, and that GW’s focus is on UMES. They’re a team the Colonials can’t underestimate, Ware said, especially considering the amount of local players on the roster that will be looking to prove themselves on a trip back to D.C.
• Ware added that the team wasn’t concerned about how the quick turnaround and trip to California will affect them, and said Lonergan “seems very calm. Today he was mellow and laidback.”
• Lonergan echoed Ware’s statements, saying his team was excited to take the court and get the season underway. He was happy with his team’s performance against Bowie State, particularly its “unselfish play.”
• He also agreed that the game against UMES was a more important focus than the one against Cal, adding that it’s an important push for the Colonials to remain strong at home.
• He is, however, worried about the trip to Cal, who is “just sitting there, watching for our game,” Lonergan said.
• Not practicing were graduate student forward Jabari Edwards and junior forward Dwayne Smith. Lonergan said Edwards had class and Smith, who is out with post-concussion syndrome, is feeling better but won’t be back for “a couple of weeks.”
• Lastly, Lonergan talked recruiting, and said that with the team’s one remaining scholarship, he’s looking to grab a “high-level center.”