Who: GW vs. Delaware State
When: Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Where: Smith Center
Case for Delaware State:
The Colonials have been on a shooting tear as of late, boasting a .423 shooting percentage from three-point range, but thus far, the Hornets have proven just as capable at defending the perimeter. The Hornets have held their opponents to a combined nine three-point field goals all season equating to just .188 percent.
After putting up its largest point total, 107, in 13 years during its season opener, Delaware State has become sufficient at spreading out the offense. Averaging 15 assists per game, four different Hornets are averaging over eight points per game, led by junior forward Tyshawn Bell at 9.7 ppg.
Facing an aggressive Colonials defense, the Hornets – picked to finish seventh in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference – will have to continue to control the ball well as they have, turning the ball over just 10.3 points per game.
Case for GW:
Averaging just 64.7 points per game, the Hornets are currently without a double-digit scorer. Without having to key in on a specific go-to scorer like in recent games against Radford and Manhattan, the Colonials’ defense – that is holding opponents to 69.7 points per game – will get to try out multiple looks and showcase their athleticism.
After a comeback victory over Manhattan on Saturday to start the season 3-0 for the first time since 2009, the Colonials earned their first vote in the AP poll since 2006-2007. The win over the Jaspers was also the first glimpse of a full-strength GW team, after sophomore forward Patricio Garino returned to the lineup two weeks earlier than expected.
The Colonials, led by the 19.3 ppg from graduate guard Maurice Creek, will look for continued success from their inside-out attack. Hot outside-shooting, that was non-existent last season, has opened things up even more for senior forward Isaiah Armwood and sophomore center Kevin Larsen, who combined for 32 points and 18 rebounds against Manhattan Saturday.
Delaware State (1-2) is coming off two straight road losses to the Atlantic Coast Conference’s Georgia Tech and Clemson, both by double-digit margins (68-50 and 58-37). The Colonials will look to keep up their high-scoring efforts, currently averaging 88 points per game, to hand the Hornets their fourth-straight loss.
