This post was written by Hatchet staff writer Matt Cullen.
What: Women’s basketball (6-3) vs. Villanova (5-3)
When: Sunday, Dec. 13, 2 p.m. ET
Where: The Smith Center, Washington, D.C.
After a one game road trip to Memphis, the Colonials are back in town and looking to prove that they are worthy of the top 25 spot that has eluded them for the past two weeks. Before GW went down to Memphis, the team had dropped two straight nail-bitters to Wright State and Florida Gulf Coast. But strong play from senior forward Jonquel Jones and sophomore guard Bri Cummings led the Colonials to a comeback win over the Tigers last weekend that ended the mini-skid.
Last time the Wildcats and Colonials faced off, GW was able to pull off the ten-point victory in the second round of the 2014 WNIT tournament. Then in her first year with the team, Jones was able to come away with 16 points and a game-high 11 rebounds.
Here’s what to expect from the game:
The Case for the Colonials: GW has lost a couple tough games this season, including one at home, but the team is coming of a win and looking to improve their record in the next four games before Atlantic 10 play starts.
Jones has, undoubtedly, been the star of the team. She is on a seven-game double-double streak and is receiving well-deserved national attention. Earlier this week she was placed on the early-season Naismith trophy watch list. On the court she leads the nation in rebounding (15.9 rebounds per game) and leads the A-10 in scoring (17.7 points per game).
Luckily for the Wildcats, Villanova has some good size on their roster. Still, Jones will be the focus of the Wildcat defense all game long and should expect double teams to be coming her way down low.
On both sides of the floor, the Colonials will have the upper hand on the boards. During this season, Villanova has been outrebounded by 4 boards per game, a number that could be much higher against one of the best rebounding frontcourts in the nation.
The Case for the Wildcats: Villanova has been led by guard play all season and that is where they can try to find the advantage.
Senior guard Caroline Coyer is the anchor to the Wildcats offense. So far the season she averages 14.3 points and 5 assists and 6.9 rebounds per game, leading the team in all three categories.
Along with freshman point guard Adrianna Hahn off the bench, Coyer’s play on Sunday will dictate how well the Wildcats are able to compete with the Colonials.
Over the past few games, Colonials head coach Jonathan Tsipis has been changing up the lineup on the perimeter hoping to find a strong defensive group. This strategy has Tsipis playing less experienced players and could be assistance for Villanova’s guards.
Bottom Line: On Paper, the Colonials are the better team and should pick up the win. Jones and the rest of the squad have showed tenacity on the boards and ability to score that should be enough to hold off Villanova. But, if the talented backcourt of the Wildcats is able to pick through the Colonial defense or get graduate student guard Lauren Chase in foul trouble it could be another close game.
