What: Men’s basketball (1-0) vs. Siena (1-0) (CBE Hall of Fame Classic)
Where: Smith Center, Washington, D.C.
When: Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m.
Coming off a season-opening 75–71 win over Maryland Eastern Shore Friday, the Colonials continue their homestand Tuesday against the Siena Saints.
The contest is GW’s first of four in the 2016 College Basketball Experience Hall of Fame Classic tournament, which culminates with two games in Kansas City, Mo. next week against Georgia and either UAB or No. 7 Kansas.
In its fourth all-time meeting with the Metro-Atlantic Athletic Conference foe, GW will look to string together consecutive victories for the first time this fall.
Case for the Colonials:
Graduate student forward Tyler Cavanaugh and junior guard Yuta Watanabe combined for 42 points, 16 rebounds and a 19-for-21 clip from the free throw line against UMES. The pair will continue to drive the Colonials’ offense Tuesday but needs more help from fellow starters.
While Siena put up 89 points in a double-digit win over Cornell last week, the Colonials’ defense has the potential to shut down the Saints if they stay focused for a full 40 minutes. GW held the Hawks to just 25 percent shooting in the first half Friday and grabbed 28 defensive rebounds to UMES’ 15.
Twenty turnovers and inconsistent second-half defense kept the season-opener close, but the Colonials did a good job drawing fouls and converting at the line – something that could also be crucial against Siena. GW’s 85.3 free throw percentage (29-for-34) currently ranks 10th-best in the nation.
Case for the Saints:
After a 21-13 overall in 2015-2016, Siena was picked to finish second in the MAAC this year behind Monmouth, who GW defeated in the second round of the 2016 National Invitation Tournament.
The Saints’ high-powered offense is led by senior guard Marquis Wright and senior forward Brett Bisping. Wright was named MAAC Player of the Week Sunday after netting 31 points against Cornell, and will be tough to contain at the Smith Center.
Siena also shot well from three-point range against the Big Red (11-for-29) and racked up seven total steals. The visitors will need to continue to force turnovers to stifle GW’s offensive momentum.
On the road against the defending NIT Champions, expect the mid-major to throw everything they have at the Colonials to capture an upset win and make a statement an early-season statement in the MAAC.
Bottom Line:
Siena should not be overlooked, but this is GW’s game to lose. The Colonials will have to battle at home, but if they can defend well, minimize turnovers and get a few sturdy offensive performances they should be able to come away with the win.
