With just one week until the start of the 2024-25 season, GW fans are left wondering whether men’s basketball will be able to put aside last year’s defeats and capitalize on this year’s opportunities. 

This season seems to be one of new beginnings. The Revolutionaries have ushered in handfuls of new players, staff members and even a new athletic director who promised to “embrace the expectation to compete for titles and play deep into March.”

Last week, I was able to attend a practice session and observe the team behind the scenes. As the seats of the Smith Center sat empty, a wildly energetic yet intensely dedicated group of new and old faces checkered the court. The passionate group of players, coaches and managers formed a promising collective ready for action. But the Revs will have to defy the faults of last season and build on their strengths to commence a “revolutionary” era of GW basketball.

Coach Chris Caputo attributed 2023-24 campaign woes to injuries and inexperience. The team saw a troubling 12-game losing streak, the longest since the 1988-89 season, and a first-round exit in the Atlantic 10 Tournament. A youthful roster and late-season injuries derailed what began as a strong 11-2 nonconference season and are somewhat mitigating factors in their ultimate dereliction. It was a cautionary tale of the vulnerability of relying on young talent without sufficient experienced depth.

Even more troubling is the lack of nonconference competition for the Revs this season. A weak schedule prior to intense A-10 competition proved not to be the proper test for last year’s team, and this season’s lineup looks even lighter. The average NET ranking of 2024-25 nonconference opponents, with matchups from the Patriot League to the Sun Belt Conference, is 324.875 — just over 68 spots lower than last year. 

But as the remains of last year’s roster grow more mature, they are more battle-tested for what lies ahead. The graduation of dominant players like GW’s third-highest scorer in program history, James Bishop IV and defensive powerhouse Babatunde Akingbola, along with the loss of guard Max Edwards to the transfer portal will hurt the team. But Caputo has brought in promising veteran reinforcement and two true freshmen to strengthen the team. 

Key transfer additions like guard Gerald Drumgoole Jr. and 6-foot-11 forward Rafael Castro add shooting and size, respectively. Transfer forward Sean Hansen brings another layer of reinforcement in the paint that the team lacked last season. Hansen averaged 3.6 boards per game at Cornell. Redshirt junior guard Trey Moss averaged 13.5 points per game last season at William & Mary, a performance that GW can only hope transfers over. 

Also powerful can be the small freshman class. Local guard Ty Bevins, one of Maryland’s top high school players, brings a potential backcourt impact. Caputo noted his versatility in defending multiple positions when Bevins signed his National Letter of Intent last fall. Swiss national Dayan Nessah also boasts international experience developed in the FC Barcelona system, which could propel his performance as a confident freshman.

Sophomore guard Trey Autry started 15 games last season, averaging 5.4 points per game while guard Jacoi Hutchinson averaged 7.3 points and started 10 games. Their experience and guidance will be tested this season. Returners will not only have to sustain their highs but push further to set the team in motion after the loss of key players.

Coming off a standout year where he earned All-Rookie honors, redshirt sophomore guard Darren Buchanan Jr. is emerging as a go-to player for the Revs. With an extroverted style and swagger much different than former kingpin Bishop IV, Buchanan Jr. may be the team’s new leader. His ability to anchor the team on both sides of the court as a versatile shooter and defender will be central in how well GW bounces back this season. 

And Caputo was faced with the challenge of building a solid supporting cast around Buchanan Jr., and he seems to have risen to the occasion.

However, the unexpected loss of proven scorer Garrett Johnson to a torn ACL over the summer leaves a hole in the frontcourt, further complicating Caputo’s rebuild. GW will need other players to step up into offensive roles, an opportunity for rookies and returners to emerge as key contributors. 

But GW’s roster is not the only piece of the program that has been shuffled. Officials promoted Cooper Handelsman to General Manager of Basketball in August, reflecting GW’s and the broader collegiate’s focus on NIL opportunities for athletes. His previous experience in collegiate basketball and GW operations positions him to strengthen the program’s overall structure.

And Eric Sebastian will join the Rev’s ranks as the new Director of Operations bringing professional ball knowledge to Foggy Bottom. He managed logistics for several NBA All-Stars and Hall of Famers, enhancing GW’s operations on a professional scale.

The recent coaching changes at GW reflect a response to internal day-to-day operational challenges and national trends like a heightened focus on NIL rules and continual movement of players through the transfer portal.

The hiring of Matt Colpoys and Aaron Thompson in July as assistant coaches, both familiar faces who served as recruiting coordinator and player development director since 2022 and 2023, respectively, suggests a desire for continuity amid transition within the team. Sam Ebersold’s summer promotion to Director of Player Development represents a continued commitment to nurturing athlete growth.

But in a sea of new faces, Caputo continues to stand at the helm of GW basketball. Despite last year’s bottom-of-conference finish, Caputo said he aims for a top seed in the A-10 and postseason run. Fans can only hope that his confidence in the mix of new and old players is proven this season. 

With two seasons as head coach behind him, Caputo is under increasing pressure to show the team’s progress. As a revolving door of talent on the sideline and court whirls, Caputo is the constant for the program. How he navigates this new phase could define a future era of GW basketball.

In their return to the Smith Center on Nov. 4 with a tipoff against Mercyhurst, the Revs will commence a test of tenacity, commitment and adaptation for the team.