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September
23rd, 2006
By Joel
Welser
Broadcast Basketball
George
Washington Colonials
Overall Rank:
#47
Conference
Rank: #2 A-10
2005-06:
27-3, 16-0, 1st
2005-06
postseason: NCAA
 It’s not going
to be easy for George Washington to follow up on their perfect
16-0 season in the Atlantic 10. Despite the loss of quality
players, it is the system that has proven to be successful. The
Colonials won’t go 16-0 again, or maybe even make the NCAAs, but
the winning won’t end at GW just because of a few key players
departing.
Who’s Out:
This
a painful list for GW fans to read. Danilo Pinnock led the
squad with 14.5 points and added 5.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists and
2.4 steals. Pops Mensah-Bonsu averaged 12.6 points and 6.7
rebounds per game and was a solid shot blocker and defender.
Mike Hall was the underappreciated hustle man under the basket,
averaging 11.0 points and a team high 7.6 rebounds. Omar
Williams tacked on 8.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists. As
if losing four of their top six scorers wasn’t enough, Montrell
McDonald has opted to transfer after seeing significant minutes
off the bench last year.
Who’s In:
Forward
Dokun Akingbade didn’t take DC by storm during his first three
seasons for George Washington before redshirting last year.
However, at 6-9 and 200 pounds, Akingbade has the size and
experience to make a big impact for the Colonials. Cheyenne
Moore, a transfer from Clemson, will add some quality depth to
the wings. Moore has a nice shot and will immediately bring
some experience to a squad that lacks it compared to last
season. Incoming freshmen Damian Hollis and Hermann Opoku will
provide depth at the forward spots. Hollis has the skills of a
guard, but at 6-7 and 215 pounds, can battle on the inside,
which is exactly where Coach Karl Hobbs needs him to be. Opoku,
a native of Austria, is a great athlete. The 6-8 forward hasn’t
been playing the game too long and will need some time to adjust
to life in the A-10, but once he finds his comfort zone, Opoku
will be a solid player for GW. Travis King will backup the
point guard spot. He’s a solid defender and has the quickness
to run from end to end.
Who to Watch:
The
backcourt duo of Carl Elliott and Maureece Rice are the best in
the conference. Elliott averaged 11.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and
3.9 assists as a junior. George Washington fans were all
relieved when Elliott opted to return to the nation’s capital
instead of joining the large group of NBA hopefuls. Maureece
was a superb sixth man last year and should be even a better
start this year. After averaging 12.6 points per game as a
sophomore, Rice is ready to break onto the national scene this
year as an upperclassman.
Final
Projection:
The perimeter is
solid. It is the frontcourt that may end George Washington’s
little run of NCAA Tournament bids. Alongside of Akingbade,
Regis Koundjia will need to live up to at least part of his
hype. The 6-8 forward started 20 games as a freshman at LSU,
saw little action the following year in Baton Rogue and failed
to meet expectations his first season suiting up for the
Colonials. He seems to lack the hustle to stay on the floor,
but with a year of playing time at GW, Koundjia might be able to
turn it around. Beside the newcomers, sophomore Rob Diggs will
have to hold down the frontcourt off the bench. George
Washington isn’t the most talented squad in the conference, or
even the second most talented. However, they are proven winners
and will be in the mix for the highly touted second place in the
A-10.
Projected
Post-season Tournament:
NCAA
Projected
Starting Five:
Carl Elliott,
Senior, Guard, 11.5 points per game
Maureece Rice,
Senior, Guard, 12.6 points per game
Cheyenne Moore,
Junior, Forward, DNP last season
Regis Koundjia,
Senior, Forward, 4.8 points per game
Dokun Akingbade,
Senior, Forward, DNP last season
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