As the DMV saw their first snow, they are starting to see the last stretch of out of conference games. Only the University of Maryland have had their first conference tests. That resulted in a home loss to Purdue and a road win at Illinois. Georgetown, George Mason, George Washington, VCU and American are all still waiting to start their most important phase of the schedule.
Maryland Terps (9-3)
As mentioned, the Terps already have played two Big Ten Conference games. In the loss to Purdue, they are hurt by their inability to stop Isaac Haas. The Boiler big man scored 21 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. If losing conference home games are big, winning conference road games are just as big. Maryland did just that when they put the Purdue loss behind them and scored a 92-91 overtime victory at Illinois. In the victory over the Illini, the Terps squandered a 19 point halftime lead but a Bruno Fernando tip sent the game into overtime.
“We’re a good basketball team. … Tonight we grew up a lot. It’s great to win one like that because now the guys know they can do it.” – Coach Mark Turgeon after the Illinois win
The Terps followed the Illinois win with a couple of non-conference wins over Ohio and Gardner-Webb.
Best Out of Conference Win: Butler 79-65
Worst Out of Conference Loss: St. Bonaventure 63-61
Remaining Out of Conference Schedule: Home: Catholic, Fairleigh Dickinson, UMBC; Away: None
First Conference Game: N/A
Leaders
Scoring: Anthony Cowan 16.1
Rebounding: Justin Jackson 8.1
Assists: Anthony Cowan 4.3
Georgetown Hoyas (8-0)
The Hoyas have been part of the conversation because of two things: Ewing’s return and their schedule. So despite Georgetown’s gaudy 8-0 record we really don’t know anything about them. Junior big man, Jessie Govan has been a double-double machine (avg 20.4 points, 12.7 rebound per game). According to KenPom, University of Richmond is the best team they’ve played all year. The Spiders come in ranked 216. We will find out how far Georgetown has come when they face Syracuse on December 16th.
“It’s a great schedule, a great schedule,” Ewing said to reporters at Capital One Arena. “All the people worried about the schedule are all you guys.”
Best Out of Conference Win: None
Worst Out of Conference Loss: N/A
Remaining Out of Conference Schedule: Home: Syracuse, North Texas, Alabama A&M; Away: None
First Conference Game: Butler (Dec 27th)
Leaders
Scoring: Jessie Govan 20.4
Rebounding: Jessie Govan 12.7
Assists: Jonathan Mulmore 4.9
George Mason (5-5)
This might be the most interesting team in the region. Some I’ve spoken to have lamented the fact that the Patriots don’t have a presence in the paint and it will be the bug-a-boo this season. Others have acknowledged that they’ve had problems in the paint but have praised Coach Dave Paulsen for what he’s done so far this season. Some late game inefficiencies has cost George Mason a couple of wins but the potential is there.
If Otis Livingston II can manage his turnovers, he can be one of the top point guards in the conference. When he isn’t finishing his shot off the dribble, he has a couple of great options in Jaire Grayer and the improving Javon Greene from the 3 point line.
In the win over North Carolina-Central, Coach Dave Paulsen said
“I really liked our defensive performance in the first half especially. We got a little sloppy with the lead, but it was a good opportunity to play in a different type of scenario for our team. We received great contributions off the bench and we’re continuing to evolve. There’s a lot of good to take away from this game.”
Best Out of Conference Win: Binghamton 69-57
Worst Out of Conference Loss: William & Mary 77-70
Remaining Out of Conference Schedule: Home: Georgia Southern, Penn St., Morgan St.; Away: None
First Conference Game: at Rhode Island (Dec 30th)
Leaders
Scoring: Otis Livingston II 15.6
Rebounding: Jaire Grayer 8.3
Assists: Otis Livingston II 4.9
VCU (5-5)
The Rams’ 5-5 record feels much different than George Mason’s. According to KenPom, VCU’s strength of schedule is a very respectable 54th with one true road game. What holds VCU back is there five losses have come to their five toughest opponents. The Rams win over ODU (KenPom: 54th) is the best the have thus far.
What makes the Rams so dangerous in the conference season is having veteran point guard Johnny Williams and an inside-outside big man in Justin Tillman. The senior big man’s numbers have been different when you look at the Rams’ wins and losses. In losses, Tillman has averaged 13.4 points 7.8 rebounds. In VCU’s wins he’s averaged 19.8 points and 7.6 rebounds.
Best Out of Conference Win: ODU 82-75
Worst Out of Conference Loss: All losses have come to quality opponents
Remaining Out of Conference Schedule: Home: Bucknell, Winthrop, VMI; Away: None
First Conference Game: Fordham (Dec 30th)
Leaders
Scoring: Justin Tillman 16.6
Rebounding: Justin Tillman 7.7
Assists: Johnny Williams 6.6
American (3-6)
Things are looking up for American University despite their record. With Mark Gasperini sidelined, the natural question was who would contribute on offense besides all-everything point guard, Sa’eed Nelson? The answer. Larry Motuzis. The NAIA transfer has blended in nicely with Coach Mike Brennan’s offense. American has played 7 of their 9 games away from Bender Arena yet has been competitive in all but two (Kansas St. and West Virginia).
When you consider the roster doesn’t have any seniors, you can understand why there’s a sense of optimism in Tenleytown.
Best Out of Conference Win: New Hampshire 74-70
Worst Out of Conference Loss: Maryland Eastern-Shore 74-70
Remaining Out of Conference Schedule: Home: Mount St. Mary’s; Away: Marquette
First Conference Game: at Bucknell (Dec 29th)
Leaders
Scoring: Larry Motuzis 19.1
Rebounding: Larry Motuzis 5.2
Assists: Sa’eed Nelson 4.2
George Washington (5-5)
Outside of VCU, George Washington has played the toughest schedule in the area. As you can guess, that has resulted in mixed results this season. On one hand, you see George Washington’s full potential in their win over Temple. On the other hand, you see some chinks in their armor in the loss to Penn St.
“We dug ourselves a monster hole,” said head coach Maurice Joseph. “We had to make some decisions, make some choices about what kind of team we want to be in terms of our grit, our competitive spirit, our will to compete, and I thought we came out in the second half a little bit more spirited, but this is a great lesson for our young team to understand that we can’t come into any road game, never mind a good opponent, and not be spirited, and not be enthusiastic, and not play with a great sense of toughness and grit.”
Scheduling tough has been a staple of the Atlantic 10 conference as a whole and should make the Colonials battle tough when it comes to conference play.
Best Out of Conference Win: Temple 71-67
Worst Out of Conference Loss: Rider 67-65
Remaining Out of Conference Schedule: Home: Miami (Fl), New Hampshire, Harvard; Away: None
First Conference Game: St Joes (Dec 30th)
Leaders
Scoring: Larry Motuzis 19.1
Rebounding: Larry Motuzis 5.2
Assists: Sa’eed Nelson 4.2
