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AN INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SERVING THE GW COMMUNITY SINCE 1904

The GW Hatchet

Serving the GW Community since 1904

The GW Hatchet

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Officials name senior vice president, chief of staff
By Fiona Riley, Assistant News Editor • March 26, 2024

Rivalries of the Century

Four of the greatest men’s basketball rivalries:

UMass

Starting in 1971, when Dr. J and the Minutemen stopped Walt Szczerbiak and the Colonials 70-65, this series has been one of Foggy Bottom’s favorites, particularly because it’s one of the few GW has dominated (the Colonials lead 30-17). Some highlights:

GW 103, UMass 77 (Jan. 21, 1989) . The Colonials were inspired this day, winning their only game of this 1-27 season, a feat that literally had fans cutting down the nets.

GW 77, No. 6 UMass 66 (Feb. 27, 1994)

GW 78, No. 1 UMass 75 (Feb. 4, 1995)

GW 80, No. 5 UMass 78 (Feb. 14, 1995)

GW 86, No. 1 UMass 76 (Feb. 24, 1996) . These last two games were the first two losses UMass suffered at the Mullins Center.

Xavier

One of GW’s youngest series (XU leads 8-6), it has been a crazy six years. Highlights:

GW 93, No. 25 Xavier 92 (2 OT, Feb. 12, 1994)

GW 81, Xavier 77 (Feb. 26, 1996) . These last two games (both at Cincinnati Gardens) represent only two of the 25 losses Xavier suffered there in the last 20 years.

No. 15 Xavier 62, GW 61 (Jan. 23, 1997)

GW 78, No. 18 Xavier 73 (OT, Jan. 14, 1998) . The famous Mike King game, when King hit two free throws with time expired to force OT.

GW 77, Xavier 74 (Feb. 27, 1999)

GW 78, Xavier 67 (Feb. 5, 2000) . GW trailed by 15 at the half.

Georgetown

Though dormant since 1981, this series with GW’s natural rival is still the Colonials’ most prolific (the Hoyas lead 55-41). Particularly when the schools played twice a year and a mythical (and sometimes real) Big Three championship was at stake, it was the hottest ticket around. Here are the last 11 games in the series, representing some of the closest in the rivalry:

GW 55, Georgetown 54 (1974)

GW 82, Georgetown 78 (1975)

Georgetown 66, GW 59 (1975)

GW 81, Georgetown 79 (OT, 1976)

Georgetown 68, GW 63 (1976)

GW 74, Georgetown 73 (1977)

Georgetown 78, GW 77 (OT, 1978) . Perhaps the most bitter game in GW history after the Iowa NCAA loss. Right before the regulation buzzer at McDonough Gym, Les Anderson put GW ahead by two. GW began celebrating and Coach Bob Tallent almost had his team off the floor when the referees decided there were still two seconds left in the game. Reserve Craig Esherick (later to become the Hoyas’ coach) took the in-bounds pass and threw up a 25-foot prayer. John Thompson went over to shake Tallent’s hand and Tallent had to tell him, Coach, we’re going to overtime. GW fell in the extra session. We had won that game, Tallent says.

Georgetown 73, GW 71 (1979)

Georgetown 98, GW 74 (1980)

Georgetown 84, GW 82 (2 OT, 1980)

Georgetown 61, GW 48 (1981)

Maryland

GW handled this Big Three rival until a nasty 17-game losing streak. The Terps now lead the series 34-31, but GW has won the last two in thrilling fashion, as the series, which died for 16 years, has found new life at the BB&T Classic, particularly in the championship game. Here’s three Maryland classics:

No. 8 GW 70, No. 11 Maryland 57 (Feb. 23, 1954) .Certainly would have made the top 10 if it had even been close. At Uline Arena, GW avenged its only previous loss all year.

GW 70, No, 19 Maryland 66 (Dec. 8, 1997)

GW 74, No. 24 Maryland 69 (Dec. 5, 1999)

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