La Salle (@ La Salle, Jan. 9; vs. La Salle Jan. 29)
It will be tough to knock off La Salle at home after the Explorers posted a 7-1 record at home last season. With Bob Cousy Award Watch List player Tyreek Duren leading the team, along with the rest of La Salle’s well-balanced attack that averaged 71.2 points per game a year ago, the Colonials will have to be at their best to contend with the Explorers, who were picked to finish third in the preseason poll.
Rhode Island (@ URI, Jan. 11)
Both the Rams and Colonials struggled to score last season, but GW’s superior defense pushed them into the playoffs over URI. Ranked ninth in the Atlantic 10 preseason poll – one spot ahead of the Colonials – Rhode Island (61.6 ppg) lost to GW (66.3 ppg) on their home floor last year by way of a Joe McDonald game-winner.
VCU (vs. VCU Jan. 14; @ VCU Feb. 12)
The Havoc defense that strangled opponents all of last year, also successfully broke down the Colonials in their lopsided 84-57 loss to the Rams in Richmond. VCU, ranked No. 14 nationally in 2013, also sits atop the A-10 preseason rankings, and are picked to take the conference under the direction of head coach Shaka Smart.
St. Bonaventure (@ St. Bonaventure, Jan. 18)
The hapless Bonnies are the No. 12 A-10 preseason pick and took a pounding from the Colonials in their conference opener last season, 78-59, due in large part to the play of the then “freshman four.” Look for GW to exploit the Bonnies’ weak defense with a strong half-court game, powered by Armwood and Larsen.
George Mason (@ GMU, Jan. 25; vs. GMU March 2)
The “Revolutionary Rivalry” is likely to see its first major battle when the two men’s programs square off. GMU is ranked two spots higher in the preseason poll at eighth, coming from a weaker conference in the Colonial Athletic League. It’s hard to say whether the Patriots, who averaged 68.1 ppg, can play to the level of A-10 teams.
Dayton (@ Dayton, Feb. 1)
The Flyers last saw the Colonials on SportsCenter last season, when Armwood’s game-winning slam dunk lifted GW into postseason play in the overtime thriller. This year, the No. 7 preseason pick will defend their home floor in the middle of A-10 play, in a crucial game that the Colonials will need to capitalize on.
Duquesne (vs. Duquesne Feb. 5)
Last year the Colonials defeated the Dukes 79-57 on the Smith Center floor, and will hope to come out with a similar result against the team picked to finish in the basement of the A-10.
Fordham (vs Fordham, Feb. 8; @Fordham, March 8)
The Rams struggled on the defensive side of the ball last season, allowing opponents to score an average of 75.9 ppg. Fordham is picked to finish 11th in the conference in the 2013-14 season.
Massachusetts (vs. UMass Feb. 15)
The most exciting game of the season may come against UMass in mid-February, as GW makes its last push towards conference play. GW took down the Minutemen 79-76, thanks to a strong close from McDonald, but UMass got its revenge in the first round of the A-10 playoffs, as Bob Cousy Award Watch List member Chaz Williams had one of his breakout games to send GW home early, 77-72. This year he has national attention, and the Minutemen, who averaged 73.0 ppg, are picked to finish fourth in the conference.
Richmond (@ Richmond, Feb. 18)
Last year, Larsen had a breakout game with 16 points and 12 rebounds against the Spiders, and he will need to have another big game against a Richmond team that won last year’s matchup by nine points and averaged 70 ppg.
Saint Louis (@ St. Louis, Feb. 22)
The Billikens were selected second in the conference poll this year, despite winning the A-10 Championship last year and earning a No. 4 seed in the NCAA tournament. GW, who fell to them last season 66-58 in a game that was never too far from their grasp, will need to find a way to quiet returning senior forward Dwayne Evans, who led the team with 14 ppg.
Saint Joseph’s (vs. Saint Joseph’s, March 5)
The preseason No. 5 pick will travel to D.C. this year after beating the Colonials 71-59 last season. They come to the Smith Center in 2014 for GW’s senior day, and second-to-last A-10 game of the season, looking to send seniors Armwood, Creek and Mikic off in losing fashion.
