Game 26, 2017-18: GW (2/14)

[MikeUMA]

Who's taking their honey to The Bill for Valentine's? GW matchup Wednesday night at 7.
TV options: NESN plus or Eleven Sports
Streaming: A-10 Network

If we want to avoid playing on Day 1 of the conference tournament, this is a game we pretty much have to get. GW is currently in last, at 3-7. We're 4-8, in a 3-way tie for 11th. SJU/Dayton/Mason tied for 8th-10th.

Colonials are winless outside of DC. They're 1-10 away from the Smith Center, the W coming across town vs Temple, at the BB&T Classic back in December.

Their league wins were:
SJU 70-64
Mason 80-68
La Salle 80-69
We're 2-3 versus that group.

This might be the last time we have to face Yuta Watanabe (6-9 205 G SR). He's averaging 15.6 ppg / 6.4 rpg, leading the team in both. In A10 play, up that scoring number to 17.2 ppg.
Jair Bolden (6-4 212 G SO) 11.7 / 3.3 / 3.1 assists (team lead)
Patrick Steeves (6-8 221 F GS) 10.4 / 5.2 / 2.1.
Terry Nolan Jr. (6-2 180 G FR) 9.1 / 3.2 / 2.3
Arnaldo Toro (6-8 248 F SO) gives them 6.9 / 6.0

Their size is going to be a challenge for us, with all our front court losses already, and KTM being a question mark after that elbow to the head.

Watanabe is a 3pt threat at .368 on the season. After that, not so much, rest of team is .290 combined.

[MikeUMA]

Couple observations from the coaches show last night...

McCall has Terry Nolan Jr signed to come to Chattanooga, but the Mocs released him after McCall left for UM.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/high ... story.html

McCall said that he expected to see Watanabe play D on Pipkins at times, using his length to disrupt Pip.

Sounds like KTM will be out. Didn't mention a timetable, but seemed doubtful for GW.

[MJatUM]

Pretty good sign that 2 of his recruits he had committed to play at Chattanooga landed in the A-10 once they were released.

[inthescoop]

If we want a first round bye in the A-10 tournament, we need to win this game.

[capezona]

^
...and a couple more.

[Berkman]

I went to the Davidson GW game with my son when he was visiting for my birthday in Jan and we both agreed that GW should be a decent win for us. They looked terrible. However when we play Davidson here I have my doubts if they shoot 3's like they did last week something like 19 out of 39. I will be at that game with my wife and daughter.

[InnervisionsUMASS]

It was posted elsewhere, but we might see some extra bodies on the bench tonight:

Heard through the grapevine you might be seeing some #UMass football players suiting up to finish the season with #Minutemen basketball. Matt McCall's squad has been dealing with attrition since before the year began.

https://twitter.com/FightMA247/status/9 ... 8836811776

[Roadtrip]

Just find a way to win this one guys, give it all you have.

[69MG]

I find it hard to believe that we are 5 point favorites. My sense is that if our outside shots aren't falling we will get killed. If they are falling the game might be competitive.

GW starts a front line of 6'9, 6'8 and 6'8. We have Malik and CJ (6'6). We haven't been able to defend the paint even when we had 8 players. I can't even think of a strategy to make this work, but I'll be there +3.

Game is NESN+ for those that can't make it.

[Berkman]

When I went to the GW/Davidson game down here GW was terrible. Their big guys did not impress me at all.

[minutefanjsf]

^
Big guys? We have one......

[69MG]

When I went to the GW/Davidson game down here GW was terrible. Their big guys did not impress me at all.

Watanabe has killed us in the past (not last year) and last year Steeves went for 26 against us with Holloway, Hines, Baldwin and Gresham. I hope they don't impress me tonight either.

[Marty Peretz]

If we want a first round bye in the A-10 tournament, we need to win this game.

...and a couple more.

Think we need tonight, Duquesne and one other to get out of the bottom four. Duquesne has started to fall apart and we get them at home. Honestly, VCU doesn't defend and we get them at home too so ya never know but if we don't get KTM back to give us some minutes it could be rough sledding.

[MikeUMA]

^ We could potentially catch VCU napping. They play at GW a few days before, have to go up to us, then after us they host Bona. We could trap them as they look forward to a big matchup with Bona.

On the other hand, they're trying to old onto the double-bye. Today, they're a half-game ahead of the 5th and 6th place teams.

[Almontis]

Will the A10 Network broadcast be blacked out due to the other stations carrying the game?

It seemed to happen before, and it's annoying for a couple reasons:

1. Can't watch at home without a cable subscription

2. The A10 Network shows certain (paid) streams are available, but maybe they're not.

I hate to complain, but I'd think this should be sorted out so fans can follow the action.