It’s no surprise that the Colonials have been in the top 20 for most of the year. What’s amazing is that they’ve basically flown under the radar for most of this year, despite returning four starters from last year’s team that won 22 games, the Atlantic 10 tournament title, and clinched its first NCAA tournament bid. since 1999. This is a seasoned deep team about to do some damage in March.

This year’s edition of The Colonials is the culmination of a two-year master plan by HC Karl Hobbs. In 2004, as Xavier and St Joe’s swept the Atlantic 10 en route to the Elite Eight, Hobbs played with his sons and went on to win 18 games, plus earn an NIT wild card. Last year’s club returned to the top seven scorers of 2004 and won the conference before losing to Georgia Tech in the first round of the Big Dance.

The 2006 edition returns intact except for the unsuspecting TJ Thompson (13.2 ppg), whose long-range shooting and leadership will be sorely missed. Thompson had started 117 straight games for the Colonials before graduating. While Thompson is a significant loss, Hobbs would rather see the glass 4/5 full than 1/5 empty.
And for good reason. George Washington is 10-1 and the only team in the Atlantic 10 with five players averaging double figures.

The Colonials are led by guard JR Pinnock, who is averaging 15.4 points per game. Pinnock was the A-10 Sixth Man of the Year last year and will be seriously considered for Player of the Year this year. Pinnock is joined in the backcourt by floor general Carl Elliot, who is averaging 11.1 points per game while losing 4.4 cents per outing. Both guards are 6’5″ and solid rebounders.

PF Mike Hall is second in scoring with 13.1 points per game and also captures 7.6 boards. A tireless worker, Hall has a non-stop drive and has become the heart and soul of the team. SF Omar Williams 7.3 ppg has selflessly put his game on hold to become the best defensive stopper on the team. His extra-long wingspan makes him particularly annoying to opposing scorers.

In the center we have second team A-10 and first team All-Name, Pops Mensah-Bonsu. Pops arrives via London and is the most athletic of the Colonials. Bonsu averages 11.6 ppg and 7.6 rpg. Pop’s biggest problems have been fouls (he defies everything, 130 blocks in his career) and free throws (he makes Shaq look like Steve Kerr).

Maureece Reece is a talented sophomore guard who is first out of the pine tree. Reece broke many of Wilt Chamberlain’s long-standing HS records in Philadelphia and is averaging 11.3 points per game in his debut season. Freshman Montrell McDonald (5.8 ppg) and LSU transfer Regis Koundija (4.3 ppg/2.7 ppg) are the other key reserves getting double-digit minutes.

Before tonight’s game against St. Louis, the Colonials’ only loss was a 79-58 blowout to a very tough team from North Carolina State. The Wolf Pack is in the top 10 in the country in almost every statistical category and is #1 in %GFR Allowed. NC State limited GW to just 31% shooting, which might have been somewhat helped by a scheduling quirk that saw the Colonials go without a game the previous fourteen days. George Washington has quality wins against Maryland and Temple.

George Washington has gotten off to a relatively slow start against points this year at 3-2, but should be profitable in certain situations during A-10 play. The Colonials are 25-15 over the past three years as favorites and a fattening 24-13 wallet in A-10 play. Talented, experienced and deep. Keep an eye out for George Washington as you’ll likely see many more in March!