Revolutionaries 14-5/3-3 vs Explorers 10-9/1-5
When: Saturday, January 27th, at 6 p.m.
Where: Charles E. Smith Center, Washington, D.C.
TV: ESPN+
Keep An Eye on:
James Bishop IV and Max Edwards: have struggled in GW's last two losses, both on the road at UMass and Richmond. They've shot poorly from the field in both, which is a bit alarming. In the Revolutionaries loss to the Minutemen, Bishop and Edwards shot a combined 6-24 from the field and 3-12 from three point territory while turning it over NINE times. During a tough loss to Richmond, the backcourt once again struggled from the field, shooting 9-31 and only converting 3-12 from deep. It's not hard to see why GW came up short in their last two contest. Their top two players were playing below their standards. A little home cooking just may be what the doctor has ordered this evening to help Bishop, who comes in averaging 17.9 points, 4.5 assists and 3.1 rebounds on 40 percent shooting from the field, 37 percent shooting from deep and 84 percent shooting from the line, and Edwards, who averages 12.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.1 steals on 43 percent from the field, 38 percent from 3-point range and 90 percent from the charity stripe, get back on track offensively and ultimately, help GW get out of the little funk they are in currently.
Khalil Brantley and Jhamir Brickus: are two of the most dangerous guards in the A-10 due to their ability to create scoring opportunities for themselves and others WHILE playing off one another in the Explorers backcourt. Although small, with Brantley (14.6 pts, 4.6 rebs, 4.2 asts, 1.3 stls) being listed at 6'1 and Brickus ( 14.2 pts, 4.7 asts, 3.2 rebs, 1.7 stls) being listed at 5'11, they play a LOT bigger than their stature. Both can break opponents down off the dribble consistently and efficiently and get to the cup to score or to find open teammates for open jumpers or potential lob plays. The slight difference between the two is Brantley attacks the paint more to open things up for him to have space to shoot or to get to the free throw line, while Brickus, is the more effiicient shooter of the two, shooting 45 percent from the field to Brantley's 37 percent and 40 percent from deep to Brantley's 27 percent. Brickus allows the game to come to him more. Either way, George Washington guards MUST contain these two to get back on the winning track. Everything the Explorers does, starts with Brantley and Brickus. Failing to do so could bring a third straight loss and a big blow to a team that just a week ago, was seen as a threat to win the A-10 for the first time in years.
Daeshon Shepherd: is the x-factor for La Salle for a number of reasons. One, he's a versatile, ELITE athlete that can make an impact in multiple ways. He can defend multiple positions, slash and finish above the rim, is a great lob threat and is a great rebounder (6.2 rpg) while being a double digit scorer (10 ppg). I'm sure Edwards, Johnson and Buchanan will all have their time being matched-up with Shepherd throughout the game, on both ends. The key will be to pay attention to him off the ball as much as they would on the ball or we will look up and a near double double from Shepherd will be the result.