Atlantic 10 foes will lock horns when the George Washington Colonials (19-7) face the La Salle Explorers (6-18) at Charles E. Smith Center. Action starts at 12:00 pm ET on Sunday, Feb. 21 and can be seen on NBS.
The Colonials defeated Duquesne 81-74 on Wednesday. With 16 points and 12 rebounds, Kevin Larsen recorded his ninth double-double of the season. The Explorers, meanwhile, are coming off a 71-64 win over St. Bonaventure on Wednesday. Jordan Price had a good performance, accounting for 18 points and 10 rebounds to claim his first double-double of the season.
Half-court execution will be of utmost importance when two of the nation’s slowest-paced teams square off. George Washington ranks 280th in possessions per game (67.1), while La Salle is 315th (65.9). Moreover, foul-shooting opportunities could prove to be quite rare for the Explorers. They are 333rd in the nation in FTA rate (29.4), while the Colonials are among the nation’s least foul-prone teams (allowing a rate of just 28.4, ranking 32nd in the country).
The Colonials have gone 19-7 Straight Up (SU) and 11-12-1 Against The Spread (ATS). George Washington has some room to improve after their below-average performances recently. In the last 10 games, George Washington has only averaged 59.4 points per game compared to the 74.9 they’ve averaged on the season. George Washington has been steady from the free throw line, shooting a superb .753. Below-average play has been the norm lately for the George Washington defense. The Colonials have given up an average of 74.8 points to opponents in their last 10 games, well over their defense’s season average of 69.2 PPG. George Washington has given up very few turnovers with an average of only 11.3 per game.
On the other side, the Explorers head into the game with records of 7-14 ATS and 6-18 SU. Offensively, the Explorers have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 63.7 points per game by averaging 73.4 during that stretch.
This game marks the first time these teams will play this season. The last time these conference rivals played, La Salle won, moving its SU record against George Washington to 6-4 in their most recent head-to-head meetings. The Explorers also hold the advantage ATS with a record of 6-4. La Salle held the advantage in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers once in the last five matchups. On the other side of the court, George Washington never accomplished this feat in that span.
Predictions: SU Winner – GW, ATS Winner – GW
Notes
La Salle averages 63.7 points per game, placing the team just 253rd in the nation. George Washington ranks 98th in points allowed, giving up 69.2 points per game.
The George Washington Colonials average 67.1 possessions and 1.116 points per possession in games this season. The La Salle Explorers average fewer possessions with 65.9, as well as fewer points per possession with .967.
The George Washington Colonials average an effective field goal percentage of 49.6% this season. The La Salle Explorers have a subpar record of 2-15 when opponents have an eFG% of 49.6% or greater.
On average, the George Washington Colonials attempt 18.0 three point field goals per game and the La Salle Explorers attempt 24.0. In games where they attempt at least 20 threes, George Washington is 6-5, while La Salle has a subpar record of 5-14.
George Washington, the 66th-ranked team in rebounding, register an average of 38.5 rebounds per game. La Salle does worse, ranked 344th with 30.2.
La Salle ranks 314th in offensive rebounds, while George Washington ranks at 98th in defensive rebounds.
On average, La Salle forces a turnover rate of 19.0%. When George Washington turns over the ball at a similar or higher rate, the team has a solid 6-3 record.
