Pregame: Get hydrated. Stay away from the chips. Loosen the legs and back. This temple takes a lot of care.
George Washington vs Saint Louis
Ahhhh… the fourth and final game of the day. Yes, I’m ignoring that there are four games tomorrow.
At Atlantic 10 Media Day I was assigned to lunch with the Billikens. Really nice staff.
This one is starting off the way I thought. Both teams feeling out. Trying to get the ball in the lane. That doesn’t mean they want to play slow. Saint Louis has already tried to get out in space. Ruh roh. Steeves has two fouls in the first 3:24. Billikens have been all over the paint.
Media Timeout (15:46) Saint Louis 7 George Washington 2
So the Colonials came out of that timeout with a brand new 5 second violation. Oye.
Bolden has no room to roam, in part, because Saint Louis is switching with their guards and wings. Hasahn French is out there hedging hard.
Ahhh… the Billikens said “I see your 5 second violation and raise you a shot clock violation”
Colonials have tightened up their defense and have fought back and now lead 10-7. This is shaping up to be a possession by possession combat game.
Saint Louis Timeout (12:08) George Washington 12 Saint Louis 7
It’s gotten really physical inside. Saint Louis seems to be embracing the physicality. They’ve done a good job on Bolden but Toro is playing well along with Zeigler off the bench.
Early on, Saint Louis was getting out in space. No longer happening. Might want to think about finding a way to quicken up the pace a bit even if it’s for a short stretch.
Media Timeout (7:28) George Washington 20 Saint Louis 15
George Washington doing an excellent job attacking the 1-3-1. They’re in a two man front and the ball is rotating and players are looking opposite. Sounds simple but easier said than done.
Media Timeout (3:52) George Washington 26 Saint Louis 18
Zeigler is doing everything. 9 points, 6 rebounds… just took a charge. Now… if he could run and get me some gummy lifesavers we would be good. The Colonials are up by a dozen.
They are finishing the half because they’ve been so tough defensively. Billikens still look out of sorts. They’ve gone over five minutes without a field goal.
Zeigler finishes the half with 11 points and 7 rebounds.
Halftime: George Washington 32 Saint Louis 21
Yeah… George Washington better be able to deal with what Saint Louis is going to bring. A sense of desperation and even more physical play.
Right on cue, Toro and French get into a war of words which prompted a lot of “gathering” of players. Refs went to the monitors and ruled nothing out of the ordinary.
Saint Louis is starting to get downhill and with the little broo-ha-ha they probably figure that they’ll get to the free throw line.
Media Timeout (14:52) George Washington 36 Saint Louis 29
Saint Louis is making headway. You knew they wouldn’t go away. They have cut the lead to 5. George Washington still looking scattered offensively. Haven’t been able to unleash Yuta Watanabe (2-7, 7 points)
Media Timeout (13:29) George Washington 36 Saint Louis 31
Saint Louis has taken the lead and all the momentum is on their side. 15-2 run over the last 4:03.
George Washington is no longer receiving passes in threatening/attacking positions. They are catching passes miles from the basket and really aren’t in a position to do anything except pass it again.
George Washington Timeout (11:02) Saint Louis 42 George Washington 38
Terry Nolan Jr.’s three point play might prove to be huge. It’s given the Colonial offense a bit of rhythm. Something they had lost a while back.
Jalen Johnson is 4-8 from the three point line and George Washington still isn’t closing out on him hard. Why is this?
Media Timeout (8:00) Saint Louis 51 George Washington 47
Watanabe got hurt on a breakaway. Don’t want to speculate but I don’t see him coming back in judging by how much pain he is in. GW fans are wondering how Yuta could get fouled on breakaways twice and not get a call.
Zeigler’s four fouls is hurting GW. Could use him about now.
Bolden’s three ties us up at 52. It seems like GW is down by six or eight.
7-0 run and Saint Louis has assumed a seven point lead.
Media Timeout (3:53) Saint Louis 59 George Washington 52
GW came out the timeout and Zeigler immediately turned the ball over. Colonials down 9 and in serious trouble.
The sands of time is running out on the Colonials. At the end of the day Zeigler’s foul trouble and the Billikens ability to contain Watanable (before injury) were the difference.
Final: Saint Louis 70 George Washington 63
