What to expect: George Washington vs. VCU…round 3

George Washington and VCU have already played two memorable games this season. Saturday’s battle promises to be the most memorable of all.

March 15, 2014; 1:07 PM • by Aaron Williams

• What: VCU (25-7, 12-4) vs. George Washington (24-7, 11-5)
• Where: Barclay’s Center
• When: Saturday, March 15th at 4:00 PM
• Watch: CBS Sports Network
• Listen: Rams Radio

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For the second game in a row, VCU will be playing a double rematch. George Washington beat VCU 76-66 in January before the Rams pounded George Washington 92-75 in the Siegel Center in February. Saturday they rematch with more history and even more on the line.

The Rundown

• 1. The Colonials are still without Kethan Savage

After missing six weeks with a fractured foot, Savage was expected to return for yesterday’s game but didn’t. While he is the team’s second leading scorer at 13.4 PPG, he will be missed more because of his ball-handling. GW will be fighting an uphill battle against HAVOC! on Saturday with only one true point guard and ball-handler in Joe McDonald.

• 2. The Cumulative Effect of HAVOC!

Speaking of HAVOC!, while Coach Smart was resting many of his starters on Friday, George Washington basically used seven players in a 9:00 PM, 78 possession track meet against Massachusetts. Playing HAVOC! is tough. Playing HAVOC! 19 hours after another tip-off is tougher.

• 3. GW Can Win With Offense or Defense

When GW beat VCU, their 1-3-1 zone with Patricio Garino at the top punished the Rams and Briante Weber had trouble initiating any offense. The Colonials have also shown an ability to score. Yesterday, in addition to holding Massachusetts to 7 points during one 10 minute stretch, six Colonials finished in double figures and they scored 33 points in the final 10 minutes.

• 4. Battle of the Fans

George Washington brought an impressive and loud crowd to the Barclay’s Center yesterday and Black & Gold has dominated the Barclay’s Center seating. Expect Saturday’s environment to rival if not outpace any game from the 2013 Atlantic 10 Tournament.

• 5. If Anyone Has to Score, Can it Please Be Maurice Creek?

Creek has had a tougher college career than most. The Indiana transfer suffered three major injuries in 22 months but has managed to put together a very successful senior season. Now that he is healthy, he has regained his explosive touch but is a bit of an up and down player.

His first three halves against VCU left plenty to be desired but the Siegel Center witnessed his scoring prowess during the second half of the 2/21 matchup. Without Kethan Savage, the Colonials need help from the guards and if his 3-point shot is falling then the Colonials will be in a much better position to win.

The Prediction

Despite the addition of Kethan Savage, VCU is playing better basketball right now than in January or February. It will be closer than yesterday’s game, but VCU is in a good position to win. KenPom picks VCU to win 72-68 with a 65% chance of victory.

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George Washington Profile

• Location: Washington D.C.
• Enrollment: 25,500
• All time series: VCU leads 6-1.
• Last meeting: 2/12/2014. VCU won 95-75.

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Related

• What to expect: VCU visits GWU in an A-10 bellwether battle
• Recap: GW exploits VCU’s weaknesses and puts A-10 on notice
• What to expect: If you ain’t first, you’re still not last
• Recap: VCU beats the snow and GW

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March 15, 2014 1:07 PM 2