Hoyas, Patriots are off to best starts in area
It’s exam week for most local colleges — time to evaluate the first third of the basketball season. How have area teams fared so far?
Maryland (7-4)
Less of slimmed-down Jordan Williams has been more for coach Gary Williams. The sophomore is averaging 18.5 points and 11.9 rebounds. But there are problems around him. With increased responsibility, veteran guards Cliff Tucker, Sean Mosley and Adrian Bowie have been tentative, while freshman Terrell Stoglin has been anything but. If Gary Williams can find a way to get the most out of this backcourt, another run at the title in the suddenly mediocre ACC is not out of the question.
Grade » B-
Georgetown (9-1)
The transformation has been smooth from an offense that revolved around center Greg Monroe to a backcourt attack, but the Hoyas have been preparing for this season since senior guards Austin Freeman (18.9 ppg) and Chris Wright (13.4 ppg) arrived on campus. Wright’s 7.1 assists a game, best in the Big East, have defined GU more than the 3-point shot, but Freeman and Jason Clark (14.9 ppg) have been stellar beyond the arc (both 48.1 percent).
Grade » A
George Mason (8-2)
With much of the same cast, Jim Larranaga’s Patriots have made a significant leap forward on offense. Credit the consistency of sophomore Luke Hancock and the return to form of senior guard Cam Long, who is shooting 48 percent, up from 38 last year. The rest of the team’s shooting percentages are up dramatically, perhaps because of better ball movement. GMU is averaging 16 assists a game, up from 12 last year.
Grade » A
American (6-3)
Matching backcourt transfers Troy Brewer (Georgia) and Charles Hinkle (Vanderbilt) with standout forwards Vlad Moldoveanu and Stephen Lumpkins is a delicate chemistry experiment. Coach Jeff Jones has been unhappy with the work rate of the Eagles. The high-energy Hinkle, who became eligible this week, could be the answer if AU is willing to follow his lead.
Grade » B-
George Washington (3-5)
The Colonials have lost to four teams they beat last year, and it’s easy to see why — their unsightly shooting (35.9 percent), which is hard to understand from a team returning seven rotation players from last year. The A-10 doesn’t look as difficult this season, so the Colonials have that going for them.
Grade » D
Navy (4-8)
The Mids started this way last year and still made a run at the Patriot League regular-season title. Coach Billy Lange doesn’t have guard Chris Harris to lean on this year, but freshmen J.J. Avila and Isaiah Roberts look ready to assume greater roles and help complement explosive guard Jordan Sugars (14.2 ppg).
Grade » C+
Howard (1-8)
Coach Kevin Nickelberry won his Howard debut against Bowling Green but has lost eight straight as injuries have robbed him of his three best players — Theodore Boyomo (ACL), Calvin Thompson (ACL) and Kyle Riley (ankle).
Grade » Incomplete
