Karl Hobbs started out George Washington men’s basketball’s media day Wednesday by saying thanks.
“Most importantly, I just want to thank you for doing a great job of covering us last year,” said Hobbs, who praised the attention the Colonials have received in his six seasons as head coach.
He has good reason to start 2006-07 on the right foot with the working press, knowing 27-3 seasons are rare. With just one starter back, the challenges will be plentiful this season.
“That’s the thing that made last year’s team such a good basketball team, that you were able to see the kids develop from freshmen up to their senior year,” said Hobbs. “This year a whole new cycle has begun.”
Hobbs said there are parallels with the class of 2006. He expressed hopes for freshmen Travis King, Damian Hollis and Herm Opoku.
But the bulk of responsibility goes to the backcourt of All-Atlantic 10 senior Carl Elliott (11.5 ppg), the lone returning starter, and junior Maureece Rice (12.6 ppg), last year’s A-10 sixth man of the year.
“They’re going to have to bring us frontcourt guys along with them,” said senior forward Dokun Akingbade, redshirted last season.
There’s no time like the present for the Colonials to reap the benefits of last year’s success.
“One of the great benefits is that we’re able to do a better job in the sense of expanding our recruiting base,” said Hobbs. “Most of the kids, they know us from seeing us on TV.”
