George Washington University Athletics
Women's Basketball Versus Villanova Wildcats
12/1/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 1, 2005
VILLANOVA, PA - George Washington (1-2) travels to undefeated Villanova (4-0) for a 7:30 p.m. game on Thursday night. Last season the Colonials upset the then No. 24 Wildcats at Charles E. Smith Athletic Center. This season, both teams are receiving votes in national polls with Villanova placing 33rd with 17 AP votes and 28th with 27 Coaches' Poll votes. After upsetting #19/24 Purdue at the Junkanoo Jam in the Bahamas, GW has 11 AP votes good for 34th and four Coaches' Poll votes for 37th.
The series between the two teams is tied at two wins apiece, with the Colonials winning the last meeting, 62-52, exactly a year ago. In that game, Jessica Simmonds scored 19 points while equaling a career-high 13 rebounds. Simmonds had previously scored 20 against the Wildcats when she played for Providence in 2003.
Villanova has won all four of its games by an average of almost 10 points per game. This weekend they won the URI Invitational by beating Rhode Island 65-44 after beating Ole Miss, 60-49, in the opening game.
The Wildcats are averaging 62.8 points per game, which is more than 10 points greater than GW's average. Their point production is largely a result of Villanova's unique three-pointer-focused offense. In four games, the Wildcats have taken 91 three-pointers (making 34) compared to GW's 28 attempts in three games. The Colonials perimeter defense has been solid so far this year holding opponents to just 23.1% from long range.
The Colonials have a decided height advantage over Villanova who sports just one player, senior Liad Suez, over six feet in stature. GW on the other hand has seven players over six-feet tall. GW has been out-rebounded by opponents in two of their first three games, but holds a slight edge over Villanova in average rebounds (36.7-36.2).
After tonight's game, the Colonials return home for the first game of their five-game homestand. GW plays #2/1 Tennessee at Smith Center on Wednesday, December 7 at 7:00 p.m. Tennessee (5-0) actually has more first place votes than Duke even in the AP Poll but trails the Blue Devils by a few points overall. GW's first five games of the season have been a challenge to say the least with games against Virginia (now receiving votes), #19/24 Purdue, #18/18 Texas, Villanova (receiving votes in both polls) and then the country's top team #2/1 Tennessee.
