George Washington University Athletics
Men's Basketball Hosts Fordham at 7:30
2/16/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 16, 2005
Fordham (10-12, 6-5) at George Washington (15-5, 7-3)
Game 21 • Atlantic 10 Conference game
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2005 • Time: 7:30 pm
Location: Smith Center (5,000) • Washington, DC
Radio: WMET 1160 AM, WAGE 1200 AM (Larry Michael)
TV: none
Series: GW leads, 12-4 (GW is 4-0 vs. FU at Smith Center)
GW hosts much-improved Fordham tonight in the second of three straight home games and only regular-season meeting this year. Tonight's game is the 17th meeting between the teams. The Colonials have dominated the all-time series, 12-4, and are unbeaten in four games vs. the Rams at Smith Center. Fordham, coached by Washington, DC native and DeMatha High grad Derrick Whittenburg, has six A-10 victories including three over teams which have defeated GW (Richmond, UMass, Xavier).
The Rams are led by five-time A-10 Rookie of the Week, Bryant Dunston (14.4 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 49 blocks) and two-time A-10 Rookie of the Week, Marcus Stout (12.8 ppg, 47 threes). As a team, Fordham leads the league in defending against the three-pointer. Opponents are shooting just 31 percent from long range against the Rams.
GW has won the last four meetings including a 77-66 decision in last year's game at Rose Hill Gym. Fordham's last victory over GW was on Jan. 20, 2001 (80-75) at Madison Square Garden. GW is coming off a 74-58 victory over Richmond last Saturday at Smith Center, snapping a three-game skid against the Spiders. Fordham is coming off a 63-56 home victory over UMass last Saturday in the Bronx.
GW is 7-2 at home this season while Fordham is 2-8 away from the Big Apple. GW's 15-5 start is its best since the Colonials began the 1997-98 season with a 17-3 record under former coach Mike Jarvis.
GW Head Coach Karl Hobbs, 43, is in his fourth season at the helm of the Colonials program. Considered by many as one of the hot, up-and-coming head coaches in the country, the NABC recognized Hobbs' efforts by naming him the District 4 Coach of the Year last Mar. 11.
GW is his first head coaching position. Prior to coming to GW, Hobbs spent eight seasons as an assistant coach at Connecticut which included the 1998-99 national championship season. He is credited with recruiting the likes of Ray Allen, Richard Hamilton and Emeka Okafor among others. He was hired by GW in June, 2001. Hobbs has recruited a total of 13 new players in his brief tenure at GW and enjoyed his most successful season as a head coach last year with an 18-12 record and a postseason N.I.T. appearance. Hobbs orchestrated the two biggest wins of his head coaching career with this season's victories over then-#9 Michigan St. and then-#12 Maryland.
Hobbs has a 3-0 record against Fordham and is 1-0 against second-year coach Dereck Whittenburg.
Next Game: GW plays the third of three straight home games this Saturday when Duquesne comes to Smith Center for a 2:00 p.m. game. The game will not be televised but it will air live in the Washington area on WMET 1160 AM, WAGE 1200 AM and on Sirius Satellite Radio as well as via www.GWsports.com.
