Monday, November 18
Washington, DC
7 p.m.
George Washington University
vs
NJIT
Photo by: Greg Fiume
Men's Basketball Hosts NJIT on Miracle on 22nd Street Tailgate Night
11/17/2024 10:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
WASHINGTON - GW men's basketball wraps up its season-opening, four-game homestand on Monday with a visit from NJIT. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. on ESPN+. Tickets are available at GWsports.com/tickets.
Monday also represents GW Athletics' annual "Miracle on 22nd Street" tailgate presented by Northwest Federal Credit Union, to be held outside the Smith Center from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Free food from area restaurants as well as giveaways from vendors will be available for all fans to enjoy.
MR. DOUBLE-DOUBLE
Redshirt sophomore Darren Buchanan Jr. has notched three straight double-doubles to begin the season, becoming the first GW player to do so in Stathead's game log database (since '04-'05). Buchanan is the first Revolutionary since Tyler Cavanaugh (Feb. 4-11, 2017) to tally three straight double-doubles at any point and is looking to become the first to post four in a row since David Pellom (Feb. 18-29, 2012).
The D.C. native is one of just five players in the nation with three double-doubles and one of just four to do so in the first three games of the season. Buchanan posted the second 20-and-10 game of his career on Tuesday, also doing so last year vs. La Salle.
CASTRO STUFFING THE STAT SHEET
Providence transfer Rafael Castro has enjoyed a fast start to his campaign as well with two double-doubles in three games. Castro, who played sparingly for two years at PC, has set or matched new career-highs in points, field goals made (tied), rebounds, assists, blocks (tied) and steals (tied).
The New Jersey native is one of just 14 players nationally to post multiple blocks, assists and steals per game thus far and is fourth amongst that group with 9.0 rebounds and sixth with 12.7 ppg. Within the A-10, Castro is second in field goal percentage (75%), third in rebounding (9.0 rpg) and eighth in steals (2.0 spg).
A LOOK AT THE HIGHLANDERS
NJIT is 0-4 on the season, having fallen at home to Penn and Loyola (Md.) as well as in road games at Villanova and Morgan State. The Highlanders are in the second year under the direction of Head Coach Grant Billmeier and are projected to finish eighth in America East this year following a 7-21 (3-13) campaign a year ago.
Reigning America East Rookie of the Year Tariq Francis leads NJIT in scoring with 16.8 ppg, ranking among the top 25 nationally by taking 37% of his team's field goal attempts. Sebastian Robinson is the lone other Highlander in double figures with 12.5 ppg following his 20-point performance on Saturday.
NJIT has struggled on the offensive end, averaging just 57.5 ppg through four contests and shooting just 39.3% from the floor. The Highlanders possess an incredibly young team with 13 of the 15 members either freshmen or sophomores. NJIT ranks 338th (out of 364 D-I teams) in KenPom's experience metric.
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GW fans can get in the game by directly supporting student-athletes through donations to the Buff & Blue Fund. For more information on GW Athletics, fans are encouraged to visit GWsports.com, or follow the Revolutionaries on social media through X (@GWsports) and Instagram (@gwsports).
In addition, single-game and season tickets for the 2024-25 GW men's and women's basketball campaigns are currently on sale through the GW Athletics Ticket Office (202-99-GWTIX or tickets@gwu.edu ).
Monday also represents GW Athletics' annual "Miracle on 22nd Street" tailgate presented by Northwest Federal Credit Union, to be held outside the Smith Center from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Free food from area restaurants as well as giveaways from vendors will be available for all fans to enjoy.
MR. DOUBLE-DOUBLE
Redshirt sophomore Darren Buchanan Jr. has notched three straight double-doubles to begin the season, becoming the first GW player to do so in Stathead's game log database (since '04-'05). Buchanan is the first Revolutionary since Tyler Cavanaugh (Feb. 4-11, 2017) to tally three straight double-doubles at any point and is looking to become the first to post four in a row since David Pellom (Feb. 18-29, 2012).
The D.C. native is one of just five players in the nation with three double-doubles and one of just four to do so in the first three games of the season. Buchanan posted the second 20-and-10 game of his career on Tuesday, also doing so last year vs. La Salle.
CASTRO STUFFING THE STAT SHEET
Providence transfer Rafael Castro has enjoyed a fast start to his campaign as well with two double-doubles in three games. Castro, who played sparingly for two years at PC, has set or matched new career-highs in points, field goals made (tied), rebounds, assists, blocks (tied) and steals (tied).
The New Jersey native is one of just 14 players nationally to post multiple blocks, assists and steals per game thus far and is fourth amongst that group with 9.0 rebounds and sixth with 12.7 ppg. Within the A-10, Castro is second in field goal percentage (75%), third in rebounding (9.0 rpg) and eighth in steals (2.0 spg).
A LOOK AT THE HIGHLANDERS
NJIT is 0-4 on the season, having fallen at home to Penn and Loyola (Md.) as well as in road games at Villanova and Morgan State. The Highlanders are in the second year under the direction of Head Coach Grant Billmeier and are projected to finish eighth in America East this year following a 7-21 (3-13) campaign a year ago.
Reigning America East Rookie of the Year Tariq Francis leads NJIT in scoring with 16.8 ppg, ranking among the top 25 nationally by taking 37% of his team's field goal attempts. Sebastian Robinson is the lone other Highlander in double figures with 12.5 ppg following his 20-point performance on Saturday.
NJIT has struggled on the offensive end, averaging just 57.5 ppg through four contests and shooting just 39.3% from the floor. The Highlanders possess an incredibly young team with 13 of the 15 members either freshmen or sophomores. NJIT ranks 338th (out of 364 D-I teams) in KenPom's experience metric.
--
GW fans can get in the game by directly supporting student-athletes through donations to the Buff & Blue Fund. For more information on GW Athletics, fans are encouraged to visit GWsports.com, or follow the Revolutionaries on social media through X (@GWsports) and Instagram (@gwsports).
In addition, single-game and season tickets for the 2024-25 GW men's and women's basketball campaigns are currently on sale through the GW Athletics Ticket Office (202-99-GWTIX or ticket
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's Basketball
F
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