Atlantic 10 Basketball: Preseason rankings for 2018-19

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LAS VEGAS, NV – NOVEMBER 24: Yuta Watanabe #12 of the George Washington Colonials grabs a rebound against the Kansas State Wildcats during the 2017 Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational basketball tournament at the Orleans Arena on November 24, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /

13. George Washington Colonials

2017-18 season record: 15-18 (7-11)

In his final season with the program, Yuta Watanabe excelled, averaging 16.3 ppg and 6.1 rpg to lead the team. The senior’s play made the Colonials competitive, an issue they’ll have in the A-10 this upcoming season.

Along with Watanabe, Patrick Stevens also graduated. Making matters worse, rising junior Jair Bolden made the decision to transfer out, leaving 9.1 ppg Terry Nolan Jr. George Washington’s leading returning scorer. Along with Arnaldo Toro (7.8 ppg and 6.9 rpg) and Charleston Southern transfer Armel Potter (13.2 ppg), this represents the main trio of contributors for next season.

Unless a few role players unexpectedly have big campaigns, the team likely won’t have enough to get out the bottom of the A-10. And that’s not the fault of head coach Maurice Joseph but rather years of attribution within the program.

Under former head coach Mike Lonergan, there were a number of transfers each year. There were allegations of abuse which ultimately cost him his job, all while the seeds being placed for the Colonials eventual struggles. The talent coming in hasn’t been as good as the ones departing, leaving George Washington slowly falling down the standings.

The program should rebound to get back into contention in the near future. But next year will be more of a rebuilding season, finding the building blocks needed to climb back up the ladder.

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