George Washington might be one of the most interesting programs in college basketball entering the 2026-27 season, and the reasons extend well beyond its preseason Atlantic 10 ranking. Chris Caputo has steadily transformed the Revolutionaries into a competitive program, producing consecutive winning seasons and ending a lengthy postseason victory drought. Now comes the difficult part: turning that progress into a legitimate conference championship challenge.
The Revolutionaries finished 19-16 last season, winning a postseason game for the first time since 2017 with a victory at Utah Valley in the opening round of the NIT. George Washington also reached the top 100 of the NET rankings for the first time in program history and finished No. 86 in KenPom. That represented a remarkable 136-place improvement from where the program stood when Caputo arrived.
Those achievements deserve recognition, but the offensive numbers might be even more impressive.
George Washington rewrote its offensive record book
The Revolutionaries made 351 three-pointers during the 2025-26 season, shattering the previous school record by 64. They also recorded a program-best 548 assists while averaging 81.4 points per game. That scoring average ranked fourth in school history and represented the program's highest mark since the 1969-70 season.
Those numbers demonstrate how dramatically George Washington's offensive identity has changed under Caputo. Rather than depending entirely on individual scoring performances, the Revolutionaries have developed an approach built around ball movement and creating perimeter opportunities. Three of the five highest single-season three-point totals in school history have occurred during Caputo's first four years.
Maintaining that production will be challenging because this year's roster looks considerably different. However, the offensive system provides a foundation that could help new players adjust more quickly. The question is whether George Washington can preserve its efficiency while developing the defensive consistency required to challenge the Atlantic 10's strongest programs.
Jean Aranguren provides a familiar foundation
Senior guard Jean Aranguren returns as one of the most important players on the roster. He averaged 8.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists last season while shooting 48.6 percent from the field and 36.5 percent from three-point range. His versatility earned him a place on the Atlantic 10 preseason all-conference third team.
Aranguren also produced one of the most memorable individual performances in recent program history. Against Duquesne, he recorded 18 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, becoming just the second player in George Washington history to register a triple-double. His ability to contribute in several areas could become particularly valuable with so many newcomers joining the rotation.
The Revolutionaries have added experienced transfers, including Terrance Arceneaux, Aidan Shaw and Dylan James. Their previous experience at major-conference programs gives George Washington intriguing options, although translating individual talent into a cohesive team will require time. Caputo's challenge involves establishing chemistry without losing the offensive identity that has produced such impressive results.
Fifth place might be an interesting starting point
George Washington was picked fifth in the Atlantic 10 preseason poll, behind VCU, Saint Louis, Dayton and George Mason. That projection suggests the Revolutionaries are respected but haven't yet established themselves among the conference's clear favorites. It also creates an opportunity for Caputo's team to exceed expectations if the newcomers develop quickly.
The program has already demonstrated meaningful progress, but another winning season alone might not represent the next step supporters are hoping to see. Competing for a top-four conference finish and putting together a credible NCAA Tournament résumé would provide stronger evidence that George Washington is approaching another level. The Revolutionaries have not reached the NCAA Tournament since 2014, making that objective particularly meaningful.
George Washington opens the regular season November 2 against Navy at the Smith Center. That game will provide an early opportunity to evaluate the new roster, although the most important tests will arrive later against Atlantic 10 competition.
The Revolutionaries have already demonstrated that Caputo can improve the program's results and rewrite its offensive records. Now they must prove that the progress can survive significant roster turnover. If George Washington successfully combines its established system with the talent arriving in Foggy Bottom, fifth place might eventually look like a conservative prediction.
Add us as a preferred source on Google