Prediction Record: 73-37
Maryland at George Washington- The BB&T Classic kicks off with a matchup of the two best teams in the DC area. The Terrapins have demonstrated that they are going to be one of the better teams in the ACC, and should contend for a league championship. They have beaten every team they faced handily, other than a loss to Gonzaga. Wins over Arkansas and Minnesota are included in their recent 4-game winning streak. Seven players average at least 9.5 points per game for Maryland. Chris McCray and DJ Strawberry give the Terrapins one of the best defensive backcourts in the country. Both are 6-5 athletes that can pressure the ball on offense and score on offense. Mike Jones is instant offense off the bench, averaging over 10 points in less than 20 minutes per game. Up front, Nik Caner-Medley is the leader. Although somewhat inconsistent, he is a producer on both the inside and the outside. Ekene Ibekwe and James Gist are excellent athletes that can score, rebound, and block shots. Travis Garrison is another talented post player for the Terrapins. GW counters with an extremely athletic team that pressures the ball from the opening tip. They are undefeated, although none of their wins are remotely impressive. They have scorers at every position. Mike Hall is one of the most underrated forwards in the country. He is versatile, a very good rebounder and can get baskets inside and outside. Pops Mensah-Bonsu is back from his suspension and gives the Colonials a very athletic big man that has the potential to be a star in the Atlantic-10. Omar Williams and Montrell McDonald are two more forwards that can get out and score. McDonald will likely see his minutes decrease with the return of Mensah-Bonsu. In the backcourt, JR Pinnock is an extraordinary athlete that is terrific in transition. Also a good defender, Pinnock is tough to stop going to the basket. Carl Elliot is a solid point guard, and Maureece Rice is very quick who can put up points in a hurry. The thing to watch in this game is the athleticism of both teams. It is extraordinary at both ends of the floor. Strawberry is going to have to handle the pressure that GW will put on him, while the inside players for GW are going to have to play physical against the Terrapins' big men. Both clubs have a bevy of scorers they can go to. It is going to be a very close game, with GW squeaking out a win in the final seconds, due to their homecourt advantage. It is a dead-even matchup. Prediction: George Washington by 1
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