Is George Washington University (GW) Men's Basketball about to shock the Atlantic 10 Conference and beyond? For the first time in almost a decade, there's a palpable buzz around the program. Forget the turmoil of the past – the coaching changes, the administrative shakeups, even the name change – it finally feels like GW has found solid footing. And with that stability comes something even more exciting: the potential for their most competitive team since that unforgettable 2015-16 NIT Championship season, a team that boasted three future NBA stars like Yuta Watanabe, Patricio Garino and Tyler Cavanaugh.
The Atlantic 10 preseason poll reflects this optimism, projecting GW fourth – their highest ranking since that magical 2015-2016 run. But it's not just hype; it's backed by talent. Four GW players – senior center Rafael Castro (First Team), Duquesne transfer Tre Dinkins III (Second Team), junior guard Trey Autry (Third Team), and redshirt-sophomore guard Christian Jones (Third Team) – earned spots on the preseason All-Conference teams. Only VCU matches that level of representation.
So, what's fueling this resurgence? A potent combination of factors, starting with a significant NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) budget rivaling some of the A-10's powerhouses. Then there's the increased institutional support from university president Ellen Granberg and athletic director Michael Lipitz. Together, these resources have allowed GW to assemble a roster capable of competing at the conference's highest levels.
The first key to success was retention. Castro, coming off an All-Conference Second Team and All-Defensive Team performance (averaging 14.0 points and 8.9 rebounds), quickly announced his return. He's already an early favorite for A-10 Player of the Year. Autry and Jones, forming one of the most impressive underclassmen starting guard duos in the country last season, are also back, along with the promising sophomore guard, Ty Bevins. This gives GW a level of returning experience rarely seen in mid-major programs.
But perhaps the most crucial returnee is someone who didn't even touch the court last year: redshirt junior forward Garrett Johnson. After a stellar redshirt-freshman season where he averaged 13.4 points per game while shooting 40.3% from three, his season was tragically cut short due to complications from a tumor in his left hip. Then, to add insult to injury, he tore his ACL over the summer, sidelining him for the entire year. His return could be the X-factor for this team.
To bolster their returning core, GW landed one of the most impressive transfer classes in the nation, earning praise from outlets like CBS Sports and The Athletic.
Dinkins, a graduate transfer from within the conference (Duquesne), is a proven scorer, leading the Dukes with 12.9 points per game last season. He's poised for a major role at GW, potentially as the starting point guard or a dynamic offensive weapon off the bench. GW further strengthened their backcourt with Hofstra transfer Jean Aranguren, a Venezuelan native. Aranguren is a stat-sheet stuffer, averaging 14.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game while playing elite-level defense.
Looking at the frontcourt, Bubu Benjamin, a 6'7" junior forward from Tarleton State, is expected to start at the three. His blend of size, shooting, and athleticism makes him a potential mismatch nightmare in the A-10. He averaged 13.9 points per game while shooting 38.0% from three. Tyrone Marshall Jr., a grad transfer from Western Kentucky, brings valuable experience, including NCAA Tournament exposure. He even scored 21 points against Marquette in the first round of the 2024 tournament. Luke Hunger, a high-major transfer from Northwestern, is expected to be the primary backup center behind Castro, but could also play the four in certain lineups.
With all this talent, one burning question remains: Who will start, and how will the rotations work? Sources told A10Talk that during GW's "secret scrimmage" against Temple, a narrow four-point loss, the coaching staff experimented with various lineups to find the best combinations.
Right now, Castro seems to be the only guaranteed starter. But here's where it gets controversial... There's a legitimate case to be made for Jones, Autry, Dinkins, Aranguren, Benjamin, Johnson, Marshall, and Hunger to join Castro in the starting lineup. This creates a welcome problem for Coach Caputo and his staff, forcing them to make some tough decisions.
Caputo could reward Jones and Autry for their loyalty with starting spots in the backcourt. However, Dinkins and Aranguren both averaged more points and were starters on their previous teams. While Johnson's talent is undeniable, Caputo might ease him back into the lineup by bringing him off the bench initially. Benjamin and Marshall could start at either the three or four, or come off the bench depending on Johnson's health. And then there's Hunger, seemingly destined as the backup center, but potentially starting some games at the four alongside Castro, similar to Sean Hansen's role last season.
Johnson's health is arguably the biggest question mark for GW. But the good news is that all signs point to a positive trajectory. CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein reported that Johnson has been cleared for all basketball-related activities. Sources told A10Talk that despite a somewhat underwhelming performance in the scrimmage against Temple, Johnson has been "playing like his old self" in practice.
GW has some significant non-conference opportunities to build their resume. On November 8th, they'll face South Florida in a neutral-site game at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT. The Cayman Islands Classic MTE will pit them against McNeese State, Middle Tennessee, and Murray State. On December 13th, they'll travel to Sunrise, FL, to face the reigning national champions, Florida, in the Orange Bowl Classic, technically a neutral-site contest. If South Florida and McNeese can crack the top 100 in the NET rankings, those games will be Quad 2 opportunities. Florida will almost certainly be a Quad 1 game.
The first real test for this GW team is fast approaching: a home exhibition game against Georgetown at the Smith Center. The last time GW hosted Georgetown was in 1980, and the last game between the two was a year later in 1981. The Hoyas are ranked no. 82 in the preseason KenPom rankings, just one spot behind GW.
Looking at the broader A-10 landscape, GW is clearly in the top tier alongside VCU, Saint Louis, Dayton, and Loyola Chicago. If Caputo and his staff can effectively manage the rotations, find the right lineup combinations, and maximize their considerable depth, this GW team has a legitimate shot at making a deep run in March.
But here's the part most people miss... This team's success hinges not just on talent, but on chemistry. Can all these talented players, many of whom were stars on their previous teams, truly mesh and play unselfishly? That's the million-dollar question.
And this is where it gets controversial... Some argue that having too much talent can actually be a detriment, leading to internal competition and a lack of cohesion. Others believe that depth and versatility are essential for navigating the challenges of a long season.
What do you think? Can GW live up to the hype and make a deep tournament run? Or will the challenges of integrating so many new faces ultimately hold them back? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
