American
Coach: Melissa McFerrin (first season as head coach).
Last season: 16-14, 9-5 Patriot League.
Senior forward Anna Montaqana likely will carry the Colonials until younger players mature. Still, GW should be a top contender in the Atlantic 10.
(Nick Wass -- AP)
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| __ College Basketball Preview __
ATLANTIC 10
• George Washington's Karl Hobbs, pictured, and his Colonials have high expectations this season. OTHER AREA COLLEGE CAPSULES
• American
• Howard
• George Washington
• Navy
• George Mason ACC
• North Carolina's Roy Williams, pictured, and his Tar Heels are one reason the ACC continues to be the country's strongest conference.
• Scouting Report: Players
• Media Poll
• Who's Hot, Who's Not?
• Must-See Games WOMEN
• Despite success on the court, area teams are having a difficult time filling the stands.
• Area Capsules BIG EAST
• John Thompson III, pictured, and the Hoyas are hoping for a fresh start this season.
• Scouting Report: Players
• Coaches' Poll
• Who's Hot, Who's Not?
• Must-See Games
• Schedule Changes Next Year NATIONAL
• This season is about the upperclassmen like Providence forward Ryan Gomes who spurned the NBA and returned for a title run.
• On Basketball: Nothing is certain in college basketball.
• Scouting Report: Teams
• Scouting Report: Players
_____ This Week's Previews _____
The college basketball season opens this week. Look for the following previews:
• Thursday: National outlook
• Friday: Big East
• Saturday: Women
• Sunday: ACC
• Monday: Atlantic 10, CAA and others.
___ On Our Site ___
• Talk about the season.
___ Quantity, Quality? ___
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Data: Former Mystics general manager McFerrin, who was an assistant coach on Minnesota's Final Four team last season, takes over a team that reached the Patriot League title game for the first time in school history last season. Two of the top three scorers from that team have departed, but conference first-team preseason selection Chanel Hunt returns. Hunt led the Eagles last season in scoring (11.5 ppg) and rebounding (6.9 rpg).
George Mason
Coach: Debbie Taneyhill (103-89 overall and at George Mason).
Last season: 18-11, 11-7 Colonial Athletic Association.
Data: With the departures of Jen Derevjanik, Vernessa Neamo and Laura Kooij, George Mason must find a way to replace 64 percent of its offense. It won't be easy because half of the players on the roster are freshmen. The Patriots' leading returning scorer is Lauren Hediger (6 ppg). Julie Flanders (2.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg) is the only returning starter. Freshmen guards Keyhana Wakefield and Casey Quigley (Lake Braddock) are expected to contribute right away.
George Washington
Coach: Joe McKeown (408-145 overall, 340-125 at GW).
Last season: 22-8, 14-2 Atlantic 10.
Data: The Colonials' inexperience will hinder them early, but look for GW to again be one of the top contenders in the Atlantic 10. Until the younger players grow into their roles, senior forward Anna Montañana (12 ppg, 7.6 rpg) will carry the team. Jessica Simmonds, a 6-2 transfer from Providence, faces the tall task of replacing Ugo Oha in the middle.
Georgetown
Coach: Terri Williams-Flournoy (first season as head coach).
Last season: 13-15, 7-9 Big East.
Data: Now that Rebekkah Brunson has left Georgetown for the WNBA, the Hoyas have a gaping hole to fill in its front court. As a result, Georgetown will be a more guard-oriented team. The tandem of Mary Lisicky (12.6 pgg) and Bethany LeSueur (8.3 ppg) will carry the Hoyas, but other scorers need to materialize. Kieraah Marlow, a 5-10 freshman forward, could develop into a force in the low post.
Howard
Coach: Cathy Parson (246-137 overall, 63-54 at Howard).
Last season: 11-17, 11-7 MEAC.
