Photo by Tony QuinnWe’re nearly two weeks into the college basketball season, and while it’s only November, there’s already been plenty of hoops action in the D.C. metro area (which for these purposes we are defining as the area where the Metro goes.) With that, the DCist sports team takes a look at what the local Division I schools have been up to since tipping off a few weeks ago.
Maryland Men: It’s been a bumpy, if not ugly start, for the Terrapins (1-2, 0-0 ACC). Already without their starting point guard Seth Allen due to a foot injury, Maryland fell just one point shy against #18 Connecticut (4-0, 0-0 AAC) in Brooklyn in their season opener, 78-77. Last week, the Terps defeated Division I newcomer Abilene Christian (0-4, 0-0 Southland), 67-44, in College Park after Maryland went on a 29-0 run in the second half. Yesterday, however, the Terps lost to Oregon State (2-1, 0-0 Pac-12), 90-83, and snapped the team’s 30-game non-conference winning streak at the Comcast Center (oh, and POTUS was there too). And while it’s only November, it’s a bad loss and could negatively affect Maryland’s resume for an NCAA Tournament bid. The Terps are off until Friday where they will face Marist in the Paradise Jam in St. Thomas. — Brett Gellman
Maryland Women: What a busy week it’s been for head coach Brenda Frese. Just hours after signing a contract extension through at least 2021, the eighth-ranked Lady Terps (2-1, 0-0 ACC) took on #1 Connecticut (3-0, 0-0 AAC) last Friday in the Comcast Center in front of a packed house. Unfortunately the Huskies proved too dominant and backed up their top ranking with a 72-55 win. Maryland hosts George Washington at the Comcast Center tonight. — Brett Gellman
Georgetown Men: Just like Maryland, Georgetown (1-1, 0-0 Big East) also fell victim to a ranked opponent in their season opener when they tipped off against then #19 Oregon (2-0, 0-0 Pac-12) on a U.S. army base in South Korea. The Ducks prevailed, 82-75, as the Hoyas couldn’t shoot from the beyond the arc (1 of 15) and missed a total of 10 free throws. Georgetown swiftly bounced back after taking care of business against Wright State (1-2, 0-0 Horizon). They face Northeastern this Thursday in the Puerto Rico Tipoff. — Brett Gellman
Georgetown Women: After opening the season with a win against Richmond, the Lady Hoyas (1-2, 0-0 Big East) fell to South Dakota State and tenth-ranked California. They host Princeton this Saturday. — Brett Gellman
George Washington Men: The Colonials (3-0, 0-0 Atlantic 10) started the season with three wins thanks to big contributions from what they’re calling the Zeek and Creek Show, big man Isaiah “Zeek” Armwood and Indiana transfer guard Maurice Creek. The two are averaging 34.3 points per game, and are joined by two others in double figures, Kethan Savage and Kevin Larsen. The team beat two weaker opponents early on and overcame a 9-point halftime deficit to beat Manhattan, which also earned them their first vote in the AP top 25 poll since the 2006-2007 season. (The vote came from GW sympathizer and local sportswriter John Feinstein, but hey.) They look to go 4-0 against Delaware State tonight at the Smith Center. It’s $1 hot dog night, too. — Andrew Wiseman
George Washington Women: The Colonials (2-0, 0-0 A-10) also earned some recognition in the AP top 25 poll after beating #10 Cal at home behind 31 points from Megan Nipe and dropping 101 against Jackson State in thir only other game so far. GW’s schedule doesn’t get easier, facing the #8 Terps today at Maryland. — Andrew Wiseman
George Mason Men: Like their fellow George (Washington) the Patriots started the season 3-0. Now a fellow member of the Atlantic 10 conference with GW, the team beat a weaker than usual Northern Iowa team. They’re led by Sherrod Wright’s 16.3 points per game plus Byron Allen with 14 per game and Marko Gujanicic with 13.3 and 8.3 rebounds. They face St. Francis (PA) tonight at the Patriot Center. — Andrew Wiseman
American University Men: The Eagles (1-1) lost a metro area matchup to George Mason to start the season but topped UMBC 63-60 in overtime. They’re only scoring 61.5 points per game over their two so far, but Darius Gardner has been huge, averaging 18 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 3.5 steals per game. They face Ohio State in Columbus on Wednesday, a tough matchup for sure. — Andrew Wiseman
Howard Men: The Bison have played five games so far, accumulating a 2-3 record, which looks OK — however, those two wins were over non-Division 1 schools (Washington College in Maryland and Gwynedd-Mercy) so it’s a little deceiving. The team has been clobbered in its other three games, losing to Old Dominion, Harvard and Pitt by an average of 28 points. Things don’t get easier as they face Houston on Thursday followed by last year’s tourney team South Dakota State. Their first home game against a D-1 school is Nov. 30 against William & Mary. — Andrew Wiseman
George Mason, Howard, American Women: Howard and American stormed out of the gates so far, each starting the season 2-0, while Mason is 2-1 with a loss to East Carolina. — Andrew Wiseman
