The Atlantic 10 Conference coaches and the media have voted, and The George Washington University Colonials are the consensus pick to win the Atlantic 10’s West Division for the 2004-2005 men’s basketball season. The team’s reputation is on the rise. Over the past three years, under the guidance of Coach Karl Hobbs, players have become more experienced. Working with their strength and conditioning expert, Mark Bearden, they have tougher up and are a stronger team than the one that finished the season 18-12 just one year ago.

But the players that make up the team are not simply talented athletes. Character and academic performance count, too. When Hobbs took over the team four years ago, he stressed the importance of balancing school and sports and of cultivating superior character. “We [the coaching staff] had to change the culture of the team. We had to put character before wins because character will eventually result in success.”

This philosophy is evident in Hobbs’ recruits. Junior forward Mike Hall was an honor student all four years of high school and aspires to a career in medicine. While formidable on the court, junior forward Alexander Kireev is also a member of the Atlantic 10 all-academic team. Player Pops Mensah-Bonsu is described by Hobbs as one of the nicest people he has ever met: “I feel as if I owe GW for the opportunity to coach him,” Hobbs says.

Hobbs’ approach is paying off. ESPN.com and Sports Illustrated rank this season’s team number 33 nationwide, and Sports Illustrated counts Hobbs among the six “coaches on the rise.” Rankings like this bring high expectations for the season. Can they be met? Hobbs is realistic but hopeful. “I can’t say that we are the best, but I can say that we are trying to be the best. If we play up to our potential, we can achieve all of the predictions.”