gpikeWhy George Mason is a threat once again
February 26th 2011 00:13
Its been five years since the George Mason Patriots made their remarkable final-four run. This year's squad is once again relevant with those guys Head Coach Jim Larranga recruited after that magical season.
The Patriots are on a 14-game winning streak, the longest run in the nation at this time. Led by senior guard Cam Long, and forward Rickey Pearson, the Patriots are steamrolling the Colonial conference schedule. The Patriots have not lost since a January, 8th meeting with Old Dominion. All five of the Patriots losses are to teams with winning records. North Carolina State is the big name defeat, while conference foes Hofstra and the Monarchs of Old Dominion beat the Patriots. A loss to Wofford, may look bad but the Terriers are 17-12 on the year. So even if the Patriots don't win their conference tournament they have a great shot at the NCAA tournament.
The 2005-06 team lost to Hofstra in the conference tournament, and only had 23 wins going into the "big dance." The Colonial division that season had four teams over 20 wins at the end of the regular season. Looking at this years version, six teams can potentially reach the 20-win mark after Saturday. Drexel visits four-win Towson, and Hofstra hosts 13-win Delaware. Jai Lewis and Tony Skinn lead the 2006 team in scoring, again paralleling this season's team of a strong inside-outside combonation. Balanced scoring attack backs up the two leaders, same as 2006.
This year's team is peaking earlier then the final-four run squad. That is the only thing going against Larranga's squad. Though if the Patriots catch a few breaks, who knows another run could be in them. They will get a stiff challenge from teams like San Diego State and BYU, who are also looking to garner respect in the tournament. Though you got to like Larranga and the Patriots.
The Patriots are on a 14-game winning streak, the longest run in the nation at this time. Led by senior guard Cam Long, and forward Rickey Pearson, the Patriots are steamrolling the Colonial conference schedule. The Patriots have not lost since a January, 8th meeting with Old Dominion. All five of the Patriots losses are to teams with winning records. North Carolina State is the big name defeat, while conference foes Hofstra and the Monarchs of Old Dominion beat the Patriots. A loss to Wofford, may look bad but the Terriers are 17-12 on the year. So even if the Patriots don't win their conference tournament they have a great shot at the NCAA tournament.
The 2005-06 team lost to Hofstra in the conference tournament, and only had 23 wins going into the "big dance." The Colonial division that season had four teams over 20 wins at the end of the regular season. Looking at this years version, six teams can potentially reach the 20-win mark after Saturday. Drexel visits four-win Towson, and Hofstra hosts 13-win Delaware. Jai Lewis and Tony Skinn lead the 2006 team in scoring, again paralleling this season's team of a strong inside-outside combonation. Balanced scoring attack backs up the two leaders, same as 2006.
This year's team is peaking earlier then the final-four run squad. That is the only thing going against Larranga's squad. Though if the Patriots catch a few breaks, who knows another run could be in them. They will get a stiff challenge from teams like San Diego State and BYU, who are also looking to garner respect in the tournament. Though you got to like Larranga and the Patriots.
Cam Long
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