Bracketbusted

The George Mason Patriots dropped an important non-conference road game yesterday after holding a 13 point lead at the half. Sound familiar? The woes on the road this season have been the dagger that killed Mason's at-large hopes. Some say this was the final blow to their resume but I say it happened a while ago. Not only did the Patriots blow a double digit halftime lead they also allowed 50 points in the second from the Bobcats after they only managed 19 in the first. After a smothering defensive effort and shooting over 60% in the first half the Patriots came out flat missing their first 5 shots to the start the second in which they shot below 30%. What happened to the squad we saw earlier in the season where 5 players would finish in double figures? Lately it's been Will Thomas, Folarin Campbell and nothing else. The bench yesterday mustered only 6 points and all those came from Cam Long. Give Ohio credit for taking Will Thomas out of the game in the second half, their second defensive performance was some of the best I think Mason has gone against this season. Speaking of Ohio's second half dominance, Bubba Walther's shooting from behind the arch reminded me of when Lee Humphrey had his shooting assault against the Patriots in the 2006 NCAA tournament. The Bobcats came out in the second half with too much energy for the Patriots to match. But why does this keep happening? You would think Larranaga would have expected the Bobcats to come out strong and cut into Mason's lead. We have seen this happen in almost EVERY road game this season and frankly it gives me a sick feeling in my stomach.