Slay the Dragons

Patriots have a chance to make things a lot easier for themselves if they win tonight against Drexel (watch game here if you don't have Fios). Fans are probably praising the fact that this is a home game and they should because with a win Mason can just about lock up a 1st round bye in the CAA tourney. Keep in mind though that the Patriots still have to travel the Trask, where they haven't won in years. That makes tonight's game and the final home game against Towson ever more important. CAA teams have been beating each other up all season and the conference tourney should be no except making seeding a key issue. Who wants to play an extra game against JMU, Drexel, Hofstra or ODU? Litos has a good breakdown of the tie-breakers and such on his blog. Unfortunately for Mason these aren't the same Dragons that they faced Philly back in early December and narrowly escaping. Drexel, predicted to finish dead last in the CAA is now currently tied with Mason for third place after starting off 2-6. Since then they are 12-4 and have been the best road team in CAA action (5-2) this season. I smell a close one and with the Patriots shooting so poorly from the charity stripe it really makes you wonder how this one will go. They did defend the perimeter much better against Northeastern and Drexel is last in the CAA in 3-pt shooting percentage, making inside play a key factor tonight. Expect Mason to go inside early as they did against the Huskies, using more of Morrison, Pearson, and Monroe.