What does Mason have to do to win this thing?

The Patriots are about 72 hours from the start of their CAA title defense and a lot of questions still remain. Free-throw shooting, Pearson's injury, and offensive consistency are some of the main gripes most Mason fans are worried about heading into this weekend. Some are saying this tournament is up for grabs, but I really don't see a repeat of last year and I'd be shocked to not see at least one of the top 3 seeds in the championship. It has been a down year for the CAA in terms of that national recognition that most of us have gotten used to; while the teams have themselves to blame for this outcome. Not to say their won't be upsets this year and that's why I think it was so important for Mason that they locked up a first-round bye. The Patriots will have to rely on stout defense and ball control to end up playing on Monday night. In this year's most impressive win, they have gotten it done by making the opposing squad play their style of basketball. In these games they set the pace and did not let the other guys get into any kind of rhythmn, forcing them to take bad shots and risky passes. Take a look at last year's opponents' FG% who faced Mason in Richmond: Northeastern 35.9, UNCW 28.1, W&M 38. Sure, it would be nice to see the Patriots drain threes all day but there's no way they are going to beat teams this weekend from the behind the arch. And defensive low scoring games can get a lot of players into foul trouble and Ryan Pearson needs to be in the Mason lineup as they will need everyone. No doubt JV and Dre will have to have a good showing on both ends for Mason to be successful this weekend as they are an intrical part to the balanced attack. But you know what your gonna get from those two seniors and with Cam Long you don't. He has shown flashes of brillance at times this season and he gives you the idea that he can take over games if needed, will he?

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