This page has moved to a new address.

Patriots get past Dartmouth with big 2nd half

George Mason Basketball: Patriots get past Dartmouth with big 2nd half

gomason.com gomason.com gomason.com gomason.com gomason.com

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Patriots get past Dartmouth with big 2nd half

The game started off slow for the Patriots, lots of sloppy passes and fouls. It would difficult for them to get into any kind of rhythm, Ryan Pearson and Mike Morrison big second half play gave the team the lift it needed. Mason improves to 2-0 on the year and extended their home court winning streak to 18. Luke Hancock played a big part in the second half surge as well, adding 12 points. Andre Cornelius was awfully quiet considering his scoring roll in the Liberty game and finished with zero points. Cam Long looked to be having some leg cramp problems again as he left the game a couple of times to ride the stationary bike on the sidelines. Without Long the team lacks consistency on offense and often sputters. I don't know if Birdsong was hurt in the game or if Larranaga was just benching him in favor of freshmen but he was also quiet, only playing 10 minutes in the 1st half and none in the 2nd if I'm not mistaken. Free-throw shooting was dreadful as both teams shot under 50%, the Patriots can't continue to leave this many points on the table. Johnny Williams got some minutes today and looked good rebounding and sporting a few post moves. He definitely seems to have a better touch from the free-throw line than Morrison. I think it's going to be difficult for this team to be successful without Cam Long and Andre Cornelius reaching double digits. They are plenty of other scoring options on the roster, as we have seen but these guys need to be consistent and lead the way for the young guys.




Labels: ,

11 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow that was an interesting game. More turnovers than assists. We will never beat Villanova or the top 5 or 6 teams in the CAA like that. I am not impressed with the TEAM thus far. Most of the freshmen appear more interested in putting up points than passing the ball. And whatever happened to screens and picks? Oh they can't do that because they are too busy playing one-on-one! Coach L made it perfectly clear in the press conference- Share the Ball!!

10:38 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I like Vertrail. One freshmen that plays team ball!!

10:50 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Agreed! Wright was blocked twice trying to take it to the rim. He was walking out complaining to someone about playing time.

9:28 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Cam needs to figure out a way to avoid cramps and remain healthy. Luke Hancock is necessary addition to the team. Mason needs size, but I would almost like to see Hancock start over Birdsong (if he consistently plays as he has been for the next 3-4 games). starters- Cam, Cornelius, Hancock, Morrison, Pearson. Agree?

10:13 AM  
Blogger Ryan said...

Hancock starting could be a real possibility soon, but right now having him as the sixth man seems to working well. He could be more valuable coming off the bench first rather than starting, we'll see.

10:34 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Limited time for our talented freshmen can be an potential issue. I see Birdsong and Tate already have their minutes reduced significantly but it's still not enough minutes to go around for the youngster.

11:01 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Agreed- there will be a solution to the cramp problem. It is obvious djust listening to the press conference, a solution to the cramping is a top priority for Mason and Cam. As evident, without Cam on the floor this team lacks discipline and control.
Hancock as starter-no He's a freshman and should come off the bench.
Birdsong needs to step up his game BIG TIME!! He has played in the shadows of everyone else for much too long. He needs to get an EGO grow a Set and not allow a freshman to upstage him!!
I just can't figure Tate's game out and honestly, I don't think he can either.

11:39 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I see Coach L doing the same thing to Wright as he did to Cornelius last year. Allowing him to play lots of minutes despite his many mistakes. This early on in the season minutes should be split amongst all of the guards(except if there are underlying issues that preclude them from playing).
So Much Talent, So Little Time

11:45 AM  
Blogger Mr. Miles said...

I think that Coach L might be playin the freshman in games that really don't matter. He wants them to get the experience. So this tourney coming up might not give us the wins the fans want but will give the freshmen more minutes before the start of the CAA season.

3:44 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Unless the game is winnable, I mean 2 points down with 1 min to go, everyone will likely get play time vs. Villanova. Just to get them the experience of playing against a school like that, in a venue like that, with as much on the line as that.

4:03 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Can't wait to sit back and watch College BBall Marathon-5 days!!! Yes!

11:37 AM  

Post a Comment

<< Home

Blog Counter