Mason's tentative CAA schedule released

Just in from GoMason.com:

"According to the tentative schedule, Mason is set to open conference play on Saturday, Dec. 5 at UNC Wilmington. The Patriots will open their home schedule on Saturday, January 2 when Mason hosts Old Dominion. Two days later, Hofstra will visit the Patriot Center for a Monday game. Mason will play other Saturday home games against UNC Wilmington on Jan. 9, James Madison on Jan. 30 and Northeastern on Feb. 27. Other midweek home games are against Georgia State on Jan. 13, Delaware on Jan. 27, VCU on Feb. 10 and William & Mary on Feb. 16.

The Patriots will play on the road in January at Northeastern, James Madison, Hofstra and Towson while February road games have the Patriots visiting Georgia State, Drexel, Old Dominion and Delaware."

I really hate how ODU comes to Patriot Center on January 2nd when the crowd will be very small with students still on winter break. It's going to be an important game as ODU is the heavy pre-season favorite in the CAA.

Are fans involved too much in recruiting?

Great article in the Washington Post today about the NCAA's rules about fans being involved in college recruiting and how the line is being blurred. It has never been easier for the average fan to speak their opinions to the world and even obtaining media credentials isn't that difficult (as I found out last March). The NCAA really comes down on coaches who so much as text a recruit one too many, but now you have to worry about fan sites and message board people directly contacting these guys. Even friending a recruit on Facebook or on another social media venue is against the rules if your a fan/alumni of the university. The article mentions a fansite run by a Georgetown fan (http://cuttingdownnets.wordpress.com/) who actively Facebook stalks potential recruits and "interviews" them, while making it obvious of his hopes they will sign with the Hoyas. I love Mason basketball and I get excited when I hear about potential recruits considering my alma mater but I'm not going to Facebook friend a 16, 17 year-old and try to persuade them to come to Fairfax. Not only is it against NCAA rules but I also don't work for Mason and I don't pretend to be a part of the athletic department or basketball program. These aggressive "superfans" give websites like mine a bad name because they don't follow the rules. Isn't there already enough corruption in college basketball recruiting?

The NCAA just doesn't make sense to me

Recent Tweet from Coach L's Twitter account:

"Compliance meetings begin tmw for the new year. New NCAA rule allows us to provide players bagels but no cream cheese or butter. Love it!"

I just think it's funny that the NCAA is so strict on recruiting rules and regulations and at the same time barely slap a school on the wrist when they break any of these rules. Yes I am talking about Calipari and Memphis, whose 2007-2008 season was just "vacated". How is this considered punishment? At worst are they forced to take down banners and return some trophies, boo hoo. Calipari cheated to get Derrick Rose on his squad and the "punishment" he and his school received doesn't in any way prevent him from doing the exact same thing again at Kentucky. Which by the way was also the case when he coached at UMass in 1996. What would have happened if this kind of thing occurred at a mid-major school? Remember when happened to Maryland back in 1990; not only did they also have to vacate wins but they were banned from postseason play for two years, had scholarships cut, and one year television ban. Wow. A lot changes in 19 years. I guess the NCAA doesn't like it when a television-friendly cash cow team like Memphis isn't playing in March.

Cam Long invited to Chris Paul Elite Camp

Great news day for Mason basketball, Villanova pairing in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off this November, and now we are just finding out that Cam Long got invited to Chris Paul Elite Camp for point guards. More on the Chris Paul Elite Camp here, which last year featured college standouts such as Stephen Curry, Nick Calathes, and Jack McClinton. Coach Caputo had a hand in getting Cam into this camp, does he ever stop working? The Examiner article mentions some of Long's inconsistency last season and I couldn't agree more. We did get to see flashes of brilliance but I'd like to see him also creating more opportunities for the young guys this season. His presence as a floor general is highlighted more this season by the departure of senior guards and veteran leaders.

Confirmed: Mason to play Villanova in Puerto Rico Tip-off

The rumor is confirmed via Coach Larranaga's twitter:

"ESPN has announced the pairings for Puerto Rico. We play Villanova & then either Ga.Tech or Dayton. Indiana faces Ol' Miss with BU vs. KSt."

Oh happy day.

Puerto Rico Tip-Off Bracket

UPDATE: From Gomason.com:

"The George Mason men's basketball team will face 2009 Final Four participant Villanova in the opening round of the ESPN Puerto Rico Tip-Off in a nationally-televised contest as the Patriots and Wildcats will clash on Thursday, Nov. 19 at 2 p.m. on ESPNU."

Mason basketball alumni Jesse Young brawling in Canada/Italy match

Jesse Young was fun to watch during his days at Mason as he was a very tough and physical player. In this video you will see he hasn't lost that intensity as practically the whole Italian team is needed to pull him away from coming to the aid of a cheap-shotted teammate. Also, going up against former #1 NBA draft pick Andrea Bargnani, Young collected 27 points and 9 rebounds while Bargnani scored just 9. Young is #12 in white: