George Mason Basketball: Selection Sunday has arrived

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Selection Sunday has arrived

Not the type of suspense Mason fans had hoped for on this Selection Sunday but nevertheless still an exciting day in college hoops. Even if you think the CIT and CBI tournaments are a joke, consider that playing in these allow the team to continuing practicing by the in-season rules which is about 10 times more the amount than is allowed in the off season. The Patriots find out tonight who they will be hosting Tuesday night in the 1st round of the CIT. We will be there court side live blogging so don't forget to join in, especially since the game won't be televised. We don't know exactly who is in the field for the CIT but a few teams like Mason, have made announcements. Creighton, Appalachian State, and Northern Colorado are hosting 1st round games as well and last year's runner up champion Bradley has decided to stay out of it all together. Another MVC team in the mix is Indiana State which I wouldn't mind seeing in Fairfax but they have showed interest in ponying up the $30,000 to host a 1st round game. Southern Miss is a possible opponent for Mason but might be paired with a more regionally close team. The CIT is set up for mid-majors, so don't expect a middle of the pack Big East team to be traveling to Fairfax this week. Looking at the current RPI standings my wild predictions for Mason's opponent on Tuesday are Rider, Princeton, Buffalo, or maybe Duquesne.

Labels: NCAA, NCAA Tournament

14 Comments:

variaban said...: So GMU gave $40k to host a first round game?; 10:32 AM
Ryan said...: Yes, somewhere between $30-$50K; 10:52 AM
variaban said...: Well, aside from hoping for a win, I'm now hoping for a sell-out crowd too.

Competely random but how did VCU not make the NIT? UConn and UNC belong in either the CBI or CIT. Seems like that tournament is getting political too.; 12:15 PM
Ryan said...: Are you really surprised UConn and UNC are in the NIT? It's all about the money. Those two teams give them ratings.; 12:18 PM
variaban said...: No, I'm not really surprised but I guess there was a part of me that thought the right thing would have been done, I'm not sure.

Either way, I'll be looking forward to tomorrow's game and will be there with probably 3 or 4 more people cheering George Mason, even if it is the CIT. Hopefully they can break the 20 win plateau with this tournament.; 1:30 PM
Beach Dreams said...: Ryan, please give me your thoughts. I was so disappointed by the freshmen this year. Only one guy jumped out: Luke Hancock. Can these other guys be real good players as sophmores, or was this an overrated freshman class? I had high hopes for these guys, but it came down to the veterans only (excepting Luke.) Freshmen can make a difference. Sorry it really did not happen this year. Any new guys on the horizen other that J. Alredge? Help me to feel positive. Thanks. Love GMU Pats.; 9:10 PM
Beach Dreams said...: One other thing, Ryan. You cannot really believe that this tourney is anything but a glorified scrimmage. I love the Pats, but nobody.. nobody... knows about this obscure "tournament" and it will get no press coverage whatsoever. Time to upgrade and become a major player. GMU basketball is better than this and needs to think higher. This tourney.... well, let's say, is a question mark to me. Why have it? Get on with recruiting and next year! Love the Pats, but WHO CARES about this scrimmage?; 9:19 PM
Ryan said...: Beach Dreams,

It's been one year I'm not about to call them a bust. Statistically some of them had better seasons than recent grads like Jai Lewis, Will Thomas or Lamar Butler. The only difference is that those guys had better veterans players around them when they were freshmen. The freshmen were thrown into the fire a little bit more this season then they would have been in others. Can't believe your giving up on these guys already. We aren't Kentucky, we aren't going to get to a #1 seed but a stellar freshmen class. A stellar freshmen class for George Mason isn't realized until a few years down the road. We're a mid-major face reality.

As for the CIT, I've been calling it a glorified scrimmage since day 1. Under NCAA rules they get to practice the full 20 hours a week while the season is still going instead of the 2 hour limit in the off season. The coaches value that practice time and that's really all this is about for young squad.; 9:36 PM
Beach Dreams said...: Ryan...where did I say I was giving up on these guys? I never said that! Read more carefully!... please. Also, they were a higher rated class than J. Lewis, L. Butler, and company. Don't put words in my mouth. I support them. Love em. I am a GMU grad. I think they have players. Noone is saying GMU is Kentucky! Where did you get that??? Why do you even mention that? However, you must admit, other than Luke, the freshmen gave next to nothing this year. To always harp on "We are a mid major" is not reason enough. That gets old. Tell that to Gonzaga. This team had freshmen recruited by the Big East, Big Ten, and other majors, and some were ranked 30th at their position in the country in high school. Quit with the mid major repetition. This team is in the bigs now. Don't hold them down with your labels. The freshmen, other than Luke, did not step up. Plain and simple. Did you not see that? They can, I hope, step up this next year.; 11:18 PM
Beach Dreams said...: Mind you, Ryan, I am not knocking these wonderful freshmen. Some were injured and some just were not, apparently, ready. I give them all the credit in the world. They worked hard, I am sure. I kind of expected more of them, overall, but... alas... no. Work hard, freshmen. Welcome to college ball. I wish them and GMU the absolute best! I am a great fan. Can't just put it on the freshmen. Some vets were disappointing, too. Hope next year is much better.; 11:38 PM
variaban said...: Does anyone else think that it might a coach's age as well or is it just me?
I think Coach L is awesome but I think he's mellowed out A LOT in this past year.
Then you've got Calhoun at UConn, was hospitalized, team finishing 17-15 I think, which is crazy.

I mean, I was watching some of their (GMU's) older games the other day from the tournament a few years back and Coach L was pacing the sides, wistling like crazy, which I don't really see or hear him do anymore either.
Honestly, I thought that got the guys riled up, when he could wistle over 10000 people and get their attention, they would be on the floor and all of a sudden it's like, "oh shit, the general's wistling at me, I better move my ass down the court over there like he told me to do..."

Do I sound crazy?; 9:54 AM
Ryan said...: variaban,

your forgetting Coach L had hip surgery in the off season. I do agree with you that he did seem a lot less energetic on the sidelines.; 10:01 AM
Ryan said...: Beach Dreams,

I wish I could agree with you that we are in the big leaguegs now but I just don't see that way. We are still in the CAA and we still get a crappy out of conference schedule. We still have to have a near perfect season to even be in at-large talks every season. A few recruits that scout.com says are three star players isn't going to change that overnight.

Were the freshmen disappointing this season? Yes, no doubt. I thought Sherrod Wright and Johnny Williams would have had a lot more productive seasons. But despite those expectations I wasn't expecting anything better than a 4th place CAA finish and no postseason.; 10:06 AM
Beach Dreams said...: Hey Ryan, I agree with your last statement. I guess I jumped the gun a bit out of disappointment. I realize every CAA team is loaded with All-State, All-Met... etc. players. This team was one of the youngest in the country. I have to say... hate to say... I am a bit perplexed by some of the coaching. Guys in. Guys sit. Back in. Sit. Not much continuity. But, I find it hard to second guess Coach L. Maybe this team, in reality, was not very good to start with and he did a nice job to get them where they were. However, after leading Villanova the whole game and playing G. Tech well... and figuring the frosh class would get better; it was a disappointment. This team needs better perimeter shooting, better perimeter defense, and a couple more good bigs. Hope next year goes better. If not, the program is in trouble. Thanks for your work, Ryan.; 4:32 PM

Selection Sunday has arrived

George Mason Basketball

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Selection Sunday has arrived

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