Previewing George Mason vs Drexel

The Patriots return to action tonight at 9 p.m. against the Drexel Dragons looking to win their 3rd straight CAA match. I know the game is at 9 p.m. because of the TV deal with MASN but it's still going to suck for attendance coupled with the fact that students do not return from winter break until the 24th. Home games in the CAA are an important advantage as the Patriots haven't lost many of them in the past couple of years. Drexel is a strong team despite some ups and downs and Mason needs this victory heading into a tough match-up at JMU this Saturday.  I think the big question is can Cam Long and Ryan Pearson continue to keep rolling like they have been on offense lately.  

Drexel is had an interesting season already, they beat a ranked Louisville squad in an ugly game back in December, have already beaten ODU and then lost to William & Mary last weekend by 14.  They are one of the best defensive teams in the CAA this year and are #1 in three-point shooting defense allowing their opponents to average only 25.9% from behind the arch.  That's an interesting factor heading into this game considering how dominant the Patriots can be shooting from there at home.  If the Dragons limit the Patriots three-point shooting attack it could thwart their high scoring act.  Drexel's defense along with good rebounding forcing teams into a gritty low scoring game, which would favor them.  If they make the game a battle in the front court Mason could struggle as Drexel has three forwards averaging six or more rebounds a game, including Samme Givens who leads the CAA with 10.5 a game. No player on Mason's roster is averaging more than five rebounds a game currently.

Drexel head coach Bruiser Flint thinks this is going to be a "physical, defensive-minded game" with both teams trying to grind it out. That's not really the Patriots game and I would hope they would attempt to veer away from a game like that with strong play from their guards.  Ryan Pearson has been a warrior in the front court lately and Mike Morrison has been improving but what let ODU beat them could be how Drexel makes this game interesting tonight.  In the end however I think the Patriots ability to put points on the board, especially at home, will be too much for the Dragons. Chris Fouch can score in bunches but the higher the score the better for Mason as they just have more weapons on offense.