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George Mason is about to go through a crucial 4-game stretch in CAA

George Mason Basketball: George Mason is about to go through a crucial 4-game stretch in CAA

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Wednesday, January 04, 2012

George Mason is about to go through a crucial 4-game stretch in CAA

This team has started to show more of their potential recently and it is coming at a great time.  During these next ten days the Patriots are about to go on the toughest four game stretch of their CAA schedule. They first travel to ODU, a place where they haven't won since February of 2004, against a Monarchs team that is much more battle tested. However, they looked god awful in the beginning of their last game against JMU before getting the win in OT.  Despite what ever kind of season ODU is having, they always bring their best when the Patriots come to town and I expect no different this season.  After that they host a resurgent Georgia State team who just beat Drexel by 14.  Georgia State is looking more and more like a top 4 team in this conference.  Then there's Drexel, the preseason favorites, who have at times this season looked terrible on offense but remain a tough team at home.  Last is the game at JMU, who have a bunch of bad losses (19 point loss to URI) on their schedule that I don't think reflect how good of a team they are.  The Dukes can score and have two very good three-point shooters lighting it up this year, so it will be another dangerous road game for Mason.

Mason needs to continue playing better defense and limiting their turnovers to be successful during this stretch. Andre Cornelius appears to have given this team the lift they needed but they will need to continue getting support from other bench players during this stretch.  Rebounding has still been an issue, especially when Ryan Pearson isn't on the court.  They are yielding way too many offensive rebounds to weaker front courts this season and that is an area they should be controlling.  Bryon Allen seems to have brought some stability to the point guard position and has been looking more comfortable.

Going 3-1 on this stretch of games would be huge but it will be tough for a team that hasn't shown much consistency.  It will be a great opportunity for Hewitt and his bunch to prove wrong the naysayers.  

11 Comments:

Anonymous Charlie T said...

You have really said it. This team has no choice but to do the simple things very well. Not that Defense,rebounding(On both Ends) assist to turnovers a plus not a minus are simple things, but if any of those alleged simple things are way off they will not be able to shoot there way back in a game. This is a funny year in the CAA. Several teams can play very well on given nights ,where in the past 3 or 4 were strong now 6 or 7 can hurt you. I am so glad you mentioned Bench. If we are to be among the leaders this will be where the diference may take place. Enough,no peaks,no valleys.

12:00 PM  
Anonymous couch coach said...

No matter who we play on the road, it's going to be a huge test for us. The only thing that will change the course of this season is if Allen and Wright both become threats from behind the arc (guys who drop a min. of 50 3's a year). Without this, we're just floundering until VCU pounds us again in Richmond. The equalizer for mid-majors is the 3 pointer. We're just passing it up because we don't have the shooters we need. 

2:39 PM  
Anonymous GMURULES said...

I am going to say it again, really dislike the black jerseys.  Look way too much like VCU.  I feel it is giving VCU flattery as we are imitating them.

2:47 PM  
Anonymous Mattlanouechapman said...

How about just a scoring threat.  I don't think it needs to be a 3 so much as helping to space the floor by knocking down jumpers and then leaving themselves open to drive b/c people are worried they'll shoot and score, or keep teams in single coverage on our big men!

3:34 PM  
Anonymous couch coach said...

true, but i'm thinking bigger! Our big men are not big once we hit the dance. And that short arc is just such a great equalizer and we just don't have it.

3:56 PM  
Anonymous couch coach said...

I agree. I thought that as well. I like the colors but VCU has ruined those colors as an option. They must go!

3:57 PM  
Anonymous Taylormade703 said...

Agree times 10!  The black jerseys are hideous!  We are green and yellow!

8:01 PM  
Anonymous Rmjank said...

Agree as well.  Are those dark green stripes down the side of their shorts?  Like the dark green.  Make the uniforms dark green and make the stripe black, that might work.

10:03 AM  
Anonymous Rmjank said...

I think we have the makings of a 3 point contingent with Cornelius and Vaughns and hopefully Wright coming along.  Allen would be icing, but I rather hope he develops his ability to penetrate, drive the lane, toss up floaters, draw fouls, and dish.  Sounds like I expect him to be a Maynor -- a guy can dream, right?  (sorry to mention the name Maynor, by the way!).  The one thing that I keep seeing in Allen (and Maynor didn't even have this) is a lot of ballast and strength.  The guy is big-boned and built, and when you're built that way you ought to be able to mix it up well inside and shoot or pass through the contact.  If he can give us more of that, and if Edwards can spell him, cure his turnover problems and bring some more quick and flash, then our PG difficulties will be solved.  And that in turn will make our three point shooting much better.

10:24 AM  
Anonymous Dsndsn said...

Let me pile on, and make it unanimous. Looks too much like VCU.(ie.,A litle too "thuggish"...the next logical step to complete the look will be baggy denim shorts with feaux exposed plaid boxers) A few years ago there was such a movement toward the color "teal" in the NHL, that the league had to ban that color entirely. Mason should do the same immediately with black. Its not our color.  

6:37 AM  
Anonymous Taylormade703 said...

I don't think they are "thuggish."  Butler wears black jerseys and nobody is calling them thugs. 

I don't like the jerseys for two reasons: 1) They aren't our school color and 2) they're ugly.  But other than that, I love looking like VCU and Towson!

It's a black jersey just for the sake of having a black jersey.  It's a "hey, this is cool, let's do this!"  Luckily Hewitt has only made us wear these costumes once this season in our worst performance at UVA.  Hopefully they don't get worn again.

5:58 PM  

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