That's right, George Mason clinched a share of the Colonial regular season title with a thumping of VCU Tuesday night. Sitting pretty with a RPI of 26, barring a meltdown, the giant slayers should be dancing again this season - along with ODU.
They currently sit at 21 in AdjO and 31st in AdjD for KenPom, not too shabby. There's a lot to like about how they play. Offensively, they can fill the bucket (49th in scoring) and do so efficiently (14th in FG%). They're middle of the road in made 3's (117th) but they take them judiciously making neary 40% (15th). They are suspect at the line (174th) shooting 68.7%. They protect the ball as well (20th) turning it over about 11 times pg.
Defensively, they're solid as they rank 30th in scoring and 55th in FG%. They defend the long ball as opposing teams only shoot 30%. They're a little light on the boards +2.8 pg (96th). Overall, you aren't going to find a lot of things that they don't do fairly well.
If we believe in Senior backcourt play, then the Patriots have a good one to watch in Cam Long. Long scores 15ppg on 49% shooting. He can dial it up from long range as well, shooting 44% from deep. The point guard is Sophomore, Luke Hancock. Luke scores 11 ppg while dishing it and rebounding it 4.5pg. He also shoots 50% from the field and is the one guy you don't foul, shooting 82%. Juniors Ryan Pearson and Mike Morrison add inside presence, averaging 7 and 6 rebounds per game respectively. Both hit over 50% from the field but Morrison is under 50% at the charity stripe.
I like George Mason's veteran team. The 3 upper classmen saw a lot of time on the court the past 2 plus seasons together. Though they haven't played a tough non-con schedule (losses at NC State, Wofford and Dayton), the Colonial is a historically tough out in the tournament and George Mason should live up to that history this season. Will they make another Final Four? Uh, no but they won't be a team anyone will want to see.
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