"Best Game I've Ever Seen"

On paper, it was one of the most improbable upsets; George Mason defeating UConn in the 2006 Elite Eight. A game I was able to witness live after spending the night in the GMU field house waiting in line for tickets with my fellow students. Some might say I am biased in saying it was the greatest game I've ever seen, but let me tell you that I have seen my fair share of great games long before I was a Mason die hard. Even today the game it's still getting press as Stewart Mandel from SI.com has it as his choice for best game he's ever seen. I'll never forget the entire student section singing Livin' on a Prayer in unison and the near fist fights my friends and I almost got into with 40 year-old UConn fans during halftime.

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A Change of Heart

It's been an interesting off-season for the Virginia Tech basketball team as their players seem to all the sudden have a change of heart about playing there. The team has already seen Augustus Gilchrist go the prep school route, 2008 recruit Shamarr Bowden withdraw his commitment, and backup center Robert Krabbendam quit the team. But there's only one guy I care about in this situation and that is Nigel Munson, who has recently been granted a release from his scholarship with the intent to transfer to a Washington area team due to personal reasons. According to the Post's recruiting insider, Mason is in the running for him. Coach L offered to him in 2005 and he also got attention from Georgetown. Apparently all the local "Georges" are in the mix, as GW is now also being mentioned. Munson, another product of the Dematha Catholic juggernaut, was rated a 4-star recruit on scout.com and ranked #16 out of all 2006 point guards. He averaged about 11 minutes a game in his freshmen year at Tech and shot over 38% from the three-point line. The possibility of an ACC caliber player coming to Fairfax is exciting but how real of a chance does Mason have in getting him? I think the fact that Mason was going after him pretty strong in 2005 might be a huge factor but I can't count out Georgetown who we annually lose recruits to, well expect for Folarin Campbell. Mason would provide Munson with the opportunity to play right away but will that be enough?

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Becoming a Threatt...

Jay Threatt, the last 2007 recruit signed by Mason is in trouble. Threatt is facing robbery and abduction charges in Richmond, where apparently he and two other teens held a 17-year-old boy at gunpoint looking for money. Authorities believe Threatt was the wheelman in this robbery possibly showing that his speed was not limited to the basketball court. Threatt is not able to enroll at George Mason until proceedings are completed but that probably won't matter because he will likely be dismissed from the team. This incident is similar to what happened with 2006 recruit Richard Flemming, whose scholarship was withdrawn by Larranaga following a summer incident. It will be interesting to see if that does happen will Larranaga try to sign someone before the summers over or hold on to the scholarship for a 2008 recruit. One possibly is local All-Met guard Deontay Twyman, who has committed Ball State but Coach Ronny Thompson could be on his way out, will Twyman bolt too? Twyman was also a football star and heavily recruited by Mason, getting him would be a major upgrade over Threatt. Washington Post recruiting insider Josh Barr speculates this as well.

I not too upset about losing a 5'8" guard, especially considering the depth Mason has going into next season. But Larranaga and his staff still put in a lot of effort in scouting and signing this kid that could have been used on someone else. I thought if we signed a 4th recruit this off-season it would've been a forward considering Monroe and Thomas are gone after next season. Now the scholarship can saved for next year giving the coaching staff some more options. I am almost wondering if Larranaga knew he was taking a chance on Threatt and that's why he was signed so late compared to the other recruits this off-season. Nevertheless, it's still a black-eye for the basketball program and the university.

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Return of the Konkol

Scott Cherry might be heading out west but he will be replaced on Larranaga's staff by a familiar face. Eric Konkol, a Mason assistant coach from 2002-2005 returns to Fairfax after coaching high school basketball and a short stint at North Dakota State, where he resigned after about 2 months. An excellent scout and recruiter, Konkol is a great young coaching asset that already knows Larranaga's system. Losing Cherry was unfortunate but Mason does get back a great all-around basketball mind.

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BB&T Classic to Air on MASN

The BB&T Classic will be aired on MASN this year and not Comcast, thank god. If I had to listen to the college basketball "analysts" on Comcast call the games again I'd probably hang myself. The article mentions that the switch was made due to scheduling conflicts and the fact that MASN offered a greater subscriber base. MASN has a larger subscriber base than Comcast, who knew? I for one greatly enjoyed the amount of coverage MASN gave the Patriots last season and I'm hoping they won't drop us like Triple X radio did. It's not only the announcers that I liked but also that they would actually have some pre-game and post-game coverage. This was something Comcast never did because they always had the Redskins coverage or something else immediately after the game. Originally it seemed that Mason was going to be playing George Washington in this event but it looks like that match-ups and other teams are still waiting to be determined.

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Cherry Pickin'

It's now official, assistant coach Scott Cherry will be leaving Mason to coach at Western Kentucky next season. The decision is based on a new opportunity for Cherry but also for him to be able to move his family closer to home. I wish Cherry the best of luck and maybe we might see him back at Mason in the future, but this move really shakes up the coaching staff as only Chris Caputo and big Coach L himself remain on the staff from last season. Will they look to hire someone with experience or bring in a young fresh face? Cherry was known more for his offensive strategies while at Mason but was also Larranaga's recruiting coordinator. But lately recruiting is not something I am worried about as the talent is starting to come in, Chris Caputo has been doing a great job of getting that talent in the DC area.

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Thursday Bullets

• Interesting article on assistant coach Scott Cherry's journey from a UNC Tarheel national champion to selling forklifts to serving pizza to Demon Deacons and then eventually finding a home at Mason. But rumor has it he has accepted a job at Western Kentucky, more to come later.
• Our friends at CAAZone.com give us an update on Mason players in the summer Kenner League at Georgetown.
• Assistant coach Chris Caputo's weekend at the Freshman All-American Camp at Hoop Magic Sports Academy mentioned in the Post's recruiting insider.
• Another local article on Tony Skinn's post grad life.
• 14 minute '06-'07 highlight video that I think shows just about every three pointer made last season. A little blurry but at least someones trying. I look for new Youtubes daily, please send them to me.
• check out where midatlantichoops.com has our 2007 recruits ranked.
• The DC Sports Bog can't resist to mention how Lee Humphrey "slayed" us in 2005.
  

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