New commenting system

In an effort to make discussions and commenting here easier and reduce how much spam I have to sift through, I have implemented a new system using Disqus. You can now reply to other users comments and post media (e.g. a YouTube link).  Also you can login to make comments using your Facebook or Twitter accounts.  The goal here is urge more discussions and move to a more powerful system. Email me any questions or concerns you may have.

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Highlights from George Mason vs James Madison

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George Mason escapes Harrisonburg with the win off Cam Long's career day

Cam Long set a new career-high for points with 30 against JMU today as the Patriots won a tough one on the road 75-73 in Harrisonburg.  JMU's Denzel Bowles gave Mason all they could handle with 21 points, 14 rebounds and 6 blocks but they were again able to capitalize off another whistle happy game at the free-throw line.  Isaiah Tate was huge in the 2nd half scoring 7 straight points for Mason on their 12-0 run that dictated the pace for the rest of the game. JMU battled back making shot after shot and hitting the offensive boards but in the end they had no answer for Cam Long.  Prior to Mason's big run in the 2nd half Larranaga gambled on putting in Mike Morrison back in the game with 4 fouls.  Morrison rewarded the Coach for his trust in him by helping Mason grab back the momentum off a big alley-oop dunk. Even though Morrison did end up fouling out late he kept his composure in a game with many fouls called and was still able to be a factor despite only scoring 4 points. They were some moments in the game in the mist of all the fouls being called that you might have thought the Patriots would lose their composure but Cam Long kept his team in order and calmly kept making plays.  That is a true sign of a leader there.  

The Patriots victory puts them in good position in the CAA standing at 6-2 as they face Delaware, Towson and William & Mary next week.  

NCAA Basketball

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George Mason heads down to Harrisonburg for showdown with James Madison

Mason travels to Harrisonburg for a Saturday morning ESPNU game against JMU at the ripe ol hour of 11 a.m. JMU, like Mason, is undefeated at home this year and has been averaging 79 points there in their CAA wins.  The Dukes pose a different type of challenge for the Patriots, they can be very tough up front with Denzel Bowles (6-10, 250) and Rayshawn Goins (6-6, 250) but they also shoot the ball very well from the outside as they are 2nd in the CAA in field goal and three-point percentage. Mason doesn't have the usual big advantage in the shooting department here and they are also undersized.  Statistically JMU isn't really much better in rebounding but Denzel Bowles almost averages as many a contest as Mike Morrison and Ryan Pearson do combined.  In JMU's loss to ODU on Wednesday they had 30 points in the paint most of them coming from Bowles.  Last time these two teams faced had 20 points and 13 rebounds in a losing effort for the Dukes at the Patriots Center.  I'm giving JMU's front court a lot of attention and I can't forget to mention how well guards Devon Moore and Julius Wells are doing this season. No doubt they are benefiting this year from the things Bowles and Goins are doing up front.  Both Moore and Wells are shooting over 37% from behind the three-point line.

The Dukes are not a deep team and this is where Mason has the advantage.  Often JMU goes only about 8 deep with sometimes only Andrey Semenov getting any real minutes.  Patriots can take advantage of this is they push the tempo like they did against Drexel in the 2nd half.  A run and gun type of game could favor Mason as the Dukes are by no means a fast team.  Mason has also done a good job lately of getting to the free-throw line which tells me they might be attacking the rim more considering JMU's lack of overall depth. On offense Ryan Pearson averaged 19.7 points a game in Mason's last three road games so I think it's in their best interest to get him going early and not wait for more second half heroics.  

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Friday Links

Couple of George Mason basketball stories circling around the interwebs this week:

• For Mason's Whack, the future has arrived [InsideNova.com]

• Is George Mason D.C.'s best hope for an NCAA Tournament run? [TBD]

• UConn fans still haven't gotten over 2006 [UConnFan.com]

• CAA Basketball's formula for "smart scheduling" [Daily Press]

• Colonial X: Week 2 by Brian Mull 

• George Mason's RPI is currently at 40, only team higher in the CAA is ODU (25)

• If you know Mason men's basketball, you should know these three names [GoMason]

• The CAA, five years later [College Chalktalk]

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Highlights from George Mason vs Drexel

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George Mason's big second half overwhelms Drexel 71-47

It was an ugly game at certain points of the night with 51 fouls being called and three Drexel players fouling out but George Mason just overpowered the struggling Dragons. With all the fouls being called the Patriots attempted more free-throws (21) than field goals (20) in the 2nd half.  Luke Hancock led all scorers with 16 but it was Mason's defense holding Drexel to a season low 47 points that was the real story. In the 2nd half the Dragons went 5-for-27 from the field after halftime and came out so flat on offense it was practically game over with 10 minutes remaining. On offense the Patriots excelled in transition and the Dragons had no answer for that as they were unable to slow down the game. Drexel by the way hasn't topped 50 points at the Patriot Center in four years which must have Bruiser Flint thrilled.  Mason pounced on the opportunity given with all the Drexel players in foul trouble and had another solid game from the free-throw line.  They made the effort on the boards all game long which has to have Larranaga pleased. The team also did a nice job keeping Samme Givens off his game and not letting him dominant on the boards.  Credit Mike Morrison for staying out of foul trouble in this whistle happy game and being a force in the middle with 7 rebounds.

After the victory the Patriots are now in a three-way tie for third place one game behind VCU and Hofstra in the CAA standings. On Saturday they go back on the road to face JMU, who is 9-0 at home this season but lost last night to ODU.  Mason now has an RPI of 42 so I'm sure I'll be hearing the at-large talk again despite the team still not having any "good" wins outside of the Patriots Center.  I'll save that conversation til after we play ODU and Hoftra again and travel down to VCU in February.  

NCAA Basketball Stats

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