Sweet George

Go Patriots! George Mason makes it to the Sweet Sixteen

Date published: 3/23/2006

Sweet George GEORGETOWN you expect. but George Mason? It's a miracle! The Patriots stunned the nation by knocking off defending champion UNC in the second round of the NCAA men's basketball tournament on Sunday. And, suddenly, George Mason University is on the nation's radar.

Think of it this way: Half of last year's Final Four have been sent home courtesy of Mason. That's pretty outstanding for an obscure team whose player-most-likely-to-go-pro is being looked at seriously--by the NFL. NBA hopefuls don't apply to Mason, not with Georgetown, George Washington, and Maryland just up the road. And Mason's not a regular in the NCAAs; in fact, this is the first team in the entire Colonial Athletic Association to make the Sweet Sixteen since Richmond did it in 1988.

Mason got there with style--good coaching and good character. In the high-pressure NCAA tournament, coach Jim Larranaga wasn't shy about pulling out a zone defense he'd not used this year, shutting down UNC's star player, Tyler Hansbrough, and stifling the other Tar Heels. Nor was he hesitant to bench starting guard Tony Skinn for a game for punching a Hofstra player in the conference semifinals. Even playing without Mr. Skinn, the Patriots knocked off Michigan State on Friday in the first of their back-to-back upsets.

One big advantage? Experience. Big-time basketball schools may see their benches cleared when the NBA moneymen come knocking. That's not true for "mid-major" schools like Mason, whose anonymity shelters them, allowing them to field seasoned participants who've played together for years.

Some sports commentators complain about cronyism coloring the NCAA selection committee's decisions. Did the grumbling about Mason's invitation to the dance put the school on the "defensive"? If so, good! The overwhelming Mason defense thwarted both Michigan State and UNC, trashing the argument that Mason's invitation was a gift.

The Patriots hope to knock off Wichita State tomorrow. They've already put the name of their school in lights. George Mason, the father of the Bill of Rights, somewhere must be proud that this team is taking "liberties" with the experts' low expectations.

Follow us on

Date published: 3/23/2006