Monday, March 10, 2008

George Mason, Back at the Dance

To William & Mary fans, THAT just happened!

George Mason easily defeated the Tribe to get back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2006. Every time Mason has played on television since, the announcers always recount that season's Final Four run. It never gets old.

In 2006, Mason got an 11 seed as an at large bid. Last season, VCU won the conference championship and got an 11 seed as well. At worst, GMU should get an 11 seed. A 9 seed might be in order, having won over 20 games, including wins over Michael Beasley and his Kansas State squad, Dayton, Cleveland State, and VCU. All won at least 20 games. The Patriots also beat South Carolina out of the SEC.

VCU should get an at large bid. They were 24-7 including 15-3 in the conference. They won the CAA regular season by 3 games. VCU beat Houston and Akron who have over 20 wins this season and they beat Maryland. I've always believed overall record should count for a lot as opposed to arbitrary evaluations. VCU should get in over every mediocre "big conference" team that hasn't beaten an elite team. Remember, this is a George Mason alum making a case for VCU! So you know they deserve to get in.

The so-called experts are down on Mason again this year. They don't think we have the same talent as we did in 2006. Well, we have two senior leaders with Final Four experience and a Final Four coach, things we didn't have two years ago. The starting five is not as good as that team, but this year's team certainly has more depth. All I'm going to say now is, watch what you say. Do you want to have to eat your words like Jim Nantz and Billy Packer?

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