[paradox]

Larranaga is a great coach and GMU's trip to the final four was no fluke. They may or may not be final four good this year. That remains to be seen. However, we do know that they, along with VCU, are on top of one of the elite mid-major conferences this year.

As an in-state rival, they didn't take LU lightly; and that's a good thing.

The players and coaches seem to understand exactly what needs to be done in order to take this thing up to the next level. Situations like these can be benefical as learning experiences and opportunities for improvement.

Let's not lose sight of the fact that this is an entirely new backcourt along with a new coaching staff. This team will improve and the potential for this team to eventually become dangerous enough to take the conference championship is very much a reality as far as I'm concerned.

[kel varson]

They are also undefeated at the Pat Center.

[LUconn]

Larranaga is a great coach and GMU's trip to the final four was no fluke. They may or may not be final four good this year. That remains to be seen. However, we do know that they, along with VCU, are on top of one of the elite mid-major conferences this year.

Fluke? No, that implies that they got their by accident. Anomaly? Yes. Very little chance they'll ever be back.

[paradox]

We understand that the probability is low for a mid-major to make it all the way to the final four. But if or when it happens again, it will most likely be a CAA team, based on its history of big-time upsets in the NCAA's. And as mentioned previously, GMU and VCU appear to be at the top of the CAA this season. In my view, the top CAA team is usually a legit top-25, when it's all said and done.

[MasonAlum]

I thought your team played well, getting a win on the road is always tough. Your Smith was shooting like the rims where 3 ft. wide, if our shooters had an off night, could've easily gone another way.

No, this Mason team probably isn't another Final Four squad, but there's only four teams nationally that are in any given year. They do however have two starters back from that squad, and we don't lose in our building too often, so you should be proud.

Good luck the rest of your season.

[LUconn]

That is ridiculous.

(that was directed at paradox's post)

[jcmanson]

Thanks for stopping by MasonAlum, you've got a good program going up there, and we hope we can one day soon achieve some of that success you all have seen.

[paradox]

That is ridiculous.

(that was directed at paradox's post)

You wouldn't think so, if you were more familiar with the accomplished history of the CAA and old Metro conferences.

[LUconn]

I am completely familiar with the CAA (which I would give my right arm for LU to be in) and most NCAA conferences. And while the CAA is has certainly got some decent teams that could pull off an upset or 2, I doubt the conference will ever see another final 4 team. As the Mason poster accurately said, only 4 teams make it every year out of over 300. The A-10 is probably the biggest contender to get there. Or Heck Mo Valley is right there with them. Now that they've come to mind, they probably have a better shot than the A10. I love the CAA, don't get me wrong. But don't elevate them to some kind of satus where we could never hope to beat any of them.

[paradox]

No one said that we couldn't beat a mediocre CAA, A-10, or MVC team. We're just not at the point where we're gonna seriously go in and come away with a W against one of the top two teams in an elite mid-major conference (especially in-state).

[jcmanson]

I don't think anyone's elevating the CAA to a level where we could never beat any of them. I think what he's trying to get at, is the top 2 or 3 teams every year in the CAA is very tough, and hard to beat. If we were to play someone who is at the bottom of the CAA, we should beat them in most every year.

[ATrain]

George Mason, VCU, and ODU are probably the top teams in the CAA right now. I have a feeling that we'd probably win if we played any of the following CAA teams:
Georgia State (beaten by Coastal)
Hofstra
Drexel
UNCW
Northeastern
Towson
W&M
JMU (lost at VMI)
Delaware

[bigsmooth]

im very surprised by our performance. i thought it would have been worse. again those scoring lapses hurt us, but i think this can be fixed as the season progresses. one funny thing..i was in B-Dubs in roanoke watching football, and for some reason they put the LU game on several tv's and it appeared people were watching. on guy even said i hate mason i hope jerry's boys beat their a... i asked him why he hated mason and he said he was an ODU fan!

[Bigsouthking]

George Mason, VCU, and ODU are probably the top teams in the CAA right now. I have a feeling that we'd probably win if we played any of the following CAA teams:
Georgia State (beaten by Coastal)
Hofstra
Drexel
UNCW
Northeastern
Towson
W&M
JMU (lost at VMI)
Delaware

If you look at the Big South vs CAA, we actually have done pretty well...

VMI also beat W&M... WU beat ODU 2 years in a row... Coastal also beat UNCW once... so the Flames could compete with these no doubt... CAA is top heavy, but not as good as 2 years ago. The Big South is holding their own.

[checkmate]

Tj, Bj and Smitty are a better perimeter than George Mason's! Alex and Will Thomas a wash.

[flamesbball84]

OK, the CAA has some good team, but they are in no way nearly as good as the Missouri Valley Conference. That conference has so many good teams that it's practically a major conference! The MVC's top one or two teams - depending on the year - are generally good enough to go to the Elite 8. Don't be surprised if in the next couple years an MVC school goes to the final four.

PS - apostrophes are working on my posts now all of a sudden!

[PAmedic]

had the opportunity to catch the ENTIRE game on MASN with the new kid on my shoulder (his first FLAMES sporting event, though he slept thru the entire thing)

everything I thought about the game- you guys already posted- esp MANSON (who was evidently telepathically linked to me)

1. Offense: sporadic (at best) , anemic much of the time and very streaky. Like everyone, watched TeeJay pass back out of open looks or when he a lane, and miss open shots. Counted at least two 6 or 7 footers and a FINGER ROLL which didn't go.
we will lose games because of this. TAKE THE SHOT.

2. Defense: overall, very solid. Much respect from the Mason announcing crew and deservedly so. For a generally small lineup, our guys held their own.

in all- I was impressed with the effort, heart, and COACHING ADJUSTMENTS. Very good overall effort - and Coach did a fine job changing it up. We would have lost this game by 30 last year.

very excited for the future of Flames hoops- and its been 2 decades since I could say that.

Happy New Years, guys!

[SuperJon]

Tj, Bj and Smitty are a better perimeter than George Mason's! Alex and Will Thomas a wash.

You're on crack.

[Cider Jim]

We would have lost this game by 30 last year.

When Mason was pressing us full court, all I could think of was, "thank God we don't have Hubbard at point guard this year."

[jcmanson]

everything I thought about the game- you guys already posted- esp MANSON (who was evidently telepathically linked to me)