George Mason

By Yoni Cohen on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 02:13:25 AM EST

Note that the Patriots' RPI tonight dropped from 28 to 29. With Tony Skinn out, every little bit hurts.

Given George Mason's losses to Creighton and Hofstra, Jim Larranaga's club could be the surprise club left out.

Commentary ::


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George Mason | 8 comments (8 topical, 0 hidden)

Tony Skinn (none / 0)

So please explain to an idiot what an "onion shot" is.  Did he kick Stokes in the nuts?

Here's the comment:

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/bubblewatch?id=30


by Travis on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 08:26:21 AM EST

onion shot (none / 0)

The two were standing close together and he punched him right in the groin. It was pretty blatant.

by SenatorTCJ on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 04:11:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Hofstra (none / 0)

Right now, Hofstra still lurks right behind GMU in the RPI (.5980 to .5976), but a Notre Dame run to the Big East final would help their RPI scoot past GMU's.  Finishing behind the Pride in the RPI would really hurt Mason's chances.

It should be noted the highest RPI value (not ranking) left out was LSU in 2004 at .5883.  With the rating change, I think this year's snub will exceed that, but will no be Mizzou St (.6038) like some a projecting.

Hofstra, Bradley, or Air Force will likely hold that distinction.


by deacondrake on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 10:58:49 AM EST

this is crazyness (none / 0)

How can this be a legitimate arguement? Mason should be in, they proved that without a doubt, they are a NCAA tourney team! They beat Wilmington, they beat Hofstra in the regular season, and when they desperately needed a win, they went into Wichita State and led almost the entire game and beat one of the better teams in the country. Now all of a sudden, because of 1 players dumb mistake, they might miss out on the tourney? What the hell kind of sense does this make? I don't see anyone calling for Arizona to be kicked out of the tourney for their star player getting a DUI (which is way worse than a cheap shot in a hard nosed basketball game). No one is calling for Tennessee's bid to be revoked because they had to guys busted with CRACK-COCAINE! This is just more mid-major hating BS and I am sick of it.

by Anonymous Hero on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 12:03:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Mason Did Not (none / 0)

Beat Hofstra in the regular season...or in the CAA tournament or ever in 2006...GMU lost @ Hofstra the week they cracked the top 25 in the ESPN poll

Both teams belong in...but Hofstra SHOULD be in over GMU based on 2-0 over the Patriots this season even with a similar RPI


by Anonymous Hero on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 12:16:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]

argument (none / 0)

I think the debate is similar to the one made when a team on the bubble or in some doubt in terms of seeding has an injured player, namely how will a team play differently without the player who will be unavailable. I remember this being an issue when Kenyon Martin got injured in the conference tournament a few years back.

If GMU is going to look significantly different in the tournament than they did in the regular season based on a player being unable to play, the committee can take it into account. It just hurts GMU here because they'd be missing a top player of theirs.  


by SenatorTCJ on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 04:15:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]

G mason chances (none / 0)

I think they still have good chances, because:

  1. RPI is still high and no teams whit such an RPI (and so many victories) has never left out in the past;

  2. many big east teams (and other big conference teams) will eliminate other contenders from the race: for istance, i just saw that Syracuse (RPI 43) have beaten Cincy (RPI 32)...;

  3. considering that GMason was in the top 25 a few weeks ago and lost only against HOfstra (a good team), not against South Florida or De Paul...

by supercat64 on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 06:31:53 PM EST

Could the Skinn suspension help GMU? (none / 0)

If George Mason doesn't get in, most pundits (rightly or wrongly) will say the suspension of Skinn was a deciding factor.

Thus, isn't it possible the committee decides to let them in so that they don't get accused of sending a message to coaches that doing the right thing can cost you an NCAA bid?

I don't have a link but a recent John Feinstein column quoted Coach K, I believe, as making exactly that argument.


by Anonymous Hero on Wed Mar 08, 2006 at 08:53:34 PM EST
George Mason | 8 comments (8 topical, 0 hidden)
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