Mason, Old Dominion have NCAA credentials
The Rating Percentage Index has become the Holy Grail of bracketology, which is good news for the NCAA tournament aspirations of George Mason and Old Dominion, Nos. 29 and 32, respectively.
On Saturday, when George Mason and ODU meet in Fairfax, will it be a battle of two NCAA-bound teams?
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The RPI numbers suggest yes. Last year, when the NCAA tournament included 65 teams, every team with an RPI better than 40 made it. This year, with 68 teams in the tournament, a rating in the top 40 should carry even more weight.
“Hopefully we’ll have two teams in the [NCAA] tournament this year,” George Mason coach Jim Larranaga said. “Maybe more.”
Now it’s up to the Patriots and Monarchs to retain their lofty RPI numbers and for the NCAA selection committee to pay their usual allegiance to the math.
Until then, George Mason (18-5, 10-2) and ODU (18-5, 9-3) will battle VCU (18-6, 10-2) for the regular-season title in the Colonial Athletic Association and the top seed in the conference tournament.
| Up next |
| Old Dominion at George Mason |
| When » Saturday, 2 p.m. |
| Where » Patriot Center, Fairfax |
| TV » Comcast SportsNet |
Despite the rising tide of the CAA, in which six teams are ranked in the RPI’s top 100, the traditional powers from the three major population centers in Virginia have risen to the top.
“It’s the old saying: Be careful what you wish for,” ODU coach Blaine Taylor said. “One of the things we always wanted, ‘Gosh, it would be nice if we had more good teams. If we only had more depth.’ That’s what we have.”
But ODU has remained strong with its traditional formula — frontcourt power and five men attacking the boards. The Monarchs rank second in the NCAA in rebounding margin (plus-10.8 a game) behind 6-foot-9, 255-pound senior Frank Hassell (13.5 ppg, 9.3 rpg).
“We play inside out,” Taylor said. “I’ve had an all-league frontcourt player for 20 years. Part of that is we recruit to it. We also develop it.”
One such player is Chris Cooper, a 6-9, 230-pound junior from Forest Park High in Dumfries. Cooper (5.4 ppg, 6.0 rpg) began the year as a reserve but has blossomed into an imposing frontcourt presence.
ODU’s inside strength could pose a problem for George Mason. The Patriots’ thin frontcourt is vulnerable if 6-9 junior Mike Morrison or 6-6 junior Ryan Pearson get into foul trouble. George Mason, however, had its best rebounding game Wednesday night in an 87-68 victory over Hofstra, enjoying a 46-29 edge on the boards.
In its homecoming, George Mason looks to avenge a 69-65 loss in Norfolk four weeks ago. Since that game, the Patriots have won eight straight.
“They have as much momentum as anyone in the league,” Taylor said.
