George Mason to play struggling Wildcats
Since its improbable run to the Final Four in 2006, it has been the annual question at NCAA tournament time: Who is this year’s George Mason?
Five seasons later, could the answer have a familiar ring?
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Friday in Cleveland, No. 8 George Mason (26-6) tries to re-create its 2006 magic against No. 9 Villanova (21-11), which enters on a historic losing streak. No team has ever reached the NCAA tournament after five straight losses.
“Playing in the NCAA tournament, having you’re name called, kind of erases the past and clears your mind,” Villanova coach Jay Wright told reporters Sunday night. “It says, ‘OK, new season. Let’s go. Let’s have some fun.'”
| UP NEXT |
| No. 8 George Mason vs. No. 9 Villanova |
| When » Friday, 2:10 p.m. |
| Where » Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland |
| TV » TNT |
Injuries are partially to blame for the Wildcats’ freefall, which includes losses in 10 of their last 15 games. Center Mouphtaou Yarou (shoulder) sat out the second half of Villanova’s loss to South Florida in the opening round of the Big East tournament, his absence contributing to the Wildcats blowing a 16-point lead.
Senior guard Corey Stokes (hamstring), the Wildcats’ No. 2 scorer (15 ppg), has missed four of the last eight games. It’s been since Feb. 5 that Villanova won a game in which Stokes has played.
Senior guard Corey Fisher (knee), Villanova’s top scorer (15.4 ppg), has started all 32 games, but has hit just 20 of his last 69 shots. Sophomore guard Maalik Wayns also has struggled from the field, hitting 36 of 103 shots as the Wildcats have lost seven of their last nine.
“Five losses in a row is over. That happened in the past. We’ve moved on from that,” Stokes said. “We feel we’re close. Nobody on the outside might understand that.”
Also coming off a bad loss is George Mason. But the Patriots’ 79-63 defeat to Virginia Commonwealth in the CAA tournament came after 16 straight wins.
The most uncharacteristic aspect of the loss was the Patriots’ assist (eight) to turnover (14) ratio, their worst this season.
“We have to revisit our defense and our rebounding and our ability to share the ball,” George Mason coach Jim Larranaga said. “Those are the three things that helped us win. It helped us be the best team we could be.”
With three guards in each of the starting lineups, and no primary ball-handler, the teams are constructed similarly.
“I got excited when I saw it was Villanova — a high-profile team,” sophomore guard Luke Hancock said. “They’ve got so much experience. Those guards are so good, we’re really going to have to be ready. It’s a big challenge.”
